Week 5: Pickups of the Week

Waiver Wire Watch: Looking Ahead to Week 5

As we head into week five of the NFL season, here are some possible pickups that might still be available in your league...

QB Daunte Culpepper, ---

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Culpepper was only 5 of 12 for 75 yards with 2 passing TDs, but he also ran for 28 yards and 3 TDs to lead Oakland to a win over Miami. This was a revenge game for Culpepper, as he wanted to show Miami up for cutting him, so don't expect this performance each week. He does appear to have secured the starting QB job after helping the Raiders get a win for the second week in a row. Oakland has a bye in week five and the Raiders will probably go to rookie first round pick Jamarcus Russell at some point later on down the road. If you are desperate for a QB pick up, then fantasy owners can consider Culpepper.

QB Brian Griese, ---

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Griese, who took over in Chicago for the struggling Rex Grossman, was 34 of 52 for 286 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 interceptions. The Bears lost the game and Griese didn't look much better than Grossman has this year, but he was allowed to throw the ball more than Chicago normally passes the ball. It appears he still will be the starter heading into a must win game against Green Bay this Sunday night. If you are a fantasy owner in a large league, or league that starts 2 QBs, then Griese is worth consideration because he is a starting QB.

QB Joey Harrington, ---

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In his last two games, Harrington has played much better throwing for 361 yards, with 2 TDs, and 223 yards, with 2 TDs, along with no interceptions. I named Harrington in my preseason article as a possible sleeper worth picking up because he was a probably undrafted in most 10-12 team leagues and because everyone was picking the Falcons to not be a very good team this year. That was a recipe for the Falcons to be losing most games, having to throw the ball to play catch up this year. In his first four games, Harrington has 983 passing yards, 4 TDs, and 2 interceptions. If you are a fantasy owner in a large league, or desperate for a QB pick up because of an injury or bye week, then Harrington is worth picking up.

RB Correll Buckhalter, ---

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Buckhalter was another RB that I named in last week's article due to Westbrook's recent history of not being able to stay healthy for all 16 games. With Westbrook out on Sunday night, Buckhalter had 17 carries for 103 yards, plus 4 receptions for 35 yards in the loss to the Giants. At this point, all the Westbrook owners should already have Buckhalter as a handcuff, but if he is still a free agent in your league, then I would advise picking him up for a roster spot.

RB Ron Dayne, ---

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With Ahman Green out with an injury, Dayne became the Texans' starting RB, getting 16 carries for 62 yards, plus 2 receptions for 12 yards in the loss to the Falcons. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on Green's injury status for week five because Houston plays at home against Miami (probably the worst run defense team in the NFL) this coming weekend. If you are in a large league, or a league that starts a flex position, the Great Dayne is worth picking up. If he is the starter this week for Houston, Dayne could be worth starting for fantasy owners desperate for a RB due to injuries or a bye week fill-in because he could have a great game against the Dolphins' weak run defense.

RB Justin Fargas, ---

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Lamont Jordan left Sunday's game with an injury, allowing Fargas to come off the bench to rush 22 times for 179 yards against Miami. Oakland has a bye in week five which could allow Jordan time to get healthy, but the Raiders have been committed to running the ball in their first four games, which makes whomever is their starter worth a roster spot. Dominic Rhodes also returns from his suspension, so both he and Fargas are worth picking up for a roster spot in case Jordan is out for any length of time.