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Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickup: Lorenzo Taliaferro Still Has High Value

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By @WaltYeboah

Lorenzo Taliaferro Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 5

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In the well-documented absence of Ray Rice from the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL, the former has used the committee approach with three running backs to cope without him, and this can drive you crazy if you have a Ravens RB on your fantasy football team. Rookie RB Lorenzo Taliaferro looked like he was the best back out of the three two weeks ago, when he rushed for 91 yards on only 18 carries and scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.

However, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh decided to give Justin Forsett the lead role once again, and Forsett definitely answered the call against the Carolina Panthers, as he saw the bulk of the important touches and finished with 97 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Taliaferro was only used to give Forsett a breather, and in clock-management mode after the Ravens established a big lead in the game.

However, one thing is clear — Bernard Pierce has been pushed down to the No. 3 RB in the committee, so Taliaferro should continue to get carries in the weeks to come.

The Ravens have also shown their ability to pass the ball, as quarterback Joe Flacco currently has seven touchdowns and just two interceptions over four games. With their present danger in the passing game, teams will not be able to hone in on the running game alone, and this will serve as a huge benefit to Taliaferro.

This Sunday, the Ravens will face Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts‘ high-powered offense. I’m sure that a key element of coach Harbaugh’s game plan will be to keep the ball out of Luck’s hands, so they’ll need to run the ball early and often.

Taliaferro is a player that you need in Week 5 on the waiver wire because if things go well for the Ravens, he’ll get a lot of carries. If things go poorly, he’ll finish out the game and pick up yards as the relief RB.

Try to successfully claim him on the waiver wire this week to either play him as an RB2 or at the flex position if you’re weak in these areas.

Walton Yeboah-Amoako is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @WaltYeboah, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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