Just when it looks like the running back picture is coming into focus, week 6 blows it up. Adrian Peterson and LeVeon Bell sunk their teams while Jonathan Stewart and James Starks came up huge. The Chiefs backfield looks like a nightmare without Jamaal Charles, despite the hype surrounding his backups. The waiver wire can be a dangerous place, as last week proved, but I have some solid picks to share for week 7.
Week 6 Recap (Standard League Points)
- Antonio Andrews TEN - 2 pts
- Charcandrick West KC - 1 pt
- Knile Davis KC - 2 pts
- Chris Thompson WAS - 3 pts
Andrews is probably worth rostering still in deep leagues. The Tennessee run game is volatile and it is tough to decide who will go off on a given week (McCluster in this case). West and Davis were both putrid in their first shot at finding a new feature back. It seems likely that the Kansas City offense will struggle particularly now that Maclin is hurt. Thompson did not see much uptick in touches with Matt Jones and did little with what he was given. He still carries some value, particularly in PPR formats.
Teams On A Bye Week 7: Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay
Week 7 Waiver Wire: Wide Receiver / Quarterback and Tight End
Week 7 Picks
Christine Michael DAL
The Cowboys coaching staff are looking to make changes to their anemic offense. Brandon Weeden has been replaced by Matt Cassel and La'El Collins will be starting in week 7. Although there is no definitive word, it sounds like Michael will have a much larger role in the run game as well. There are mixed reports on whether or not Michael will be the starter, but he will probably get at least 10 touches and his role could expand more. If he ends up taking hold of the Dallas backfield, Michael could be a huge value for the rest of the season. If you took my advice way back when I said to stash him, great, otherwise pick him up now.
James Starks GB
What is going on in the Green Bay backfield? I'm asking for a friend...his name is Eddie. The Packers are on a bye this week, but this is the time to grab Starks who may be the starter. I don't know whether Lacy is more hurt than he lets on or if he has fallen out of favor with the coaches, but something is wrong. I'm not saying that he should be dropped, but it is getting close to that point. Right now it seems like Starks is the back to own in Green Bay and it may cost a fair amount of your FAAB budget to get him.
Charles Sims TB
This is not my first recommendation for Sims, but he is still below 50 percent ownership. As a PPR option he is fantastic, but his production is beginning to put him in the conversation for standard leagues as well. Tampa Bay is coming off a bye week and your league mates may overlook him on the waiver wire, but this is the time to strike. Grab Sims now and he should be a solid flex play moving forward.
For The Watch List: Theo Riddick DET
I don't know that Riddick warrants a pickup at this time, but the situation should be monitored. Ameer Abdullah has been a disaster lately and is probably losing his grip on the starting job. Riddick is a decent runner and a big threat in the passing game. If he can get hot, the coaching staff may hand over the keys to the anemic Detroit running game.
