Andre Ellington is one of the best fantasy football sleepers in 2014, but in Week 1 he may be out and that makes Jonathan Dwyer and Stepfan Taylor the top waiver free agent pickups heading into the weekend, especially if the RB is out for the first game of the season with an injury, as Ellington has come down with a foot injury.
If Ellington is out for a while, it would be a major blow to fantasy owners and that is why Dwyer and Taylor are must pickups for anyone with Ellington. Last season Ellington showed his potential with a strong year as the backup and he looked ready to take over as the number one running back for the Cardinals. Dwyer is the first backup and Taylor also could be a solid option in deeper leagues. The Cardinals pass the ball a ton, but Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians were working on getting the running game going this summer and Ellington looked like he was ready to handle the load. With him out it could be tougher, but Dwyer is solid enough and he could be a strong option in leagues even if owners don't have Ellington.
Ellington could miss significant time according to Rotoworld and if that's the case, Dwyer is the pickup and this comes as the MRI for Ellington is on the way. Ellington has dealt with injury issues in the past, including in college when he had a toe injury and he also underwent ankle surgery. Ellington comes into the season after playing in 15 games last year and rushing for 652 yards and he also made an impact in the receiving game,, going for 39 receptions for 371 yards and one touchdown to give him four total for the season.
Dwyer is a solid option and he comes in after rushing for just 197 yards last season with the Steelers, but he was not a main option. Dwyer won the backup job over Taylor this summer and now he could take over as the starter. Dwyer's best season was two years ago and he rushed for 623 yards that season and also added 18 receptions and 106 yards. Dwyer has shown that he can catch the ball and that is big, as Ellington was part of the game plan in the passing game and that should give Palmer another solid receiver.
Taylor was a good back in college at Stanford and now he comes into the season after rushing for 115 yards as a rookie. Taylor was not on the field much and had just 36 carries along with eight receptions, but now with Ellington out he could step up. Taylor is an option in deeper leagues and anyone that can grab Dwyer over him should do it.
The team passes a ton and this year Michael Floyd has the chance top breakout and he comes in after making 66 catches for 1054 yards and he could be one of the most improved players in all of fantasy this year. The Ellington injury would be tough for the Cardinals, but they have a couple backs that can try and make up for it.