Ronnie Hillman, Andre Williams Among Potential Week 6 Breakout Fantasy Stars

Injuries to the prominent starting running backs ahead of them gave Ronnie Hillman and Andre Williams an opportunity to blossom on Sunday. Following strong outings from both rushers, don't expect them to go away in Week 6, making them top fantasy adds this week.

Opportunity is half the battle for locating breakout fantasy performers. Many talented players are tucked too far down the depth chart to make an impact while subpar players instead benefit from a heavy workload. (How's it going, Trent Richardson?) 

Last week, Hillman and Williams found themselves entrenched into a featured-back role in systems that have contrived fantasy success for previous starters. With both starters in danger of missing time, they're both prime waiver-wire targets.

Montee Ball was all the rage heading into the season. He often failed to escape the first round in snake drafts, as owners remembered what Knowshon Moreno accomplished in Peyton Manning's shadows. If he could compile 1,636 yards and 13 touchdowns in Denver's backfield, why can't Ball as the No. 1 back?

He has failed to answer the call, gaining 234 total yards and a touchdown through four games. After averaging 4.7 yards per carry during his rookie campaign, the mark has plummeted to 3.1. He hasn't made any leeway as a pass-catcher either, grabbing just nine receptions from Manning.

To make matters worse, he left Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a groin strain. According to ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos are not anticipating good news.

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[Ball and wide receiver Andre Caldwell] will be evaluated more on Monday, but following Sunday’s game there was some concern among Ball’s teammates and others in the organization that the running back's injury could cause him to miss significant time. 

“My prayers are with Montee,’’ said quarterback Peyton Manning. “He just looked like he was in a lot of pain down there on the field, so I hope he’s OK.’’ 

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Bleacher Report's Will Carroll thinks he'll miss at least two weeks with a "significant" strain.

In Ball's place, Hillman ran for 64 yards on 15 carries. Nothing special, but good enough to make him an immediate add. Something to consider before banking fully on Hillman becoming Moreno 2.0: C.J. Anderson was inactive for Week 5's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Footballguys' Sigmund Bloom thinks he's the guy to grab.

The sophomore boasts more upside, but he's coming off a game in which he registered minus-two total yards against the Seattle Seahawks. He's worth a speculative add, but owners can't start him until he proves something in Ball's anticipated absence. Hillman is the safer choice with the higher floor.

Denver will, of course, pass often, but John Fox gives one back the bulk of the touches, so that one guy becomes a valuable fantasy commodity. With the team in the red zone so many times, there are plenty of scoring opportunities to go around.

The New York Jets boast the No. 6 rushing defense, but they just allowed 114 yards on the ground to Branden Oliver, Week 5's breakout star who also warrants a waiver claim. Although Hillman is a risky play in a tough matchup, a lucrative workload makes him an interesting flex starter.

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Rashad Jennings had the misfortune of getting hurt while facing the Atlanta Falcons, who entered Week 5 with the NFL's worst run defense. His status remains unknown, but the New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano said it could be a sprained knee.

He had finally found his groove with the New York Giants, exploding for 176 rushing yards and a score during Week 3's win over the Houston Texans. In his place, Andre Williams dished up some pulverizing rushes, gaining 65 rushing yards and a score on 20 carries. 

He discussed his physical rushing with NFL Network's Kimberly Jones.

Despite his truck-stick hits on opposing defenders, he's averaging an unappealing 3.1 yards per carry this season. If Jennings misses time, he'll become a bell-cow back, making him worth starting. Williams gets a great matchup this Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, who allow 132 rushing yards per game.

Should Jennings return, Williams will serve as the duo's muscle in short-yardage work, making him a prime touchdown-vulture candidate. 

For now, look to add Hillman and/or Williams now and ask questions later. Assuming Ball and Jennings are both slated to miss a couple weeks, New York's schedule makes Williams the better short-term add. Going forward, however, Hillman has a better shot of stealing Ball's thunder, as Jennings played well with 4.4 yards per carry before sustaining an injury.

For fantasy owners with room on the bench and multiple players worth dropping, go crazy and try to land both, even though it won't happen in a league where people are paying attention.