Every year there will be up to five difference makers in fantasy seasons. Sometimes it's easy to tell who they'll be and other times you'll need a little foreshadowing.
Usually, if a stud back goes down and he has a strong handcuff, it doesn't take much to know you need to add him at all costs. Plus, some backs in a position battle may have gained a leg up on the competition. Some of the time it might not be a one-week change, so fantasy owners will need to be ahead of the curve before the team makes a switch.
There really weren't any big-time, season-ending injuries, so there isn't a no-brainer add. On the other hand, there is some serious potential in a handful of these players below.
With that, here are some guys you'll want to add this week.
Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos (31 percent)
If you watched the Broncos on Sunday, you might have thought they were the Cleveland Browns. They didn't have a single offensive touchdown, and barely made it inside the red zone all day. On top of that, C.J. Anderson was just not the same player he was last year as the starting back.
There is some talk of Anderson having turf toe, but a report from Monday says he's "fine." Even with just a rumor of turf toe from a team potentially capable of being a better offense, we still have to add Hillman in all leagues. Even before the season, there was talk of Hillman being the "1B" in the rushing attack and that held true. Hillman out-rushed Anderson 41-29 while both had 12 carries each.
Yes, the Broncos were a disaster and there's justifiable concern. Still, everyone has to chill out based on how outstanding their rushing game was last year. Hillman needs to be owned everywhere.
Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers (50 percent)
One of the more surprising stories of Week 1 was Danny Woodhead getting a big workload, including a goal line touchdown for the Chargers. Melvin Gordon also didn't really light it up, rushing for 51 yards on 14 carries with three catches for 16 yards. Meanwhile, Woodhead scored the only two rushing TDs, and he added 12 carries for 42 yards and another four catches for 20 yards. Perhaps this goal-line hierarchy is going to change, but that's just the facts right now.
Woodhead kind of has to be added in every PPR league and all 12-team leagues.
Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans (47 percent)
He was the butt of several jokes last year and in the offseason. Despite that, he put up a career-high 74 rushing yards to go with 12 receiving yards and two total scores. It was by far his best game. Of course, the Bucs defense had one of the worst weeks in recent memory.
Everyone loves to overreact after Week 1, but at the same time Sankey was flat-out awful last year. You do kind of have to pick him up, but don't think you're picking up your waiver-wire savior just yet. That said, he's a solid start against another abysmal defense in Week 2, the Cleveland Browns.
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David Johnson and Chris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (21 percent and 10 percent)
We're still waiting on official Andre Ellington news. For now, he reportedly has a Grade I sprain of his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). A non-tear PCL sprain is nowhere near as ominous as an ACL, and he's expected to miss 2-3 weeks.
The bad news is that Ellington just cannot stay healthy. Almost every time the Cardinals count on him, he lets them down with an injury. In other words, when he comes back, he'll likely have some limitations.
With Ellington out, Chris Johnson put up a mediocre 37 rushing yards on 10 carries. He also had one target in the passing game. It was pretty boring even though the Cardinals didn't go with any other back until their last meaningful play on offense.
Well, that play was something. David Johnson took a swing pass 55 yards for a score to seal the deal for the Cardinals to earn the win over the New Orleans Saints. He showed off his 4.4 40-time speed and also supported some claims of him rising up the depth chart in the preseason.
Chris will likely get the first shot, but David just has such a higher upside and should be picked up first. However, if you really need help this week, Chris is probably your guy because he's expected to start against the Chicago Bears.
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots (16 percent)
Be careful with the Patriots running backs, and don't forget LeGarrette Blount will be back for Week 2. Still, Lewis had a solid game with 15 carries for 69 yards to go with four catches for 51 yards. If the Patriots do make a change, the upside is definitely there.
If you hate some guy at the end of your bench, why not make a switch? He still shouldn't be started in most formats this week, though.
Lance Dunbar, Dallas Cowboys (two percent)
You know who led the Cowboys in receiving yards on Sunday night? Yep. Lance Dunbar. The Cowboys are going to be without receiver Dez Bryant for a sizable chunk of the season, which means there are going to be some passes to go around. Receiver Terrance Williams isn't the only answer, so expect the Boys to get the ball to other guys.
Dunbar was used in the slot and was used on 32 snaps -- 31 were pass plays. In a PPR, you could say Dunbar is currently the Dallas back to own over Joseph Randle or Darren McFadden.
Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills (two percent)
How about those Bills? Their offensive line looked outstanding with 147 yards on the ground on their 36 carries. While LeSean McCoy wasn't terrific with just 41 rushing yards on 17 carries, Williams was superb with 55 yards on six carries, including a 26-yard TD run.
It's no secret coach Rex Ryan wants to run the ball. You've probably seen the clips of him saying "ground and pound, baby" 100 times with the New York Jets, and his new team is built in a similar way. The Bills have an improving defense and are basically underrated everywhere. Their formula will be to run the ball and Williams will be involved even with McCoy healthy.
If Shady does go down, Williams could emerge as a top-10 back. McCoy has a hamstring issue right now, so he's a risky asset at the moment. If you have McCoy, you almost have to add Williams.
Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints (three percent)
The Saints could not run the ball against the Arizona Cardinals, which is hardly a surprise against one of the best front sevens in football. As a unit, they had just 54 yards on the ground on 20 carries.
Robinson had eight carries for 19 yards to go with five catches for 51 yards. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram had nine carries for 24 yards and eight catches for 98 yards. Clearly, the Saints are going to use their backs to help offset the loss of tight end Jimmy Graham.
While the Saints will eventually get C.J. Spiller back, Robinson looks poised to be one of the best handcuffs in PPR leagues. The Saints receivers really aren't good, so there are a lot of touches and targets to go around.
Plus, expect the Saints to run the ball against softer run defenses. He's worth a look in 12-team PPR leagues.
DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers (37 percent)
The Steelers will to be without Le'Veon Bell for one more week. Based on Thursday, we should be seeing a lot of Williams against the San Francisco 49ers, who are entering 2015 with several key defenders retiring. The Steelers are also at home and should be a better unit on the offensive side.
Williams was extremely busy in the opener, carrying the ball 21 times for 127 yards to go with one catch. It's pretty clear he'll be a good bet for close to 20 touches again, making him an RB2. Of course, if you don't need help this week, there's no need to be aggressive to add him.
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