We are nearly done with 4 weeks of the NFL season and there are still players making an impact each week. The QB position continues to dominate, at least in the leagues I play but owners are always looking to put up depth at the RB/WR position. We continue to see some drafted players off to a slow start, but worse more injuries this week. More big names find themselves on the sideline, this week it includes Rashard Mendenhall (hammy) and Andre Johnson (hammy, awaiting MRI).

This is the first watch list to include a QB on it as well. Chance are he is available in most leagues and with the weapons he has might be worth a bye week cover. We also have some names returning from previous weeks. The biggest hit off the watch list far has to be Eric Decker, who I was on before the season began (Watch List #1). He scored two more touchdowns on Sunday for a total of 5 on the season.

If you are in need of talent or looking at an 0-4 starting and hoping to change you luck, you might take chance on the wire and make some moves. We are now about a third of the way through the head to head season and the “marathon” is shortening up to a soon to be sprint. Good luck!

 QUARTERBACK

Andy Dalton CIN (18-36-298-1 TD/2 INT)
It’s only taken 4 weeks now and I have finally added my first QB to the watch list officially. Dalton has been impressive for Cincinnati to date. As with any rookie QB, we must lower our expectations, but in spot starts against select defenses Dalton could put up good numbers. He has Gresham (TE) and rookie sensation, AJ Green at WR. He still has some timing and overthrow problems, but as he matures and grows he will improve. If you need a bye week cover you might give him a look. CIN plays @JAX and home to IND before a week 7 bye.

WIDE RECEIVER

Lavelle Hawkins TEN (2-38)/Damian Williams (1-4-1 TD)
It is expected one of these two WR will step up to help fill the hole after the season ending injury to Kenny Britt, now that Nate Washington is the #1 WR. Their totals don’t necessarily excite, then again Hasselbeck was only 10-20-220, so this was nearly a third of his passes. Going forward I am higher on Hawkins, but it was Williams with the TD yesterday. Keep an eye on both and see how they progress.

Laurent Robinson DAL (7-116)
With injuries to Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, DAL resigned Robinson about 2 weeks ago to help fill the void. He could of have seen his best game already unless Jason Garrett starts him over Ogletree when Austin returns from injury after week 5. Be wary of this pick up, might be best to wait and watch to see how Austin progresses the next 10 days or so.

Josh Morgan SFO (3-65-1 TD)
Morgan is another player stepping up after injuries to Braylon Edwards and an ongoing foot problem with Michael Crabtree. Morgan hasn’t been too impressive the first few weeks of the season, the 49ers are now 3-1 and Morgan did grab his first TD and has nearly matched last year’s totals. SF does play in the NFC West, he could have some good match up games down the schedule.

Victor Cruz NYG (6-98)
This is the second week that Cruz makes the watch list. In the forums I saw many asking the question, “Manningham or Cruz?” Over the course of season I still believe Manningham is the better WR, but over the last few weeks it’s been Cruz making the most of his opportunities. He has 9-208-2 TD the last 2 weeks for the NYG. With BYE weeks upon us, you might make a grab for Cruz if you are in need of a WR.

Doug Baldwin SEA (5-84)
There hasn’t been much fantasy value out of SEA, but quite a few players are on the wire. Outside the obvious players, Doug Baldwin has now put up 2 weeks with 80+ yards receiving playing opposite of Sydney Rice. Much like Josh Morgan, he might be a nice BYE week cover or spot starter.

Jacoby Jones HOU (No catches)
Andre Johnson went down untouched with what was initially reported as a knee injured, later changed to a hamstring. While we wait for the MRI to reveal the extent of the injury, Jacoby Jones might be a player who will fill the void left by AJ if he is out any extended period of time. Week 5 will be a match up against the Raiders.

RUNNING BACK

Issac Redman PIT (6-40) / Mewelde Moore PIT (4-34)
It hasn’t been a good year for Mendenhall owners, now with him exiting the game yesterday in the fourth quarter both Redman and Moore filled in nicely. Redman would be the back to grab if the injury is of any duration or Mendy’s status is in question from here on out.

Ryan Torain WAS (19-135-1 TD)
The “Shanny-Go-Round” has started.  Rumors swirled early in the week about Torain and it happened Sunday, but he had an immediate impact! Until Sunday Torain had no carries this season, but now owners will have big decisions to make after Washington’s week 5 BYE week. Pick up with caution though, as Torain can’t stay healthy.

Stevan Ridley RB NEP (10-97-1 TD)
Another carousel that continues to go round resides in New England, where BGE is now splitting carries with Ridley, who ended Sunday’s game as the leading rushing for the Patriots that included a 33-yard TD run. BGE is still the back to owner, but if Ridley keeps up this type of performance BGE may lose more than just a few touches each week. Also keep an eye on the injury sustained by Danny Woodhead (ankle).

TIGHT END

Jared Cook TEN (2-93-1 TD)
Another Titans player who needs to step with the injury to Britt is Cook, who looked more like a receiving on his 80-yard TD catch and run. Unfortunately with only 10 completions by Hasselbeck, Cook only caught one other ball on Sunday. This year is TE heavy, but Cook might get a bump due to the unfortunately injury.

Notables: Greg Little WR CLE (6-57), Steve Breaston WR KCC (4-91), Jason Avant, PHI (6-69), Brandon LaFell CAR (4-42)

Week 4:
WR: Victor Cruz NYG, Torrey Smith BAL, Nate Washington TEN, Donald Jones BUF
TE: None
RB: Kendall Hunter SFO, Bernard Scott CIN, Daniel Thomas MIA, Alfonso Smith ARI
Notables: James Casey TE HOU

Week 3:
WR: Nate Washington TEN, David Nelson BUF, Eric Decker DEN
TE: Scott Chandler BUF, Evan Moore CLE, Fred Davis WAS
RB: Roy Helu WAS, Thomas Jones KCC, Dexkter McCluster KCC
Notables: Preston Parker, WR TBB, Antonio Brown, WR PIT, Titus Young, WR DET, Brandon LaFell, WR CAR

Week 2:
WR: Randal Cobb GBP, Early Doucet ARI, Ted Ginn SFO, Eric Decker DEN
TE: Ben Watson CLE, Evan Moore CLE, Fred Davis WAS
RB: Darren Sproles NOS, Marcel Reece OAK, Carnell Williams STL
Notables: Jason Avant WR PHI, David Nelson WR BUF, Jacoby Ford WR OAK, Brian Hartline WR MIA

Week 1:
WR: Eric Decker DEN, Antonio Brown PIT, Brian Robiskie CLE
TE: None
RB: Delone Carter IND, Roy Helu WAS, Deji Karim JAX
Notables: Kendall Hunter RB SFO, DeMarco Murray RB DAL, Stevan Ridley RB NEP, Jerome Harrison RB DET, Greg Little RB CLE, Jerome Simpson RBCIN, Dezmon Briscoe WR TBB, Denario Alexander WR STL