Fantasy Football: Week 5 Get 'Em or Don't Sweat 'Em Waiver Wire Advice

Ryan Lester

Oct 4, 2010

There were some unusual heroes on Sunday. There always are. Let’s take a look at them and see if they are worthy of your fantasy rosters.

QBs
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills
Fitzpatrick gives the Bills some hope, but he’s not ready for fantasy squads despite throwing a pair of TDs and running for 74 yards. He only managed 128 yards in the air.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

Shaun Hill, Detroit Lions
Hill had a big game against the Packers throwing for 331 yards with two TDs and two INTs. He added 53 on the ground. He has a nice matchup against St. Louis next week, assuming Stafford isn’t ready to go. If he isn’t, Hill is a solid play next week.
Ruling: Get ‘Em.

Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
He’s making me a believer. Bradford has thrown a TD pass in every game, including two in a win over Seattle. He threw for 289 yards. He’s a solid play against Detroit next week, and is a solid QB2 going forward.
Ruling: Get ‘Em.

David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
Garrard completed 17 of 22 passes for 163 yards and two TDs. He added 44 yards and a score on the ground. He has a decent matchup next week against Buffalo if you’re needy at the QB position, but he’s yet to reach 175 yards in a game this year.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia Eagles
Kolb didn’t look great (22 for 35, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) but will get his starter gig back if Vick can’t go.
Ruling: Get ‘Em.

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RBs
Correll Buckhalter, Denver Broncos
Buck had just six carries for three yards, but added five catches for 38 yards and a score. He’s a decent option for PPR leagues, but has little value once Knowshon Moreno returns.
Ruling: Get ‘Em (PPR), Don’t Sweat ‘Em (non-PPR).

Derrick Ward, Houston Texans
Ward took advantage of the start by running for 80 yards and a 33-yard score. Foster had another monster day. Ward can be added as an insurance policy, but during the bye weeks you may not have a roster spot.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins
Torain had 70 yards and a score on 18 carries. Clinton Portis hurt his groin in the game. Torain will get the start if Portis can’t go.
Ruling: Get ‘Em.

WRs
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Baltimore Ravens
Housh caught three passes for 49 yards, including the game-winner, but he only has six catches on the year for 80 yards.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

Harry Douglas, Atlanta Falcons
Douglas had three catches for 59 yards and a score, but also has not been even moderately involved in the first three games (six catches, 71 yards).
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills
Johnson had three catches for 31 yards and a score. It was his second straight week with a TD. He’s not a great fantasy option, but adds decent depth to fantasy squads.
Ruling: Get ‘Em.

Brandon Gibson, St. Louis Rams:
Gibson had three catches for 50 yards and a score. He had just three targets though. I’d look elsewhere.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

TEs
Benjamin Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson has improved by a reception every game this year. He had six for 60 yards, giving him 18 catches for 185 yards and a score. While I don’t expect him to haul in seven passes next week, he clearly is a big part of Cleveland’s offense.
Ruling: Get’ Em.

Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, Detroit Lions
Both Pettigrew (eight catches, 91 yards) and Scheffler (six catches, 63 yards) had solid games and make good plays next week against St. Louis.
Ruling: Get ‘Em Both (Pettigrew first).

Joel Dreessen, Houston Texans
Dreessen took advantage of Andre Johnson’s absence by catching five passes for 73 yards and a score. He led the Texans with eight targets. He’s seen little action before this, and I wouldn’t expect him to have another game like that the rest of the season.
Ruling: Don’t Sweat ‘Em.

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