As we become engrossed in bye week player issues or with the multitude if player injuries, it is always good to know who the next big player is going to be. We dig through every relevant piece of information we can find to bring you the best of the rest, including players who are finally getting the chance to start or others who may be coming back from injury and have been forgotten.   

The following is a list of players that assist your fantasy teams.  In some instances they will be short timers, but in others, they may be the changing of the guard.

Now let's get WIRED UP!

Linebackers

Michael Boley ATL – Going against all fantasy standards, Boley continues to contribute by averaging 8+ tackles a game over the last 3 games. It may not continue like this, but while it lasts, jump on it.

Omar Gaither PHI – Gaither finally put up a game that many thought he would when he was named the starter. In week 4 against the Giants he had 7 tackles, 3 assists, a pass defended and an interception that he returned 49 yards. If an owner in your league got tired of waiting, now might be a great time to pick him up while he is on bye, as most others won’t think of doing that.

Morlon Greenwood HOU – After a very slow start Greenwood has stepped it up in the last two weeks. In those two games he has 17 solo tackles and a forced fumble.  It is a good bet that he has been overlooked because of his slow start, so now is a great time to give him a chance.

Derrick Pope MIA – Pope has been seeing additional playing time due to the injuries to Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder.  As of this writing it is not known if either of these players will go in week 5 which should enable Pope to get more reps for at least another week. If you are desperate for help in week 5, Pope should be a decent play against Houston.

Rocky Boiman IND – One week after returning from injury starter Rob Morris has been placed on IR after having season ending surgery on his knee. Boiman is a journeyman player who has never gotten a ton of playing time, but playing on this defense, he should be come a viable bye week fill in.

Adam Seward CAR – Once again Dan Morgan is going to miss some playing time, but unlike his past, this time it is not for a concussion, but for a partially torn Achilles, which could lead to his missing extensive time. Seward is just coming off injury to his calf, but should see increased time in place of Morgan due to the inefficiency of James Anderson to stop the run in week 4.

Defensive Backs

Eric Smith NYJ – Smith was supposed to supplant starter Erik Coleman during the preseason but lost his chance because of injuries. He is finally healthy and will get his chance with Coleman out for week 5 with a head injury. Smith should get plenty of chances against the Giants in week 5 and should make for a good spot starter.

Aaron Rouse GBP – it looks like a decent shot that starter Nick Collins may not go in week 5. If he can’t go then rookie Rouse will start in his place, and should make for a decent start against the rudderless Bears in week 5.

Todd Johnson STL – Corey Chavous is listed as questionable for week 5, and if he is not able to go, then most likely Johnson will get the call to start. He should be a decent fill in versus the Cardinals.

Samari Rolle BAL – Rolle is finally coming back from his injury and will start in place of Corey Ivy who was fantasy gold, even if he was not a good football player. Rolle has probably been forgotten in smaller leagues and makes a great pickup for the rest of the season if he can stay healthy.

Bryan Scott BUF – With all the injuries to the Bills defensive backs, Scott will be moved into the starting role at SS, with former starting SS Donte Whitner moving to FS because of his better coverage skills. Once Jim Leonhart comes back, this should be shifted back.

Brian Russell SEA – Seattle’s starting FS has been highly overlooked in most leagues, but has really become a player who can make some big plays.  He has 13 tackles in the last 3 games, plus 1 fumble recovery and an interception. He’s got a tough match-up in week against the Steelers, but then he gets the Saints, Rams, Bye, Browns, 49er’s, Bears and Rams.  Sounds like a good recipe for success to me.

Kiwaukee Thomas BUF – Another player getting reps because of injuries, Thomas is definitely taking advantage of the time. In the past two weeks he has 12 solo tackles and 8 assists.  He should get plenty of chances against the high flying Cowboys in week 5.

Defensive Linemen

Antonio Smith ARI – The change to a 3-4 defense has definitely helped Smith. In the first 4 weeks he has 13 solo tackles, 2 assists, a fumble recovery and 2.5 sacks. That is as many sacks as he had in all 16 games last year. He has a couple of really good match-ups in weeks 5 and 6 with the Rams and Panthers respectively. He makes a good bye week filler, but if he keeps it up at this pace, could easily become an every week starter.

Corey Smith DET – With Kalimba Edwards out with an injury others have had to step up and one of them is Corey Smith. In the last two weeks he has 6 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a sack. Detroit goes against Washington this week then has their bye. Smith is an okay start against the Redskins, but expect Edwards to be fully healthy after the bye.

Anthony Weaver HOU – Weaver is a decent bye week filler, but should not be an every week starter for any fantasy team. He does not produce many big plays, but he will get you a few tackles each game. If you are truly desperate, then Weaver could be a cheap filler, especially with the upcoming schedule Houston has.

Mike Rucker CAR – Rucker is only a stop gap player these days. Once he was a top sack getter, but that has tailed off significantly in the last few years. All you can really expect from him these days is a few tackles and maybe a lucky fumble recovery or two, but when you are desperate, you are desperate.