It’s week 1 in the NFL and 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 2: Hot players with potential downside
It’s week 1 in the NFL and fantasy football is back! But so are injuries, so you may be looking for a short term fix or a long term solution on the waiver wire.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 Justin Forsett: Baltimore Ravens (owned in 9 percent of leagues)
The Ravens have released former starter Ray Rice along with third string running back Lorenzo Taliaferro. Backup Bernard Pierce was benched Sunday following his first fumble and Forsett carried the load. He finished with 11 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown and also added five catches for 14 yards. Forsett and Pierce are the guys right now, but Forsett hasn't posted triple digit numbers since 2012 when he rushed for 374 yards for the Houston Texans. Pierce should still be in the mix and it's hard to believe the Ravens will rely on the 7th year veteran to be the workhorse for long.
Fantasy Waiver Wire
Fantasy Waiver Wire
WR Allen Hurns: Jacksonville Jaguars (owned in 12 percent of leagues)
Hurns put up outstanding numbers in the first half Sunday for the Jaguars who were without starting wideout Cecil Shorts III. Hurns was targeted nine times and caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to the two touchdowns, he converted two first downs. Shorts should be back next week and for the moment it is unclear where Hurns fits into the offense. He also disappeared in the second half. The Eagles defense gave up the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2013 and that trends looks to continue this year.
RB Chris Ivory: New York Jets (owned in 33 percent of leagues)
Ivory might be the best running back on the Jets but he will still share carries with Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell. Johnson had 33 snaps Sunday while Ivory had 30 and Johnson also got looks in the passing game and scored a rushing touchdown. Will that split continue? It's difficult to predict right now and Ivory also misses games every year due to injury. Still, he carried the ball ten times for 110 yards and a touchdown so the numbers are attractive.
WR Steve Smith: Baltimore Ravens (owned in 41 percent of leagues)
Ageless wonder Steve Smith had an impressive debut with the Baltimore Ravens, catching seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. It was Joe Flacco’s only touchdown of the game and he also threw an interception while adding three sacks. Smith also had a few bad drops before he settled in but he was targeted 15 times in the game. While he settled in and looked good, it’s difficult to believe he can maintain these numbers, particularly if Flacco struggles like he did last year without a running game.
TE Dwayne Allen: Indianapolis Colts (owned in 8 percent of leagues)
Allen is the most talented tight end on the Colts roster and he looked good Sunday night coming back from his 2013 injury. Still, the Colts appear enamored with inconsistent tight end Coby Fleener who went to Stanford with quarterback Andrew Luck. Allen got five looks and finished with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Fleener was targeted eight times and finished with three catches for 21 yards. Until the Colts figure out Allen is better, expect Fleener to continue to get more targets.
