Fantasy football is back! We bring you our weekly list of players who have some downside as potential waiver wire busts. Some of these players may appear in our waiver wire suggestions, but this list is designed to point out factors that could affect or limit their production.
Fantasy football waiver wire advice, Week 10: Hot players with potential downside
Fantasy football is back! So are injuries and now bye weeks, though, so you may be looking for a short-term fix or a long-term solution. There are some players who are hot on the waiver wire lists who could have some potential downside. We bring you the top-five list here.
Thomas B. Shea
QB Mark Sanchez - Philadelphia Eagles (owned in 4 percent of all leagues): Sanchez looked good replacing an injured Nick Foles in the Week 9 win over the Houston Texans, and he also had a strong preseason. Yet, the former New York Jet's overall body of work just isn't impressive with 70 touchdowns to 71 interceptions and a career 55.2 completion percentage as well as a 71.9 quarterback rating. A change of scenery can work wonders and unlike the Jets, the Eagles are loaded with good skill players. It sounds like Sanchez could finish the season for the Eagles as Foles is expected to be out 6 to 8 weeks with a clavicle injury. Over the upcoming weeks, Sanchez will get an opportunity to show if he is better than his body of work. The Eagles will face the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 10 on Monday Night Football.
RB Alfred Blue - Houston Texans (owned in 12 percent of all leagues): The Texans enter Week 10 on a bye so Blue won't be available until Week 11 when they face the Cleveland Browns. Blue is hot on the waiver wire because of yet another injury to Arian Foster. Foster's injury this time is a groin, which can hamper a running back. Blue shows flashes of talent but he can't match Foster's average of 5.1 yards per carry and seven rushing touchdowns this year. By contrast, Blue is averaging 3.4 yards per carry and does not have a rushing touchdown. He also has only one run of over 20 yards and unlike Foster doesn't see much use in the passing game.
RB Charles Sims - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (owned in 25 percent of all leagues): Sims is likely to make his much anticipated debut in Week 10 when the Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are giving up the most fantasy points to running backs right now. With Doug Martin nursing an ankle injury Bobby Rainey is expected to get the start if Martin can't go. Sims has value in both the run and passing game so the excitement is understandable. Look for Sims to get worked into the lineup as he knocks the rust off. But the bulk of his production could come later in the season.
RB Tre Mason - St. Louis Rams (owned in 37 percent of all leagues): Mason got the bulk of the carries in the Rams win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9 but head coach Jeff Fisher refused to name him the starter. Even more important is that he suggested the running back by committee would continue. Mason should get the bulk of the carries but right now it's hard to predict how the Rams backfield will shake out. Mason's numbers weren't exactly impressive in Week 9 either as he carried the ball 19 times for 65 yards and did not score. Benny Cunningham also got the running back targets in the passing game which further limits Mason's value.
TE Mychal Rivera - Oakland Raiders (owned in 1 percent of all leagues): Rivera has notched back to back good fantasy games and he does have a nice matchup in Week 10 when the Raiders face the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are giving up the 7th most fantasy points to tight ends right now. However, the Raiders are averaging 223.1 passing yards per game and Derek Carr has only thrown 11 touchdowns passes thus far. Rivera has shown the ability to be a nice tight end in the league but the Raiders offense is too difficult to trust right now. Rivera isn't a bad option though, if you need a loaner as a bye week replacement.
