Week 4 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Why Fantasy Owners Must Add Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz is ready to make his name within this New York Giants offense. 

You can count on that.

He was outstanding during the 2010 preseason, but a hamstring injury brought an early end to his regular season without a catch.

Now he's finally getting his shot. 

After scoring twice against the Philadelphia Eagles (with Nnamdi Asomugha covering him on the second touchdown), Eli Manning has increased confidence in this second-year receiver, which is invaluable to Cruz's fantasy stock. 

Along with that, Domenik Hixon is out for the year, and Mario Manningham is battling through a concussion. 

Say hello to the starting lineup, Mr. Cruz. 

Even if Manningham returns this week and is healthy the rest of the year, Manning knows he has another legitimate receiving threat in Cruz, who, with a bigger, more built body than Manningham, can compliment Hakeem Nicks. 

I expect the Giants to utilize Cruz underneath and on bubble screens as well, because he has demonstrated terrific yards-after-the-catch ability and can make defenders miss in the open field. 

He did catch only three balls last week, but I really think it was his coming out party. 

It would be stunning if Cruz doesn't see more targets (maybe five to seven) in each game for the remainder of the season. 

Cruz is quick off the line, deceptively fast and is extremely physical with the ball in his hands at 6'0'', 205 lbs.

Nothing against Manningham, who is a shifty runner himself, but Cruz is of comparable size to Nicks, who is the primary receiving target in New York's offensive attack. 

He may be more of a hit-or-miss player, but when he gets the football, he's got a shot to reach the end zone, regardless of how the Giants use him. 

In deeper, 12- or 14-team leagues, there's nothing that should hold you back from adding Cruz, especially if you've experienced injuries to your receiving corps.