10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets Heading Into Week 9

Alex Collins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Yahoo Ownership Percentage: 34%

Even before Thursday night's breakout game, it was clear to anyone watching the Baltimore Ravens play football that running back Alex Collins was the best back on the team.

In terms of yards per carry, his 6.0 clip far outpaces Javorius Allen's (3.5) and the injured Terrance West's (3.6). And on Thursday, Collins excelled if you go by our metrics. He produced a Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) of 4.31 and was second at the position in Week 8 with a Performance Score of 90.

But up until this past week, Collins wasn't getting enough consistent work to compensate for his lack of scoring opportunities and catches on the season. The yardage was fine, yet with limited touches and zero touchdowns or receptions, the upside just seemed limited.

Perhaps that changes now following his 20-touch, 143-yard performance in Week 8, a showing that included the first 2 receptions of his career. Every time he touches the ball, it just looks like he's been shot out of a cannon, and with the Ravens ranking 32nd in the league in passing yards per game, they could certainly use a weapon at the running back position.