10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 10
James Starks
ESPN Ownership: 40%
Yahoo Ownership: 39%
I don't know about you, but it's getting harder and harder for me to be patient waiting on Eddie Lacy to return to form. Yes, he was a slow starter in his first two seasons in the league, but by this point in both seasons, he was a force to be reckoned with. Not so in 2015.
Through Week 8, Lacy had posted an above average 0.00 Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) per rush, but after committing a fumble against the Panthers in Week 9, he finished with only five carries in the game.
James Starks, on the other hand, managed to do major work in the passing game, catching 6 of 8 targets for 83 yards at a very respectable (for a running back) 0.57 Reception NEP per target. The Packers' coaches seem intent on riding "the hot hand," and aside from Week 1 and Week 4, Lacy has yet to exceed 3.5 yards per carry in a single game.
Starks' output on Sunday, particularly in the receiving game, won't necessarily make him the 1A to Lacy's 1B, but it could. And if you're really hurting at running back, Starks should intrigue you. The Packers' remaining schedule is very favorable with only two teams ranking in the top 10 rushing defenses in the league remaining on their docket. Starks is worth a flier if your team is slumping or performing well but has dead weight on the bench because he could provide meaningful points in the passing game with the upside of primary back duties if Lacy's struggles continue moving forward.