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Rotter's Top 10 waiver claims

by Roger Rotter

Roger is a senior editor for the FOXSports.com fantasy group. Read his blog for more analysis. Have a question or comment? Send them!

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Updated: September 29, 2008, 8:35 PM EDT
Many of the top waiver claims from past weeks prospered and provided significant fantasy contributions in Week 4.

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These included Houston's Kevin Walter (8 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD), Houston's Steve Slaton (116 total yards, 8 receptions, 1 TD), Arizona's Kurt Warner (472 yards, 2 TD), Arizona's Steve Breaston (9 receptions, 122 yards), Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson (106 total yards, 5 receptions, 1 TD), Philadelphia's Correll Buckhalter (90 total yards, 2 receptions, 1 TD), Dallas' Miles Austin (45 yards, 3 receptions, 1 TD), Buffalo D/ST (14 points allowed, 2 sacks, 2 turnovers, 1 TD) and Tennessee's Justin Gage (5 receptions for 92 yards).

Who will be the next possible fantasy stars found on the waiver wire?

10. Kyle Orton, QB, Chicago (Available 85.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

After winning Chicago's starting quarterback spot in the preseason, Orton has fared well against the tough defenses of Tampa Bay and Philadelphia in the last two games. He threw for 268 yards and two scores against Tampa Bay in Week 3 and passed for 199 yards and three touchdowns vs. Philadelphia. Orton now has favorable matchups against the questionable defenses of Detroit and Atlanta in the next two contests.

9. Lance Moore and Robert Meachem, WRs, New Orleans (Available 98 percent and 80 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Marques Colston is expected to miss at least the next two games, so look for Moore and Meachem to continue to be a big part of the high-powered passing attack. In addition, Jeremy Shockey is recovering from sports hernia surgery, and David Patten is slowed by a groin injury. Both Moore and Meachem capitalized on their increased opportunities in Week 4. Moore caught seven passes for 101 yards and two scores, while Meachem had two receptions for 99 yards and one score.

8. Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade, WRs, Minnesota (Available 32.2 percent and 98.4 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

After being virtually ignored in the first two games, both Berrian and Wade posted respectable fantasy days in Week 4. Berrian had five receptions for 78 yards after gaining 79 yards on three receptions in Week 3. Wade caught seven passes for 75 yards after totaling just six catches for 77 yards in the first two contests. With experienced Gus Frerotte at quarterback, Berrian and Wade have appealing matchups against the shaky pass defenses of New Orleans and Detroit in the next two games.

7. Amani Toomer and Steve Smith, WRs, New York Giants (Available 67.1 percent and 95.9 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Plaxico Burress is suspended for Week 5, leaving Toomer and Smith as the Giants' likely featured wideouts. Toomer led all Giants receivers with 64 yards in Week 3 after catching six passes for 67 yards and a score in Week 2. Smith also showed fantasy promise when he caught a team-high seven passes for 60 yards in Week 3.

6. Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona (Available 98.1 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

If Anquan Boldin cannot play next game against Buffalo after his Week 4 injury, look for Breaston to have another productive game. He caught nine passes for 122 yards against the Jets as Arizona's third wideout last game. Without or without Boldin, Breaston can duplicate his 100-yard receiving day, especially if Arizona is forced to play from behind again in the next two games against Buffalo and Dallas.

5. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo (Available 90.6 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Though Jackson received just seven carries last game, he was more productive than Marshawn Lynch in fantasy. Jackson ran for 46 yards and one score while catching three passes for nine yards. He also posted a solid fantasy game in Week 2 against Jacksonville when he totaled 100 yards by rushing for 17 yards and gaining 83 yards on seven receptions. Buffalo has a favorable matchup against Arizona's struggling defense next game when both Lynch and Jackson can be fantasy contributors.

4. Michael Bush, QB, Oakland (Available 78.8 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Oakland has a Week 5 bye, but if Justin Fargas continues to be out with a groin injury and Darren McFadden keeps battling a toe injury, then look for Bush to duplicate his solid Week 4 fantasy performance as Oakland's featured back. Bush totaled 128 yards by rushing for 48 yards and gaining 80 yards on seven receptions. He also ran for 90 yards and a score in Week 2.

3. Matt Schaub, QB, and Kevin Walter, WR, Houston (Available 51.8 percent and 71.4 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

He struggled greatly in the first two games by throwing just one touchdown with five interceptions. However, Schaub displayed his fantasy potential when he passed for 307 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville last game. His No. 2 wide receiver Kevin Walter also came to life after gaining just 15 receiving yards in Week 3. Walter caught eight passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars. He also scored a touchdown in the opener.

2. Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Carolina (Available 76.9 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

He's surprisingly available in three quarters of FOX Sports leagues and showed his fantasy value by catching team highs of eight receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown against Atlanta. Muhammad had an excellent rapport with Jake Delhomme in 2004 when he caught 93 passes for career highs of 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns for Carolina.

1. Bobby Engram and Deion Branch, WRs, Seattle (Available 56.8 percent and 64.8 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Both Engram (shoulder) and Branch (knee) are expected to return after missing the first three games of the season. Engram was the more productive receiver than Branch last season, recording career highs of 93 receptions for 1,147 yards and six touchdowns last season. Branch has disappointed in his first two seasons with Seattle, catching just 49 passes for 661 yards and six scores in only 11 regular-season games last year. With Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, Engram is a weekly start while Branch is a candidate to start as a third wideout in favorable matchups.

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