10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 5

Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens

ESPN Ownership: 20.8%
Yahoo Ownership: 25%

But I thought you said Terrance West was the guy to pick up?

Perhaps, and it really depends on what you need. Despite performing well as team through a quarter of the season, the Baltimore Ravens have struggled to develop a consistent running game until Sunday against the Raiders' defense.

Dixon was impressive in the preseason, rushing for 107 yards on 22 carries (4.9 yards per carry) before seeing his regular-season debut stalled due to a knee injury. In college, Dixon was one of the best all-purpose backs in the NCAA, totaling 1,537 rushing and receiving yards as a senior and scoring 26 touchdowns behind a below average offensive line at Louisiana Tech.

Justin Forsett is 31 years old and ineffective and was benched on Sunday. Third-down specialist Buck Allen hasn't been an efficient rusher as a pro and has been inactive in each game to start the season until Sunday. And Terrance West has been average until facing an Oakland defense that ranked 23rd in Adjusted NEP per rush. That leaves plenty of room for Dixon to emerge in Marc Trestman's running-back-friendly offense.

While we obviously have no idea if Dixon can be an effective player for the Ravens, given his profile and opportunity, he is certainly a player worth stashing with the last bench spot on your roster. Perhaps he can put together a David Johnson-type of finish to his rookie season. If you need an immediate contributor, perhaps West is your man.

But if you are looking for an upside play, Dixon offers plenty as he is eased into this offense in the next few weeks.