Waiver Worthy (Week 6 Aftermath): Chris Ivory, Orleans Darkwa, Brett Hundley & More

by Will Overton

The devastating injuries are piling up and fantasy owners are reeling from it. Desperate times can lead to desperate measures, so before you blindly hit the waiver wire to fill a hole on your team, make sure you read this first. Unfortunately the wire is bit of a wasteland this week despite the injuries. Nonetheless, I will give you my take on all the big names coming out of Week 6 who will be enticing, and I’ll let you know how you should handle each one:

Chris Ivory – RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
With the injury to Leonard Fournette and the success he had in the passing game yesterday, Chris Ivory is bound to be a popular name getting attention this week. Ivory only carried the ball twice on Sunday, but he had nine catches for 74 yards including a TD that featured a pretty nifty run him after the catch. I think Ivory’s success is going to be dependent on Fournette’s recovery from this hip flexor. Ivory is not a third down back, despite his success in the passing game, and I think it’s farfetched to think he can maintain that. With a nice matchup against the Colts coming up, if Ivory is the featured back he could be a nice pickup and play if you need a back for one week.
Verdict: Watch the Fournette News, Don’t Trust the Catches

Zach Miller – TE, Chicago Bears
The five catches and 64 yards he has compiled the last two weeks isn’t exactly enticing for fantasy owners. That said, the back to back TD games is. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that the two games are the first two with Mitch Trubisky under center for the Bears. We know that rookie QB’s have a pattern of being dependent on their TE as safety valves, especially in the red zone. You shouldn’t expect big numbers, but sometimes all you want from a TE is TD upside, and Miller has that right now.
Verdict: He’s worth a grab if you need a TE, but the upside is limited

Robert Woods, WR – Los Angeles Rams
It may not sound super exciting to you, but I do think Woods might need to be considered the number one target at WR for the Los Angeles Rams. He has reached or surpassed five catches in three of the last four games, as well as racking up 66 yards or more in all three games. I know everyone is waiting for Sammy Watkins to breakout, but I really don’t know if that is going to happen at all. Jared Goff is a young QB, and young QB’s will sometimes lock in on a favorite target (which might be Woods). I think he’s better in PPR, because TD’s will be hard to come by, but in PPR he’s still worth a look.
Verdict: Worth a grab in PPR leagues

JuJu Smith-Schuster – WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
I don’t often highlight the same guy two weeks in a row, but I think this is one where an exception is due as my thoughts have changed. Last week Smith-Schuster was an add in dynasty leagues based on upside. Since then though we have learned of Martavis Bryant’s unhappiness in Pittsburgh, and his request to be traded. If Bryant is dealt Smith-Schuster instantly becomes the number two WR on a potentially high powered offense. We’ve seen glimpses of his upside, so if he gets more opportunities now I think he could finish the year strong.
Verdict: Speculative add in all formats, based on Martavis Bryant news

Brett Hundley – QB, Green Bay Packers
This is certainly going to be one of the most talked about guys this week given the Aaron Rodgers injury. If you were one of those owners who had Rodgers you obviously have to be considering this. Hundley replaced him on Sunday and ended up going 18 – 33 for 157 yards with 1 TD and 3 INT. That was being thrown in unexpectedly though and facing a very good Minnesota Vikings defense. This week Hundley gets the New Orleans Saints, which is a different story so long as he isn’t running for his life. He has upside to be mobile, which is always nice from a fantasy QB. Also, when you look at the landscape of the free agent QB’s it’s pretty ugly. The unknown here might be better than the known lack of talent of the likes of Kevin Hogan and Blake Bortles. Your best bet is probably streaming right now, but Hundley is worth a flier.
Verdict: Take a gamble, but it’s unpredictable

Orleans Darkwa – RB, New York Giants
Two weeks ago the debate was whether to add Orleans Darkwa or rookie teammate Wayne Gallman and most owners, myself included, went with Gallman based on Darkwa being owned in less than 5% of leagues. That may have been the wrong answer. Two weeks ago Darkwa was a little banged up, but still had 69 yards on eight carries and a TD. This week it wasn’t as much of a time share and he lit up one of the best run defenses in the league in the Broncos, as he carried the ball 21 times Sunday Night for 117 yards. Now he has another tough matchup against Seattle this Sunday, but despite the matchup he has to be added in all formats. I still think Gallman is worth hanging on to if you can, but Darkwa is the one who is a must own.
Verdict:  Must own in all formats

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