Fantasy Football Week 5: Stevan Ridley and Top 5 Waiver-Wire Pickups

Fantasy football now has to deal with bye weeks. That is going to make scouring the waiver wire for players more important than ever.

These players can be a one-week fix or a long-term solution. Either way, they are going to be vital to helping you make it through a week where you have one or two stars that sit on your bench helplessly inactive.

The following five are all good candidates to not only help your team for a week, but also be a valuable addition all season.

Note: Availability percentages are via NFL.com

Washington Redskins' RB Ryan Torain

Ryan Torain came out of nowhere in the second half of the Redskins' 17-10 victory over the Rams.

He ended with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Torain is part of a crowded Redskins backfield. Tim Hightower remains the starter and rookie Roy Helu will continue to get his touches.

However, Shanahan showed he is willing to leave the hot hand in the game. Torain's 19 carries were 11 more than both Hightower and Helu.

Availability: 74.4 percent

Dallas Cowboys' WR Laurent Robinson

Laurent Robinson has tremendous value while Miles Austin nurses his hamstring, and given the Cowboys wide receivers' propensity for injuries, he could produce all season.

Robinson tied with Jason Witten in Sunday's loss to the Lions with 10 targets. And he produced on those targets. Robinson led with seven catches for 114 yards.

As long as Robinson is starting he is going to be productive.

Availability: 99.9 percent

Tennessee Titans' TE Jared Cook

Jared Cook was nonexistent in the first three weeks. Then with Kenny Britt out of the lineup, Cook became a focal point of the Titans offense.

Cook led the Titans in receptions, yards, touchdowns and targets. He had two catches on six targets. That resulted in 93 yards and a touchdown.

Cook should be a solid producer for the rest of the season.

Availability: 98.3 percent

Tennessee Titans' QB Matt Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck is turning in a solid year. I am surprised he is available in as many leagues as he is.

Hasselbeck answered a big question mark this week. With Kenny Britt out, and Chris Johnson returning to the focal point of the offense, people wondered if he would still be in a position to produce.

Hasselbeck only threw 20 passes against the Browns, but he turned that into 220 yards and three touchdowns.

Availability: 77.6 percent

New England Patriots' RB Stevan Ridley

Stevan Ridley is part of a crowded New England backfield, but he is making the most of his touches and those touches figure to increase.

New England is showing a recommitment to the run, and they are getting results to reinforce this strategy.

Ridley has the explosion to produce big numbers. He finished Sunday with 10 carries, 97 yards and a touchdown. You can expect his role to increase.

Availability: 98.7