Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 3: Knile Davis Will Keep You From Being Kind of Blue

Some backup running backs are like lottery tickets. They may not provide much on a weekly basis until . . . bam, they are a top 12 start because the starter goes out. That is Knile Davis this week. We still await word on just how long that Jamaal Charles will be out, but in the short term, Davis will likely be a top 12 start each week until he returns. Who are some others that could fit this mold, if we are trying to be proactive?

The Seattle situation is unclear — Christine Michael has yet to be active because of injury, so while the preseason hype locked on him, we don’t know if he would slot behind Turbin after this setback. Robert Turbin is a decent play until we know. Chris Polk in Philadelphia would be a play, if McCoy ever missed a game. Yes, Darren Sproles has been incredible. He’s still not getting 10+ carries if McCoy is hurt and those carries go somewhere. Alfred Blue got 11 carries this week as Houston was up big. Arian Foster, coming off last year’s injuries, is leading the league in rushing.

Of course, for this week, we probably want to move on from hypotheticals and future tickets, because there were so many injuries that we have several guys leap in value, in addition to Davis. Knowshon Moreno (Miami), Mark Ingram (New Orleans), and Ryan Matthews (San Diego) are just some of the cases where there are now opportunities in good rushing attacks.

As always, I list three categories, based on whether a player is owned in less than two-thirds but at least half of all leagues on CBS Sports fantasy (shallow), owned in one-quarter to half (average), or owned in less than 25% of leagues (deep).

QUARTERBACKS

Kirk Cousins (11% owned) is the obvious new fantasy option at the position, with Griffin’s injury, and he will probably be starting for a while. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there — plenty of guys at the bottom of the starting rung haven’t exactly lit it up yet, so overall, Cousins slots into about the QB20 range, up or down based on matchup. While I’m not a huge fan, he’s got decent weapons and does play in the NFC East.

Shallow: Ryan Tannehill vs KC (59%) is the one week matchup play, with a running back group that is decimated so that he will probably have to pass a little more, and going against a defense that is hurting and struggling against the pass so far (league worst in passer rating allowed).

Average: Josh McCown @ ATL (36%) gets to go against a Falcons defense that has underwhelmed, again, through two weeks. If he can’t start connecting this week with Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, I’m not sure there will be a better opportunity to be considered start worthy.

Deep: The desperation play in a two-QB league or deep league with injury issues is Matt Cassel @ NO (11%). He’s coming off a dreadful performance against New England, but the Saints have been a little easier to pass on and through two weeks are allowing the most fantasy points to QB.

RUNNING BACKS

Knile Davis (41% owned) will be the most popular target this week. Given the nature of Charles’ injury, he is probably a multi-week starter and is worth a 40% bid if you need immediate RB starting help (or maybe more if you also have Charles and didn’t handcuff).

Shallow: The Colts have a favorable matchup, and Ahmad Bradshaw (61%) has looked better than Richardson, so with a game against Jacksonville, he is at least a flex start for this week with the potential to garner a full split going forward.

Average: Two NFC South situations that provide immediate starting options. I like Bobby Rainey (48%) more this week in terms of weekly starting rank because of Martin’s uncertain status and the matchup against Atlanta (see what Cincinnati and Saints backs did against them). I like Khiry Robinson (46%) more over the next few weeks because we know the Saints’ backfield will be productive, and with Ingram out, it makes the remaining two both top 30 starting options.

Shallow: Donald Brown (20%) should also be a flex option, because while Danny Woodhead is a valuable player, he’s not going to take a high workload in Ryan Matthews’ absence. Somebody has to get carries in Knowshon Moreno’s absence and Lamar Miller was also dinged up and might be on the injury report this week. Damien Williams (<1%) will be your fall-back option and could be a great sleeper that slips through, and provides a month of value.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow: Greg Jennings (59%) is a great one week matchup play this week at New Orleans, the team allowing the most points to WR through two weeks.

Average: Roddy White didn’t practice today, so Harry Douglas (43%) who was a fantasy starter last year once Julio Jones was out and White was slowed with injury, would become an immediate option.

Deep: Brian Quick (23%) is the #1 option in St. Louis, and Tavon Austin is now out. Mohamed Sanu (17%) had a big game once A.J. Green went out. Regardless of whether Green is back, he should be an option — especially if you get bonuses for WR passes.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow: none, well, except everyone also available in deeper leagues below.

Average: Travis Kelce (44%) has been the top receiving option for Kansas City and will only see his role expand. He has yet to get a TD, so buy now. Larry Donnell (35%) is emerging as yet another Giants tight end worth having. A starting option from here on.

Deep: Last week, we recommended Delanie Walker as the start based on matchup. So go to Jared Cook (29%). If Jordan Reed is still out, Niles Paul (12%) will be a starting option.

DEFENSES

New Orleans (vs. Minnesota) is the recommended start among likely eligible defenses on the waiver wire.

TOP PICKS

1. Knile Davis
2. Khiry Robinson
3. Ahmad Bradshaw
4. Bobby Rainey
5. Greg Jennings
6. Larry Donnell
7. Travis Kelce
8. Mohamed Sanu
9. Brian Quick
10. Harry Douglas