NFL Fantasy Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

1.) Deuce McAllister (RB-NO) – I drafted Deuce in the 15th round and then dropped him after 3 games because he wasn’t getting on the field. Well, it looks like he’s finally healthy again and will be the feature back of the Saints for the remainder of the season. In his first full game back for the Saints, Deuce had 73 yards off 20 carries and 1 TD. Sean Peyton said that Deuce will remain “heavily involved” in the offense from now on.

2.) Lance Moore (WR-NO) – If you picked up Robert Meachem last week and started him this week, you were in good shape since Meachem had 2 receptions for 99 yards and 1 TD. While Colston is out, Moore appears to be Brees’ go to guy. I still like Meachem, but unless he converts on the deep ball he won’t give you much. He’ll either get you a huge gain and a TD or nothing, which makes him a risky player to start. This week, Moore had 7 receptions for 101 yards and 2 TDs. Against Denver, Moore had 7 receptions for 78 yards.

3.) Donnie Avery (WR-STL) – The Rams decided to finally get their 2nd-round pick involved in the offense. In the Bills game, Avery has already had 3 receptions for 22 yards, and a 37 yard run for a touchdown, which I’ll assume came off an end-around. I still wouldn’t start him just yet, but he’s a player to keep your eye on. It was just one nice trick play that got him into the endzone.

4.) Matt Jones (WR-JAC) – Matt Jones has emerged as the Jaguars #1 WR. Matt had his best game of the season against the Texans by getting 71 yards and 1 TD. He’s had 80, 50, and 43 yards game in the prior 3 games and is averaging 5.25 receptions, which make him a more consistent option that Robert Meachem, who is averaging 1.67 receptions per game, but they’re usually bombs and TDs. The Jags have a great upcoming schedule after the Steelers this week (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit). Jones is also getting twice as many targets than the Jags #2 receiver.

5.) Kevin Walker (WR-HOU) – Walter had 76 yards and 2 TDs against the Jaguars last week. In week 1, he had 3 receptions for 41 yards and a TD, banged up his toe and was out week 2, which helps explain his poor 15 yard game against the Titans in week 3, but he just rebounded against he Jaguars in week 4 and is certainly a player to watch. With Andre Johnson seeing constant double teams, Walker is getting more and more looks.

6.) Tim Hightower (RB-ARI) – As an Edgerrin James owner, I’m pissed that Hightower is taking goalline carries away from him. Right now, Hightower isn’t worth starting because Edge still gets the major load and Hightower only gets a few carries and then used at the goalline, so he may come up bust one week, but he may be worth adding for Edge owners. If Edge ever goes down with an injury, Hightower is a very good option to start. Hightower got his 3rd TD against the Jets.

7.) Deion Branch (WR-SEA) – Deion Branch may see his first action of the season this week in a limited role. He may be worth picking up and putting on your bench before someone else does. Branch says his injury has heeled a while ago, but he still has to get the mental part down.

8.) Mewelde Moore (RB-PIT) – With Pittsburgh’s top 3 RBs down for the count, Mewelde Moore becomes the guy in Pittsburgh. At least he’ll be the focal point of the Steelers offense in week 5 against the Jaguars. Moore has performed well for the Vikings in the past. He does a great job at catching the ball out of the backfield. He should have a pretty solid game against the Jaguars and is projected to get 10 fantasy points this week. 2005 was his best year with 662 rushing yards and 339 receiving yards in 16 games (8 starts).