Fantasy Football Week 5 Pickups: 10 Moves to Save Your Season

If you started your fantasy football season off 1-3 or 0-4, chances are you're looking to find a few under-the-radar pickups that could prevent you from wasting that $100 league fee.

Well, you're in the right place.

Some key injuries and surprising performances have opened the door for several players to contribute not only to their respective squads, but your fantasy football teams as well.

Here's a look at 10 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could prevent your money from going down the drain.

10. John Carney, K, Saints

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Kicker John Carney #3 of the New Orleans Saints kicks a field goal in third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Availability: 82 percent of CBS leagues

I know, I know. He’s a kicker.

But one thing that a guy like John Carney provides that someone like Garrett Hartley doesn’t is consistency.

Since the beginning of the 2008 season, Carney has hit 51 of 58 field goal attempts, and he is perfect on three field goal attempts after returning to the Saints last week.

9. Danny Woodhead, RB/WR, Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in for a touchdown as teammate Dan Koppen #67 follows in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills during on September 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro,

Availability: Available in 91 percent of CBS leagues

Danny Woodhead’s numbers aren’t jaw-dropping, but New England’s do-it-all back had nine touches for 47 yards in Week 4 against the Dolphins.

But that game was a blowout in which the Patriots defense/special teams did most of the team’s scoring, and there were stretches of that game where Woodhead was the focal point of New England’s offense.

His role has grown each and every week, so he’s worth a look in three-RB, three-WR, or flex leagues if you have limited options.

8. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 04: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars lines up during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Availability: 64 percent of CBS leagues

After a hot start, Marcedes Lewis’ production has fallen off a bit lately.

But he does seem to be David Garrard’s favorite red zone target, catching three of Garrard’s six touchdown passes on the season.

In points-per-reception leagues, Lewis might be a risk though, as he is averaging just three receptions per game.

7. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: LeGarrette Blount #9 of the Oregon Ducks warms-up prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the 96th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Availability: 79 percent of CBS leagues

Tampa Bay had a bye this week, but LeGarrette Blount showed a spark in limited action in Week 3.

Blount had six carries for 27 yards and a touchdown and is on a running back depth chart with the unproven Kareem Huggins and the injury-prone Cadillac Williams.

6. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Brandon Pettigrew #84 of the Detroit Lions drops a pass as he is hit by Jarrett Bush #24 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jon

Availability: 87 percent of CBS leagues

With Detroit’s inability to run the ball, the Lions have become one of the most pass-happy offenses in the league.

Although he has yet to score a touchdown, tight end Brandon Pettigrew has at least six catches in three of four games this season and has topped 90 receiving yards twice.

Pettigrew has been one of Shaun Hill’s favorite targets, but it remains to be seen how that will change once Matthew Stafford returns.

5. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders

Thearon W, Henderson/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Running back Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game October 3, 2010 at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Texans won the game

Availability: 32 percent of CBS leagues

Darren McFadden has emerged as a top 10 fantasy running back, but his availability this week is in question after he re-aggravated a hamstring injury that has been bothering him since the preseason.

Michael Bush is ready to return from a broken thumb injury this week, and it’s likely that he’ll play a major role in Oakland’s offense even with McFadden healthy.

4. Sam Bradford, QB, Rams

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Washington Redskins at the Edward Jones Dome on September 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Redskins 30-16. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Availability: 48 percent of CBS leagues

Sam Bradford has played pretty well for a rookie, throwing for 944 yards and six touchdowns in his first four games as a pro.

His best week came in Week 4 against Seattle, when he threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Bradford has thrown six interceptions, but he should get more comfortable in the pocket as the season progresses.

3. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos makes a catch in front of cornerback Kelvin Hayden #26 of the Indianapolis Colts during NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The C

Availability: 17 percent of CBS leagues

Brandon Lloyd has benefited from the new pass-heavy offensive philosophy of the Broncos and already has 25 receptions for 454 yards and one touchdown.

He’s not going to keep up at that pace for the entire season, but even a slight drop-off would be big-time production from a guy that went undrafted in many leagues.

2. Kevin Kolb, QB, Eagles

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Availability: 54 percent of CBS leagues

The Eagles' quarterback carousel just keeps spinning.

Just a couple weeks after Michael Vick was named the Eagles starter, he’ll now sit on the sidelines for at least one game while Kevin Kolb will take the snaps at quarterback.

Kolb hasn’t really shown much consistency as a pro, but Philadelphia does have some offensive weapons, and he would be a solid pickup if you don’t already have an elite quarterback on your roster.

1. Ryan Torain, RB, Redskins

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-12. (Photo by Jim McIsaa

Availability: 55 percent of CBS leagues

Clinton Portis has been bitten by the injury bug again, and his backup is sure to be a hot pickup on the Week 5 waiver wire.

That guy is Ryan Torain, who looked awfully impressive against the Eagles in Week 4 when he ran the ball 18 times for 70 carries and a touchdown.

If Torain is available in your league (and there’s a good chance he is), I’d jump on him as soon as possible. Even if you don’t need a running back, keep him away from the teams who do.