Each week, theScore's fantasy editors will run down the top waiver wire pickups with a focus on the coming week and the rest of the season.
Quarterback
Josh McCown, Buccaneers
at Bears, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
McCown played safe but productive football Sunday, completing 15-of-23 passes for 288 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Don't expect him to light the fantasy world on fire, but it's fair to say he has the chance to become a low-end QB1 in 12-team leagues. Throwing to super-rookie Mike Evans certainly helps. Both of McCown's touchdowns Sunday came on deep passes to the emerging star.
Running Back
C.J. Anderson, Broncos
vs. Dolphins, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
Injuries to Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball have left C.J. Anderson as the default starter in the Broncos' backfield. In an offense as prolific as theirs, that makes him a must-add for owners in all formats. Some analysts called Anderson the best tailback on the Broncos' roster in the preseason, and he's made a strong case in support of that argument in limited work this season. Ignore Anderson's rushing totals in Week 11 - just 29 yards on nine carries - and look at his eight catches for 86 yards. If Anderson is on the wire in your league load up whatever's left of your FAAB dollars and make a claim.
Jonas Gray, Patriots
vs. Lions, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
How does one even attempt to make sense of Gray's monstrous and entirely unexpected Week 11 performance? Only a month ago, Gray was buried on the Patriots' depth chart behind Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden. On Sunday, he carried the ball 38 times for 199 yards and four touchdowns - easily the biggest fantasy performance by a running back all season. The Colts simply had no answers for the bruiser. Can we expect more of the same next weekend when the Patriots host the Lions? Realistically, the answer is probably no. The Colts and Lions are at opposite ends of the spectrum defending the run and it's likely Bill Belichick will find a different angle of attack. Make acquiring Gray a top priority this week, but temper your expectations. We almost certainly just saw the best game of his career.
Isaiah Crowell, Browns
at Falcons, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
Crowell was a surprise starter for the Browns on Sunday, either because he had a better week of practice than both Terrance West and Ben Tate, or Mike Pettine loves torturing fantasy owners. Crowell wasn't particularly impressive in the role and there's no guarantee he'll be the starter again this weekend, as the Browns are expected to stick with their "hot hand" approach and reward whichever tailback has the best week of practice. Crowell should be owned in all but the shallowest fantasy leagues, but he'll be tough to trust as a fantasy starter in weeks when we're unsure how many carries he'll get.
Update: The Browns have released Ben Tate, greatly improving Crowell's trustworthiness as a fantasy starter.
Charles Sims, Buccaneers
at Bears, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
Sims ascended to the top of the Buccaneers' depth chart Sunday, leading the team with 16 touches on 33-of-52 snaps played. By comparison, Bobby Rainey handled only five touches and Mike James didn't touch the field. Sims only produced 44 total yards on his touches, but head coach Lovie Smith said after the game he's pleased with the progress his rookie is making. Look for Sims to remain the lead dog in the Buccaneers' backfield moving forward.
Latavius Murray, Raiders
vs. Chiefs, Thursday at 8:25 p.m. ET
The Raiders finally decided to give Murray snaps ahead of Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew on Sunday and the decision proved to be a wise one. Murray brought a spark to the offense, accounting for 43 yards on just four rushing attempts and adding 16 yards on three catches. Jones-Drew is washed up and McFadden isn't far behind. Neither player is likely to be back with the Raiders in 2015. It makes sense for the team to turn its rushing attack over to Murray, which would put him on the RB3 radar in fantasy football.
Wide Receiver
Cecil Shorts, Jaguars
at Colts, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
Allen Robinson is out for the season, meaning Shorts should see plenty of targets as Blake Bortles's top receiving option. The Jaguars aren't exactly a fantasy goldmine, but Shorts could become a reliable WR3 with WR2 upside in PPR leagues.
Kenny Britt, Rams
at Chargers, Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET
Shaun Hill's return as Rams starter was just what Britt needed to post his first 100-yard game since 2012. Britt did almost all of his damage on two 63-yard receptions - one of which went for a touchdown. He won't ever be a high-volume player in this Rams attack, but he's a decent bet to produce one or two more useful fantasy days before the season ends. He's a WR4 with WR3 upside.
Kenny Stills, Saints
vs. Ravens, Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET
Stills is headed for a bigger role in the Saints offense with news that rookie Brandin Cooks is out four to six weeks with a broken hand. If Drew Brees was playing like we all expect him to, Stills would be a hot waiver wire add. The problem is the quarterback is struggling badly, and the entire Saints passing attack is suffering because of it. Stills is a speculative add and nothing more.
Tight End
Coby Fleener, Colts
vs. Jaguars, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET
Dwayne Allen suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday, elevating Fleener to the role of No. 1 tight end on the Colts. He responded in a major way, catching seven passes for 144 yards against a Patriots defense that focused its attention on taking away T.Y. Hilton. Fleener hasn't lived up to his second-round draft status in his three years as a pro, but maybe he's simply a slow developer. He has a good rapport with Andrew Luck (they were college teammates) and is the best of some bad options on the waiver wire at tight end this week.