Bye Week Buyers – Week 5

In each installment, we list the top players out for the host of Bye Week teams, and give you suitable replacements that are likely in free agency in most leagues.

Top Fantasy Players Out for Week 5:

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
Phillip Rivers, QB, San Diego
LaDanion Tomlinson, RB, San Diego
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville
Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia
Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego
DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay
Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego
Philadelphia Eagles Defense

Top Likely Free Agents to Pick Up:

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City
-Playing a porous Cowboys secondary that even Kyle Orton could score on. Josh McDaniels picked apart them last week, and another offensive guru in Todd Haley could do the same.

Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland
-While Cleveland just traded away they’re most talented receiver in Braylon Edwards, they still could have a solid day through the air against Buffalo. The Bills let up 38 points to Miami, and with their corners young and Anderson playing better in the Cincinati game, he could once again be a savior for the Browns.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore
-Slowly becoming a household name on fantasy teams, Rice is getting more and more carries for this loaded Ravens backfield. Against a Bengals team that really lacks power up the middle, Rice could blossom for 100+ yards this week.

Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota
-At the dome of St. Louis against arguable the worse team, look for the Vikings to get up by 2-3 touchdowns early and start resting AP. Taylor will get the bulk of these carries, and it could be a 80-100 yard game with a score.

Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta
-Turner has been banged up the past few weeks, and with San Francisco great up the middle vs. the run but not so much on the outside, look for them to get Norwood on the outside and have him make some moves.

Brandon Stokley, WR, Denver
-McDaniels is slowly making this Denver offense respectable and similar to the Patriots he coached the past two years. Stokley is his version of Wes Welker, and I’m not sold on the youth of the Pat’s secondary just yet.

Mohammed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland
-As said before, Derek Anderson could be in for a huge game against Buffalo. A note to keep in mind: When a backup quarterback comes in for a team, he usually has been working with the 2nd team receivers. Massaquoi exploded last week, and has the most consistency with Anderson since being on the 2nd team.

Pierce Garcon, WR, Indianapolis
-If he’s available in any leagues, I’d snatch him up quick. He has become the deep threat for the Colts offense, and this week they play a struggling Titans secondary who started a rookie in Jason McCourtney last week.

Bobby Wade, WR, Kansas City
-Since getting unfairly cut from the Vikings, Wade has found a great role in Kansas City. While he’s no everyday starter just yet, with the Cowboys secondary, he could have a 80-100 yard day.

Shawn Nelson, TE, Buffalo
-Already on of the most athletic tight ends in the game, Nelson is too big for the Browns secondary to handle. Look for Nelson to get seem and red-zone catches all game long.

Carolina Panthers Defense
-The Redskins offense is mightily struggling, as they couldn’t muster up 20+ points against the Rams and Lions, who has a combined 2 wins last year. The Panthers have talent on defense, and should show it this week.