NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week Five

Last week we talked about Rashard Mendenhall being a hot waiver pickup because Willie Parker would be out with turf toe. If you happened to pick him up and start him, you enjoyed a fabulous day from the second-year running back.

This week marks the second bye week for the NFL season, and if you have players on the Bears, Packers, Saints, or Chargers they won't be playing. No doubt fantasy football owners will be hurting as top-end quarterbacks on those teams are off this weekend.

Below we have the top players you might want to pay attention to who are likely available for waiver pickups. Even if you don't select a waiver (or have already done so) it's good to keep these names in mind for the future weeks.

Quarterbacks

Jaguars- David Garrard- Bye Week: Seven

David Garrard had a fabulous day against the Titans, and he now has a budding fantasy star receiver in Mike Sims-Walker. Look for Garrard to continue his solid play as the Jaguars get set for a clash with the Seahawks' secondary.

Last week Peyton Manning picked this secondary apart, and I expect Garrard to have a successful day as well.

Redskins- Jason Campbell- Bye Week: Eight

Excuse me one second......

Now that I'm done throwing up from the thought of suggesting this player to you, we can move on.

Jason Campbell actually had a good fantasy game two weeks ago against the Lions. Not only that but his connection with Santana Moss is one of the hottest going in all of football.

This week the Redskins go down to Carolina and face off against the Panthers' shaky defense. If you need a starter in a pinch then you might want to pick up Campbell and give him a one week try.

Running Backs

Steelers- Rashard Mendenhall- Bye Week: Eight

I know many of you probably didn't pay much attention to our recommendation of Mendenhall a week ago. This is understandable since he was benched the week before. If for some reason Mendenhall is still available in your league, I would pick him up right away.

The situation between Mendenhall and Parker reminds me of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush a season ago.

You could see that what the team needed is what a guy like Mendenhall or Thomas has to offer. They run hard between the tackles and have explosion through the hole.

Bush and Parker, on the other hand, can't stay healthy and are not effective full-time runners.

Mendenhall should put up strong numbers again this week against the Lions as he will get the bulk of the work.

Browns- Jerome Harrison- Bye Week: Nine

Jerome Harrison should be the starting tailback in Cleveland for the rest of the year. Jamal Lewis is washed up and rookie James Davis is on injured reserve.

Last week Harrison had over 150 total yards from scrimmage and makes for a good starter this week against the Bills.

Wide Receivers

Browns- Mohamed Massaquoi- Bye Week: Nine

Rookie Mohamaed Massaquoi had himself a great game last week with eight receptions for 148 yards against the Bengals. This week Braylon Edwards may be disciplined by the league because he allegedly punched a man at a night club on Monday morning.

If Edwards is suspended then Massaquoi will continue to be the top dog in Cleveland this week.

Tight Ends

Packers- Jermichael Finley- Bye Week: Five

The Packers are on a bye week this week but Jermichael Finley is clearly a tight end that is coming on in fantasy football. On Monday night, he had a fabulous day against the Vikings with six catches for 128 yards and a very nice touchdown.

Green Bay is having protection problems on the offensive line and Aaron Rodgers is looking towards his tight ends more often. If you can stash Finley away this week or even pick him up next week he is a good bet for points.

Panthers- Daunte Rosario- Bye Week: Four

Click here to see our write-up last week on Daunte Rosario: Week Four Waivers

Kickers

Jaguars- Josh Scobee- Bye Week: Seven

The Jaguars are playing some solid football and Josh Scobee has been a solid kicker for fantasy this year. Look for Scobee to continue his solid play this week against the Seahawks.

Defense / Special Teams

Dolphins- Miami Dolphins- Bye Week: Six

The Dolphins' defense had a very solid game last week against the Bills. This week the Jets come to town with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who was exposed by the Saints a week ago.

Look for the Dolphins to play another spirited game against the Jets this week in Miami.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com