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			  Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business, 
              but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious 
              selections to help your team from week to week while you strive 
              to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs and win the 
              elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While 
              I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster, 
              the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes 
              to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll 
              target both offensive and defensive players — sometimes breakout 
              stars that eluded your team’s draft — as well as players 
              who can help your squad that may still be lurking in deeper leagues. 
              I’ll also provide an occasional daily fantasy recommendation, 
              as I’m hopelessly addicted to DFS sites. 
               
              Off the Top - Includes my premier 
              recommendations. These are sometimes players available only in more 
              shallow leagues, and occasionally guys who are more ready but are 
              thrust into the fantasy spotlight because of opportunity or exceptional 
              production. Usually, they are available in at least 25 percent of 
              public leagues. 
               
              Digging Deeper - Covers the next 
              tier of quality waiver wire specimens, usually players available 
              in a majority of online leagues. There are a lot of gems in this 
              range who can be plucked rather easily. Usually, these players are 
              available in at least 50 percent of public leagues. 
               
              Scouring the Barrel - Chronicles 
              the deepest of fantasy adds — and sometimes highlights players 
              being tacked onto fantasy squads who I don’t have much confidence 
              in. Make sure you read the fine print because I don’t always 
              love them. For the most part, you’ll find these players available 
              in about 75-100 percent of fantasy leagues
              Each week, I’ll also provide a brief update on the players 
                I covered the previous week. It’s the most accurate, comprehensive 
                one-stop waiver-wire column available on the Internet, and it’s 
                only available here at fftoday.com. Let’s get to some of 
                the players who could be still out there on the waiver wire and 
                in the free agent pool as you prepare for Week 1! 
               
              Feedback is always welcome, 
              appreciated and encouraged. I’ll get to as many e-mails as 
              I can. 
               
               
               
              Note: Each player’s 
              next four matchups are listed in parentheses ( ). Since IDP league 
              composition is so varied, I’ll just list defensive players 
              per position and use their Yahoo ownership rates – which due 
              to site ranking anomalies and the high rate of variance in availability, 
              are often much lower than actual ownerships rates. 
              Quarterbacks 
              Off The Top 
              Ryan Tannehill, MIA (GB, @CHI, @JAC, SD) – Tannehill and 
                the Dolphins are fresh off the team’s Week 5 bye and face 
                the Packers on Sunday during the early slate. He should make a 
                decent bye week fill-in, as the Packers will likely jump out to 
                an early lead and force Tannehill to throw most of the second 
                half. 
               
              Digging Deeper 
              Austin Davis, STL (SF, SEA, @KC, @SF) – Davis tallied 375-3-0 
                with two lost fumbles and 30 rushing yards in Sunday’s loss 
                to the Eagles. He doesn’t have a very favorable matchup 
                against San Francisco, but we know he’s capable of big games 
                and makes an interesting DFS play. 
               
              Scouring The Barrel 
              Brian Hoyer, CLE (PIT, @JAC, OAK, TB) – Hoyer’s 292-3-1 
                helped cap off a monumental comeback against the Titans, evening 
                the Browns record at 2-2. Hoyer has tremendous upside once Josh 
                Gordon returns and should mix in a few decent starts with some 
                fantasy stinkers. He’s a tough week-to-week call, but the 
                pickings are slim at QB right now. 
               
              Updates 
              Joe Flacco, BAL (@TB, ATL, @CIN, @PIT) – Just when you 
                think Flacco is going to give you some QB2 value, he regresses 
                into the land of mediocrity. His 235-0-1 probably didn’t 
                hurt many owners in one-QB leagues, but he makes himself hard 
                to roster with performances like this. 
                 
                Blake 
                Bortles, JAC (@TEN, CLE, MIA, @CIN) – Other than Geno Smith 
                and (possibly) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bortles (191-0-2, 14 rushing 
                yards) had the worst day of any fantasy QB, as the Steelers defense 
                decided to step up in Week 5. 
                 
                Mike 
                Glennon, TB (BAL, BYE, MIN, @CLE) – Glennon totaled 249-2-1 
                thanks to a big day from Vincent Jackson and a weakened New Orleans 
                secondary. I expected a bit more in this matchup, but his numbers 
                were serviceable and he may have helped some owners in two-QB 
                leagues. 
                 
                Kyle Orton, BUF (NE, MIN, @NYJ, BYE) – Orton managed to 
                compile 308-1-1 and squeak out a victory over the Lions. The matchup 
                with New England next week could go either way, but at home versus 
                Minnesota and on the road against the Jets in Week 9 could bulk 
                up his stats. 
                 
               
              Running Backs 
              Off The Top 
              Bobby 
                Rainey, TB (BAL, BYE, MIN, @CLE) – Despite a tough Week 6 
                matchup with the Ravens, Rainey is worth stashing to plug in after 
                the Week 7 bye, when he faces the Vikings and Browns in weeks 
                8 and 9. By then, maybe the Bucs coaches will have realized he’s 
                a more complete back than Doug Martin and deserves more than just 
                a handful of carries and goaline work. 
                 
               
               
                  
                  Branden Oliver: The Darren Sproles clone 
                    prduced in a big way on Sunday and will be a top add in Wk 
                    6. 
                 
               
              Digging Deeper 
              Ronnie 
                Hillman, DEN (@NYJ, SF, SD, @NE) – Hillman will get the bulk 
                of work with Montee Ball (groin) on the shelf next week against 
                the Jets. He should be the top add this week, as he’s owned in 
                just 7 percent of Yahoo leagues.  
                 
                 Ball’s injury 
                is expected to keep him out 2-3 weeks, but Hillman could hold 
                onto the job for longer if he produces and holds off C.J. Anderson. 
                 
                 
                Branden 
                Oliver, SD (@OAK, KC, @DEN, @MIA) – Injuries to the rest of 
                the San Diego running backs forced Oliver into action on Sunday, 
                and the rookie was electric, rushing for 114 yards and a TD on 
                19 carries and adding 4-68-1 – in most scoring formats the best 
                fantasy performance of the week. He’s still available in about 
                80-90 percent of fantasy leagues and could be the revelation that 
                the Chargers run game needs – even when Ryan Mathews and Donald 
                Brown return from their respective injuries. 
                 
                 Mathews is not yet 
                ready for action, so it appears Oliver will be the guy on Sunday. 
               
              Scouring The Barrel 
              Benny 
                Cunningham, STL (SF, SEA, @KC, @SF) – The next few matchups 
                are tough, but it’s obvious that Cunningham is going to get more 
                carries if Zac Stacy (calf) misses any additional time. Stacy 
                has been a fantasy disappointment in 2014 and Cunningham (71 yards 
                from scrimmage, TD in Week 5) seems more capable in the passing 
                game. 
                 
                 The Rams expect Stacy 
                to play in Week 6, but Cunningham has shown some burst and will 
                likely get at least 10 touches.  
              Updates 
              Bishop 
                Sankey, TEN (JAC, @WAS, HOU, BYE) – Ken Whisenhunt failed 
                to get Sankey enough carries again on Sunday, instead favoring 
                Shonn Greene (11 carries, 36 yards), who with his overall ineffectiveness 
                helped allow the Browns back in the game. Whisenhunt probably 
                needs to go for Sankey to reach his full potential. 
                 
                Jerick 
                McKinnon, MIN (DET, @BUF, @TB, WAS) – McKinnon had 46 yards 
                (24 rushing, 3-22-0 receiving) in limited work Thursday. He remains 
                a flex play in deeper formats with plenty of upside, and while 
                he didn’t score this week, my other Week 5 recommendations (below) 
                all reached the end zone. 
                 
                Justin 
                Forsett, BAL (@TB, ATL, @CIN, @PIT) – Forsett had a nice day 
                Sunday, rushing for 42 yards and a TD on just six carries and 
                adding 7-55-0 receiving. He’s the PPR back to own in Baltimore. 
                 
                Andre 
                Williams, NYG (@PHI, @DAL, BYE, IND) – After Rashad Jennings 
                went down with a knee sprain, Williams finished with 20 carries 
                for 65 yards and a TD in the victory over Atlanta. He, Oliver 
                and Ronnie Hillman will be the top adds off the waiver wire. 
                 
                 There’s a lot 
                of buzz surrounding Williams, who will be the bell cow for the 
                Giants in the upcoming matchup against Philly and Dallas. It’s 
                hard to say who among Williams, Hillman, Oliver has the most upside, 
                but you really can’t go wrong with any of them.  
                 
                Antone 
                Smith, ATL (CHI, @BAL, DET, BYE) – Smith did it again, scampering 
                74 yards for a TD on a swing pass from Matt Ryan. He finished 
                with just one carry for 2 yards, but his 3-81-1 receiving line 
                made him a worthy flex play if you happened to plug him in. 
                 
               
              Wide Receivers/Tight Ends 
              Off The Top 
              Brian Quick, STL (SF, SEA, @KC, @SF) – Quick isn’t 
                necessarily matchup proof, but he’s such a highly prized 
                target of Davis, the next few matchups shouldn’t scare you 
                from using him in PPR leagues. He’s had nine targets in 
                three out of his four games this season and after Sunday (5-87-2), 
                has 21 catches for 322 yards and three scores on the season. 
                 
                Justin 
                Hunter, TEN (JAC, @WAS, HOU, BYE) – Hunter broke out for 3-99-1 
                in Week 5, the big play being a 75-yard TD pass from Charlie Whitehurst. 
                He’s a week-to-week WR4/flex option with upside. 
                 
               
              Digging Deeper 
              Mohamed Sanu, CIN (CAR, @IND, BAL, JAC) – Sanu (5-70-1 
                on Sunday night) is one of the most dynamic athletes in the AFC 
                and promises to be a big part of the Bengals success in 2014. 
                He should be owned in all formats. 
                 
                TE Tim 
                Wright, NE (@BUF, NYJ, CHI, DEN) – Largely ignored by Tom 
                Brady through the first four games (five targets, 4-35-0), Wright 
                totaled 5-85-1, catching all five balls thrown his way in Week 
                5. He’s a deep-league add and has decent upside if he continues 
                to get attention. 
                 
               
              Scouring The Barrel 
              Travis 
                Benjamin, CLE (PIT, @JAC, OAK, TB) – The Browns’ Travis Benjamin 
                produced about the same line folks were expecting from Panthers 
                rookie Kelvin Benjamin this week (4-48-2), hauling in all four 
                targets in the comeback victory. He’s a deep-league add who’ll 
                yield targets to Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin (and obviously 
                Josh Gordon when he returns), but he has some value and should 
                be owned in leagues with more than 12 teams. 
                 
               
              Updates 
              TE Larry Donnell, NYG (@PHI, @DAL, BYE, IND) – Donnell 
                was a non-factor in the Giants win over Atlanta, posting a fantasy 
                goose egg (one target, no catches). He should get back on track 
                next week against the Eagles and could have another monster day 
                in Dallas Week 8. 
                 
                Devin Hester, ATL (CHI, @BAL, DET, BYE) – Hester had just 
                2-16-0 on Sunday and a 3-yard rush. He’s still a boom-or-bust 
                flex option in deeper formats and a worthwhile play in leagues 
                that award points for return yardage. 
                 
                Mike Williams, BUF (NE, MIN, @NYJ, BYE) – Williams was targeted 
                just twice by Orton on Sunday and finished with one catch for 
                8 yards. 
                 
                Jarius Wright, MIN (DET, @BUF, @TB, WAS) – Wright followed 
                up his breakout Week 4 with 3-27-0 on Thursday night. 
                 
               
              IDP 
              Linebackers 
              LB Christian Kirksey, CLE (PIT, @JAC, OAK, TB) – Kirksey 
                is starting to play much better and should get plenty of work 
                in the upcoming matchup with Pittsburgh. 
                 
                LB Avery 
                Williamson, TEN (JAC, @WAS, HOU, BYE) – Williamson is not 
                a great athlete and is far from a prototypical IDP playmaker, 
                but the rookie has favorable matchups in the coming weeks and 
                has seen plenty of field time recently over Zaviar Gooden at ILB 
                next to Wesley Woodyard. 
                 
               
              Defensive Backs 
              DB Kyle Fuller, CHI (@ATL, MIA, @NE, BYE) – Fuller is a 
                solid rookie IDP standout who should be busy the next few weeks. 
                I’m bullish on his prospects to finish as a Top 10 DB this 
                season. 
                 
                DB Rashad Johnson, ARI (WAS, @OAK, PHI, @DAL) – The Cards 
                defense has taken some injury hits and Johnson has been the safety 
                valve. He’s going to rack up a bunch of tackles the next 
                few weeks. 
                 
               
              Defensive Lineman 
              DL Brian 
                Robison, MIN (DET, @BUF, @TB, WAS) – Robison hasn’t done much 
                yet this season, but he’s primed for some big weeks against the 
                Lions, Bills, Bucs and Redskins. He’s a nice DL option in deeper 
                leagues. 
                 
                DL Frostee 
                Rucker, ARI (WAS, @OAK, PHI, @DAL) – Rucker will likely be 
                the main pass rushing presence for the Cards, who have lost Calais 
                Campbell for the next 3-4 weeks. Expect a handful of tackles and 
                2-3 sacks over the next couple weeks. 
                 
                 Rucker’s Week 
                5 sack was his first of the season. He’s a low-end DE2 in 
                deeper formats, but he’s got an opportunity.  
              Updates 
              LB Alec 
                Ogletree, STL (SF, SEA, @KC, @SF) – Ogletree is starting to 
                produce, tallying eight total tackles (seven solo) and a forced 
                fumble in Week 5. 
                 
                LB Brandon 
                Marshall, DEN (@NYJ, SF, SD, @NE) – As expected, Danny Trevathan 
                returned to action and Marshall had a quiet Week 5 (two solos, 
                PD). He can be safely dropped in IDP redrafts. 
                 
                DB Malcolm 
                Jenkins, PHI (NYG, BYE, @ARI, @HOU) – Jenkins had five solo 
                tackles but no big plays or PD in Sunday’s win over St. Louis. 
                He remains a DB2 with upside. 
                 
                DB Reggie 
                Nelson, CIN (CAR, @IND, BAL, JAC) – The Bengals defense was 
                out of sorts early in New England, and Nelson finished with just 
                four total tackles (two solos). 
                 
                DB Reshad 
                Jones, MIA (GB, @CHI, @JAC, SD) – The Dolphins were on a bye 
                on Week 5 but Jones should be starting (and busy) versus the Packers 
                this week.  
                 
                DL Carlos 
                Dunlap, CIN (CAR, @IND, BAL, JAC) – Dunlap had two solos and 
                three assists on Sunday night, but failed to get to Tom Brady. 
                 
                DL Michael 
                Bennett, SEA (DAL, @STL, @CAR, OAK) – Update coming 
                Tuesday. 
                 
                 Bennett did very little 
                on Monday night, registering one assist in the win. He’ll 
                have a much better matchup against Dallas in Week 6.  
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