If you’re a fantasy football owner this year, you already know how frustrating it’s been when you see a waiver wire running back in a spot to get an increased workload … except they either don’t do much with it or they’re in a timeshare.
With the Marlon Mack situation — the Indianapolis Colts running back had hand surgery, which might keep him out multiple weeks — it’s shaping up to be another frustrating situation for owners.
Oh, sure. I hear you. Jonathan Williams ran for 116 yards against the Jaguars on Sunday while replacing Mack, but … well, let’s get into it. Here are the waiver priorities you should have if you’re a Mack owner or need a running back:
1. Jordan Wilkins
Let’s be bold here. Everyone in your league is going to target Williams, and who knows, he could end up being the starter after that performance in Week 11.
But Wilkins says he’s ready to suit up in the short week on Thursday. And in limited time, we’ve seen him average 6.1 yards per carry. Granted, that’s a 27-carry sample size, but whatever. I’d rather have the guy who was ahead of Williams on the depth chart … assuming he’s healthy.
2. Jonathan Williams
Here’s where it gets tricky: there could be a three-headed timeshare ahead here. Wilkins may not be 100 percent by Thursday and the Colts will probably want to give Williams some work to see if he’s got a hot hand. So this is sort of a 1A/1B situation that could end up with both backs splitting carries.
And then there’s …
3. Nyheim Hines
A reminder that he caught 63 passes last year … but he’s only grabbed 30 this season. It’s pretty much a guarantee he’ll carry the ball a few times, but he’ll touch it as a receiver three or four times per game (he’s had three-plus catches in all but three contests this year). Do I think that goes up with Mack gone? No, probably not.
