Waiver Wire: Murray, Crowell emerge as options at running back

Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the weekly waiver deadline.

Quarterbacks

Eli Manning, New York Giants (at Jacksonville)

Last Week: 29/40, 339 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Manning had one of his better games of the season against the Cowboys in Week 12; throwing three touchdowns for just the third time in 2014. But it’s his remaining schedule that makes Manning an attractive wire pick up, and possibly a plug-and-play QB1. The Giants travel to play the Jaguars and Titans before returning to the Meadowlands to host the Redskins over the next three weeks. Manning will be a QB1 option in each of those games, and remains available in more than 60 per cent of leagues.

Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Carolina)

Last Week: 21/37, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 32 rush yards

Bridgewater’s first multi-touchdown game put him on the fantasy radar for the first time. While the rookie remains far from a reliable option, his value could continue rise with games against the Panthers and Jets looming. The Louisville product remains off the QB1 radar, but is worth a flier in two QB leagues.

Running Backs

C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos (at Kansas City)

Last Week: 167 yards, 1 TD; four catches (four targets), 28 yards

Anderson has been worth a pick up – and has been picked in over 50 per cent of leagues – for a couple of weeks now. Against the Dolphins, Anderson put together the best day on the ground of his career. He has taken full advantage of his opportunity thanks to the injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman. Anderson will likely have trouble finding paydirt against the stingy Chiefs run defence, but should still be a safe RB2 play.

Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders (at St. Louis)

Last Week: 112 yards, 2 TDs

Murray appeared on the waiver wire last week as a flier, now after his short but impressive performance against the Chiefs in Week 12, he’s a legitimate RB2. Murray exited the Raiders win over the Chiefs after just four carries due to a concussion but, as long as he clears protocol, will be worth a start against the Rams.

Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (at Buffalo)

Last Week: 88 yards, 2 TDs

The Browns backfield is less of a mystery this week than last with Ben Tate out of mix, but Crowell still split carries with Terrance West against the Falcons. Crowell made the most of carries - outgaining West despite two less touches - but remains an unreliable fantasy start. Crowell faces a tough matchup against the Bills this week, but his use could go a long way in determining his value. He’s a low-end RB2 option for Week 13.

LeGarrette Blount, New England Patriots (at Green Bay)

Last Week: 78 yards, 2 TDs

Last week, I prefaced my comments on breakout back Jonas Gray with “for years, the Patriots have frustrated fantasy owners with their unpredictable running back rotation.” That unpredictable rotation returned again on Sunday as Gray was benched for being late for practice and Blount – signed earlier in the week – led the Patriots rushing attack. Picking the man to start in the Patriots backfield is a dart throw. Shane Vereen holds value as a pass-catching back, but outside of that Blount and Gray are no more than RB3s. Blount could be worth a stash though, in case he emerges as the leader again against the Packers.

Wide Receiver

Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Carolina)

Last Week: Three catches (11 targets), 52 yards, 1 TD

Johnson hauled in just three of his 11 targets against the Packers, but much of that was Bridgewater’s inaccuracy. Johnson is emerging as Bridgewater’s favourite target with 87 yards last week and another 52 in Week 12. Johnson will be on the WR3/ FLEX radar this week against the Panthers leaky pass defence.

Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins (at New York Jets)

Last Week: Seven catches (10 targets), 50 yards, 2 TDs

Landry had a strong day working in the slot against the Broncos in Week 12 and now has at least one touchdown in two straight games. Landry is starting to appear on the WR2 radar in PPR leagues, he has 34 catches in the past four weeks. Landry will likely continue his recent success this week against the Jets porous defence.

Tight End

Tim Wright, New England Patriots (at Green Bay)

Last Week: Five catches (six targets), 36 yards, 2 TDs

Wright has hauled in a at least one touchdown catch in each of his last two games and, according to ESPN, played a season-high 60 snaps on Sunday against the Lions. With defences fixated on Rob Gronkowski, Wright has found open space in the redzone and will likely continue to see opportunities in the Patriots high-scoring offence. At a weak position, Wright is on the TE1 radar in what will likely be a shootout in Green Bay.