BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 62% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: This is, obviously, not the usual WW post you'll find weekly under my byline. Nyheim Hines is, first of all, a secondary rusher in his team behind a clear go-to running back in extraordinary Jonathan Taylor. Hines is also one of the most-rostered backup-RBs of the NFL for a reason: he can do it on his own and the minute Taylor gets injured he will get a massive fantasy boost.
The first part of that last sentence was always true. The second part, after Sunday's events, is now also a reality: Taylor left the Colts game after sustaining an ankle injury (high sprain) and could miss Indy's next game...which will be played on TNF this week. Injury to a stud + short recovery time (normally) equals sitting and resting such talent in order to prevent setbacks and further damage. In other words: you better be rushing to your WW and smashing that "Add" button next to Hines' name.
As expected, Hines was the only rusher getting reps after Taylor left the field. He's the most-obvious WW addition of the week and a must-start player in W5 as long as Taylor remains out. Hines has had a disappointing season to date, but that happens when you play behind a supernova rusher like Taylor that only allows you into the field in 28%, 30%, 45%, and (last weekend) 32% of the Colts' offensive plays.
Hines has both rushing and (most interestingly, making him an even better WW target for those managing in PPR leagues) pass-catching chops. He has a season-long tally of 17 receptions on 19 targets for 113 total yards although he has yet to score a receiving (nor rushing, for that matter) touchdown.
Indianapolis might be forced to change its scheme a bit with Taylor out, but the no. 1 rusher has carried the ball an average of 20+ times per game in the first four weeks while getting targeted 16 times over that span. Even if Hines only gets a fraction of that workload, he'll be looking at some 10+ carries with 6-to-10 targets on top of that.
Don't let his opportunity pass if only for a week and with upside for a long-term reward if Taylor goes on to miss more time.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!