10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 5
Zach Zenner, RB, Detroit Lions
ESPN Ownership: 0.3%
Yahoo Ownership: 0%
Just when you think you have the Detroit Lions' running game pegged, someone gets hurt.
It started in Week 2 when Ameer Abdullah was put on injured reserve, leading the way for Dwayne Washington to take over the between-the-tackles role alongside pass-catcher Theo Riddick. Of course, Washington left the game Sunday with an ankle injury, the severity of which is still undetermined. Preseason superstar Zach Zenner came in to replace him and looked fantastic on his limited touches.
In 2015, Abdullah and the powerful Joique Bell carried the ball a combined 233 times, with Riddick earning just 43 carries (yet 80 receptions). Even with a pass-heavy approach, the "power back" role seems penciled in for 12 to 15 carries and goal-line work in an offense that, outside of Sunday's rough outing against the Chicago Bears, has looked explosive.
Zenner's athleticism and ability is severely underestimated, and if Washington misses time, do not be surprised if he carves out a valuable role as both a runner and receiver, especially at the goal line.
