WW Running Backs after week 5

[Steve-o]

My league puts everyone on waivers until Tuesday morning and we limit the number of RBs that you can carry on your roster, so there is always some shuffling of RBs then. Here is my take on some possible free agents and where I rank them. If you are desperate at that position you may want to consider some of these guys. Feel free to add others or adjust how I rank them. (SL ownership % in parens)

1.) Tatum Bell (Den) (79%) – Probably developing into a true RBBC. Bell had 12 carries this last week, while Anderson had 11. Anderson is likely to remain the starter but look what happened with Droughns last year. He could become the starter in an instant, or he could go back to getting 4 carries a game. Many believe he is the most talented runner in Denver, but there was all kinds of talk about how good Anderson looked before the season started.

2.) Cedric Benson (Chi) (79%) – Has been in Lovie Smith’s doghouse all season, but Thomas Jones' injury may be the key to getting him in the lineup. Jones himself has said it was just a deep bruise, but his injury history should scare T. Jones owners. The Chicago offensive line is performing very well this year, so Benson would likely excel if given the opportunity. I doubt Benson is available but he probably should be picked up if you have a roster spot.

3.) Tyson Thompson (Dallas) (3%) – Julius Jones suffered a leg injury and did not return since the game was a blowout. Jones is likely to be fine and will probably start next week, but Thompson showed he could produce in Jones absence (75 yds on 20 carries). Probably only important for Jones owners.

4.) Antowain Smith (NO) (6%) – Duece McAllister’s backup. Duece left Sun’s game in the 3rd quarter with an injured leg. It is unclear how serous the injury is, but Duece probably didn’t return because the game was such a blowout. Smith is likely valuable only to Duece owners or people looking to take a huge chance.

5.) Tony Fisher (GB) (2%) – Becomes the Handcuff for Ahman Green since Najeh Davenport’s broken ankle will likely keep him out the rest of the season. Fisher is more of a third down, receiving back (he’s a little light at 210 or so). With the Packers revamped O-Line, he is unlikely to average the lofty ypc he had in ‘04 and 03. (5.0, 4.0) Since the Packers have a bye next week, Ahman Green is expected to return. I would only pick him up if you feel the need to handcuff Green.

Others with possibilities, if you are desperate, include Jarrett Payton (Ten), Frank Gore (SF), JJ Arrington (Ari). These guys will likely just waste a roster space, but you never know what can happen.

[foulballstrike3]

Yeah, it's just tough taking up a roster spot right now w/ all the byes. In one league, A. Smith is actually rather valuable so I snatched him up because there are no RBs on the ww. Listen to this, and I am not bs'ing you here. Droughns, Suggs, and W. Green all actually started for three teams in a 12 team league this past week.

[The_Dude]

4.) Antowain Smith (NO) (6%) – Duece McAllister’s backup. Duece left Sun’s game in the 3rd quarter with an injured leg. It is unclear how serous the injury is, but Duece probably didn’t return because the game was such a blowout. Smith is likely valuable only to Duece owners or people looking to take a huge chance.

Good post Steve-O!

With Smith, you might put a /Aaron Stecker on the end of that. There's another thread on the board right now about how its ambiguous as to who becomes the starter in the absense of Deuce... which makes a pickup more tenuous - especially if it ends up being RBBC, as some have suggested it might be.