Week 14 of the regular NFL season is in the books and fantasy owners are looking for temporary replacements heading toward their playoff push. We bring you our weekly list of players who might be potential waiver wire busts or who have downside. Some of these players may appear in our waiver wire suggestions, but this list is designed to simply point out factors that could impact or limit their production.
Fantasy football waiver wire, Week 15: Hot players with potential downside
It’s Week 15 and fantasy owners with bye week mania may be looking to add replacements to their rosters. There are many players who are hot on the waiver wire lists who could have some potential downside. We bring you the top-five list here.
RB Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings (8 percent owned)
Minnesota Vikings running back Toby Gerhart has looked good in limited duty and saw his carries increase lately. However, when Adrian Peterson went down Sunday, he finally got a chance to get going and rushed for 89 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. He is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. Still, AD is clearly the guy there and will clearly get the bulk of the carries if healthy. In the past four games, Gerhart has rushed for 255 yards and a touchdown while averaging 63.8 yards per game. He likely won't help you win many fantasy games.
WR Da'Rick Rogers, Indianapolis Colts (2 percent owned)
Colts rookie wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers, who was an undrafted free agent, finally got his opportunity to shine and boy did he, with six catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Rogers was targeted nine times, which was tied for a team high with tight end Coby Fleener. There are a couple of reasons to slow your roll on Rogers, though. One, the Colts offense has been really inconsistent since losing Reggie Wayne. Second, there is a standard disclaimer with rookie wide receivers because they generally trend toward inconsistency. Rogers might be worth the risk, but do you want to take it heading into the playoffs? That’s the question.
QB Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (32 percent owned)
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is practicing again but was inactive for Monday Night Football. Cutler is on track to play in Week 15 but there could always be a setback. Cutler hasn’t played since Nov. 10 and has been dinged up all year. With questions regarding ligament damage to his ankle, it’s easy to question how effective he will be on return.
WR Rod Streater, Oakland Raiders (20 percent owned)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater has 787 receiving yards in his second year and is only 213 away from a 1,000-yard season, which might be the quietest stat ever. Streater is getting more looks due to Denarius Moore being injured, and he will return eventually. Also, there is the looming possibility the Raiders might once again return to Terrelle Pryor, in which case his value diminishes. Like the rest of the candidates on this list, it's difficult to trust the production going into the playoffs.
RB Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins (11 percent owned)
Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas really went off Sunday, which was surprising since he was considered done for the year with an ankle injury. Thomas rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. It was his first 100+ yard rushing game since his first game as a rookie in 2011. This has to be considered a fluke until he shows more consistency. You want far more consistent production for the playoffs.
