Sleeper Watch

Bye weeks! Injuries! Horrible performances! The waiver wires around fantasy football are going to get another heavy workout this week. Here are a handful of gems in the rough to look for whether you’re simply trying to pad your lead in the league or desperate to stop the hemorrhaging.

Running backs

Jameel Cook (Houston Texans) – With Green still gimpy, Dayne unable to catch a football to save his life, and Gado apparently in some undefined doghouse, Jameel Cook is the guy in the Houston Texan backfield worth a look on the waiver wire. Facing the incredibly bad Miami run defense this Sunday, Cook has the potential to rip off a screen pass for a score or vulture a touchdown this weekend.

Mike Karney (New Orleans Saints) – With the power running of McAllister out of the picture, Karney should definitely see his short yardage and goal line carries increase. Bush is absolutely the starter, but his lack of ability to hand out punishment on at team that is dying to lay down a running presence yet this season leads me to believe the strong and durable #44 is about to make an impact.

Quarterback

David Carr (Carolina Panthers) – When I was looking at the injury list from week four and match-ups for week five, I almost crossed Carr off my possible sleeper list because I was sure he was owned by more than 5% of the leagues in fantasy football. On a whim, I checked and surprisingly he’s actually readily available just about everywhere. If there was ever a week for Carr to put himself back on the map, this week against the iffy New Orleans passing defense is it.

Wide Receiver

Reche Caldwell (Washington Redskins) – Do you remember the surging Caldwell last season with the Patriots? You know, the guy who looked to be “the guy” at wide receiver before New England threw out the baby and the bathwater at that position to get Randy Moss and company? Now Caldwell is suiting up in Washington and has yet to play (only just picked up on 9/11). This weekend is prime for him to help the Redskins passing game with the other Moss and Randle El nursing injuries. Playing against Detroit’s lousy secondary doesn’t hurt either.

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