Ronnie Hillman (RB, DEN) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 36% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: The Denver Broncos have had one of the most hotly discussed backfields in each of the last four seasons, and this year is no different. With Peyton Manning at QB and Gary Kubiak at the helm this should be a running back’s dream, but so far it’s been a nightmare. C.J. Anderson is the starter after a great finish in 2014, but he’s been banged up every game this season and is averaging just 2.3 yards per carry.

The door is wide open for Ronnie Hillman to grab the starting job, but he hasn’t done much better. He’s averaged 3.1 yards per carry in just four fewer attempts than Anderson and he’ has caught just one pass. But with RBs at a premium, he is a lottery ticket that should be stashed at the end of your bench. Eventually, the Denver running game will get going, and Hillman has a better chance at becoming a consistent RB2 than almost anyone else out on the wire.

The Minnesota Vikings come to town in week four. Although they have been solid against the run the last two weeks, they allowed Carlos Hyde to run for 168 yards in week one. Anderson is coming off of a head injury, although he did return to the game, so this could be Hillman’s first real chance to make a big statement. And if that happens this week, he’ll be the number one waiver priority for every fantasy football manager after week four.