Fantasy: Replace Big Ben, grab Ajayi
It’s not often a running back coming off a 204-yard rushing day is on the fantasy football waiver wire. Buy Jay Ajayi of the Dolphins is still available in many leagues after surprising with a big day against the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger was the biggest injury of the week, but there are enough quarterback options in most leagues to fill in.
Here are the players to consider adding off the waiver wire:
MARCUS MARIOTA (QB, TITANS)
Mariota has thrown three touchdowns in two consecutive games, including 284 passing yards against the Browns in Week 6. Mariota is running more with seven carries for 60 yards with a touchdown in Week 5 and he rushed for 64 yards on seven carries Sunday. Mariota will face the Colts, Jaguars and Chargers the next three weeks.
BRIAN HOYER (QB, BEARS)
Hoyer has topped 300-yards passing in four straight games and will face the Packers Thursday night. The Packers could be missing three defensive backs.
JAY AJAYI (RB, DOLPHINS)
Arian Foster appeared to be the main back to begin the season and not surprisingly he got injured in Week 2. Then the Dolphins rotated four running backs. Ajayi has been the best one and exploded for 204 rushing yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns against the Steelers Sunday when the Dolphins had a healthy offensive line. It’s still difficult to fully trust Ajayi since Foster will still be in the mix, but he’s worth an add to see if the Dolphins finally commit to Ajayi.
CHRIS IVORY (RB, JAGUARS)
T.J. Yeldon was supposed to be the feature back in the offense this week and Ivory had 13 touches compared to seven for Yeldon. Ivory had 11 carries for 32 yards and scored a touchdown and caught two passes for three yards, while Yeldon had six carries for 21 yards with a five-yard catch. This is not a great backfield and they could play the hot hand, but Ivory was brought in to help near the goal line and he was dealing with an illness the first few weeks. Ivory is worth an add to stash running back depth. Yeldon played 37 snaps to 24 for Ivory.
JACQUIZZ RODGERS (RB, BUCCANEERS)
Rodgers is coming off a bye and will play a secondary role to Doug Martin, who is slated to return from a hamstring injury in Week 7. Rodgers had 35 touches for 129 yards in Week 5. Rodgers will see some targets in the passing game and get a few carries, making him more valuable in point-per-reception formats.
MIKE GILLISLEE (RB, BILLS)
Gillislee is the backup to LeSean McCoy and a good handcuff or add in deeper formats as a stash. He had six carries for 60 yards with a touchdown on Sunday.
DWAYNE WASHINGTON (RB, LIONS)
The Lions running game has been bad all year. Washington has a chance to seize a roll in which he can get 8-12 touches per game since no one has stepped up while he has missed two weeks with an injury.