A fantasy football waiver wire can help you get the advantage in your league. By successfully stocking up of waiver wire gems, you can greatly improve your chance of winning a fantasy football championship.

Here are a list of waiver wire targets to go after. If any of these players are available, pick them up ASAP.

QB Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
In Week 5, Kyle Orton had his fifth consecutive very good fantasy game. It’s a bit early to call him a good fantasy football starter on a weekly basis but he’s looking like he can be a quality backup.

RB Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders
After missing a couple weeks due to injury, Justin Fargas is expected back soon. Once he gets back in the lineup, Fargas will carry a big load for the Raiders. He should be on a roster in all fantasy leagues.

WR Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Returning from injury in Week 5, Bobby Engram wasted little time proving his worth. He had eight catches and was the obvious go-to guy for the Seahawks’ air assault. Engram should be a top 25 wide receiver from this point forward.

TE Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins
Anthony Fasano continues to look like the real deal in Miami. The Dolphins’ passing game isn’t as anemic as many thought it would be and Fasano is a big reason for that. He has a chance to finish the year as a top ten tight end.

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
After sitting out last week, Carson Palmer is listed as questionable for Week 5. However, the good news for fantasy football owners is that Palmer is expected to play in Week 5 despite his elbow injury.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is listed officially as questionable and is being called a game-time decision. That said, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll play.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook was unable to play last week due to an ankle injury. This week he has practiced and very well could play.

RB Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
McGahee is questionable and will be a gametime decision. Look elsewhere for a safe start.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Boldin is out for Week 5 after undergoing face surgery.

WR Brandon Lloyd, Chicago Bears
Due to a hip injury, Brandon Lloyd will be out in Week 5.

WR David Patten, New Orleans Saints
Patten has been ruled out for Week 5.

WR Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Although neither wide receiver has played this season, both are expected to play in Week 5.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Gage is listed as doubtful and is expected to miss Week 5 of the fantasy football season.

WR Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Burress will not play in Week 5 due to suspension.

TE LJ Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Although listed as questionable, the latest indications are that Smith should be able to play.

Need to fill a starting spot on your fantasy football roster? Check out these waiver wire gems that you can put into your Week 2 lineup.

QB Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans
With Vince Young injured, Kerry Collins will step in as quarterback for the Titans. Collins has a great matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and could be in line for a big day.

RB Sammy Morris, New England Patriots
Tom Brady won’t be there to pass around the football for the Patriots, which could lead to more runs for Sammy Morris. He had a good Week 1 and should follow that up with a solid Week 2.

WR Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos
In the first game of his NFL career, Eddie Royal looked like a future great player. Jay Cutler looked for him repeatedly and Royal didn’t disappoint. Start Royal with confidence until he shows otherwise.

TE John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks
With Seattle’s top four wide receivers injured (Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and Ben Obomanu), look for John Carlson to get a lot of looks in Week 2. He’s arguably the most talented receiver left on the Seahawks roster.

K John Carney, New York Giants
Even though John Carney is up in age and even though he’s not the full-time kicker for the Giants, he’s a very good start this week. Against the Rams, Carney should get two or three field goals at minimum.

D Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals defense looked extremely strong in Week 1. Feel free to start them again this week against Miami Dolphins.

A vital part of fantasy football is knowing who is injured so you can adjust your lineup accordingly. Here is the Week 1 injury report for fantasy football 2008.

Out - These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt - These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable - These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable - These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett - Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

Bobby Engram cracked a bone in his shoulder during a preseason game. The injury is expected to sideline Engram between six and eight weeks. That timeline will mean that Engram won’t be able to play for at least the first couple weeks of the regular season.

This is just the latest injury news to hit the Seattle Seahawks wide receiving corps. Deion Branch is trying to come back from reconstructive knee surgery. The only big name wide receiver who is healthy for the Seahawks is Nate Burleson.

Who will fill in for Bobby Engram while he’s injured? The two main options for the Seahawks will likely be Courtney Taylor and Ben Obomanu. In a fantasy football draft, drafting one of those two players could result in a major sleeper — considering that someone on Seattle will have to catch passes outside of Burleson.

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Steve Smith - With the news that Steve Smith has gotten suspended two games for punching a teammate, his fantasy football stock is plummeting.

Chad Johnson - Not only has Chad Johnson been a disappointment in recent fantasy football season, he’s nursing a pair of ankle injuries and is unhappy with his contract.

Greg Jennings - Last season, Greg Jennings numbers were good and he hauled in a lot of touchdowns. However, that was with Brett Favre.

Roddy White - Even the best of wide receivers would struggle doing anything in Atlanta’s offense. Don’t bid too high on Roddy White.

Read more

Here are some players you should target on the waiver wire this week, due to injuries or other situations on their teams.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals
With Matt Leinart out for an extended amount of time with a broken collarbone, the door is wide open for Warner to step through and post big numbers. He has two great receivers and an improved offensive line. Pickup Warner if he’s available. While he isn’t starting material right away, he could be very soon once he gets comfortable.

David Carr, QB, Carolina Panthers
Jake Delhomme is out for the season after opting for elbow surgery. That means Carr gets first crack at securing the job in Carolina. Carr hasn’t had a very impressive career, or season for that matter, but he has weapons on offense. Steve Smith alone makes giving Carr a shot in the fantasy world worth a shot.

Jason Wright, RB, Cleveland Browns
Wright is a decent pickup if you have the roster room. At this point, the severity of the injury to Jamal Lewis’ foot is unknown. If Lewis were to be down long-term, Wright is a very good acquisition. Even if Lewis is going to only miss one week, Wright could be worth a start in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins. However, if Lewis isn’t going to miss any time, Wright should only be picked up by a Lewis owner looking to handcuff the backup.

Mewelde Moore, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Moore is currently the third string running back for the Vikings. The story here is that Moore could be traded to one of the many teams looking for depth at running back. Specifically, Tampa Bay has reportedly shown interest in Moore. If Moore gets traded to a situation where he’ll see a lot of playing time, he has a history of being a good fantasy player.

Bobby Engram and Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have two big injuries to their wide receiving corps with Deion Branch and DJ Hackett both sidelined. Engram and Burleson both move up on the depth charts into starting positions. The one to really go after is Engram. If he isn’t there, Burleson is a good fall back option.

Dennis Northcutt, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have a mediocre passing game, at best. However, Northcutt has emerged as the team’s best wide receiver. He’s not a huge fantasy option at this point but he’s a pretty good third WR in an emergency situation. If he’s available, pick up Northcutt for depth, if nothing else.

Greg Olson, TE, Chicago Bears
Olson looked like a huge part of the Bears offense in their game this week. His stats don’t show it, but he Olson was obviously a player the Bears wanted to get involved early and often. If he’s available in your league, he’s a good backup TE who could eventually start for your team.