Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 5: Why Owners Must Add Jackie Battle

Desperation is the mother of invention: it's true in life, it's true on the football field and it's true in fantasy football. And desperation is why Kansas City Chiefs running back Jackie Battle has emerged as a breakout player on that squad and why you, sitting here in Week 5 with few viable waiver wire running back options left, should consider giving him a spot on your roster.

Let me preface this by saying that Battle is, as of now, a great option only for owners in deep leagues of more than 12 teams.

Chances are, if you're in a 10-team standard league, he's not a necessary add right now, unless you have a weird setup with more than two running backs starting per week, or if you're stuck in the unpleasant situation of losing starters to injury and having poor depth on your bench.

But, for those desperate owners looking to get a leg up on the competition, adding Battle could be one of the most savvy moves you can make this week.

The Chiefs have very little going for them in the run game now that Jamaal Charles is lost to injury. Thomas Jones has proven to be ineffective and Le'Ron McClain and Dexter McCluster both have yet to prove themselves as viable, every-down players as well.

Last week, the Chiefs notched their first win of the season over the also winless Minnesota Vikings, via Battle's speed and strength. He achieved two first downs at the end of the game that secured them the win, and likely vaulted Battle into the starting conversation.

This week, Kansas City takes on another winless squad, the Indianapolis Colts, and Battle should see a significant uptick in carries. If he can impress for a second game in a row, there's little chance that he will revert to being just a change-of-pace back whose biggest role is with special teams.

He's worth an add, should you have a woeful lack of depth. I wouldn't recommend starting him this week unless your roster is in terrible shape, but he's more than earned a bench spot based on his Week 4 performance.