Week 10: Waiver Wire

QB Sage Rosenfels (HOU): Starter QB Matt Schaub (knee) is out 2-4 weeks. Rosenfels is a much better fantasy QB than he is a real QB. He kills his team with turnovers, but usually has enough yards and TDs to make him a worthwhile fantasy start. If you have Schaub (or if you just need QB help), consider adding him — but know that he is only a short-term fix, and probably not worth a start this week against Baltimore.

QB Tyler Thigpen (KC): Thigpen has been playing pretty well lately. Although you should not count on him catching a TD pass every week, you can likely count on him throwing 1 or 2 and posting some solid yardage totals. Although he looked awful early in the season, he looks somewhat comfortable now. And given how poor the Chiefs defense is, he will be called upon to throw the ball a lot.

QB Brady Quinn (CLE): Quinn was officially named the starter and will replace QB Derek Anderson in the lineup on Thursday against the Broncos. Although it is very tough to recommend starting a guy like Quinn in his first real action, the Broncos to present a very favorable matchup, and Quinn does have weapons in WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow. However, Quinn is unproven, and the Browns schedule is not very friendly over the remainder of th season. Grab him if you like to gamble, but there are probably safer options.

RB Cedric Benson (CIN): Benson (finally) looked good this week, posting his first 100-yard game in a very long time. I am not too bullish on him, but he is the starting RB in Cincy, so he is probably worth a roster spot. I would not play him, though, unless he has a very favorable matchup. Note that he is on a bye in week 10, though.

RB Jamaal Charles (KC): Charles went from relatively obscurity to the starter in KC in just over a couple of weeks. With RB Kolby Smith on IR and RB Larry Johnson having issues with the NFL Conduct Policy, Charles could be in line for some significant work. He had 18 carries and 109 yards against a pretty tough Tampa Bay defense last week, and should get all the carries again this week. Add him if he is available.

RB Tim Hightower (ARI): I wrote last week about how Hightower might begin to steal carries from RB Edgerrin James, but I will fully admit that I did not expect it to be this abrupt. In week 9, Hightower was the starter and James did not see the field. If Hightower is available, grab him now. He is a definite start against weaker matchups, and could easily turn into a solid RB2 down the stretch.

RB Ray Rice (BAL): Rice was called upon to replace starter RB Willis McGahee last week and ran the ball 21 times for 154 yards, including a 60-yard run. I like Rice quite a bit, but he has always been held back (for fantasy purposes) by McGahee. However, given the fact that McGahee cannot seem to stay healthy, Rice makes a good addition to any roster. Just know that he will not be reliable every week. But when McGahee is out, he is a must-start unless he is up against a very poor matchup.

RB Kevin Smith (DET): Although he was “benched” earlier in the year, it is clear that the Lions still consider him a better option than RB Rudi Johnson. He is no fantasy stud, but he should continue to be involved enough to make him worth a bench spot on your team. He is worthy of a start against good matchups.

RB Ryan Torain (DEN): The Broncos might have to rely on Torain this week. RB Michael Pittman and RB Andre Hall are both on IR. And RB Selvin Young is still recovering from a groin injury. Which means Torain should get quite a few carries. He is still working his way back into football shape after missing the entire first half of the season, but he should get his opportunities. Grab him if he is still out there.

WR Rashied Davis (CHI): Over the past 4 weeks, Davis is averaging about 4.5 catches, 50 yards, and 0.5 TDs per game. These are not outrageous numbers, but he is fairly consistent and seems to have emerged as the top WR in Chicago. It is worth noting that WR Brandon Lloyd will return to the lineup soon, which may impact Davis’ production. But he is probably still worth adding to your roster if you need WR help.

WR Brandon Lloyd (CHI): Lloyd was expected to return to the lineup last week, but once again missed the game with a knee injury. However, he should be back either this week or next week, and once he returns, he should be involved in the passing game. WR Rashied Davis has stepped up in his absence, but Lloyd should have some opportunities when he gets back on the field. If you can afford to stash him on your bench for another week or so, add him now. He has some good long-term value.