Waiver Worthy: Week 2 Fallout: Jay Ajayi, Tyrell Williams, Charles Sims & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Looking to hit the waiver wire ?  Who isn’t looking to improve, though making any hasty decisions off one game could ultimately prove more costly than helpful.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few players who may be available and if they are worth targeting or not:

Jacoby Brissett – Quarterback – New England Patriots
According to Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com (click here for the article):

“NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported after the game that Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, according to someone informed of the results of exams performed at the hospital today. Garoppolo’s chances of playing Thursday against the Texans are slim, per Garafolo, but the Patriots are hopeful he can return Week 4.”

Given the injury and the quick turnaround, it’s impossible to forecast Garrapolo taking the field on Thursday.  In two-quarterback formats that puts Brissett squarely on radars, especially since he showed something in his brief time on the field against the Dolphins (6-9, 92 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT, as well as rushing 4 times for 12 yards).  It is a difficult matchup, though we all know the Patriots find a way.

Verdict – Buy (in two-quarterback formats)

Cody Kessler – Quarterback – Cleveland Browns
First it was Robert Griffin III who went down, now it appears that Josh McCown may have suffered a serious injury.  That would leave the rookie Kessler as the last man standing, at least until the team imports a veteran to join him.  Sure Kessler went 19-28 in the preseason, but he averaged just 3.3 yards per attempt while absorbing 7 sacks.  He would be one of the lowest ranked QB in the league if he’s taking the job and would also take most of the Browns “skill” position players down with him.

Verdict – Pass

Jay Ajayi – Running Back – Miami Dolphins
Arian Foster left Week 2 with a groin injury, and we all know his history.  Ajayi didn’t do much, running the ball 5 times for 14 yards, but Miami was playing from behind and simply weren’t running the football (16 total carries).  Ajayi did play a role in the passing game (4 receptions on 4 targets) and should be the lead runner if Foster is forced to miss Week 3.  With the Browns on the schedule it makes sense for the Dolphins to play it conservative, and that would open up a significant opportunity for Ajayi.  It’s not to say that he’s a lock to produce, but there’s certainly enough potential to kick the tires.

Verdict – Buy

Dwayne Washington – Running Back – Detroit Lions
He took 4 carries for 31 yards and with Ameer Abdullah injured he is going to climb onto radars this week.  That said, even if Abdullah were to miss Week 2 you would have to think that he would share opportunities with Theo Riddick, though Washington would easily profile as the short yardage/goal line back and could potentially be more than that if the team is concerned that Riddick couldn’t handle a full workload (11 carries for 37 yards in Week 2).  Having also produced in the preseason (5.8 YPC, 2 TD), Washington’s going to be an intriguing sleeper against Green Bay.

Verdict – Not must buy, but in deeper formats worth the stash

Charles Sims – Running Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
According to Roy Cummings (via Twitter):

RB Doug Martin told me after the game that he suffered a “slight tweak” of his hamstring. Stil not sure when he’ll be go again

There’s a good chance Martin is forced to miss Week 3, which is a good matchup against the Los Angeles Rams (who have allowed 3 rushing TD to opposing RB).  Consider Sims a must own handcuff and a potential RB2/FLEX for the coming week if Martin is sidelined.  As it is, Martin has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over the first two games, so would it really be a stretch for Sims to earn an expanded role?

Verdict – Worth considering as a 1 week fill-in & stash in deeper formats

Tyrell Williams – Wide Receiver – San Diego Charges
He was a player who was on radars last week, after the injury to Keenan Allen, and while he wasn’t the receiving corps leader (those honors went to Travis Benjamin, who racked up 6 receptions for 115 yards and 2 TD), Williams was solid nonetheless (3 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD).  You also have to keep in mind the target breakdown:

• Travis Benjamin – 6
• Tyrell Williams – 6
• Antonio Gates – 5

So Williams and Benjamin tied for the team lead, Benjamin just happened to be able to take a pair to the house.  Williams could easily emerge as the team’s receiving leader in any given week, and in deeper formats that alone makes him well worth owning.

Verdict – Buy

Kenny Britt – Wide Receiver – Los Angeles Rams
The Rams need to throw the football to someone, especially as Todd Gurley gets off to a slow start, and Britt was the biggest beneficiary though not the only one:

• Britt – 10 targets (6 receptions, 94 yards)
• Tavon Austin – 9 targets (5 receptions, 50 yards)

Granted there are questions at quarterback and Britt has never lived up to expectations.  He’s been targeted 16 times over the first two games (10 receptions for 161 yards), but TD haven’t been there and this should ultimately be the Gurley/Austin show.

Verdict – Pass

Dennis Pitta – Tight End – Baltimore Ravens
He was targeted 12 times, turning them into 9 catches and 102 yards. Baltimore’s receiving corps is hardly impressive, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Pitta could emerge as a weekly option and the go to target for Joe Flacco.  That’s not to say that he’s a must own, given the depth at the position, but he at least is going to be worth monitoring given your alternatives.

Verdict – Streaming Option, but potential for more

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com