- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
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- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Week 6 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups and Drops
- Updated: October 11, 2016
Though it takes until Monday night for a full weekend of NFL action to officially come to a close, in the forward-looking world of fantasy football, owners are already thinking about the upcoming week about midway through Sunday’s action. Some players fail to produce, others pick up injuries and still others emerge as surprise contributors—and may not yet be rostered in your fantasy football league. Trades are made, but don’t always come to fruition.
Some owners are finally coming to terms with the fact that, yes, they did draft way too many players with the same bye week, and oh goodness, cobbling together a lineup for the next week is going to be like pulling teeth.Even those owners who are dominating their leagues are constantly looking for that extra edge, the deep sleeper or obvious stash that will pay dividends down the line. For the rest, submitting the right waiver-wire claim can make or break a week, or even a season.
Here’s a look at the top pickups and drops heading into Week 6.
Pickups and drops info is courtesy of ESPN.com and Yahoo Sports. For the pickups category, players owned in more than 50 percent of leagues are not included on the following tables in order to account for those scouring the waiver wire in larger fantasy football leagues.
Examining Top Pickups
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fleet-footed Jacquizz Rodgers earned a lead-back test in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers due to injuries to Doug Martin and Charles Sims, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed great faith in him. Rodgers finished with 101 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards on 35 total touches in his side’s 17-14 win, sending fantasy owners scrambling for his services.
Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke noted the shifty back was at his defender-fooling best in the game:
Jacquizz Rodgers had 8 players miss tackles on his carries tonight. From this game alone, already good for 17th best on the season
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) October 11, 2016
Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter knew the diminutive Rodgers had workhorse capabilities, per the Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman:
Koetter said he knew Jacquizz Rodgers could carry load, remembered he carried it “about 50 times” in college vs. USC. 37 for 186 in 2008.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 11, 2016
As good as his performance was, Rodgers’ ultimate fantasy value is still murky. Coming into the game, Rodgers had just 69 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards on the entire season. With Sims on injured reserve, Rodgers stands to see more of the field, but the Bucs are on a bye in Week 6 and Martin should return from a hamstring injury soon after. However, with few promising running backs available on the waiver wire, he might still be the best short-term bet. The Bucs should reward him with more touches based on his big day, and many fantasy owners who relied on Sims will be inclined to hope Rodgers plugs …
