BY SCOTT COURNOYER – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Let me guess: You were the guy in your NFL Fantasy draft that took the chance on Brandon Marshall, and now you’re regretting paying that steep price for him. Or, you were convinced Darren McFadden was going to run your team into the playoffs, and now you can’t figure out for the life of you how you’re going to make up for your first-round blunder of a pick. Or, you rolled the dice on Michael Vick when everyone stayed away, and now you know exactly why. And now, you’re looking way, way, way up at your league standings and feel like there’s no hope in sight.
Let’s be honest: the only way you’re probably going to climb your way back into this thing is by finding those key adds either through the waiver wire or by trade. Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few names to look out for in Week 5 that could give you that extra boost to get your team going:
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1. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta
After countless years carrying the load (literally) in Atlanta, Tuner finally showed signs of slowing down this early season, racking up only 154 total rushing yards in the first three weeks. However, Turner broke out for his first 100-plus yard performance of the year in Atlanta’s 30-28 dramatic victory against Carolina Sunday, also adding three catches for 68 yards and one score.
Although Turner hasn’t shown the same toughness in the red zone as in recent years and Atlanta has limited his overall carries, Turner, when healthy, gives the Falcons its best rushing attack for a balanced offence.
Bottom line: if Turner can build on the success he had Sunday and carry it into next week, the nine-year veteran could come back to fantasy relevance for owners everywhere.
2. Brandon Bolden, RB, New England
Let’s face it: we’ve all been conned by New England’s Bill Belichick in one way or another over the years when it comes to running backs. Just when you think one guy showed that he could carry the load one week and give you a viable option – boom, he gets only a handful of carries for minimal yards the following week.
So, here we stand, again, when it comes to New England’s backfield. This time, it’s Brandon Bolden on the hot seat. Bolden, an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss, carried the ball 16 times for 137 yards on the ground in the Patriots 52-28 win over Buffalo Sunday.
Granted, Bolden racked up many of those yards in the fourth quarter, when the rest of the Patriots’ offence blew the top off of the Bills’ defence. However, Bolden gives New England another viable option in the backfield if Stevan Ridley fails to produce at any point in the near future. Bolden could pay off dividends, but, then again, it’s New England, so temper your expectations and see where it takes you.
3. Brian Hartline, WR, Miami
With a rookie quarterback at the helm, it’s hard to imagine any receiver for Miami getting close to 100 receptions. Thing is, no one told Brian Hartline that. Hartline brought in 12 catches for an astounding 253 yards in Miami’s 24-21 loss at Arizona Sunday, and now the word is out for fantasy owners that Hartline is the go-to guy for Ryan Tannehill in South Beach.
As aforementioned, Hartline is on pace for over 100 catches and 1,800 receiving yards and is a must own for owners in every league. If Tannehill can open up space for Hartline by using play-action passing, Hartline will find a way to get to those areas on the field.
As long as the balanced running attack with Reggie Bush continues, expect Hartline to blow up your fantasy league in big ways.
4. Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina
Although Olsen started off slow for Carolina this season, he has really picked up the pace in the last two weeks. Sunday against Atlanta, Olsen hauled in six catches for 89 yards and one score, his first of the season. In Week 3 against the New York Giants, Olsen was the lone bright spot for Carolina, grabbing seven balls for 98 yards and now has 20 receptions on the young season.
Quarterback Cam Newton has all kinds of options to use in the offence, but none may pose quite the threat that Olsen does. He’s a big, tall tight end who can line up on the line of scrimmage and in the slot, catch the quick pass and use his athleticism to shake off defenders on the short route.
With Olsen on pace for nearly 80 catches for the year, the six-year veteran should be considered as a viable option to add off of the free-agent wire for Week 5.
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