Joshua Kelley (RB, LAC) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED: 43% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: Almost eight weeks into the season it is still hard to paint a clear picture of the Chargers backfield. Austin Ekeler was the (expected) go-to rusher through Week 3 until he fell down injured in Week 4. After that, Joshua Kelly has seen more opportunities, but so has Justin Jackson. With Ekeler not eligible to return from IR until at least Week 9, you can still get yourself a pretty nice WW addition in Joshua Kelly--keep in mind, though, that there is a very clear platoon with Jackson.

Since Week 4 (included), Kelly has played 30, 25, and 38 snaps compared to Jackson's 21, 42, and 31. That yields a combined 93 vs. 94 snaps for the two of them respectively, which can't get closer. It's really hard to predict who will end each week getting the most carries, or the most targets.

Kelly's out-rushed Jackson 2-1 in the last three games, but Jackson had the edge 2-1 in targets. Even then, though, Kelley averages 11 carries per game to Jackson's 9, and 3 targets to Jackson's 5. Consider Kelly the rusher, and Jackson the pass-catch running back.

Kelley's ceiling should be put at that of a borderline-RB2 if everything clicks, with his best game coming in Week 2 (13.3 PPR), although he needed a monster 23 rushing attempts to get there. Most probably, he won't see that volume again. If you are looking for players to put in your RB3/FLEX spot in deeper leagues, Kelley (and Justin Jackson, for that matter) shouldn't be that bad of an addition at least until Ekeler comes back in Week 9 at the soonest.

The Chargers face the third-best defense against RBs in fantasy points allowed next week, but then have a super-soft three-game span in which they'll go against the third-, eight-, and 7th-worst defenses stopping RBs.

More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 66% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is the TE10 for the year, averaging 7.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the Steelers' passing attack has been inconsistent this season, the veteran tight end has played well lately. He has five receiving […]

Mike Fanelli 2 weeks ago

Jalen McMillan (WR, TB) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 54% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been one of the top pass catchers in fantasy football lately. The rookie wide receiver is the WR10 over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 receptions on 6.3 targets for 60.5 receiving yards and […]

Mike Fanelli 2 weeks ago

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, NO) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: New Orleans Saints Clyde Edwards-Helaire recently joined the team after spending his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, he made his team and season debut in the week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran running back had […]

Mike Fanelli 2 weeks ago

Julius Chestnut (RB, TEN) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut has had little fantasy football impact this season. The veteran running back is the RB101 for the year, averaging 0.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he got some work on offense last week in […]

Mike Fanelli 2 weeks ago

Trey Benson (RB, ARI) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 19% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. Hopefully, the rookie running back can play in Sunday’s season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals could be without James Conner in Week […]

Mike Fanelli 2 weeks ago

Download Our Free Waiver Wire App

Like what you see? You can download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more waiver wire recommendations at every position, 24x7 player news, notifications, injury alerts & daily articles.