Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Wonders: Running Backs

With the first quarter of the season behind us, it's time to start embracing Denny Green's infamous quote, "They're what we thought they were," when analyzing fantasy production. Knowshon Moreno, Thomas Jones, C.J. Spiller, Reggie Bush and Danny Woodhead have failed to impress, and I wouldn't shed a tear cutting them in order to upgrade your roster.

Week 4 marked the return of Arian Foster to fantasy studliness, as he topped 150 yards against the Steel Curtain, which should render Ben Tate to bench-worthy in the fantasy world until further notice.

Gore (ankle) and Beanie Wells (hamstring) both produced monster numbers despite being listed as questionable, which further emphasizes why you need to check in with FFspin on Sunday mornings for those last-minute injury tidbits.

Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring) will be a major question mark heading into Sunday. Ryan Grant (bruised kidney) appears likely to return, but the Packers play Sunday night so make sure you have a backup plan (the Bears' Marion Barber could get a cheap TD Monday night).

This week starts the BYE weeks so plan accordingly, as the following players take Week 5 off: Baltimore (Ray Rice); Dallas (Felix Jones); Miami (Daniel Thomas); Washington (Tim Hightower);  St Louis (S-Jax) and Cleveland (Hillis).

This week we profile a few RBs that are worth targeting as potential injury replacement / BYE week fillers, as these backs could see their roles expand in the coming weeks giving them fantasy relevance.

If you are looking to upgrade at the WR and QB positions be sure sure to check out FFspin's Quarterback and Wide Receiver Week 5 waiver wire articles.

Ryan Torain - (BYE, PHL, @CAR, @BUF) – Yet more "Shanahanigans" ensued in Week 4 much to the chagrin of Tim Hightower owners. Apparently Hightower suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter that allowed Torain to dominate carries. Going forward, its anyone’s guess what Mike Shanahan will do—not sure even he knows.

Ryan Torain posted three, 100-yard games in 2010 and finished with respectable numbers (746 yards and six total TDs).  However, Torain’s injury history led Shanahan to add a rookie RB to the Redskin stable. Washington's ground game floundered in 2010, finishing 30th (a paltry 91 YPG).

However, the three-headed monster has impressed in the first month of this season and currently ranks sixth (123 YPG). This has the makings of the dreaded RBBC. The Torain train is picking up steam, but his injury history (only played 12 games in his first three seasons) makes us pump the brakes for now. On the positive side, the upcoming schedule looks to be a fantasy gold mine for RB production.

Kendall Hunter - (TB, @DET, BYE, CLE) – In his first NFL start against a forgiving Eagles defense, the rookie from Okie State topped 100 total yards and flashed impressive elusiveness. Frank Gore has missed 10 games over the last four seasons, making Hunter a must-own handcuff. Hunter is a dual threat much like Gore and could be a solid start, if and when Gore misses a game or two. We had Hunter ranked as the No.10 rookie RB, but he’s climbing the charts.

Isaac Redman - (TEN, JAX, @ARI, NE) – The Week 4 hamstring injury has Rashard Mendenhall very questionable for this week. We cautioned fantasy owners that Mendy could be a prime breakdown candidate after he saw nearly 350 touches in 2010. Redman has the size (6'0", 230) to be a lead back at the NFL level, and has flashed solid burst in his third season.

In a reserve role last season he had 52 carries for 247 yards (4.8 YPC) and has maintained the solid YPC in limited action this season. It's anyone's guess whether the Bowie State alum’s productivity would be sustained with an increased workload, but he is a must-add in all leagues, especially for Mendenhall owners.

Stevan Ridley - (NJY, DAL, BYE @PIT) – Ridley led the Patriots with 97 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against a Raiders run defense that continues to struggle (ranked 29th, allowing 136 YPG). The third-round pick from LSU has the size and skill set to steal goal line carries, but Week 4 proved he could very well be the most talented RB on the Patriots.

Ultimately, we doubt that any members of the crowded Patriot backfield will provide consistent-enough production to make them any more than matchup plays best used as Flex options, but Ridley could prove us wrong. Law Firm owners should be very concerned. It's worth noting that the Pats have a brutal upcoming schedule for running backs.

Bernard Scott - (@ JAX, IND, BYE, @SEA) – Cedric Benson’s run-ins with the law are well-documented, and despite his appeal of a three-game suspension one has to think Roger Goodell is unlikely to budge. He should play in Week 5 but the inevitable suspension makes Scott well worth stashing if you have the roster spot. Bernard Scott is the likely starter once Benson is forced to sit with his dunce hat in the corner. Scott averaged 19 touches per game as a three-week fill-in for Benson back in 2009, and could be the go-to guy for favorable matchups against Indianapolis and Seattle.