Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Which Week 4 Studs are Worth Picking Up?

Another week, another Sunday watching stars go bust and waiver-wire studs go pop. It is time to take a fantasy chance on the following sleepers that just woke up. 

There is nothing worse than being late to the fantasy party. There is no reason that you can't fill your roster with a boost of waiver-wire goodness going into the all-important bye week portion of the season. 

Some of your finest NFL stars are about to take a breather, leaving you to find some value in the scrap heap of fantasy leagues. 

The bad news is that you don't have much time. After a stirring Week 4, these guys are being snatched up quicker than Pabst Blue Ribbon at a hipster bar. 

It is time that you dig deep for these guys who are begging for a home. They would look great next to your Tim Hightower bust. They may even fill in nicely until Chris Johnson remembers what he is being paid to do. 

Perhaps you are having Mark Sanchez inflicted blues. Well, the answers are out there. All you have to do is a little guesswork and load up on the courage as you saddle up with waiver-wire stars who will guarantee you a win. 

Here is a breakdown on five guys who went off in Week 4. We will deliver the substance from the hype, and let you know who is worth taking a shot at picking up. 

As always, we will use Yahoo Leagues to determine who is most readily available. 

Matt Hasselbeck QB

Owned in 39 Percent of Y! Leagues

Matt Hasselbeck has an attribute that is underrated in fantasy players. He is consistent. The Titans veteran quarterback has delivered fantasy points of 20, 18, 22 and 24 in the first four weeks. 

The Titans have been a pleasant surprise in the early goings, and that is without the help of Chris Johnson who is still to break out. 

Look for him to have even more space to throw as the star running back gets his momentum back. Feel confident with Hasselbeck at the helm. 

Curtis Painter QB

Owned in 3 Percent of Y! Leagues

Here is one for those in deep leagues where the best quarterbacks are already accounted for. Curtis Painter may sound like a bad idea, but that's because you still have Kerry Collins' stint in mind. 

Painter has a much better handle on the Colts defense, and it showed Monday night. The Colts ran a quicker offense, and Painter should get more comfortable as time goes on. 

On Sunday, he gets a soft Kansas City Chiefs defense, which gives hope that he can replicate Monday which saw him go 13-for-30 for 281 yards and two touchdowns.  

Jared Cook TE

Owned in 30 Percent of Y! Leagues

With Kenny Britt out, the Titans need another person on the line to step up and deliver the big plays. Jared Cook showed that he is ready willing and able in week 4. 

After some lackluster showings, Cook had two receptions and a touchdown. One of his receptions was good for 80 yards. Look for him to get a lot more looks as the Titans resume life without Britt. 

Preston Parker WR

Owned in 5 Percent of Y! Leagues

Mike Williams struggled to get open downfield, this forced Josh Freeman to look closer for an outlet. Preston Parker was trusted for five receptions, going 70 yards with a touchdown. 

He will continue to get looks as the Buccaneers play a 49ers defense that is struggling with covering the pass. Williams will get a good amount of the attention by the Niners, freeing up a trustworthy target like Parker. 

Stevan Ridley RB

Owned in 21 Percent of Y! Leagues

The Patriots love to go deep, but went to the ground often on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. That allowed BenJarvus Green-Ellis to share the load with Stevan Ridley. 

What we learned is that Ridley can ball. He had 97 yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown. With that kind of output mixed with the second burst he showed he had, there is no way the Patriots can keep him out of the rotation for long.