QB Jason Campbell, WAS - Campbell is really playing well after the tough start to the season against the Giants. Against the Cowboys, Campbell did not turn the ball over and looked composed in the pocked. The offensive line gave him great protection, only sacked twice. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 231 yards and two touchdown tosses. Campbell is running the Zorn offense well. Through four weeks, the Redskin passer has six touchdown passes, no interceptions and sacked only seven times against four good defenses. Campbell was QB10 coming into the week four game. This good game could vault Campbell into an every-week fantasy starter.

QB Jake Delhomme, CAR - We didn't think Delhomme would have only 1 TD pass in his first three games, so it's no surprise to us that he rose to the occasion and is now back on the fantasy map after a 294-yard two TD pass game against division foe Atlanta. What plagued Delhomme in the past was radar lock on WR Steve Smith, which defenses began to defense against. This year he is also throwing to Muhsin Muhammad which is keeping opposing defenses honest. Delhomme was not sacked in the game against Atlanta, which included keeping the NFL sack leader John Abraham in check. One note to point out - the Panthers suffered two concerning injuries on the OL, LT Jordan Gross was kneed in the helmet and did not return and rookie RT Jeff Otah suffered a knee/ankle injury and also didn't return. Carolina does have a fairly deep OL in terms of experience, but losing both bookends on the line could be bad news for Delhomme.

QB Trent Edwards, BUF - Edwards is playing like a top 15 QB right now, averaging about 230 yards passing and 1 TD pass per game. He is leading his team to victories and as a result, he is getting plenty of good scoring drives. The Bills have ten offensive TDs this season - five passing TDs and five rushing TDs - not to mention two return TDs as well. The scoring opportunities are there for Edwards to excel as a fantasy QB. He is not quite there as a surefire fantasy starter, but you could do a lot worse.

QB Brett Favre, NYJ - The great Aaron Rodgers vs. Brett Favre debate continues, with Week 4 going to Favre by a huge margin. Favre set a personal best with an amazing six touchdown passes against Arizona, connecting with both of his starting wideouts (Coles and Cotchery) for three an two scores, respectively. Favre also found rookie Dustin Keller for another touchdown, but Favre showed no real favoritism as he connected with eight different Jets on the day. Favre did not force any throws and took what the defense gave to him, which was a ton this week. He had fewer than 300 yards and was just 24 for 34 passing on the day, so it was not like he threw a huge number of passes. However you view it, Favre is a red hot QB and only the bye week may cool him off before facing a bad Bengals team in Week 6.

QB Jeff Garcia, TB - Garcia has reportedly been tearing up the Buccaneers defense while running the scout team. While HC Jon Gruden can be stubborn, surely he will see that the best QB is not starting right now.

QB David Garrard, JAX - Garrard took a step closer to being back on track as a possible top 12 QB this year. Garrard distributed passes to eight different Jaguars receivers against the Texans. He was able to hit several receivers on short passes that turned into longer gains. He was sacked only once and he did not have any turnovers in the game. Most notably, he added 41 yards rushing and a rushing TD, which goes along way in fantasy recognition for QBs.

QB Trent Green, STL - Upgrade Trent Green simply because he's now (or at least for Week 4) the Rams starter after HC Scott Linehan benched Marc Bulger in the middle of the week. One positive note, Green was able to revive Steven Jackson as a big threat receiver. He found Jackson five times for 78 yards. The Rams lost their 8th straight game, dating back to 2007, but the presence of Green under center seemed to spark both the Rams offense and their defense. There is no clear indication whether or not Green will start the next game at Washington (STL has a bye in week five). As of right now, he's the Rams starter. However, with the firing of Scott Linehan in favor of interim HC Jim Haslett, there could be more changes in store here.

QB Kyle Orton, CHI - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Kyle Orton had a career night against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, throwing for three touchdowns. While the offense struggled in the second half, most of the miscues came as a direct result of a fierce pass rush from the Eagles. Orton is exceedingly accurate and proficient in the Red Zone, which makes him a nice compliment to an improving ground game. His receivers are also working well with him, from RB Matt Forte to TE Greg Olsen along with WR Devin Hester; they are all working with Orton at finding holes in coverages. Two easier opponents are coming up next for Orton (Detroit and Atlanta) so look for two above average performances in Weeks 5 and 6.

QB JaMarcus Russell, OAK - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - The Raiders took the reigns off of Russell this week: after attempting just 17 and 19 passes the previous two weeks, Russell went 22-for-37 on Sunday for a career-high 277 yards. He showed nice poise in the pocket and a rocket arm throughout the day, and also showed nice touch on a 63-yard touchdown pass down the seam to Zach Miller. Russell almost ran for another score, but was brought down just short of the goal line.

QB Matt Schaub, HOU - It took Schaub three games (remember, this is only his third game due to the forced bye week in week two) to regain his ability to be a good fantasy contributor. While he is not there yet as an every week fantasy start, he is slowly making progress. However, he gets the big upgrade because he was very close to hitting the pine in favor of Sage Rosenfels. In the game this past week Schaub was 72% efficient on his passes going 29 for 40 for 307 yards and 3 TDs. His main targets were Owen Daniels, Steve Slaton and Kevin Walter (26 of his 40 attempts). Surprisingly he has not found a lot of success with standout WR Andre Johnson. The fact that Schaub can toss a 300-yard game and Andre Johnson only managed only 38 yards, says something about Schaub's growing progress. Schaub has three home games in a row coming up (IND, MIA, DET) and they all are winnable games that will likely feature good passing match ups.

QB Troy Smith, BAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Joe Flacco looks like a raw rookie that isn't quite ready to be a starting QB. And you know what...that's exactly what he is. Smith is finally getting some practice in as he builds his body back up from losing 20 pounds due to a rare case of tonsillitis. He's not quite ready to return to game-action at this time, but we believe he'll assume the starting role when fully healthy.

Downgrade

QB Derek Anderson, CLE - Derek Anderson may have done just enough this week against Cincinnati to keep his job -- at least for now. Anderson had a touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards on a fade pass in the Red Zone late in the game which highlighted a very pedestrian performance in Week 4. His numbers (15-24-138-1-1) are more reflective of a conservative passing attack, but as many have pointed out, there are a host of reasons why the Browns have not thrown the ball effectively. Donte Stallworth was out again in Week 4, so Romeo Crennel went with short passes that kept the chains moving just enough for Cleveland to win the game. Rumors will circulate through the bye week, but Anderson should remain the starter at this point for the Browns.

QB Marc Bulger, STL - Bulger is a downgrade because was benched midway through last week in favor of Trent Green. Now former HC Scott Linehan insisted the benching was for week four only - "We're just concerned about this game," Linehan said. "There is no, 'This is for how many games.' This is for Buffalo". Take that for what it's worth. Bulger still could be named started for week six (Rams have a bye next week), but right now it's Trent Green. Stay tuned for more information, but it may not come until after week five. Interim HC Jim Haslett could easily move back to Bulger (who seems to have more support in the clubhouse).

QB Brian Griese, TB - Griese was off-target most of the day on Sunday. He did not look sharp, and was generally inaccurate. He threw three interceptions, and now has six on the season. He has a passer rating of 62.5 on the season, which is below the 71.3 rating that got Jeff Garcia benched in Week 1. One has to wonder about Griese's job security in Tampa; another poor performance and we could see the return of Garcia.

QB J.T. OSullivan, SF - O'Sullivan, commonly referred to as JTO, entered this week's game as the 11th ranked fantasy QB. It is very common for a Mike Martz offense to suffer from constant pressure and this past week against the Saints was no different. O'Sullivan was only sacked once, but he was pressured all game long that kept him from making accurate throws. As a result, he finished with a 50% completion percentage. In four games, JTO has three sub-200 yard passing games with one 321-yard gem at Seattle, of all places. What makes O'Sullivan a good fantasy start is the presence of Mike Martz calling plays, plus the 49ers will be in plenty of high pass attempt games. The weak NFC West will give the 49ers plenty of favorable passing match ups. JTO is a good fantasy start when the match up is right - which isn't too uncommon. He's not quite there as a weekly fantasy start, but the potential is definitely there. All that aside, he get's a downgrade because we are truly worried he won't finish the season. He simply is getting pummeled every weekend.

QB Carson Palmer, CIN - Palmer was listed as the emergency or third QB for the Bengals in Week 4's contest against Cleveland. Apparently his elbow injury was more serious than many suspected coming in to the weekend. Palmer owners will have to watch for reports later this week to see if he practices for the Dallas game in Week 5, but they should consider another option for a starting fantasy quarterback for the near future. At the very least, Ryan Fitzpatrick should get a waiver wire look from Palmer owners this week.

QB Aaron Rodgers, GB - Rodgers had his worst game as an NFL starter on Sunday, completing just 14 of 27 passes for 165 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs. (One of the INTs was a bad pass; one bounced off of Brandon Jackson's hands; and one came when Rodgers was hit from behind as he released the ball.) Even worse news is that he injured his shoulder in the second half. Although he stayed in the game and completed a touchdown pass, he was in obvious pain and could miss some time if the shoulder is separated. Stay tuned for news this week when the results of Rodgers' MRI become available.

QB Kurt Warner, ARI - It has to be a strange week when you downgrade a QB who had three touchdowns and over 400 yards, but that's really the assessment this week. Warner looked like a fish out of water, which was ironic considering it was a wet day in the Meadowlands against the Jets in Week 4. It continues to be that Warner does not do well in adverse weather conditions, and that was the case once again in the rain for Week 4. Warner fumbled four times and threw three interceptions while racking up lots of yards and touchdown passes long after the game was decided. To make it even worse, WR Anquan Boldin was hurt in the final minute which could downgrade Arizona's passing attack even more. The Cardinals face Buffalo and Dallas next, so do not expect big games the next two weeks from Warner.

Holding steady

QB Philip Rivers, SD - Rivers was held in check for most of the day by the Raiders' defense. He was sacked four times, pressured many more, and didn't have many open targets to throw to. He also threw two interceptions and was credited with a fumble (although it didn't appear to be his fault). Still, led the team back from a 12-point fourth quarter deficit, and going forward, he still has a host of talented receivers in an offense that should continue to put up a lot of points.

QB Matt Ryan, ATL - There is reason to believe that Matt Ryan is going to be a consistent above average QB in this league eventually, but he's just not there yet. He again was mistake prone when pressured and as a result, he threw some passes that he shouldn't have. He also threw some balls when he should've taken a sack, namely on a play in the first Falcons possession that was picked off and returned for a TD by the Panthers Richard Marshall, only to have it negated by a roughing the passer call. Let's not forget - this was only Ryan's fourth start and second start on the road (both losses). Ryan is currently nothing more than a bye-week filler right now, but he has a great understanding and respect for the game and the quarterback position. He'll learn from his mistakes and he'll eventually be a very serviceable fantasy starter - just give him time.

Running Back

Upgrade

RB Earnest Graham, TB - Graham had a big day, statistically, on Sunday. He finished with 20 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. He didn't look as good as his box score would indicate, however. For much of the day, Warrick Dunn looked quicker and more explosive with the ball in his hands than Graham did. Graham's 47-yard run with about two minutes left in the game (setting up his own one-yard touchdown on the next play) salvaged what would have otherwise been a subpar fantasy performance. Nonetheless, as the starter in the Tampa Bay offense, Graham has the potential to put up good numbers in any given week, and merits an upgrade based on that potential.

RB Fred Jackson, BUF - Jackson is quietly turning into a possible fantasy start despite playing second fiddle to Marshawn Lynch. Jackson scored a TD after being inserted into the huddle after Lynch had a tough run that required him to take a rest on the sidelines. Jackson is the type of player who can be a threat running the ball as well as catching it. He is someone to watch going forward and if he continues to put up good numbers, he'll finish much higher than his preseason ADP.

RB Steven Jackson, STL - Jackson looks like a different RB at home in the dome than on the road on grass. He ran with power and quickness and often eluded defenders. He looked like the 2006 or late 2007 version of Steven Jackson, which is a good sign going forward in 2008. Jackson nearly reached 200 total yards in the loss to Buffalo. He remains a main focal point to the Rams offense. He can't do everything, but we're pretty sure his owners don't mind him trying. The Rams have a bye week coming up next week and then play two tough opponents (@WAS and DAL). Jackson may get good yardage, but if he doesn't score, it will be hard for him to live up to the top-five status he had in the preseason.

RB Chris Johnson, TEN - Johnson carried the ball on all downs and in all situations. In the first half, Johnson got a carry on 1st down from the five yard line which was good to see. White fumbled on the very next play, but the play was overturned. Then, the rookie scored from the one yard line. These carries give hope that Chris Johnson will get some short yardage scores in future games. He even lined up wide as a receiver in the game. Johnson scored from six yards out late in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The rookie finished the game with 17 carries for 61 yards and a pair of short scoring runs against a very stout Minnesota Viking run defense. Johnson added three receptions for 14 yards, on five targets. Chris Johnson was RB14 coming into the game and has a good shot at cracking the Top 10 at the position.

RB Larry Johnson, KC - Johnson looks much better with Huard under center. Johnson had room to run because the defense had to respect Huard. Neither Thigpen nor Croyle could keep the defenses honest. Johnson had over 70 yards on the first drive alone, with most coming on a 65-yard scamper on the game's second play. He finished with 12 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown. The dislocated elbow of rookie left tackle Branden Albert will hurt. His specialty is run blocking. Today's game was the fifth 100-yard game in five career games for Johnson against Denver. The Chiefs gave Larry Johnson a lot of carries in the second half to salt away the lead. He finished the game with 28 carries for 198 yards and two scoring runs. He also caught five passes for zero yards. Playing with the lead in the second half, Johnson had more carries than Huard had pass attempts. Larry Johnson looked like the LJ of old versus the Denver Broncos.

RB Deuce McAllister, NO - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Week 4 against San Francisco was McAllister's first real opportunity to flex his RB abilities since having knee surgery last year. He managed only 3.6 YPC, but he was the Saints go-to guy for goal line rushes and scored on a 1-yard run in the 4th quarter. Many times, he lined up with Reggie Bush in backfield, which often resulted in a screen pass to Bush. Deuce has always played tough and difficult to bring down, this week he showed some of the same tenacity and toughness, often keeping his legs moving after initial contact to get an extra couple yards.

RB LeRon McClain, BAL - With starting RB Willis McGahee knocked out of the game with a chest injury, Le'Ron McClain rumbled through the Steelers defense, showing good power and balance. McClain is ahead of Ray Rice on the Ravens' depth chart, and if McGahee is unable to play against the Titans in week five, McClain would get the start.

RB Mewelde Moore, PIT - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - With Willie Parker nursing a sprained knee, Rashard Mendenhall lost for the season with a fractured shoulder, and Carey Davis recovering from an ankle injury, Mewelde Moore moves up the Steelers' depth chart and, if Parker misses the week five game, would likely get the start against Jacksonville. If you need a one-week fill in at RB this week, Moore could be a decent option and is likely available in most leagues.

RB Jerious Norwood, ATL - Norwood, not Michael Turner was the better RB on the field for the Falcons against the Panthers. Norwood had only three carries in week four, but he made good on his chances making the right moves to break into the open eluding defenders on a key 40-yd run in the second quarter. Norwood entered the week averaging 6.0 YPC, which is what he also averaged on 102 carries in all of 2007. We don't expect Norwood to take over as the Falcons primary back anytime soon, but if he continues to run as well as he is, he could eat into some of Michael Turner's carries.

RB Willie Parker, PIT - Not that a healthy Willie Parker was in danger of losing many carries to rookie Rashard Mendenhall this season anyway, but now that Mendenhall is out for the year (fractured shoulder), that possibility is officially nil. We don't yet know whether Parker will return to action in Week 5, or sit out another week with a sprained knee, but when he is back in the lineup, he will be looked on to carry the Steelers' ground game.

RB Steve Slaton, HOU - In case you wondered if week three was just a fluke, Slaton turned in another strong game, however this time instead of rushing for 100+ yards, Slaton caught all eight of his targets. Not only did Slaton catch dump off passes from Matt Schaub, but he also ran several down field routes, including a 30-yard TD catch. Slaton is rising in popularity in fantasy circles, because he appears to be multidimensional, which is a key quality when choosing a starting RB for your fantasy lineup. The Texans have three favorable opponents coming up, all at home including the struggling Colts run defense next week followed by Miami and Detroit. Slaton's recent surge and favorable upcoming schedule means if you've got him start him.

RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR - Stewart has the ability to turn a 4-yard run into a 9-yard run, because he is so tough to bring down. He rarely goes down after first contact and he has a knack for reaching the first down marker, as well as the end zone. Stewart now has four TDs in four games this season. He may not be a big yardage gainer (77 yards rushing is his highest this season), but his ability to score makes him a great fantasy starter going forward. Carolina will play Kansas City at home next week, which should provide plenty of scoring opportunities.

RB Chris Taylor, HOU - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Taylor gets a small uptick as he does have a bit of a role in the Texans' offense. This should continue until Ahman Green gets healthy...yeah, that might never happen. With the sieve of a run defense that is Indianapolis next on the schedule, Taylor will actually be worth a look if you are in a tight spot for Week 5.

Downgrade

RB Correll Buckhalter, PHI - Brian Westbrook was unable to go in the Week 4 game in Chicago, so Buckhalter was called upon to start on Sunday Night Football. Buckhalter struggled to move the ball with much effectiveness, often losing ground or only picking up one or two yards on most touches. He did look adequate on some screen passes and a few misdirection rushes, but when push came to shove at the goal line he was mostly shoved out and away from the end zone. Westbrook is very likely to be ready for Week 5 as the Redskins visit Philadelphia for a key game in the very difficult NFC East, so Buckhalter steps back into the second RB role for the Eagles.

RB Ryan Grant, GB - In four games this season, Grant has no hundred-yard games from scrimmage, and no touchdowns. It was apparent on Sunday that he's having trouble finding cutback lanes when they are there. He is missing holes and running into the pile. He also had a costly fumble that was scooped up and returned for a Buccaneers score. He may yet find his rhythm, but right now it looks like he's not worth starting if his fantasy owners have any decent options to replace him with.

RB Ahman Green, HOU - We have zero faith that Green with either A) be healthy enough to start a game this year, or B) be healthy enough to finish a game this year.

RB Felix Jones, DAL - Jones went without a carry against the Redskin defense that has yielded great production so far this season. This is a curious decision on part of the Dallas coaching staff. The game was close and the Cowboys could have used the playmaking ability of the rookie. Fantasy owners are left without knowing if and when Felix Jones can be inserted into fantasy lineups.

RB Willis McGahee, BAL - McGahee is having trouble staying healthy this season. He had knee surgery in the offseason, suffered an eye laceration in week three, and left the week four game with a chest injury. He's got a short week before the Ravens face the hard-hitting Titans' defense in week five. It is currently uncertain whether McGahee will be ready to go by then.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, PIT - Week 4 turned into a big bummer for Mendenhall. After finally getting a shot at starting, he fractured a shoulder and will be placed on the Injured Reserve list. He is out for the remainder of the season.

RB Ray Rice, BAL - Despite Willis McGahee struggling with a chest injury, Rice was given only a single carry on Monday night. He is clearly the third back in the pecking order, so he has very little value right now.

RB Chester Taylor, MIN - Taylor is not used as much as last season. Adrian Peterson stayed in almost the entire game, even on obvious passing situations. Taylor finished the game with one carry for one yard and saw just one pass target. He has disappointed after being drafted by many fantasy owners in the fifth or sixth round. Coming into this game, Taylor only had 20 rushing attempts. Now, with 21 carries through four games, Chester Taylor's only value comes as the handcuff of Adrian Peterson.

RB Pierre Thomas, NO - The emergence and success of Deuce McAllister drops Pierre Thomas down on the depth chart. Thomas is a more elusive, quicker back than McAllister, but the Saints already have Reggie Bush to handle that role. Thomas had a few good games, but the change in personnel will likely decrease his production going forward. Don't expect Thomas to get many goal line touches with Bush and a now healthy and capable Deuce McAllister ahead of him on the depth chart.

Holding steady

RB Marion Barber III, DAL - Barber only had eight rushing attempts against the Redskins. Tony Romo attempted 47 passes but the Cowboys only had Barber's rushes for the running back position. Barber did break off a 15-yard run, but finished with only eight carries for 26 yards. He added a pair of receptions for 11 yards. These were his only two targets. Given the proven success of Barber, it is reasonable to expect him to bounce back next week. He was averaging 21 carries per game coming into the game and fantasy owners should expect similar in future weeks.

RB Michael Bush, OAK - Bush led the Raiders with 128 yards from scrimmage on Sunday (48 of which came on garbage-time receptions against a prevent defense), but that was with Justin Fargas inactive and Darren McFadden limited due to injury. The Raiders have a bye this week and both Fargas and McFadden are expected to return in Week 6, leaving Bush to his customary role as the Raiders' third RB.

RB Matt Forte, CHI - The Philadelphia Eagles came to Chicago in Week 4, which meant that it could be a rough night for the rookie running back. Forte struggled as expected but still managed to get 85 combined yards on 24 touches, including five catches and also several important first downs late in the game. Forte is the clear feature back for the Bears, and with Detroit and Atlanta as the next two opponents Forte should be poised for two very good weeks.

RB Frank Gore, SF - Gore surprisingly wasn't able to get much going against the Saints defense, despite rushing for more than five yards per carry. In a down game, Gore still managed to gain over 100 total yards, but he didn't have one rush for more than 11 yards. He only caught two of his six targets, but one of those went for 25 yards. He had a few opportunities on screen passes that he simply dropped. He remains a must start going forward. If he makes a few more catches or breaks a few more tackles, we wouldn't be talking about his down game at all.

RB Edgerrin James, ARI - James was a bright spot for the Cardinals in Week 4, as he finally found the end zone twice against the Jets. The downside (and hence the "hold steady" rating this week) was that the Jets were playing the pass much more than the run, so James was running up against very little in the way of defenders between the tackles. It is still a good sign for James to score twice and also add a two-point conversion, but more will be expected against Buffalo and Dallas over the next two weeks.

RB Marshawn Lynch, BUF - For the first time this season, Lynch didn't score a TD. He did manage to gain over 100 total yards on tough, hard-nosed carries like we've seen him do so many times before. Lynch is playing like a top six RB as long as he continues to score TDs. The Bills travel to Arizona next week and then have their bye in week six. Marshawn Lynch should continue to put up good numbers regardless of the opponent.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, SD - Tomlinson continues to get healthier each week, recovering from the toe injury he suffered in week one against the Panthers. Tomlinson's performance on Sunday wasn't nearly as good as it looks from the box score. While he finished with 20 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns, the final 41-yard TD scamper came on the run-defense equivalent of a blown coverage. Before that play, Tomlinson had 19 carries for 65 yards. Nonetheless, Tomlinson looked healthier than he did last week, as he was cutting better and added a spin move on a couple of runs (a move that had been missing from his repertoire during the previous two weeks).

RB Michael Turner, ATL - Turner remains a solid fantasy start, despite the down game at Carolina - after all, he was the #1 ranked RB coming into week four. He seems to have issues on the road or possibly against NFC South foes, take your pick. In two games on the road (@TB, @CAR) Turner is averaging 49 yards rushing. At home he averages a much more robust 162 yards rushing. Turner was never able to break any long runs against Carolina. He was bottled up fairly quickly and could not turn the corner or find open space. Teammate Jerious Norwood, on the other hand, fared much better and it's not a stretch to say he was the better back for the Falcons this past week.

RB Brian Westbrook, PHI - Westbrook tried his best to get ready for the Week 4 game in Chicago, but he could not suit up and was inactive on Sunday Night Football. Westbrook is very likely to be ready for Week 5 as the Redskins visit Philadelphia for a key game in the very difficult NFC East.

Wide Receiver

Upgrade

WR Miles Austin, DAL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Austin has now scored in each of the last two games. The Cowboys were trying to get the ball into his hands early in the game. Austin had a thirteen yard catch on the Cowboys' third play from scrimmage on the day. He was targeted six times on the day, catching three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. One thing to note is that many times when Austin was in the game, he lined up wide with Crayton moving to the slot. Dallas likes his size and speed lining up wide.

WR Donnie Avery, STL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - With 12 targets over the last two games, Avery has moved into the WR2 role for the Rams. St. Louis is struggling a good deal thus far in 2008, but Avery is improving and could soon be a viable fantasy option.

WR Arnaz Battle, SF - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Could Arnaz Battle be the 49ers version of Shaun McDonald who had good success as the Lions main slot receiver last year? Mike Martz's offense gravitates around the slot receiver, because it's usually that guy that sees more short-ranged and over the middle passes due to constant pressure on the QB. Battle was targeted 13 times and had 7 catches for 120 yards. While he didn't score, he was targeted twice in the end zone. Expect Battle to be picked up off waiver wires this week, because any successful WR in a Mike Martz offense usually doesn't go away. Battle could continue to see more production going forward. Stash him away in the event he does.

WR Dwayne Bowe, KC - Bowe is getting much better targets and catchable passes with Huard under center. The second-year receiver hauled in four of seven pass targets for 50 yards in first half. On the game, Bowe caught seven of his 12 pass targets for 85 yards. Bowe was able to grab three passes for at least 15 yards. Damon Huard was locking onto #82 and it seemed that he always had separation. Huard only attempted 28 passes with 12 going to Bowe. The second year receiver should be a fantasy WR1 going forward with Damon Huard under center. In the four games this season, he has either had at least 85 receiving yards or a scoring grab.

WR Steve Breaston, ARI - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Breaston has shown flashes already this season and should have been on your radar for a while already. He had 10 targets in the wild Week 5 game against the Jets and looks poised to improve in the next few games. However, he gets the uptick simply due to the status of Anquan Boldin. If Boldin were to miss a few games, Breaston would benefit greatly.

WR Reggie Brown, PHI - Reggie Brown returned to action for the Eagles and started for the first time all season in Week 4 against Chicago on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles were shorthanded across the board on offense, so Brown had plenty of targets on short and intermediate routes. He looked pretty good for his first real game back, catching six balls to lead all Eagles receivers on the night. With Philadelphia struggling, the Eagles will make sure he stays healthy and is ready for Week 5 as they host the Washington Redskins in a key NFC East battle.

WR Isaac Bruce, SF - The ineffectiveness of Bryant Johnson is opening the door wider for Isaac Bruce. Bruce is looking like a WR that knows Mike Martz's system and that should continue to be the case. Bruce is showing that he is more than just a coach on the field - he's showing the younger crew how it's done. Bruce is a great WR3 or flex start going forward and he should have plenty of favorable match ups being in the weak NFC West.

WR Laveranues Coles, NYJ - The Jets just lit up the air against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, which included three touchdown passes to Coles in a career performance. Coles was open all day long including a gift of a touchdown where the Cardinal corner fell down with an injury on the play. Coles did work the back of the end zone and got open in all areas of the field as he racked up over 100 yards and eight catches on the day to lead all Jets receivers. Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are the top options and favorites for Brett Favre, which is a good thing to be when your QB is as hot as Favre is right now. The Jets have a bye in Week 5 before playing Cincinnati in Week 6, so expect another solid game in two weeks for Coles.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ - The Jets torched the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 via the air as Brett Favre threw six touchdowns, including two to Cotchery. While Laveranues Coles stole the show early with three scores, Cotchery also got open enough for Favre to also find him twice in the end zone. Arizona was a sieve on defense this week and Favre was on fire, but it remains true that both Coles and Jerricho Cotchery are the top options and favorites for Brett Favre, which is a good thing to be when your QB is as hot as Favre is right now. The Jets have a bye in Week 5 before playing Cincinnati in Week 6, so expect another solid game in two weeks for Coles.

WR Kevin Curtis, PHI - Curtis has missed the entire season thus far, but he was practicing last week for the Eagles. He was on the inactive list in Week 4 and did not make the trip to Chicago for Sunday Night Football, but with Philadelphia struggling a bit offensively, the Eagles will do whatever they can to get him ready for Week 5 as they host the Washington Redskins in a key NFC East battle.

WR Braylon Edwards, CLE - Edwards snagged his first scoring reception of the season in Week 4 against Cincinnati, grabbing a short pass with one hand to the left side of the end zone on a good ball from Derek Anderson. Edwards celebrated the score with an air guitar salute, but it remains to be seen if he will continue to rock on the rest of the year. The Browns have a week off before hosting the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 6, but Edwards finding the end zone is a good start to getting him back on track.

WR Justin Gage, TEN - Gage had three big catches in the first half. He caught balls for 18, 28, and 25 yards in the first two quarters. Gage also added a key fourth down conversion on a play that he fought hard for the first down. The Titans were able to go up 20-7 on the next play. On six targets in the first half, Gage had four catches for 73 yards. He added another 19 yard catch in third quarter. For the game, Kerry Collins looked to the veteran receiver to make the big play. Justin Gage was targeted 10 times in the game, catching five of the passes for 92 yards.

WR Devin Hester, CHI - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Devin Hester came into the Week 4 game against the Eagles with an injury, but he managed to battle through it to not just return kicks but also to play as a wide receiver. Hester would finish the game with three catches and a nice touchdown reception where he showed excellent body control to stay inbounds near the sideline. Hester is likely to see more action at WR with the possibility of Brandon Lloyd being hurt. Two easy opponents loom in Weeks 5 and 6 in Detroit and Atlanta, which also may help him to rack up good fantasy numbers.

WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, OAK - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Higgins led the Raider WRs with 7 targets on Sunday, converting them into 4 catches for 35 yards. His speed, which is evident on his kick returns, makes him a dangerous open field runner, and if JaMarcus Russell continues to gain trust in Higgins, he could become one of the Raiders' primary offensive weapons by the end of the season.

WR Michael Jenkins, ATL - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - While Roddy White dominates the WR action in Atlanta, Jenkins is establishing himself in the WR2 role. We'd prefer that he caught more than 33% of his 18 targets. If he can improve that number into the 50% range, he would become a viable spot starter.

WR Chad Johnson, CIN - The Bengals were not looking so great in Week 4 without Carson Palmer, but Chad Johnson finally found the end zone for the first time all year. Johnson's score came later in the game against Cleveland, who did an adequate job in coverage and Ryan Fitzpatrick did not do much as a passer. Johnson did not celebrate after his score late in the game, although some of his fantasy owners may finally have had cause for a celebration. Johnson faces a tough game in Dallas next week.

WR Matt Jones, JAX - He's not going away is he? Matt Jones now has four games in a row of five catches or more. Teammate Jerry Porter saw his first action as a Jaguar this week, but it was Matt Jones who the team turned to. Jones is quickly establishing a good rapport with QB David Garrard. What makes Jones popular in the offense is his ability to use his size to his advantage, shielding opposing defenders and using his body to make tough catches.

WR Lance Moore, NO - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Is Lance Moore the Saints version of Wes Welker? He deserves an upgrade thanks to his 10 targets and 7 catches for 102 yards with two TDs. Moore was targeted eight of his ten times in the first half. He was used primarily in over the middle pass patterns and QB Drew Brees seemed to lock onto him on consecutive possessions. Moore may not be a huge contributor going forward, but he should get 5-7 targets a game going forward, simply because he's on such a potent offense with a QB that trusts his abilities. If he's still available on the waiver wire, grab him.

WR Santana Moss, WAS - Moss has been able to get open this year. Against Dallas, Moss seemed to always be wide open and a few yards from the nearest defender. Santana Moss gets separation. He was the focal point of the Redskin passing game. Moss was targeted on 14 of Campbell's 31 passing attempts. Moss was able to amass 145 yards on eight catches. This was the first game this season that the speedy receiver failed to score. This is Moss' third straight game with at least seven receptions and 75 yards. Santana Moss was the second ranked fantasy receiver coming into the week four game and the 145-yard outburst should not hurt the ranking.

WR Muhsin Muhammad, CAR - Don't look now, but Muhsin Muhammad is looking like a good fantasy start. Muhammad has 37 targets in four games (9.2 per game) and has shown that he can be productive even with Steve Smith back in the lineup. Jake Delhomme and Muhammad were a great tandem in 2004. It's looking like that timing and dependability are back again.

WR Jordy Nelson, GB - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - The rookie was on the field much of the day as the Packers made extensive use of three-WR sets. Nelson finished with four catches for 31 yards, and is becoming a trusted third-down target for Aaron Rodgers. Nelson's role in the offense could expand throughout the season as the rookie adjusts to the speed of the NFL game.

WR Josh Reed, BUF - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - The loss of Roscoe Parrish (thumb surgery) for four to six weeks, opens the door for Josh Reed. The Bills didn't have but 15 completions against the Rams in week four, but Reed had four of those completions, mostly in short yardage passing plays. Reed has a favorable match up next week at Arizona where the Cardinals allowed Brett Favre to throw six TDs.

WR Eddie Royal, DEN - Royal caught nine balls for 104 yards against the Chiefs, most coming in the second half while the Broncos were trying to come back. In the first half, the rookie only had three catches for 41 yards on four pass targets. But, he excelled in the last two quarters. Royal was targeted eight times in the second half, catching six passes for 63 yards. Eddie Royal has earned the trust of Jay Cutler to make the big play.

WR Mike Walker, JAX - *** POTENTIAL WAIVER WIRE GEM *** - Take note of this Jaguars WR - he had five catches on six targets in the win against Houston. He's a good route runner with great hands. He is more of an over the middle, short-ranged run after the catch receiver and he might find a niche in the Jaguars offense going forward. Keep an eye on this guy in the coming weeks.

WR Kevin Walter, HOU - The three Texans main targets against Jacksonville were Kevin Walter (9 targets), Owen Daniels (9) and Steve Slaton (8). Walter caught mostly short to middle ranged passes and used great routes and sure hands to total 76 yards on eight catches, including two red zone TDs, both inside the ten yard line. The Texans main receiving threat, Andre Johnson has yet to hit his stride this season, but Walter has done his part. He may not have another high producing fantasy week like this past week, but Walter is a solid WR to have on your roster in the event he continues to put up good numbers.

WR Roddy White, ATL - White was clearly Matt Ryan's favorite target once again as he was thrown to 17 times. Anytime a WR gets more than 15 targets, you should immediately take notice. The downside is that White only caught six of those 17 pass attempts, due to the heavy pass rush from Carolina. Falcons QB Matt Ryan struggled to find an offensive rhythm and was often rushed into passing too early before White and other WRs could finish their routes. The high dependability on White as a receiver bodes well for him in future games. He has the ability to catch 6-8 passes a game, especially if the running game struggles.

Downgrade

WR Anquan Boldin, ARI - Downgrading Boldin is only the result of the vicious hit that he took in the final minute of the game against the Jets in Week 4. With the game well out of hand, the Cardinals kept Boldin in for some strange reason and threw to him in the end zone, where he was greeted by two Jets defenders with hits to the helmet on the same play. Boldin fell unconscious to the turf and was carted off, but late word says that he is doing very well with all things considered and is not showing many ill effects at all. A concussion will likely be the result and it is unknown if he will miss any playing time.

WR Plaxico Burress, NYG - It's hard to get a downgrade without playing, but that's precisely why Burress is listed here - he won't play in Week 5 due to a team suspension.

WR Chris Chambers, SD - After getting 15 targets over the first two weeks, Chambers has received only 5 targets over the last two. Vincent Jackson has gotten over twice as many targets as Chambers in each of the last two weeks. And while Chambers' TD numbers have been carrying him so far this season (he had 4 TDs on 6 receptions coming into Sunday's game against the Raiders), his owners cannot continue to count on him for a touchdown every week, especially if he gets only one or two receptions per game, as he has for the past two games.

WR Torry Holt, STL - Is Torry Holt a top 20 WR despite the slow start? If he is he needs to have more 80-yard games with some scores sprinkled in here and there. Holt is getting targets, he just isn't catching them. Most of the blame falls on the QB, but there have been a few occasions where he just didn't make the play. For the most part he's getting passes that just aren't accurate, either that or he is not getting good separation, because opposing defenses know exactly where the ball is headed. If it's 3rd-and-long and the Rams step back to pass - who do you think is being covered tightly? Right - Torry Holt. Until the Rams have a second WR step up and make some plays, Holt will probably continue to suffer.

WR Andre Johnson, HOU - Johnson doesn't appear to be affected by any injuries, he's just not making enough plays, or at least enough big plays. He was targeted on a deep pass play but it resulted in a defensive pass interference penalty. The Texans seem to favor more short to middle ranged passes this year, due to heavy pass rushes from PIT, TEN and now JAC, which is keeping Johnson from connecting on deep routes. Johnson may not hit his stride until the Texans face off against a team with a less dangerous pass rush. That could happen soon - their next three opponents are all at home against IND, MIA and DET. Johnson doesn't look like a top 10 fantasy WR right now, but things should eventually turn around. Until they do, however, temper your expectations.

WR Bryant Johnson, SF - Johnson has been a disappointment so far this season with only one good game at Seattle. This past week he was 0 for 4 targets and last week against Detroit, Johnson had only one catch for 25 yards. Other WRs are stepping up around him. If he doesn't contribute to the offense soon, he'll be replaced. He is not considered a good fantasy start until he shows he can be a consistent threat.

WR Brandon Lloyd, CHI - Lloyd had a modest night in Week 4, but had to leave the game after hurting his knee before halftime. He did not make any appearances on the field in the second half, so the Bears lost one of their top targets. It remains to be seen if Lloyd will miss more time going forward as a result of his injury.

Holding steady

WR Lee Evans, BUF - Evans wasn't a big contributor on offense, but he did manage to score his first TD of the year on a 39-yard pass and catch in the fourth quarter. Bills QB Trent Edwards had a very Ben Roethlisberger-like 15 completions. As a result, Evans wasn't featured as much. Evans remains a good WR2 start and has a favorable passing match up next week at Arizona where the Cardinals allowed Brett Favre to throw for six TDs in Week 4.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN - Despite another bad passing day for the Bengals, Houshmandzadeh was able to collect six balls and lead all Bengals receivers in Week 4 against Cleveland. Cincinnati absolutely needs a healthy Carson Palmer to be effective going forward, starting with Dallas next week, but if the Bengals are to come anywhere close to staying with the Cowboys they will have to come out throwing in Week 5.

WR Jerry Porter, JAX - Porter is already pretty far down on the WR ranking list. His one catch for six yards doesn't help his cause. He could eventually be a player in the Jaguars offense, but right now he appears to still be getting used to his new surroundings and the Jaguars know it.

WR Sidney Rice, MIN - In Week 4, Rice did not get any first half targets. Frerotte did look to the playmaking young receiver early in the second half. Rice is still recovering from the knee injury, but it was good to see him playing. Rice also was targeted deep in the end zone in third quarter. He finished with just the one six-yard catch on two targets. With Gus Frerotte under center, Sidney Rice has much more fantasy potential than when Tarvaris Jackson was running the Viking offense.

WR Steve Smith, CAR - The main Panthers WR in week four was Muhsin Muhammad, however Smith had three more targets (13) than Muhammad (10). Smith was used primarily in short to mid ranged passes, while Muhammad was more of a down field threat. Smith scored on a 56-yard catch and run in the second quarter that helped break open the game. Smith has yet to have a 100-yard game, which may decrease his value somewhat, but he remains a critical part of the Panthers offense going forward. On a side note, Smith gave his TD ball to teammate Ken Lucas, who he had the widely known preseason scuffle with and two-game suspension over.

Tight End

Upgrade

TE Owen Daniels, HOU - Daniels is really emerging as one of the Texans key offensive players. He has yet to score a TD this year, but he's becoming a reliable target for QB Matt Schaub. The Texans are even designing plays just for him and he is executing them perfectly. He has 3, 4 and 7 receptions in games this year, but more importantly, the Texans coaching staff is starting to realize just how efficient he can be. Don't be surprised to see Daniels become more and more involved in the Texans offense as the season continues.

TE Zach Miller, OAK - Miller was targeted a career-high eight times on Sunday, and had a big day receiving: 5 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Sixty-three of those yards came on a single play, as he beat the linebacker deep by several steps, and QB Russell lobbed the ball over the top to Miller for a long TD. Miller showed sustained speed on that play, as none of the Chargers' defensive backs could catch him from behind. With the Raiders' wide receivers generally failing to make an impact so far this season, Miller could become Russell's primary target in the passing game.

TE Greg Olsen, CHI - Olsen was targeted quite often in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles by Kyle Orton as he and the Bears tried to move the chains against a tough pass defense. Olsen had a solid touchdown catch that highlighted his evening, catching a ball near the back of the right corner of the end zone and just getting both feet down as he ran through the 19-yard catch for his longest grab of the evening. Olsen was used often by Orton as a possession receiver, helping to move the chains against a tough Eagle secondary. With the possibility of Brandon Lloyd being hurt and Devin Hester at less than full strength, Olsen could see his targets increase. Two easy opponents loom in Weeks 5 and 6 in Detroit and Atlanta, which also may help Olsen to rack up good fantasy numbers.

Downgrade

TE Vernon Davis, SF - Davis was targeted only once on a play in the fourth quarter, which he converted for 19 yards. It is looking more and more like Davis is just another seldom used TE in Mike Martz's offense. He has only five catches this season in four games. It's hard for us to comment on how Davis played, because he just wasn't visible in many down field pass attempts. He was used primarily to help with pass protection or he wasn't on the field. We recommend benching him until he strings together a few good games.

TE Randy McMichael, STL - McMichael had two catches for 26 yards, before he was helped off the field by two trainers. He was seen on the sideline walking around, but he has a very noticeable limp. We'll update this once we hear more about the extent of his injury.

TE Tony Scheffler, DEN - Scheffler is not getting good, consistent targets every game - just two in Week 4 with both coming in the first half, catching a 26-yard pass from Jay Cutler. Both of Scheffler's targets were down the field. The Broncos' other tight end, Daniel Graham, had more targets, catches and yards. Tony Scheffler has only had more than four pass targets once in four games. He's good for the occasional huge game, but Scheffler's bad weeks will usually hurt you.

TE Jeremy Shockey, NO - This is a downgrade, due to Shockey's sports hernia injury, but now wouldn't be a bad time to target him in trades. From our injury status report, Saints' HC Sean Payton said he's hopeful that Shockey could be back as early as the Saints' home game against Oakland in Week 6 after positive reports from Shockey's hernia surgery earlier this week. The damage to Shockey's ligaments wasn't as extensive as some sports hernias can be, so the recovery time should be in the three-week range. Payton said Shockey feels more comfortable already and said he is excited to see Shockey when he's no longer limited by the nagging injury. "Although he played well last week, you guys haven't seen what I know [he's capable of]," Payton said.

TE L.J. Smith, PHI - Smith was on the inactive list in Week 4 and did not make the trip to Chicago for Sunday Night Football. The Eagles will do whatever they can to get him ready for Week 5 as they host the Washington Redskins in a key NFC East battle, but Smith has been a huge disappointment this season. With the WRs getting healthier each week, Smith's already small role will decline.

Holding steady

TE Dante Rosario, CAR - Don't forget about Dante Rosario, he has the ability to be a fantasy starter before the end of the year. He showed what he is capable of in week one. This past week Rosario had only two catches for 18 yards on three targets, but the Panthers starting TE Jeff King wasn't even targeted in the game. His main role is to help with pass protection.

Kicker

Upgrade

PK Matt Bryant, TB - Despite horrible news that left him burying his three month old son on Saturday, Matt Bryant showed class in not only showing up to kick for his team, but also being perfect on the day connecting on all three of his FG attempts.

PK Matt Prater, DEN - It's becoming pretty obvious that this team is going to score a lot of points this year. With both a bad defense and a very powerful aerial attack, the 2008 Broncos have already amassed 1.742 yards in four games. He connected on four of five FGs on Sunday and added one extra point.

PK Josh Scobee, JAX - This team is starting to find itself after all the shakeups on the offensive line that derailed it earlier in the season. Through four weeks, Scobee sits as the #2 kicker in points scored. He was perfect yesterday adding three FGs and three PATs.

Downgrade

PK Shayne Graham, CIN - This offense continues to sputter badly generating just 927 yards of offense in four weeks. Without a win yet, this team looks like it may implode soon. Chad Johnson isn't 100% and could opt for season-ending surgery if the losses keep mounting. Add in a banged up Carson Palmer, who missed week four due to injury and we see little we like about the kicking situation going forward.

Holding steady

Team Defense

Upgrade

TD San Diego Chargers, SD - Admittedly it was against the Oakland Raiders, but this unit recorded six sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery in a game that was close through three quarters.

TD Philadelphia Eagles, PHI - This defense isn't perfect, but it's approaching that when teams try to run against it. Through four weeks, teams have mustered just 215 rushing yards against the Eagles.

TD Baltimore Ravens, BAL - The Ravens held the Steelers to just 237 total net yards of offense. They sacked Ben Roethlisberger three times and got good pressure on him most of then night. Other than the long TD reception by Santonio Holmes and the reception in over time by Mewelde Moore to set up the game-winning field goal, this defense allowed no big plays, and held the Steelers to just 11 first downs (including two by penalty).

TD New Orleans Saints, NO - This unit finally showed up this season and recorded six sacks, 2 interceptions and one fumble recovery. With a lot of personnel movement in the offseason, maybe this team is starting to find it's groove.

TD Tennessee Titans, TEN - Well it certainly isn't the play of Kerry Collins and the talent level of the WRs that has the Titans at 4-0. This defensive unit is playing at a very high level. Yesterday they recorded four sacks, three fumble recoveries, one interception and allowed the Vikings just 17 points. It has become an elite NFL defense this season.

Downgrade

TD Arizona Cardinals, ARI - A limping Brett Favre threw for six TD passes. Does anything more need to be said here? This team laid the biggest of eggs after playing pretty well the first three weeks.

TD Atlanta Falcons, ATL - This team yielded 401 yards, 24 points while recording no sacks, no fumble recoveries or interceptions.

Holding steady