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Week 5 on the fantasy football waiver wire isn’t what I’d call exciting. You have a couple of usual suspects when it comes to the waiver wire but you never know. A roll of the dice on some of these names could pay off in big dividends if you are looking for bye week relief.

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel, Minnesota Vikings – Like Nate Washington I feel like I bit by Cassel fairly often. The potential has always been there but how often does he really stay on my team? Maybe it was the system in Kansas City because he looked great against Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Vikings have a bye week and while the team says Ponder will get his job back, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Wide Receivers

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans – I have always liked Washington and I don’t think a season has passed in the last several years where he hasn’t been on one of my benches. Washington now has back to back weeks of over 100 yards receiving with two different quarterbacks. I think Washington’s chances are better to succeed with Kenny Britt off the field and there are reports that Britt is on the block. I’ll probably take another shot on him. He’s inconsistent but he has a ton of upside if you are looking for a bye week gamble.

Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings – While everyone in your league will be clamoring for Greg Jennings, you can be the smart one and grab the better Vikings wide receiver. Simpson has now had two games of over 100 yards. He hasn’t scored a TD but with defenses keying in on A.P. you’d expect him to get some chances. What I really like him is that he has had 100 or more with both Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel so the QB really doesn’t make a big difference.

Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills – Savvy players have probably already scooped up this Bill but he may be available. He is most valuable in my opinion in dynasty leagues. I don’t like the consistency just yet but there is a good chance that he and Manuel will be a deadly combination in upcoming seasons. Once again I would make the move more if I were in a dynasty league but he may be worth a shot regardless.

Running Backs

Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders – I have always found Jennings to be underwhelming, specifically when he had his opportunities in Jacksonville but he may be a sneaky pickup for a week. Jennings is the only healthy running back in Oakland which means he’d get a lion’s share of the load. Jennings would probably be more valuable to you if you are in a PPR league but if you need a back for a bye week, he may be worth a shot.

Roy Helu, Washington Redskins – If you are a gambling fantasy player than this is your waiver wire pick. Helu came in for an injured Alfred Morris and exploded for 84 total yards and a score. Morris has a rib injury and remains to be seen how severe it is. Early word is that it isn’t that bad but you never know with Mike Shanahan. His teams haven’t always been truthful when it comes to reporting injuries. If you want to take a gamble, grab Helu, and watch the injury report next week. I would bank on Morris returning but if you have the room Helu can be a nice wait-and-see on your bench.

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