As even the Seinfeld novice knows, the correct answer to the question "Who invaded Spain the 8th century?" is Moors, not Moops. Unless you are a true bubble boy, this week's waiver wire will have you worshipping at the alter of the Moores.
Rotoworld football guru Gregg Rosenthal is a Saints watcher and an avid fan of reliable slot receivers of the Troy Brown ilk. When his Spidey sense starts tingling on Saints receivers, it behooves fantasy owners to tag along. Last week Gregg advised grabbing Lance Moore over Robert Meachem, predicting that Moore would make a difference with Jeremy Shockey, Marques Colston, and possibly David Patten out. Moore responded by blowing up with 101 yards and two touchdowns as Drew Brees' reliable go-to receiver. It's time to grab Moore if you haven't already.
Way back in late September of 2005, then Viking Mewelde Moore began a solid month where he was one of the most productive backs in the league. He's not a strong enough runner to succeed with 15-20 carries weekly, but his topflight receiving skills ensure fantasy value with consistent touches. With Willie Parker already laid up with an ambiguous knee sprain, rookie Rashard Mendenhall drew the start on Monday Night Football and lasted just nine carries before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury. By overtime Moore was the only running back left on the roster. Gary Russell will be activated next week (and the Steelers surely haven't lost Dookie Davenport's phone number), but Moore is the target for fantasy owners.
On to the waiver wire. Here's how I rank the likely targets at each position this week. Full writeups of each player are below.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Bobby Engram/Deion Branch
2. Lance Moore
3. Kevin Curtis
4. Justin Gage
5. Arnaz Battle
6. Kevin Walter
7. Donnie Avery
RUNNING BACKS
1. LeRon McClain
2. Rudi Johnson
3. Deuce McAllister
4. Mewelde Moore
5. Michael Bush
6. Kenny Watson
7. Ryan Torain
QUARTERBACKS
1. Marc Bulger
2. Kyle Orton
3. Joe Flacco
4. Damon Huard
5. Matt Flynn
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TIGHT ENDS
1. Zach Miller
2. Anthony Fasano
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WIDE RECEIVERS
Bobby Engram / Deion Branch, Seahawks
Coach Mike Holmgren confirmed that he expects both Engram and Branch to be in the lineup against the Giants in Week 5. Both should be grabbed in fantasy leagues, but Engram is the choice here if you have to decide between the two. He should take over immediately as Matt Hasselbeck go-to receiver and will remain heavily-targeted.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Lance Moore, Saints
Moore is a Drew Brees favorite and has been heavily targeted over the past two weeks. He's the choice over Robert Meachem in all leagues, and it's not even close in PPR leagues. The Saints will have to pass heavily to beat the Vikings in Week 5, so Moore is worth another start.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Kevin Curtis, Eagles
DeSean Jackson is going nowhere, and Reggie Brown emerged with his first decent showing of the year in Week 4. I'm betting, though, that Curtis and Jackson will maintain the fantasy value while Reggie Brown slides over to more of a No. 3 option in the passing offense. Check the practice reports, but the early word is that Curtis could play against the Redskins in Week 5.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Justin Gage, Titans
Two weeks ago, Gage was recommended as the main beneficiary of the quarterback switch in Tennessee. After missing a week with a groin injury, Gage bounced back with five catches for 92 yards against the Vikings. He should remain a borderline WR3 as long as Collins is behind center.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Arnaz Battle, 49ers
If Shaun McDonald can flourish in Mike Martz's slot receiver role, Battle can certainly succeed as a fantasy factor as well. His role is increasing weekly, and he may be the best Niner receiving option for PPR leaguers.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Kevin Walter, Texans
Walter came through with eight receptions and two touchdowns in Week 4 while Andre Johnson continued his disappearing act. But there's an obvious problem here: he was on most owners' benches, and chasing last week's points is a trap. Johnson will bounce back, and Walter's consistency will suffer as a result. He's worth rostering, but beware of getting burnt if you start playing matchups with Walter.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Donnie Avery, Rams
Avery spent last week planning touchdown dances, and he made good on the promise after an impressive 37-yard end around touchdown. More importantly, he has leapfrogged the vets to emerge as the starter opposite Torry Holt. Avery saw seven targets against the Bills and certainly has the speed to become a factor after a Week 5 bye.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
RUNNING BACKS
LeRon McClain
Willis McGahee had just one rushing attempt in the second half of Monday night's game after sustaining a chest injury. McClain continues to pound the ball as the second half closer, and he even threw in a few receptions. As we said last week, he's here to stay.
This is a committee attack, and McClain has the potential for even more if McGahee has trouble staying healthy.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Rudi Johnson, Lions
Rudi is owned in most leagues, but the new starter in Detroit shouldn't be sitting out there on the wire in any league. He's not a great bet to remain healthy or post big numbers, but he has averaged 5.5 YPC on 18 carries as a Lion.
Owners with a high waiver selection should keep in mind that Rudi faces the brutal run defenses of the Bears and Vikings in the next two weeks. Expectations should be tempered.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues
Deuce McAllister, Saints
The Saints insisted that it was coming, but we've remained skeptical about Deuce being healthy enough to contribute. He was introduced as the starter Sunday and received 20 carries to Reggie Bush's 10. By Tuesday morning, his head coach stated his intention to get Deuce even more involved in the offense.
Expecting an injury-free season is a bit much, but Deuce should be owned in all leagues right now. Keep him on your bench in Week 5 as the Saints draw the shut-down defense of the Vikings.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Mewelde Moore, Steelers
The aftermath of Monday night's collision with the Ravens left Mewelde Moore as the only healthy back on the active roster. Willie Parker is likely out for at least Week 5, and Rashard Mendenhall is lost for the season. Gary Russell will be activated against the Jags, but Mewelde Moore is the better bet for fantasy value as a dual receiving/running threat. The Steelers have a bye in Week 6, so be prepared for a one-week solution.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Michael Bush, Raiders
As of Sunday's game against the Raiders, Justin Fargas hadn't even attempted to practice since injuring his groin. Darren McFadden's turf toe injury certainly appears to be more problematic than LaDainian Tomlinson's was, so he's no sure bet to be ready to carry the load after the Raiders come off their Week 5 bye.
Injuries could leave Bush with a prominent role once again as the lead back in a juicy Week 6 matchup against the Saints. He's a good enough runner and receiver to be a safe fantasy play as long as the other backs are injured.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
Kenny Watson, Bengals
It's worth keeping in mind that starter Chris Perry is a poor bet to stay healthy while also considering that he's failed to show explosion and leads the NFL in fumbles. Watson is a nice stash in addition to being a mandatory handcuff for those relying on Perry weekly.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Ryan Torain, Broncos
We recommended stashing him last week, and it's worth repeating again. Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed that Torain is on schedule to return to practice before the team's Week 8 bye. His ultimate role is guesswork right now, but he's talented enough to take advantage if he gets an opportunity.
Recommendation: Monitor in deeper leagues
QUARTERBACKS
Marc Bulger, Rams
One week after being sent to the pine for Trent Green, Bulger is owned in just a third of fantasy leagues. New coach Jim Haslett admitted to being a Bulger man, and he's expected to regain his starting job following the team's Week 5 bye.
The Rams offense is going to show some signs of life at times this season, so Bulger is worth grabbing with reasonable expectations. The potential emergence of rookie Donnie Avery as a second receiving option could help open up the offense.
Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues
Kyle Orton, Bears
Yes, the picking are slim this week. Orton tied a career high with three touchdown passes, all in the first half, against the Eagles Sunday night. If you're a desperate for a quarterback band-aid the next two weeks, Orton draws the laughable Lions and the uneven Falcons.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Joe Flacco, Ravens
Gregg Rosenthal has gone out of his way to tout Flacco's early season play. Part of that is low expectations, but he's also shown a nice pocket presence, surprising mobility, a big arm, and decent decision making. He has a very tough matchup against the Titans in Week 5, so keep him on your bench if you decide to stash him.
Recommendation: Worth monitoring in deeper leagues
Damon Huard, Chiefs
Herman Edwards decided to play to win the game after all, and Huard was solid enough to lead the Chiefs to their first victory in 12 games. He'll stay behind center this week against the Panthers before the Chiefs go on bye in Week 6 and then face a forbidding Titans defense the following week. He makes for a mediocre emergency option this week but nothing more.
Recommendation: Worth a look as a bye week fill-in
Matt Flynn, Packers
The early word on Aaron Rodgers' shoulder injury is that there's no structural damage and he has a chance to play Sunday against the Falcons. If he can't go, however, Matt Flynn would be tabbed over fellow rookie Brian Brohm. Either way, you don't want Flynn quarterbacking for your fantasy team in Week 5.
Recommendation: Pass
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Miller, Raiders
Miller is easily JaMarcus Russell's most reliable receiving target, but his numbers had suffered after the Raiders kept him in protection more often early in the season. In Week 4, however, he exploded for five catches, 95 yards, and a touchdown. It could have been even better as Miller tripped going for a catch at the goal-line. He's a fine bye week fill-in with a high ceiling.
Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins
Fasano remains a potential low-end No. 1 tight end, but he may have been dropped due to bye week roster crunches. If so, feel free to pounce on him.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues
DEFENSES
Falcons - The quality fantasy defenses are doubtlessly already owned in your league, so bye week patches are hard to come by. Keep an eye on the Packers quarterback situation this week. If Aaron Rodgers is unable to go, the Falcons could take advantage of an overwhelmed rookie seventh-rounder in Matt Flynn.
