Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

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Editor's Note: this post has recently been updated and expanded upon as of 9/17, based on the recent breaking news about Adrian Peterson's deactivation for Week 3. You can read more about running back Matt Asiata as a waiver wire pickup for Week 3 right here, including the entire Peterson situation, as we look towards Week 3 and beyond.

ANALYSIS 9/12: With the recent news that Adrian Peterson has been deactivated for this Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Patriots, after being indicted on child-abuse charges, Matt Asiata becomes an immediate addition to our waiver wire sleepers list. It's not yet known how long Peterson could be out for, but for now let's focus on Week 2. First of all, if Asiata is still available in your fantasy football league and you can afford to roster him, go add him now off the waiver wire. In the two games that he played last year, both as a starter, he performed very well for PPR leagues racking up 26.20 points in his first start followed up with 13.30 points in his second start.

In his first start he was given 30 rushing attempts, and caught three passes, while racking up three touchdowns. In his second start he wasn't used as heavily, but was still effective, getting 14 rushing attempts and catching two passes. Clearly the coaches trusted him last year when they needed him, and he delivered. This week Asiata will start against New England, who got torched by the Miami running backs last week. In Week 1 the Patriots gave up 134 rushing yards and a touchdown to Knowshon Moreno, to go along with 59 rushing yards and four catches (for 19 yards) to Lamar Miller. Needless to say, the matchup is right and the opportunity is there.

Another point to note. Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon is extremely talented as well, and will be worked into the mix on Sunday for sure. Asiata most likely offers more upside this week as a solid FLEX option with RB2 upside - especially in PPR leagues. And if you are feeling extra lucky, or want to speculate for the long term, feel free to grab McKinnon off the waiver wire as well. If this happens to turn into a multi-week absence for Peterson, then it's possible that McKinnon can prove to be the more effective running back than Asiata for the Vikings over the long haul.

Update 9/17: After being reinstated by the Vikings earlier this week, more news broke about Peterson and potential child-abuse, and this morning the Vikings decided to deactivate him again indefinitely until the legal proceedings clear up. He's been place on the exempt list, and it's unknown how long Peterson will be out for, or if he will return at all this season to the Vikings. Asiata performed well for fantasy owners who started him in Week 2, racking up 19.40 points in PPR leagues, and needs to be owned in all leagues. McKinnon becomes a more intriguing stash by the day, but only received four touches in Week 2 so Asiata is clearly the running back to own at this time in the Minnesota backfield.