Fantasy Football Week 2 waiver wire pickups: Top 8 RB’s

Coach John Harbaugh declined to name a starting running back in the wake of the team’s release of Ray Rice.  Forsett will be in a timeshare with Bernard Pierce and possibly rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro, but he should receive enough of the workload to be a flex consideration this week as the Ravens host Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football.  Forsett is the best available running back, but he has a low ceiling since he has never been a top option in any offense for an extended period of time.  Pierce is likely to get most of the work with Taliaferro (more below) a swing-for-the-fences option. Forsett is a solid low-risk short-term option with limited long-term potential.  If you need a back for this week though, he’s the first name to look for.. 6.8% owned. Week 2 vs Steelers. Justin Forsett. 1. player. 26

46. Trent Richardson continues to struggle which could open the door for Bradshaw to return to fantasy relevancy.  This week he’ll face a familiar foe from his Giants days as the Colts welcome in the Eagles.  Bradshaw was the receiving back in last week’s game against the Broncos and finished with 70 yards on five catches to go with 15 more on three carries.  If Richardson continues to struggle, look for Bradshaw to become the primary back with Richardson more of a complement which would instantly make Bradshaw RB3 or flex material especially in PPR leagues.. 22.2% owned. Week 2 vs Eagles. Ahmad Bradshaw. 2. player

53. Crowell  is one of the Browns two rookie running backs who stepped in when Ben Tate went down with a knee injury against the Steelers. Most of the carries went to Terrance West, but it was Crowell who scored a pair of rushing TDs on his five carries which he took for 32 yards.  Coach Mike Pettine stated he wasn’t expected to play before Tate’s injury, but he showed himself well while he was in the game and also flashed some upside this preseason.  If he ever gains enough of the workload, Crowell could be a very interesting sleeper pick to have stashed on your roster.  I wouldn’t start him this week, but if you can invest in potential for a more long-term option, he’s worth a look.. 3.8% owned. Week 2 vs Saints. Isaiah Crowell. 4. player

8.9% owned. Week 2 vs Cowboys. Dexter McCluster. 5. player. 35. The Titans featured a four-back rotation on Sunday in their win against Kansas City with McCluster joining Bishop Sankey, Shonn Greene, and Leon Washington.  McCluster will primarily be used as the receiving back, but it will always be risky to roll with him since he shares time in such a crowded situation.  Last week, McCluster ran for 29 yards on nine carries (more than Sankey but less than Greene), and he also added one catch for 17 yards.  It’s possible McCluster can earn an increased role going forward, but until he does he’s a risky flex play who does have some potential upside.

51. Cunningham will work as part of the Rams backfield rotation where he will split time with Zac Stacy. Stacy is the primary first and second down back, but Cunningham got plenty of work on third down.  He was targeted four times and hauled in all four passes finishing with 30 yards receiving while adding 21 yards on five carries as well.  Cunningham is a dicey start at this point in even the deepest PPR leagues, but watch his role carefully since he could have value even in a struggling Rams offense.. 1.4% owned. Week 2 @ Buccaneers. Benny Cunningham. 6. player

32. Dwyer was picked up in many leagues when it was announced that Andre Ellington would miss significant time.  As it turned out, Ellington played on Monday night and didn’t miss any time at all which turns Dwyer into a much less attractive option. Against the Chargers, Dwyer rushed seven times for 20 yards and caught two passes for eight more.  He’ll work into the rotation a bit, but won’t be startable unless Ellington is out.  Although he admitted he was limited, Ellington is expected to play through his injury which will keep Dwyer on the fantasy sidelines at least for the time being.. 31.8% owned. Week 2 @ Giants. Jonathan Dwyer. 7. player

0.0% owned. Week 2 vs Steelers. Lorenzo Taliaferro. 8. player. 26. With no Ray Rice, look for Taliaferro to get more of a look this week against the Steelers. Baltimore drafted him out of Coastal Carolina and he looked pretty good in preseason action.  Taliaferro could be an important part of the long-term solution in Baltimore, but don’t count on him to do much this week since his role is still undefined after receiving zero touches in week one.