TheFFBI's Most Wanted: Week 5 Waiver Wire Pick Ups

Just a reminder, you can check the previous weeks most wanted articles for more ideas on who to pick up.  You should also sign up for the email list to the right of this column, to be notified when new articles are posted.

 

Running Backs

1. Jackie Battle SD - It appears that Battle's opportunity arose as a punishment to Ryan Mathews, for fumbling last week.  Battle is an average to poor NFL RB, but opportunity always trumps skill in fantasy football.  If Mathews fumbles again, or gets injured, Battle has value.
2. Brandon Bolden NE - Bolden, a rookie from Mississippi, has a hold of the back up running back spot in NE.  Bolden has received goal line carries for TDs in each of the last two weeks, and rushed 137 yards at 8.6 YPC against Buffalo.  Shane Vereen is just getting healthy, so there is a chance that he doesn't hold on to this job for long.  Bolden is worth a stash and might be a viable bye week fill in against good match ups.
3. Joquie Bell Det - Kevin Smith has inexplicably vanished from the Lion's game plan.  Bell has picked up the role that we all thought Smith would be playing.  Bell, a 2nd year player from Wayne State, runs hard, pass blocks well, and caught 6 passes for 72 yards last week. 
4. LeGarrette Blount TB - With rookie Doug Martin struggling, its possible we could see Blount getting more and more of the workload.  Blount is two years removed from a great season, and as evidenced by his TD last week, he could turn into the goal line back.  Blount should be owned, especially if you are a Doug Martin owner.
5. Ronnie Hillman Den - The Denver Broncos drafted Hillman with the 67th overall pick last year to be the future of their running game.  Hillman has great hands and appears to be working his way into the 3rd down back role, while trying to improve on his pass blocking.  Hillman is arguably the most talented RB on Denver's roster, and could get his shot if McGahee goes down.

 

Wide Receivers

1. Brian Hartline Mia - Hopefully you followed my advice two weeks ago, and picked up Hartline then.  Everyone has seen his 245 yard game and will make him the number one waiver wire pick up this week.  Hartline's sure hands, decent speed, and good route running make him the number one option in an improving Miami passing game.  This was his best game, maybe of his career, but he will be featured going forward.
2. Andre Roberts Ari - Roberts has scored in 3 of the 4 games this year, and has never scored less than 5 fantasy points.  Kevin Kolb was looking to Roberts quite a bit this last weekend, and Roberts was used as more than just a deep threat.  Arizona could have possibly found their compliment to Fitzgerald.  Roberts is a WR3/bye week flex at the moment.
3. James Jones GB - With Greg Jennings groin injury lingering, James Jones has become a prominent piece of the GB passing attack.  He will be a good bye week fill in guy while Jennings is out, and a play if your desperate guy when Jennings is healthy
4. Domenik Hixon NYG - Lost in the praise for Barden and Brown in last week's game, was the fact that Hixon was higher on the depth chart than Barden and that he also missed last week's game.  Hixon has sen significant playing time in the past, and Eli trust him.  With Hakeem Nicks injury possibly lingering all season, I like Hixon over Barden going forward. 
5. Jerome Simpson Min - Simpson looked good in his debut last week.  He is a starting WR on a run first offense, but I like his talent and he should benefit from defenses scheming to take Percy Harvin out of the game.
6. Kendall Wright Ten - I don't love the Titan's passing game, but I think Wright is the most talented receiver they have, outside of the hobbled Kenny Britt.  It remains to be seen who Matt Hasselbeck will favor, but I like Wright, and there is a chance he is on your waiver wire.
7. Nate Burleson Det - The Lions passing game is in a slump.  I think things will get fixed as the season goes along.  From what we've seen so far, Burleson looks like the other Lions WR you want, as opposed to Titus Young.  I don't think Burleson will be a great player going forward, but he is a guy that can fill in on a bye week.

Kickers

1. Greg Zuerlein - GZ is an a new name to the stable of kickers to choose from.  This rookie will more than likely break the 63 yard field goal record before he retires.  He is also accurate, and is racking up some big fantasy numbers so far.  If he's out there, I would grab him.  The Rams offense is just good enough to get into GZ range, but isn't great at scoring.  This is also a reminder to not just be satisfied with whatever your kicker is giving you.  Check the waiver wire each week and see who is putting up points, and throw out under performing kickers.

If you have any questions about other pick ups for other positions, or questions about who to drop, I can answer your questions in the comments, email theFFBI@gmail.com, or find me on twitter @theFFBI.  Thank you for the support and interest in TheFFBI.