Week 5 Waiver Wire: 3 Running Backs and Wide Receivers

Bye weeks are here, and no doubt some of us are in a heap of trouble. That being said, there's always value to be found on the waiver wire that can help your team to a Week 5 victory.

These three running backs and wide receivers have shown they can produce this year, and all of them are available in roughly 50 percent or more in ESPN standard leagues.

Everyone one of them has potential long-term value, and more importantly, they can help your team when it counts: right now.

Ryan Torain

I don't know how 57.5 percent of teams on ESPN held onto Ryan Torain for this long, but it's sure to pay off. 

That being said, more than half of regular leagues still have Torain available, and it seems Mike "Shanahan" has duped us all again. Keep in mind that the Redskins are headed into their bye week, so he won't help you immediately, but he should be one of your top targets, especially since you'll surely need another running back in another bye week.

Torain posted 19 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown last week. That should be at least enough to quiet rumors of Roy Helu taking over the starting job. When ever Mike Shanahan changes running backs, he tends to do it for at least a few games.

Jacoby Jones

Jones has been a bench-warming darling of fantasy owners in the past, so I understand if you have some skepticism.

However, the reports that Andre Johnson is out for three weeks makes Jones an excellent play. The last time Andre Johnson missed a couple of games, Jacoby Jones picked up 10 catches for 185 yards. With the way the Texans are playing on offense and with their terrific matchup against the Raiders' secondary this week, Jones is a must-play if you have another receiver on bye.

Victor Cruz

Mario Manningham has struggled mightily this year, and Victor Cruz is coming on strong.

Though Manningham probably isn't truly behind Cruz on the depth charts, he seems to be in Eli Manning's eyes. Cruz was targeted nine times to Manningham's five against the Cardinals, and Cruz caught six of those compared to Manningham's one.

Cruz has 23 and nine points in his last two games. Now the Giants get to play a very bad Seahawks defense at home. The Seahawks don't travel well, and I'm sure Cruz will be able to victimize their defense.

Michael Crabtree

After missing the first couple games of the season, Crabtree is finally back on the field and showing some promise.

Though he only had two points his first week, he should have had eight if it were not for a blown call when the referees said Crabtree had stepped out of bounds on a touchdown catch when replay showed he clearly had not. Crabtree improved to five catches for 68 yards this past Sunday.

He's clearly getting more involved in the offense and has all the talent to become a big-time receiver. He's still available in 55 percent of ESPN standard leagues.

Isaac Redman

Redman has shown a lot of promise when he's touched the ball this year.

In Week 2, Redman had 10 carries for 49 yards, and last week he had six carries for 40. Now that Rashard Mendenhall is out of the picture, along with Mewelde Moore, it gives Redman his opportunity to shine.

Depending on Mendenhall's health, he might only be a one-week fix. If Mendenhall's hammy keeps him from coming in for a few games (see Foster, Arian), then Redman has the potential to be a major pickup.

He's still available in 86.6 percent of ESPN standard leagues.

Stevan Ridley

Stevan Ridley has probably the biggest boom-or-bust potential for the next week.

It's still Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis' job, but with the way Ridley played last week, it's hard to tell who will be getting many of the carries. Ridley looks like a bigger, stronger and faster version of The Law Firm.

The Patriots are playing a Jets defense this week than has been unusually susceptible to the run. Considering how good Rex Ryan is at game-planning for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, I expect the Patriots to hit the Jets with a guy they've never dealt with before. That's generally the Patriots' style. Ridley has long-term value if he is able to take over The Law Firm's job. He's available in 82.9 percent of leagues.