As Week 9 wraps up, we take a look at which fantasy players you should look to add on the waiver wire this week, and whom it's time to part ways with.
Adds
Bills RB Karlos Williams
At one point, Karlos Williams was getting picked up in just about every fantasy league after a hot start to his rookie season. Unfortunately, a bad concussion kept Williams sidelined for three games (four weeks if you include the Bills' bye week). That led to many dropping Williams, but he came back with a vengeance Sunday, rushing for 110 yards and two scores on just nine carries. He's making NFL history with the rate at which he's producing with the few touches he's getting in each game.
If nothing else, Williams looks like Buffalo's go-to back at the goal line, and we've seen he's good for one or two big runs per game. That makes him worth picking up, especially with LeSean McCoy's injuries this season. McCoy is now dealing with an injured shoulder, and may miss this week vs the Jets since it's a short week with the game on Thursday Night Football.
Titans RB Antonio Andrews
Week 9 was the first time we've seen the Titans since they fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt. Anytime there's a new coach put in charge during the middle of a season, there are usually significant changes in how the offense and defenses are run, including who is getting the most playing time.
After Dexter McCluster, Terrance West and Bishop Sankey got the majority of running back touches early on this season, Antonio Andrews had slowly been getting more carries in recent weeks. He finally broke out with a big game Sunday with 88 yards on 19 carries to go with 23 yards on one catch. That was the first time this season he's gotten 20 touches and also topped 100 all-purpose yards.
It wasn't necessarily great numbers, but adding a capable back this late in the fantasy season is hard to do. Andrews may very well be the best back on your league's waiver wire, so if you need help at this position, go pick him up.
Raiders WR Michael Crabtree
After falling off a bit between Weeks 3-7 (4.75 catches for 58.25 yards per game), Michael Crabtree has been on a tear over the past two weeks (7 catches for 105 yards per game). He capped that off with seven grabs for 108 yards and two touchdowns in Oakland's 38-35 loss in Pittsburgh this past Sunday.
Crabtree is as hot as any receiver you'll find on the waiver wire right now. Go pick him up now and ride with him through the rest of the season after you may have already dropped him during his cold stretch earlier this season.
Patriots RB Brandon Bolden
The Patriots' backfield will likely look different for at least the next week or two after Dion Lewis suffered a knee injury Sunday in the Patriots’ 27-10 win over Washington. It didn’t look good, as Lewis stayed on the ground for several moments before limping to the sideline under his own power. Early evaluations reportedly have it as a sprained MCL, though another report has Lewis having a loose ACL.
Assuming he misses at least a game or two, Brandon Bolden suddenly becomes a viable option to replace Lewis' role as the Pats' pass-catching back. When Lewis went down Sunday, Bolden came in and caught three passes, including an 18-yard touchdown. He's going to be a worthy PPR back going forward, assuming LeGarrette Blount is the primary between-the-tackles runner.
Drops
49ers WR Torrey Smith
This has been a disastrous season for Torrey Smith in his first year with the 49ers. After being a great deep-threat receiver for the Ravens over the last four years, Smith has been unable to find a role in the 49ers' offense this season after signing a big free agent deal with San Francisco this offseason.
Week 9 should have been the week he had one of, if not his best game of the season with Vernon Davis having been traded and Anquan Boldin inactive with a hamstring injury. That left Smith to get the bulk of the targets, but he finished with just two grabs for 44 yards and no scores.
He's now caught just four passes for 64 yards and no scores over his last three games. Smith simply isn't producing enough to warrant keeping.
Bills TE Charles Clay
After a hot start to this season, Charles Clay has fallen off a cliff during the past month. He's caught 14 passes for 101 yards and no scores in his last four games. That includes one catch for six yards in the Bills' 33-17 win over the Dolphins in Week 9. Clay has become irrelevant and not worth a post on your roster heading down the stretch this season.
Dolphins TE Jordan Cameron
The same story is true for Jordan Cameron, who has faded into obscurity. He's now caught just 13 passes for 112 yards and one score during his last six games. That includes one catch for six yards in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. It's time to part ways with Cameron and find a more reliable tight end going forward.