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The playoffs start in 2-3 weeks depending on your seasonal league settings, and if you're still reading waiver articles, you must still be in the hunt! If there were ever a better week to have the top waiver priority in your league or the most FAAB budget, this is it. The high draft pick RB carnage this year just got worse on Sunday, and previously unknowns could easily turn into your playoff roster savior. Below is my top waiver pickups this week, have at it!
Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA
Marshawn Lynch was a late scratch on Sunday, and is reportedly dealing with a sports hernia that could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. This fact alone makes Rawls the top waiver add this week. Now, his play on the field, on the other hand, vaults him into weekly RB1 status while Lynch remains sidelined. Some people wonder why some RBs make it and some don't in the NFL. The common denominator for stud NFL RBs, in my opinion, is "controlled wrecklessness." You can't be afraid of contact in the NFL, you must embrace it. Rawls is a classic short, strong, agile RB. But he has that other necessary quality...he runs ANGRY.
Javorius "Buck" Allen, RB, BAL
Justin Forsett was met in the backfield by DPOY candidate Aaron Donald last week, and he....lost. Enter Buck Allen, a decent prospect out of USC who has underwhelmed on the field YTD. He obviously will garner RB2 consideration moving forward, but temper expectations. Joe Flacco is done for the year, as is the Ravens' season. Matt "Pick Six" Schaub is stepping in, so while the touches/targets will definitely be there, room to run and scoring opportunities may not.
Spencer Ware, RB, KC
Ware blew up against the Chargers "defense" after Charcandrick West left with a hamstring injury. Once upon a time, Ware was the starting RB for LSU. Seattle tried to make him a fullback due to his thick build, but he showed on Sunday that he has the wiggle and wheels to make it as a bellcow RB. If West misses any games due to his hammy, Ware will have great opportunities for big games, as Kansas City has the easiest remaining schedule for RBs.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, IND
No offense to any of the Giants existing RBs, but seeing Bradshaw still scoring TD's for the Colts makes me a little bitter. His foot injuries were always an issue, but he always produced when healthy. But I digress. Frank Gore is banged up and could miss time, slotting Bradshaw for 12-15 touches/week with considerable scoring upside. Similar to my comments about Rawls above, Ahmad is certainly still running angry.
Somewhat quietly, the Chiefs have won four straight, and still have playoff hopes. They are being carried by their defense, and this success is also translating to some massive fantasy production. They have scored double digit fantasy points in four straight games, and have a fantastic rest of season schedule in: BUF/OAK/SD/BAL/CLE. Giddy up!