Waiver Wire Week 2: Ray Rice Fallout

Ray Rice was cut by the Ravens yesterday (you already know the story, so I won’t go into here in a fantasy football column), which was something we alluded to here several months ago.

Rice already was suspended the first two weeks of the season. In his absence, Bernard Pierce was expected to fill Rice’s role in the Ravens’ offense. But after an early fumble, Pierce was benched and that paved the way for an old but familiar name.

Justin Forsett.

Rice’s departure coupled with Pierce’s shaky start certainly does not clarify the situation in Baltimore. Forsett, 29-years-old, is not the future of the running game in Baltimore. But he will be used now that he’s proven to be effective in the Ravens’ offense.

Pierce may still be the heir apparent, but there is another young runner on the roster whom fantasy owners should add to their radar: Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro, who got a lot of run in the preseason.

I wouldn’t add Taliaferro in shallow leagues (10 teams, 12 teams with small benches). But I would add him in deeper formats as well as long-term formats. Worth a stash.

Plenty of other names making waves this week, which figures to be a busy one of the waiver wire.

Buys

Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens
Bobby Rainey, RB, Buccaneers
Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns
James Starks, RB, Packers (Eddie Lacy owners especially.)
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Ravens
Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers

Sells

Jake Locker, QB, Titans (I don’t believe it yet. Stay healthy.)
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars (Let someone else overpay for him.)