Fantasy football is a game of inches. You have to pay attention to it every day because it's the little moves that add up to difference-makers over time. For that reason, the waiver wire is crucial for sustaining success. Here are three free agents to pick up this week.
1. Joseph Randle
Randle isn't going to offer you any immediate lineup help, but he could be a valuable asset for the future. Following a 29 carry, six reception game, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is on pace for 480 touches this season. That is a historic usage rate. This is also the same Murray who missed 11 games in the first three seasons due to injury. In the likely event that Murray wears down, Randle will be the guy to step in and step up. He's running at a very effective clip (7.1 yards per carry) in limited action so far this season.
2. Bobby Rainey
I have spoken at length about Doug Martin's struggles and ineffectiveness. Rainey is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back you want, not Martin. Rainey leads Martin in several statistical categories including yards per carry (4.9 to 2.9), yards per reception (8.7 to 7.9) and yards after contact (2.0 to 1.5). He's only owned in 10.8 percent of ESPN leagues and could be a valuable fantasy player going forward. Yes, Martin's return bites into Rainey's value. But this is a committee backfield in which Rainey has been far more productive since last year.
3. Brandon LaFell
I know, I know. LaFell has been a fantasy non-factor for pretty much his entire career. But you can do worse when it comes to a bye week fill-in. Since Week 3, LaFell ranks second among Patriots wide receivers in vertical targets (10) and second on the team in vertical receiving yards (118). He's starting to emerge as the solid downfield threat New England envisioned him to be. With the Pats offense showing serious signs of life, LaFell could benefit from a heavy dose of deep balls.
