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A possible waiver wire pickup this season could be the Atlanta Falcons backup running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
The 5-foot-6 speedster finished his big game with an elusive 17-yard touchdown against Rob Ryan‘s New Orleans Saints defense to put his team on top up four with 2:52 left in the game. His run put Saint’s defenders on ice skates with a Barry Sanders-like spin move and a quick side step, then plunging forward for the touchdown. Atlanta’s kicker Matt Bryant sealed the victory with a 52-yard field goal in OT.
Rodgers and the rest of the Falcons’ rushing attack ran for a combined 108 yards. Rodgers’ scamper to the end zone was his team’s longest run of the game.
Rodgers, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon State came to Atlanta hoping to continue his success at the next level, but struggled thus far with a little over 900 yards and four trips to the end zone. With an early touchdown against the Saints in Week 1, he could see more touches as the season continues to take pressure off of Matt Ryan and starting running back Steven Jackson.
Jackson was a late decision due to a hamstring injury he suffered the first week of training camp, keeping him from playing a down in the preseason. If Rodgers continues running the way he did against New Orleans, he could be a viable RB2 in deep leagues when your starters are on a bye.
Jimmy Isbell is a Dallas Cowboys writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter at @HowToJimmer12 and add him to your network on Google.
