Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 13: Daniel Herron Could Be Great in Blue
By Jason Lisk
Trent Richardson continued his mercurial ways with the Indianapolis Colts. It doesn’t really matter who else plays running back for the Colts, they outperform Richardson. On Sunday, it was Daniel Herron, pressed into action with Ahmad Bradshaw’s season-ending injury, who totaled nearly 100 yards from scrimmage.
How’s this fact? Since Richardson arrived in Indianapolis, there has only been one game where he played, and another running back also got at least 5 carries, and Richardson had the highest yards per carry. (That was last year, against Denver, when Richardson had 37 yards on 14 carries, and Donald Brown averaged 2.07).
So, the opportunity and the schedule is there for Herron to carve out a role in Indianapolis, and provide numbers similar to Bradshaw. When do the Colts stop giving carries to Richardson? If that happens, he’s even more valuable.
Herron (owned in 38% of leagues) is the top choice this week.
QUARTERBACKS
This is not a great week to be needing an emergency pickup. Of course, it’s the first week with no byes in a long time, so if you need a desperation start, you must have major injuries. Among guys likely out there, Drew Stanton (35%) against Atlanta would be my play.
Next, I would go with Blake Bortles (17%) going against the Giants.
RUNNING BACKS
Shallow Leagues: Pierre Thomas (58%) came back and split with Mark Ingram, and provides value in PPR leagues. He should be a flex option down the stretch.
LeGarrette Blount (50%) went from Pittsburgh’s doghouse to scoring two touchdowns for New England in less than a week. Yeah, do you trust Belichick not to bench him this week just to prove some sort of other point? I don’t.
Now is a good time to handcuff your top backs, and Knile Davis (65%) should be at the top of the list.
Average: Latavius Murray (30%) had a breakout game before leaving with a concussion. The opportunity is there because McFadden and Jones-Drew have not been good, though fullback Marcel Reece also merits more touches.
Deep: Juwan Thompson (15%) is worth a deep add just in case he becomes the next man up in Denver. We’ve seen Hillman and now C.J. Anderson both become top options in the past month.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Shallow: John Brown (63%) has a pretty good matchup against Atlanta and should be a top 36 start. Kenny Stills (61%) was targeted heavily by Drew Brees and should be a starting option
Average: Jarvis Landry (33%) update: two more touchdowns. Five weeks on the waiver wire recommendations, because he continues to be under-owned. Oh, and the Jets’ secondary this week.
Allen Hurns (27%) is the other choice, if you need a starter.
Deep: Marqise Lee (8%) is the deep flyer because the other Jacksonville receivers were not impressive a week ago, and the season is all about development.
TIGHT ENDS
Shallow: Owen Daniels (60%) continues to be the best starting option among the potential free agents. Jordan Cameron (58%) may return this week as well, probably a monitor and see situation if you have options but could use a platoon at tight end in the playoffs.
Average: Jared Cook (35%) going against the Raiders continues to be Mr. Right Now, even if he’s not Mr. Right.
Deep: Jermaine Gresham (20%) is the best of a weak group of deep options pending injury news.
OVERALL
- Daniel Herron
- Kenny Stills
- Jarvis Landry
- John Brown
- Latavius Murray
- Pierre Thomas
- Owen Daniels
- Knile Davis
- LeGarrette Blount
- Jordan Cameron