A number of new names top the waiver wire list this week, especially at quarterback. While there were a number of top performers at that position, this is a difficult group to forsee long-term production from. If you're looking for miracles here, you'll probably find yourself disappointed. However, if you need help at wide receiver, I'm seeing a number of players that can help.
Here is who I'm looking at this week.
All the players listed below have at least 50% availability according the U-Sports
QB Mike Kafka, Northwestern - There is the performance we were looking for from Kafka. With Stephen Simmons dinged up, they may need more four TD performances out of Kafka against Minnesota and Purdue.
QB Jameel Sewell, Virginia - Sewell has six touchdowns in his last two game. Not too shabby considering one of those games was against TCU. A bye week next week and North Carolina after that is not ideal. But if you're planning ahead, Virginia plays Indiana in week six.
QB Levi Brown, Troy - Only two touchdowns but he threw for over 400 yards against UAB. With the meat of the Sun Belt schedule upcoming, we see bigger things for Brown.
QB Dwight Dasher, Middle Tennessee St. - With no more ACC teams on the schedule to throw picks to, Dasher should see his TD:INT ratio improve.
QB Tyler Bass, Memphis - It is hard to ignore Tyler Bass' five touchdown (one rushing) game against Tennessee-Martin. But it is hard to know what to expect out of Bass against Marshall this week. We are preparing for the flood of Ask the Insider questions regarding Bass.
QB Jacob Bower, Tulsa - I'm just saying...what if?
RB Darius Marshall, Marshall - I'm surprised to see Darius still lingering around the waiver wire (37% availability). With back-to-back 100+ yard games, I suspect we won't see him here for long.
RB Toben Opurum, Kansas - Even before Sharp's injury, Opurum was starting to find the end zone. With Sharp likely limited in a non-conference clash against Southern Miss, Opurum should see plenty of carries.
RB Andre Dixon, UConn - Dixon or Jordan Todman? Does it really matter with Rhode Island up next?
RB Tre Newton, Texas - One of the watch list players from last Friday, Tre didn't disappoint with 20 carries for 88 yards and a score. It is too early to anoint him Texas lead back, but it is not too early to pick him and see what happens in the coming weeks.
RB Rodney Stewart, Colorado - Stewart was back Saturday, and the Buffs ground game finally got cranking. Stewart rushed 32 times for 127 yards and two scores.
RB Robert Turbin, Utah State - Only 13 carries per game is a bit concerning. Rushing for 10 yards a pop isn't. The Aggies have Southern Utah up next.
RB Me'co Brown / Chad Spann, Northern Illinois - Husky tailbacks have been tough to peg. Brown racks up the yards and carries while Spann punches in the touchdowns. RBBC seems to be working for Northern Illinois.
**ADDED** WR Ryan Tannehill / Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M - With Jeff Fuller out with cracked fibula, Tannehill and Nwachukwu will be counted on to pick up the slack.
WR Darvin Adams, Auburn - With 15 catches and 261 yards and four TDs in three games, Adams has been a pleasant surprise for the Tigers. Adams has caught at least four passes in each game so far this season, which is a good sign. With Ball State up next, Adams could have another big day.
WR Torrey Smith, Maryland - Smith scored once on the ground last week and twice through the air this week. The fact that he has touched the ball 19 times in three games is reason enough to consider nabbing him off the waiver wire.
WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech - When Tech looks to go deep it is nearly always to Thomas. He's a big physical receiver and even in the triple option offense he has 13 catches and two scores on the year.
WR McKay Jacobson, BYU - He only has nine catches on the year, but he's scored in all three of his contests. Good enough for me.
WR Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State - A week after blasting the Ohio State offense, it is a bit odd to have a Buckeye receiver on my potential pickup list. Heck I even passed Dane up in my Big Ten draft. But Dane looks to be Terelle Pryor's favorite target. The question is will he get enough touches in Big Ten play?
TE/WR Dan Buckner, Texas - If you can fool your commish that he is a "flex tight end", then Buckner is certainly an option. Before anyone in my league asks, I have a rule that a tight end must weigh over 220 pounds and actually put his hand on the ground at least once a game. So please submit proof of these two items before submitting your requests for a position change. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
TE George Bryan, North Carolina State - With Rob Gronkowski and Jermaine Gresham out, production from the tight end spot has been spotty at best. Bryan may be no different, but he does have 12 catches on the year and a top quarterback throwing him the ball.
TE Jesse Rack, Buffalo - Rack has back-to-back games with at least one touchdown. How many fantasy owners would take that right about now?