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

Now that week 2 of the NFL is almost in the book we can look forward to waiver wire activity. Probably the most notable injury of the weekend was the loss of KC Chiefs RB, Jamaal Charles who torn an ACL. He wasn’t the only one add to the list, Tony Romo, Mike Vick, Felix Jones, Miles Austin, Eddie Royal and Jordan Shipley. Unfortunately injuries are part of the game and I don’t believe all of these can really be attributed to a short camp, but just bad luck. Remember Russ Bliss is always talking about needing to be lucky in fantasy football. This could be one of those years.

We are starting to see a trend in the NFL with some regular names that are making the watch list. This is watch list #3 and we welcome back a few players at the TE position. This position is coming on very strong this year and while the elites have been somewhat quiet to start the season a few of the “other” tight ends have been putting up the yards and finding the end zone.

There does seem to be some new names out there that continue to put up some stats. They may not be the household names we are used to, but when injuries hit and you are looking to make a move you must look for the best available.

Many owners have asked a similar question, “What should I do with Peyton Manning?” Personally, I dropped him last week. I needed the slot and figured Eric Decker (WR, DEN) would be more worth in the short term than Manning would be. If he comes back to beat me in the playoffs, so be it, but holding on to him for the next 6 to 8 to 10 weeks isn’t going to do me a bit of good when it comes to providing me with options. If you can’t stick him on an IR, I would drop him.

Thomas Jones, RB/Dexter McCluster, RB/WR KC
Hard to say who will be the “go to guy” in Kansas City now that Jamaal Charles has been lost for the season due to the ACL. McCluster is more dynamic and could see more touches at the RB position. He did carry 8 times on Sunday for -2 yards. Thomas Jones is 33 years old and will probably see a bulk of the work load; he still has the ability, based on what we saw last year to make an impact. At best he would be a #3 RB or flex option. Considering the problems the Chiefs are facing neither of these players are too high on any of my want lists.

Roy Helu, RB WAS
The rookie had his best showing to date with a 10-74 yard performance on the ground and 3-38 yard receiving. He is still the clear cut back up to Hightower who continues to play very well in the starting role. While Helu is not worth starting at this point, he could be worth stashing on your bench for later in the year. I do expect Hightower to slow his role and the Redskins to hit a funk, which means Shanny could unexpectedly make a change at RB. He has done it before.

John Kuhn, RB GBP
With all the talk about Ryan Grant being able to recover from his injury and make a comeback and James Starks being more explosive on the field when carrying the ball, it’s been John Kuhn with 2 TD to lead the rushing attack. Not that a 3-6-2 TD is overly impressive, but we have see it now 2 weeks in a row that McCarthy has turned to his big fullback to pound the ball in from short yardage. So forget the controversy, maybe Kuhn is the short yardage back who will get you 7-9 TDs this season from very short yardage. Unfortunately his very low number of touches could frustrate you as an owner.

Scott Chandler, TE BUF
While Chandler wasn’t as big a part of the offense Sunday vs the Raiders, he did manage 2 catches, one for a TD bringing his season total to 3 TD. He now has 8-87 yards as the Bills are 2-0. Not a household name, but Fitzpatrick has been doing a very good job spreading the ball around, yesterday Chandler only had 2 receptions, but as long as 6 points continue to go up on the board you might keep him in mind at a league that is becoming deep at the TE position this season.

Evan Moore, TE CLE
This is the second watch list for Evan Moore and 2 weeks in a row that McCoy has targeted Evan Moore in the red zone and connected for a TD. Not a big production day for him as the 16-yard strike was his only catch of the day. Still hard to ignore 2 in 2 weeks for Moore and Cleveland as McCoy is looking more comfortable running the West Coast offense.

Fred Davis, TE WAS
Cooley was active for WAS but once again it was Fred Davis who took top honors for the now 2-0 Redskins as he hauled in 6-86-1 TD in Week 2 vs Arizona. He continues to be targeted by Grossman, 7 times total on Sunday and now has 11-191-1 TD on the season. Currently he is the top receiving option in the capital. This is another TE starting off the season having a break out year.

Eric Decker, WR DEN
This is the third and most likely final week that Decker will be seen on the watch list, With injuries to Lloyd (inactive on Sunday), a groin injury to Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas still on the rack, Decker took advantage of the situation and probably should be the #1 waiver claim at the WR position this week. He had 5-113-2 TD. With a rash of injuries, he should be owned in all leagues and started in many formats.

David Nelson, WR BUF
I had Nelson listed as a “notable” after Week 1 and Sunday vs Oakland he ended up leading all Buffalo receivers with 10 catches, 83 yards, which included a clutch TD with :14 seconds in the game to beat the Raiders. On the season Nelson has 14 catches to Steve Johnson’s 12 catches. He could be another option at a very deep WR position to own or watch. With injuries piling up, chances are he should be grabbed off waivers as long as Fitzpatrick continues to play very smart football.

Nate Washington, WR TEN
When we think TEN, we think Chris Johnson, but with the holdout Hasselbeck has been more active in the passing game the first few weeks. That bodes well for guys like Britt and Washington. The big difference between the two players, Britt has 3 TD and Washington has none. Still Washington has 13 receptions and on Sunday was targeted 11 times (7-99 yards). Hasselbeck has been the difference maker bringing the passing game back to TEN with the rushing game suffering.

Other notables: Preston Parker, WR TB, Antonio Brown, WR PIT, Titus Young, WR DET, Brandon LaFell, WR CAR

Watch List #2
RB: Sproles, Reece, Caddy
WR: Cobb, Doucet, Ginn, Decker
TE: Watson, Moore, Davis
Notables: Avant, Nelson, Ford, Hartline

Watch List #1
RB: Carter, Helu, Karim
WR: Decker, Brown, Robiskie
Notables: Hunter, Murray, Ridley, Harrison, Little, Simpson, Briscoe, Alexander