This article is part of our CFB Waiver Wire series.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC
Mike Boone, RB, Cincinnati
When a freshman gets 19 carries, goes for 212 yards and scores in Week 9, you add first, ask questions later. That's the story with Boone, who had eight carries in his career before Friday's outing with South Florida. The Bearcats are a little banged up under center, with both Gunner Kiel and Munchie Legaux expected to play against Tulane, which could lead to Boone seeing another day as a workhorse.
Andre Davis, WR, South Florida
Davis' inclusion is likely a week too late, but it's hard to blame anyone for being hesitant about grabbing a receiver on a team that ranks 102nd in passing offense and continues to rotate between two quarterbacks with completion percentages of 48.8 or less. Davis has six catches in three straight games, scoring five times while amassing 355 yards. Davis' addition to your roster is more about long-term planning. He faces a tough Houston defense this week and is also suspended for the first half. The Bulls then have a bye week before getting SMU and Memphis down the stretch. Anything against SMU turns to fantasy gold, just in time for a likely playoff matchup.
ATLANTIC COAST
Synjyn Days, RB, Georgia Tech
The former quarterback shined in his first career start at B-Back, gaining 110 yards on 22 carries. The team continues to say it will evaluate Zach Laskey weekly, but he is believed to be dealing with a separated shoulder and can be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game against Virginia. Days would be in line for at least 15 carries assuming Laskey does not suit up.
Michael Dyer, RB, Louisville
In a continued effort to not duplicate players here, Dyer gets the nod over Clemson's Wayne Gallman, who was featured here two weeks ago. (Gallman needs to be owned if he isn't already in your league even with Clemson heading into a bye week, as he's coming off of a 28-carry game, his quarterback (Cole Stoudt) is bad and senior C.J. Davison is dealing with a shoulder bruise. It's finally Gallman's backfield in Clemson.) Dyer heads into Thursday's game against Florida State as the sole starter on the depth chart, on the heels of a 24-carry, 173-yard performance against N.C. State. The bad news is Dyer is now the fourth Cardinals running back to top 100 yards in a game this year. It's anyone's guess if Dyer will actually see 20-plus carries for a second consecutive week, but he's worth a speculative add. The Noles have allowed their last two opponents to top 150 yards on the ground, and four teams have done so against them this year. Their defense isn't as invincible as the casual fan assumes.
BIG 12
Deante Gray, WR, TCU
Gray has been the clear second receiver behind Josh Doctson all season, but broke out for 165 yards and two scores in blowout win last Saturday against Texas Tech. Gray scored the week prior as well and has six touchdowns in his last five games. Further, Doctson exited last Saturday's game with a leg injury and was later seen on crutches. Even if Doctson plays this weekend, there should be enough points scored at West Virginia for both receivers to merit consideration.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Oklahoma State
Hill came into the season with plenty of fanfare as one of the more heralded junior-college transfers. While he's failed to live up to the billing, scoring just one touchdown all year, his usage is finally trending upward. After not seeing double-digit carries in a game through the first six contests, Hill has 25 in the last two outings. It's brought his season total to 85 touches though eight games, and he's coming off of his first game with 100 total yards since the season opener against Florida State.
BIG TEN
DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
Hamilton is another player who might not be available this late in the year. He posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season last weekend against Ohio State, alternating games with less than 70 yards amongst those four contests. He's scored only once, however, and it's possible the Penn State passing game, and offense in general, have scared off potential owners. Hamilton is up to a respectable 57 catches and 686 yards this year.
Chris Laviano, QB, Rutgers
As of Tuesday afternoon, starting quarterback Gary Nova's status "won't be known for a couple of days." Laviano filled in admirably for Nova Saturday against Nebraska after Nova left with a knee injury, throwing for 49 yards and rushing for a team-high 54 yards. The rushing yards are the key here, and if Laviano can continue to show that ability, he'll be someone to remember heading into 2015. In a spot start, he could make for a cheap play.
CONFERENCE USA
Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice
Taylor has returned from a three-game absence due to a foot injury to start the season with a bang, scoring in three straight contests. He's topped 100 yards in two of those, and had 72 in the other, and his 6-foot-5 frame should see ample chances down the stretch against the likes of FIU, UTSA, Marshall, UTEP and Louisiana Tech.
Deon-Tay McManus, TE, Marshall
McManus generated some preseason buzz following Devon Johnson's move to running back, as many speculated the freshman could slide in to the role formerly occupied by Gator Hoskins. While that never fully materialized, McManus' role is growing, and he's coming off of his best performance to date, a four-catch, 110-yard outing. He scored twice to open the month, and has 13 grabs for 248 yards in his last four outings. He's worth a shot at a position void of great talent.
MID-AMERICAN
Derrius Vick, QB, Ohio
Vick returned to action after missing four games due to a knee injury, and while he wasn't as mobile as he was before being sidelined, his return is inviting with games against Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Miami (OH) remaining. Vick threw for 246 yards and a touchdown, while only posting a season-low 12 yards rushing, oddly on a season-high 15 attempts. If he continues to rush that often down the stretch, he'll carry value.
Saylor Lavallii, RB, Central Michigan
Lavallii is worth a speculative add as we await word on Thomas Rawls' knee injury. Rawls left in the first quarter and had a brace on his leg shortly thereafter, leaving Lavallii to carry 21 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns. With a 117th-ranked Eastern Michigan run defense on the docket this Saturday, Lavallii would be a great weekly play if Rawls misses time.
MOUNTAIN WEST
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
Hill shined in Shane Wick's absence over the weekend, rushing for 121 yards and two scores on 28 carries against Colorado State. With Wick's availability unknown and a 115th-ranked rush defense in Fresno State up next for the Cowboys, Hill has a chance to go on a little bit of a hot streak.
Kent Myers, QB, Utah State
Myers is the next man up for the Aggies and will become their fourth quarterback to see extensive action. Craig Harrison left Saturday's game with a knee injury and is expected to be out "a while" while Dustin Garretson recently underwent surgery on his wrist. With upcoming games against Hawaii, Wyoming, New Mexico and San Jose State, Myers has a chance to post usable numbers before closing the season at Boise State. Myers completed 3-of-5 passes for 45 yards and ran for 28 yards in his limited action over the weekend.
PAC-12
Dwayne Stanford, WR, Oregon
Stanford seems to be emerging as teammate Devon Allen is fading. Stanford has 11 catches, 158 yards and three touchdowns the last two weeks while Allen has managed just six grabs and 75 yards. Stanford's 6-5 frame also gives the Ducks a legitimate red-zone target.
Michael Adkins II, RB, Colorado
Adkins filled in admirably over the weekend as the Colorado backfield continues to rotate options due to injury and ineffectiveness. Adkins has tallied 37 carries the last three weeks, going for 211 yards while scoring once in each outing. He showed well as a freshman, averaging 5.2 yards across 103 carries and scoring six times, and it's possible Adkins has earned more carries.
SEC
Joshua Dobbs, QB, Tennessee
Dobbs was believed to be redshirting this season before providing a big spark off the team's bench in the second half against Alabama, throwing for 192 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 75 yards. He hasn't been named the team's starter yet, but it's clear the Volunteers need to let Dobbs play over the season's final month and see what they have. With remaining games against South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt, Dobbs won't be facing a murder's row of SEC defenses. His dual-threat ability makes him a fantasy threat, and his emergence could also be a boost to receiver Marquez North, Dobbs roommate.
Shaq Roland, WR, South Carolina
Roland's inclusion operates under the assumption teammate Pharoh Cooper is already owned. If not, he's the obvious Gamecock add as the team's leading receiver. But Roland looks poised to close the year with a flurry. After (allegedly) missing the team's flight to Kentucky at the beginning of October, Roland has responded with six catches, 120 yards and two touchdowns in his last outing. He's making plays down field and seems to have a nose for the goal line.
SUN BELT
Donovan Harden, WR, Georgia State
Harden followed a 10-catch, 132-yard, two-score game against South Alabama with an 11-catch, 186-yard, four-touchdown game last Saturday against Georgia Southern. He had previously posted two games with at least 90 yards, and two more with more than 60, so it looks as though he's at least slightly more than a flash in the pan. Georgia State is also surrendering 43.6 points per game, so there will be plenty of passes thrown, keeping Harden from bottoming out.
Elijah McGuire, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette
McGuire is a long-time staff favorite here and likely was at least drafted in your league following an 883-yard, eight-touchdown freshman season. His usage was a little slow through the first six weeks, as he turned in just 51 carries, which resulted in 395 yards and four scores. That's all out the window now following a 19-carry, 265-yard, four-score game last Tuesday against Arkansas State. McGuire continues to outshine teammate Alonzo Harris (9.4 yards per carry compared to 4.0 yards per carry,) and even if the Ragin Cajuns insist on feeding Harris, it appears the volume will finally come McGuire's way. Following the season ending loss of wide receiver Jamal Robinson, ULL ran 56 times and passed 17 last week. Expect that trend to continue.
