Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 9: Charcandrick West Looks Like Next Man Up in KC

Jamaal Charles’ comeback from knee surgery ended unsuccessfully, and he was put on IR today. Spencer Ware has been great so far this year as the lead back for Kansas City, but he sustained a concussion on Sunday and is going to be in doubt for this week. That leaves Charcandrick West (owned in 10% of leagues) as the second guy even with Ware returning (and I expect them to manage Ware’s touches a bit more once he’s back), and a potential starter this week with a good matchup against Jacksonville. West becomes a Top 10 start if Ware is ruled out.

Here are the remainder of this week’s recommendations:

This week’s byes: Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow and Average: Trevor Siemian (43%) going against the shootout-inclined Oakland Raiders is a viable starting option if you have Brady, Cousins, Palmer, or Dalton.

Deep: Colin Kaepernick (17%) has a great matchup versus the Saints.

Monitor the Kansas City situation with Alex Smith: Nick Foles (0%) can be an emergency start against the Jaguars.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow: Dion Lewis (52%) could be back after the bye week, and based on James White’s production, would be a weekly flex start.

Average and Deep: Tim Hightower (10%) got 26 carries after Mark Ingram was benched due to a fumble. Will this evolve into a committee situation, or even to where Hightower becomes the lead back? Ingram has been uninspiring so far this year.

Antone Smith (2%) or Peyton Barber (42%) will likely be getting action this week as Jacquizz Rodgers is now hurt. I would take Smith over Barber but not sure I expect either to be a lead back getting a ton of carries.

Rob Kelley (20%) looked impressive in his opportunity with Matt Jones out and could merit a continued look after the bye week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow and Average: Corey Coleman (48%) should return this week, for the first time since week 2. He becomes a top 30 start and should be picked up.

Kenny Britt (60%) continues to put up reliable target and yardage numbers and will be returning from a bye week.

Mohamed Sanu (42%) had 9 catches last week and gets to play a Bucs team that just got torched by the Raiders.

Deep: J.J. Nelson (4%) is the new starter in Arizona … just in time for a bye week. If you can stash him for a week, he has surpassed the struggling Michael Floyd and John Brown, who has battled injuries and health issues.

Tyreek Hill (4%) continues to make big plays, and could be a sleeper option if Nick Foles is playing.

Russell Shepard (4%) caught a touchdown pass for the second week in a row since Vincent Jackson went on IR, and has a good matchup against Atlanta.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: Cameron Brate (64%) gets to go against an Atlanta team that has allowed 5 touchdowns to tight ends this year.

Average: Eric Ebron (38%) against the Vikings is a borderline starting option this week.

Deep: If you need matchup plays, look to Austin Hooper (2%) against the Bucs and Vance McDonald (5%) against the Saints.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS

SHALLOW

WR Corey Coleman, CLE
RB Charcandrick West, KC
RB Tim Hightower, NO
RB Dion Lewis, NE (on bye)
TE Cameron Brate, TB
RB Antone Smith, TB
TE Eric Ebron, DET
WR Kenny Britt, LA
WR Mohamed Sanu, ATL
WR J.J. Nelson, ARI (on bye)
RB Rob Kelley, WAS (on bye)
TE Austin Hooper, ATL
RB Peyton Barber, TB

AVERAGE

WR Corey Coleman, CLE
RB Charcandrick West, KC
RB Tim Hightower, NO
RB Antone Smith, TB
TE Eric Ebron, DET
WR Mohamed Sanu, ATL
WR J.J. Nelson, ARI (on bye)
RB Rob Kelley, WAS (on bye)
TE Austin Hooper, ATL
RB Peyton Barber, TB

DEEP

RB Charcandrick West, KC
RB Tim Hightower, NO
RB Antone Smith, TB
WR J.J. Nelson, ARI (on bye)
RB Rob Kelley, WAS (on bye)
TE Austin Hooper, ATL
QB Colin Kaepernick, SF
TE Vance McDonald, SF
WR Tyreek Hill, KC
WR Russell Shepard, TB