2013 Fantasy FootballAlan HarrisonFantasy Football

2013 Fantasy Football, Week Four Waiver Wire: Bilal Powell, Le’Veon Bell Top Priorities

Welcome to the Fix’s week four fantasy football waiver wire. Injuries are still decimating teams and matchups are becoming easier for us to recognize and exploit. This week we’ll be looking at players like Bilal Powell, Terrelle Pryor and Ryan Broyles.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that I indicate below each name what type of waiver priority I would use on said player as well as the amount of FAAB I’d be willing to use to acquire their services. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Bilal Powell | Jets

Bilal Powell should have already been on your radar, especially since Gerard touted him as a “sleeper” for you to target in the preseason. However, he likely remained on the waiver wire in more than 50% of leagues due to the uncertainty of his role alongside Chris Ivory in the Jets backfield. But when Ivory tweaked his hamstring (again), the pigskin became Powell’s to run and protect.

Powell carried the rock 27 times for 149 yards and added two receptions for nine yards. He failed to reach the end zone, but he averaged 5.5 yards/carry and scampered an impressive 27 yards on his longest run of the day. Additionally, ProFootballFocus.com indicates Powell forced defenders to miss five tackles with the ball in his hands.

The Jets aren’t exactly sure how long Ivory will need to recover from the hamstring injury, but based on “the slow recovery the first time around, they aren’t expecting him back anytime soon.” For those with a lack of depth or production from the running back position, you should be targeting Powell from the waiver wire heading into week four. The Jets face the Titans, Falcons, Steelers and Patriots in their next four games, all of which are in the top 20 for most points allowed to opposing team’s ball carriers. Nom, nom, nom.

Consider in leagues: 10-12 team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 1-2
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 50%
Players I’d drop for him: Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas, Isaac Redman

Terrelle Pryor/Matt Flynn | Raiders

The Oakland Raiders face the Washington Redskins in week four of the NFL season — a passing defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game (27.34) to opposing gun slingers.

Prior to leaving Monday Night Football’s action against the Broncos late in the fourth quarter with a concussion, Pryor put up over 300 yards of total offense and threw for a touchdown. And if the dual-threat signal-caller fails to earn clearance for Sunday’s matchup against Washington, Matt Flynn will be the one feasting on the ‘Skins secondary.

This matchup is more appealing for those in daily fantasy leagues, like those at DraftKings.com, but if you’re a Cam Newton or Aaron Rodgers owner, you may as well take advantage of the matchup.

Consider in leagues: 12 team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10%
Players I’d drop for him: Sam Bradford, Carson Palmer, Josh Freeman

Ryan Broyles | Lions

If you haven’t heard by now, Nate Burleson broke his arm in an apparent car accident early Tuesday morning. That, combined with Ryan Broyles’ improved health means that Matthew Stafford may have a new sidekick to target opposite superhero Calvin Johnson.

In eight contests last season, Broyles hauled in 22-of-32 targets for 310 yards and two scores. He averaged just over 14 yards/reception, but had receptions of 20 yards or more in three of the seven games in which he actually caught a pass. Last week he caught all three passes thrown his way for 34 yards.

Consider Broyles waiver-wire worthy in deeper leagues if you’re looking to add depth. Realize that teams will send double coverage to Johnson most — if not all — of the time, so Broyles could be a decent third wide receiver for your fantasy squad out of the slot.

Consider in leagues: 10-12 team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 6 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Kenny Britt, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Greg Little

Isaiah Pead | Rams & Brandon Bolden | Patriots

Of the two, Pead appears to have the most direct route to touches if Daryl Richardson continues to be hobbled. It feels like one of those situations where there are “less mouths to feed.” He carried the ball rather ineffectively — just six carries for 20 yards — but hauled in seven receptions for 79 yards through the air.

Bolden carried three times for 51 yards and added five receptions for another 49 yards. But with all of the weapons attached to Tom Brady’s belt, are we sure this will last? Bolden may just have been Brady’s flavor of the week, you know how that goes. In a PPR league Bolden makes for a decent add as he may be filling the “Shane Vereen” role. In standard leagues I’d consider adding him if/when he clears waivers.

Consider in leagues: 12 team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10%
Players I’d drop for him: Mark Ingram, Shonn Greene, Isaac Redman

Stephen Hill | Jets

Hill is a wideout fantasy footballers should be eyeing in deeper redraft, keeper and dynasty formats. He’s a physical specimen that can get down the field and up to get most any ball in his general vicinity.

Through three games, Hill has caught 13-of-18 passes for 233 yards and a score. He’s averaging 17.9 yards/reception and 4.4 yards after the catch according to our friends at PFF.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teamers
Waiver Priority Worthy: N/A
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: <5%
Players I’d drop for him: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Greg Little, Nate Burleson

Indianapolis D/ST

The Jaguars surrender the third-most fantasy points to opposing team’s defenses. Additionally, the Jaguars already noted that Blaine Gabbert will be back under center in week four. There aren’t many more reasons one would need to be in favor of this move.

Consider in leagues: 10-12 team
Waiver Priority Worthy: N/A
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5%
Players I’d drop for him: Arizona, St. Louis, Pittsburgh

Lastly, if you’re one of the lucky ones to be playing in a league where Le’Veon Bell, Josh Gordon, Jason Snelling or Denarius Moore are available, make those adds first.

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5 Comments

  1. Gerry
    September 24, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Would you drop Marlon Brown for Denarius Moore? I have Dez and Stevie Johnson. Just wanted some depth besides those two. Ryan Broyles is also available.

    • September 25, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      yes, I would drop Marlon for either of Denarius or Broyles, in that order.

  2. raul
    September 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    what do you think about Brandon Bolden

    • September 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      I wrote what I think above, to be honest. I think he’s a decent flex play in deeper leagues as long as he continues to serve as a “Vereen” type player lining up at different positions. Like him better in PPR than in Standard leagues.

  3. Cochise
    September 28, 2013 at 9:13 am

    What are you thoughts on Dobson? Who has a better season Hill or Dobson?