Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top available players in fantasy football ahead of the weekly waiver deadline. 

Quarterback

Eli Manning, New York Giants

Last Week: 28-of-39, 300 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

Manning has thrown at least two touchdowns in each of his past three games and is beginning to re-appear on the QB1 radar. After burning the Washington Redskins for four touchdowns in Week 4, Manning now faces the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in his next three weeks, all of which are favourable matchups. Manning is available in over 50% of leagues and should likely be your top claim this week.

Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota VikingsTeddy Bridgewater

Last Week: 19-of-30, 317 yards, 5 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD

In his first start, Bridgewater looked extremely competent at the helm of the Vikings offence. Bridgewater enters Week 5 as a shaky at best quarterback option due to the ankle sprain he suffered in the fourth quarter against the Falcons but is worth a pick up looking long-term. Once healthy, Bridgewater could emerge as a replacement for your QB1 during the bye weeks. Bridgewater plays Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, hurting his recovery time.

Running Back

Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings

Last Week: 18 carries, 135 yards, 1 reception, 17 yards

Though Matt Asiata scored three rushing touchdowns for the Vikings last week, McKinnon is the breakout candidate in the Minnesota backfield. It will be hard for the Vikings coaching staff to ignore McKinnon’s 7.5 yards per carry average compared to Asiata’s 3.9. Though Asiata will likely get the majority of goal line work, McKinnon is the better pickup of the two. If Bridgewater can’t play against the Packers on Thursday, McKinnon and Asiata could both be worth starting in a run-heavy offence.

Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 14 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD

The Ravens running back situation remains cloudy and Forsett is just the latest Baltimore back to appear on the Waiver Wire. Forsett out-rushed Lorenzo Taliaferro 66 yards to 58 yards on one less carry last week while Bernard Pierce was held out with injury. Once Pierce returns from injury, the Ravens backfield order should become more clear. Until then, Forsett is a worth having on your roster in case he comes John Harbaugh’s back of choice.

Wide Receiver

Louis Murphy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Week: 6 receptions, 99 yards

From waivers to the Waiver Wire, Murphy was signed by the Buccaneers on Tuesday and led the team in receptions and yards on Sunday. Mike Glennon appeared to key-in on the veteran with 11 targets thrown his way. With rookie starter Mike Evans sidelined until after the team’s Week 7 bye, Murphy will likely become a full-time starter in the Buccaneers offence. He’ll be a boom-or-bust WR3 against the questionable Saints defence this week. He caught six passes in the entire 2013 season with the Giants.

Allen Hurns, Jacksonville JaguarsAllen Hurns

Last Week: 5 receptions, 68 yards

Hurns is in a receiver corps with a fourth-overall pick in suspended WR Justin Blackmon, a budding star in Cecil Shorts and two 2014 second-round picks (Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson), yet the undrafted Hurns is emerging as the most reliable of the Jags’ pass catchers. Hurns is the only one of the bunch to stay healthy through and since training camp and owns a starting spot in the offence. Proving to be more than a one week wonder, Hurns is worth picking up as Blake Bortles and the Jaguars try to throw the ball to keep up with the Steelers in Week 5. Robinson is worth keeping an eye on, but has yet to emerge as a fantasy option.

Tight End

Larry Donnell, New York Giants

Last Week: 7 receptions, 54 yards, 3 TDs

Donnell is likely to be the first player claimed in your league this week. Coming off his breakout performance, Donnell is on the TE1 radar and has at least five catches in each of the first four games this season. As the premier tight end in the Giants improving offence, Donnell will be a must-start against the Atlanta Falcons this week.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Last Week: 8 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TDTravis Kelce

Kelce is only available in roughly 30 per cent of leagues, but if you’re in one of those, he is a must add. Kelce is the top tight end in an Alex Smith offence that typically relies on short passes. Coming off his monster eight-catch night against the Patriots, Kelce is poised to be a low-end TE1 when the Chiefs play the 49ers in Week 5.

Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

Last Week: 3 receptions, 34 yards, 1 TD

Tight end continues to be the weakest fantasy position and Ebron is simply the latest option for owners desperate for a scoring threat. Ebron has been unreliable through four weeks but could see his role continue to grow in the Lions offence if tight end Joseph Fauria misses significant time. His high draft status has not yet equaled heavy playing time but that could change soon. Ebron is on the stash radar.

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