Dwayne Washington is getting enough opportunities to give him flex value in most leagues
Due to the blood bath of injuries to running backs in Week 2, this past week’s waiver moves became very important. Sunday was the first chance we got to figure out which, if any, waiver wire additions could make a contribution to fantasy teams this year. Let’s take a look.
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Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were expected to use a committee without Jonathan Stewart and unfortunately it should remain that way moving forward. Fozzy Whittaker (34) out snapped Cameron Artis-Payne (31) and Mike Tolbert (17) but does not belong in fantasy starting lineups as anything more than a desperation flex.
The only member of this crew worth starting against Atlanta next week would be Artis-Payne, who led the backfield in touches. He handled 12 carries for 47 yards while adding an 11-yard reception. He will be on the RB2/flex borderline in week four.
Detroit Lions
The Lions got off to a terrible start in their loss to the Packers on Sunday afternoon, so the game script didn’t go as they intended. With Ameer Abdullah out, Theo Riddick got the start and out snapped Dwayne Washington 45-25. However, Riddick only rushed 10 times for nine yards.
He remains an RB2 in PPR leagues since, even on a down day, caught seven passes for 39 yards. He is a boom or bust flex option in standard leagues. Washington, meanwhile, may still be available on waiver wires and should be added everywhere.
He rushed 10 times for 38 yards and is a flex option moving forward. He has a great Week 4 matchup against the Bears.
Miami Dolphins
In the absence of Arian Foster, the Dolphins were expected to use a four-way running back by committee, which is exactly what happened. The 67 snaps were distributed almost evenly with Kenyan Drake receiving 27, Jay Ajayi receiving 18, Isaiah Pead receiving 13 and Damien Williams receiving 10. Drake got the start and rushed nine times for 37 yards while catching two passes for an additional 11.
While Ajayi scored the game-winning touchdown, the entire backfield is a situation to avoid. In standard leagues, the only player worth owning is Drake as a bench stash. He should not be counted on as a fantasy starter in Week 4.
Minnesota Vikings
If you missed out on Jerick McKinnon in last week’s waiver dash the time to trade for him is now. While Matt Asiata got the start, it was McKinnon who both out-snapped (36 to 19) and out-touched him (17-7). Facing a tough Panthers’ defense, McKinnon managed just 45 yards on 16 carries while catching one ball for two yards.
The Vikings’ offensive line continued to struggle, but their defense looks legit, which means McKinnon should have above average game script on most weeks. While next week’s matchup against the Giants is tough, McKinnon is a very promising roster stash in all formats.
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Brendan Tuma is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Brendan, follow him @toomuchtuma.
