Fantasy football is back! 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 point out factors that could impact or limit their production.
Fantasy football waiver wire advice, Week 4: 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.
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RB Lorenzo Taliaferro - Baltimore Ravens (owned in 7 percent of all leagues)
Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown in the Week 3 win over the Cleveland Browns. The Browns thus far have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, so take these numbers with a grain of salt. Additionally, Bernard Pierce and Justin Forsett are still in the mix. Pierce is expected to remain the starter and should return next week from the thigh injury that kept him sidelined last Sunday. With the injuries at running back piling up, he is worth a bench stash if you have the room, but hard to trust unless you are desperate at running back.
TE Owen Daniels - Baltimore Ravens (owned in 27 percent of all fantasy leagues)
With tight end Dennis Pitta out for another season with another hip injury, Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels is hot on the waiver wire. Currently fourth on the depth chart in number of targets, Daniels had two touchdowns in Week 2 but has otherwise shown he isn't a reliable fantasy target. Through three games, he has 12 targets with 10 receptions for 70 yards and is averaging 23.3 yards per game. Daniels isn't a reliable fantasy play, but he does have some familiarity with offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's system.
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TE Dwayne Allen- Indianapolis Colts (owned in 23 percent of all leagues)
Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen makes his second appearance on the list because he is putting up good numbers when targeted and is a popular pickup on the waiver wire. Allen is an every-down tight end who makes the most of his targets, but still inexplicably yields attention to tight ends Coby Fleener and Jack Doyle. Allen is the fourth-leading receiver on the Colts, but still lags behind Fleener in number of targets by four. This is the only area where his numbers don't surpass Fleener's. With injuries to the tight end position, he is worth a stash in deep leagues and even a play if your tight end position is weak.
RB Bobby Rainey - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (owned in 55 percent of all leagues)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey was a hot commodity on the waiver wire last week with Doug Martin being sidelined in Week 3. It was a rough week for fantasy owners as Rainey promptly fumbled once, was benched and then returned to fumble again. Fortunately, head coach Lovie Smith had mercy and allowed Rainey to continue playing, but it was a rough Thursday night game for the Bucs' offense with most of their points and yardage coming in garbage time. Martin should be back this week and Rainey will continue to be in the mix, but their offensive line is struggling. Also, with Josh McCown likely out, the Bucs will start second-year quarterback Mike Glennon in Week 4.
QB Blake Bortles - Jacksonville Jaguars (owned in 8 percent of all leagues)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles makes his first entry onto the list since the Jaguars have finally handed him the keys to the offense. Bortles entered the game in Week 3 and put up pretty good numbers against an Indianapolis Colts defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Bortles gives the Jaguars’ offense a major boost, but unless you are desperate at the quarterback position, it will be difficult to trust his numbers. The Jaguars’ overall talent level is still a major concern.
