Week 5: Waiver Wire Pickups - Fantasy Football 2011

Week 5 Wavier Wire Pickups - Start & Sit Advice. If you are looking for a free agent or waiver wire pickup for your fantasy football team in Week 5, here are a couple of the best options likely available in your fantasy league. Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups at each starting position are listed, including QB - RB - WR - TE - D. The number before each players name is their overall ranking at their position for week 5 according to my custom position rankings.

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- Hawk Michaels @ Hawk Fantasy Sports Blog - www.hawkfantasysports.wordpress.com

Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups - player profiles and stat projections will be updated throughout the week

Week 5 --- QB Rankings --- RB Rankings --- WR Rankings --- TE Rankings --- Defense Rankings --- Waiver Wire Pickups --- NFL Picks & Predictions

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QUARTERBACK

15. Matt Cassel - KC = @Ind --- 31% ----- Cassel has been anything but reliable or consistent this season, but after tallying a respectable 260 passing yards and 1 touchdown in last weeks game against the Minnesota Vikings, it seems reasonable to think that a matchup against the struggling Colts defense this week could net Cassel at least 225 passing yards and 1 touchdown in this weeks game as well.

16. Kyle Orton - Den = SD --- 51% ----- Nothing exciting here with Orton, but if the Chargers put up the points like they are capable of, then the Broncos passing attack could be playing catchup once again this week like they did last week against the Packers. Add in a healthy Brandon Lloyd, and Orton has the potential to tally 200-250 passing yards and 1 touchdown this week.

18. Jason Campbell - Oak = @Hou --- 21% ----- Not a great matchup, but if you are desperate for a spot starting QB, Campbell likely isn't the worst option available in your leagues waiver wire pool.

21. Andy Dalton - Cin = @Jac --- 10% ----- Even though the eye popping stats are clearly not there, Dalton just seems to be a steady producer under center just 4 games into his NFL career. At just 10% owned, Dalton who faces a so-so Jaguars defense this week could be looking at a final stat line of 200 passing yards and 1 touchdown.

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RUNNING BACK

26. Dexter McCluster - KC = @Ind --- 61% ----- After the Chiefs pulled off a solid win against the Minnesota Vikings last week, maybe there is still a slight beacon of hope showing in Kansas City after all. I have to believe that one of these weeks the Dexter McCluster show will be put out on center stage. This weeks matchup against a bad Colts team could be it....

28. Pierre Thomas - NO = @Car --- 53% ----- After the Panthers defense allowed over 200 rushing yards to Matt Forte in last weeks game, a glimmer of excitement shines in the Pierre Thomas direction this week. That is assuming Darren Sproles and/or Mark Ingram don't hog up too much of the fun in this game.

29. Willis McGahee - Den = SD --- 69% ----- It looks like Knowshon Moreno is only an afterthought in the Broncos offense right now. McGahee is the RB you want to have from the Broncos backfield right now.

33. Stevan Ridley - NE = NYJ --- 14% ----- Anytime an RB has a role in an explosive scoring offense like the Patriots, fantasy football teams need to pay attention. Ridley could be the next big time waiver wire pickup in all fantasy football leagues. If you have a roster spot or need RB help, taking a flyer on Ridley immediately could be a wise investment.

39. Delone Carter - Ind = KC --- 12% ----- As the weeks go by, it seems like only a matter of time before the Colts start to split carries 50/50 between Addai and Carter. This weeks matchup is a good starting point for Carter to get 10 carries and 50 yards.

00. Ryan Torain - Was = BYE --- 20% ----- The Redskins have a bye this week, so in shallow leagues you will not want to pick up Torain. But in deeper leagues, he is worth a gamble to see how the Redskins backfield plays out over the next few weeks.

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WIDE RECEIVER

22. Lance Moore - NO = @Car --- 69% ----- Even with Marques Colston back in the lineup, Moore will still see plenty of throws his way while finding holes in the defenses coverage. Think Wes Welker type of production in terms of catches, yards and unfortunately lack of touchdowns. But with Drew Brees as your QB in a big time passing offense, there is no reason why Lance Moore cannot be a solid WR3 play for the rest of the season in all fantasy football lineups.

28. Dexter McCluster - KC = @Ind --- 61% ----- After the Chiefs pulled off a solid win against the Minnesota Vikings last week, maybe there is still a slight beacon of hope showing in Kansas City after all. I have to believe that one of these weeks the Dexter McCluster show will be put out on center stage. This weeks matchup against a bad Colts team could be it....

32. Nate Burleson - Det = Chi --- 57% ----- Playing second fiddle to Calvin Johnson, Burleson should continue to find himself with one-on-one matchups that he can clearly take advantage of. Matthew Stafford is sure to take full advantage when those opportunities present themselves.

43. Jerome Simpson - Cin = @Jac --- 22% ----- If the legal issues work themselves out, Simpson should continue to see plenty of passes his way with an improving Andy Dalton from week to week.

55. Dane Sanzenbacher - Chi = @Det --- 2% ----- An undrafted rookie free agent this season, Sanzenbacher is slowly developing into onto of Jay Cutler's top dump off options. In deep leagues, Sanzenbacher is definitely worth a look right now.

58. Randall Cobb - GB = @Atl --- 20% ----- With a possible high scoring game in store between these two offenses this week, Cobb could see plenty of action in 4 wide receiver sets for the Packers in this game. Boasting breakaway speed, Cobb in an excellent starting flyer option in deep leagues this week.

61. Jacoby Jones - Hou = Oak --- 24% ----- If Andre Johnson misses this weeks game, Jones could get the start at WR. Combine that with a matchup against a weak Raiders pass defense, and Jones could net 75 receiving yards to go along with a touchdown.

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TIGHT END

8. Brandon Pettigrew - Det = Chi --- 66% ----- Combining great size, good hands, and solid athletic ability for a tight end, Pettigrew's role should continue to grow in the Lions passing attack this season.

13. Jermaine Gresham - Cin = @Jac --- 27% ----- As long as Andy Dalton continues to play respectably, Gresham should continue to be one of his favorite targets....not to mention a solid red zone target as well.

15. Visanthe Shiancoe - Min = Ari --- 19% ----- If Donovan McNabb has thrown to anyone, Shiancoe seems to be the guy on the receiving end. Always a red zone threat, you could do worse for your fantasy football team if you need a spot starting TE this week.

17. Kevin Boss - Oak = @Hou --- 4% ----- Finally broke out with a decent game last week, Boss could be Jason Campbell's favorite target against a pressuring Texans defense this week.

25. James Casey - Hou = Oak --- 18% ----- He disappeared in last weeks game, but if Andre Johnson has to miss this weeks game, the Casey could see playing time as a WR this week.

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DEFENSE

4. Houston Texans = Oak --- 38% ----- At just 38% owned in 10 team yahoo public leagues, this is likely the cheapest and best value pickup that fantasy football teams can make this week. With emerging stars on defense, it would not be surprising if the Texans finished as a top 10 defense in the entire NFL by the end of the season. Sacks, interceptions, forced turnovers, limited points scored against them……this Texans defense has the makings to be the real deal for this season and the next several as well.

6. Cincinnati Bengals = @Jac --- 3% ----- Solid matchup for an underappreciated Bengals defense, the rookie Blaine Gabbert could be a turnover and or sack machine for the Bengals this week. At just 3% owned in 10 team leagues, the Bengals are one defense that should be available in nearly every single fantasy football leagues this week and is definitely worth a spot start if your regular defense….I'm looking at all you Ravens D owners…..is on a bye this week.

7. San Francisco 49ers = TB --- 66% ----- They took care of the Philadelphia Eagles last week, so a matchup against a less than scary Tampa Bay offense this week should net a solid outcome for the 49ers defense this week.

9. Arizona Cardinals = @Min --- 20% ----- The Cardinals defense has not received my fanfare this season, but with turnover prone Donovan McNabb still under center in Minnesota, anything is possible for the Cardinals defense this week.

10. San Diego Chargers = @Den --- 67% ----- The Chargers defense has completely underachieves so far this season, but a weak Broncos offensive attack could change things for the better this week for the Chargers.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers = @SF --- 46% ----- Any defense that is going against Alex Smith has a chance.