The ebb and flow of the waiver wire always leaves viable options for managers in need of bye week help, but this is a week where no players will act as saviors for your floundering playoff hopes. Three distinct concepts can summarize the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, as owners must ponder the good and bad in potential bye-week fill-ins.

For the quarterbacks, “young vs. old” can sum up your available options. Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Joe Flacco all present some sort of upside, but their merits must be weighed against veterans lower-ceiling, more reliable veterans Brian Griese, Kerry Collins and Gus Frerotte. Chicago’s Kyle Orton falls right in the middle of the age spectrum and may just be the best, most trustworthy signal caller available after throwing three touchdown passes in Week 4.

“Touchdown vultures” is the theme for a group of running backs that includes Baltimore’s Le’Ron McClain, Oakland’s Michael Bush and Arizona’s Tim Hightower. McClain is the most reliable of the bunch because he’s the only available back to get consistent touches, goal-line or otherwise. With Ravens starter Willis McGahee questionable again in Week 5, there’s no reason to think McClain’s run won’t continue.

“Injuries and bad behavior” are the two issues to consider with wide receivers. Cincinnati’s Chris Henry returns from suspension; New York’s Steve Smith benefits from a Plaxico Burress suspension; and Jacksonville’s Matt Jones has overcome off-the-field problems to have a good season. Meanwhile, Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Robert Meachem (2007 knee injury) are worth watching as they rebound from physical ailments.

We profile all of these players and more in our look at Week 5 free agents. In order to make the list, a player must be available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues. A few notable players worth immediate additions, but just missed our availability cut line: Rams QB Marc Bulger, Ravens WR Derrick Mason, Lions RB Rudi Johnson, Browns WR Donte’ Stallworth, Eagles RB Correll Buckhalter, Saints RB Deuce McAllister.
 
QUARTERBACKS
 
JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders
Status: Playing efficient, better-than-expected football
Key Stats: Career-high 277 yards in Week 4 loss to Chargers
What to Watch For: Consistency - owners can’t afford another 55-yard effort like he had in Week 2
Other Notes: Raiders have a bye in Week 5, then face soft pass defenses in the Saints and Jets in the next two weeks … has good chemistry with TE Zach Miller, who had 95 of his 277 passing yards last Sunday.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Status: Showing smarts, just without gaudy numbers
Key Stats: Yet to eclipse 200 yards passing
What to Watch For: More pass attempts, more dynamic play
Other Notes: Is proving a good game manager, but has just been far from explosive … for that reason, is more of a “project” in fantasy, useful in deep leagues and those that feature two QBs.

Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
Status: Getting more chances to air it out
Key Stats: All 5 TDs, 4 INTs have come in last 2 weeks
What to Watch For: Opportunities to throw, but with fewer turnovers
Other Notes: Weapons around him have played better than expected … has two quality tight ends, including a big talent in second-year man Greg Olsen … rookie Matt Forte’s transition, especially in pass protection, has been a help.
 
Brian Griese, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Status: Turning the ball over, but is fairly effective in fantasy
Key Stats: 3 TDs, but 6 INTs in last 2 starts
What to Watch For: Continued job security - he’s safe now, but he may not be if his performances go downhill
Other Notes: Not a ton of talent in the Bucs’ receiving corps, but their abilities to move the chains help the weak-armed Griese … has obvious value if large number of attempts continue, but is prone to make mistakes.
 
Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans
Status: Still Tennessee’s starter, as long as Titans keep winning
Key Stats: Averaging 170 passing yards, has 2 total TDs in 3 starts
What to Watch For: Health of Vince Young, especially if Titans start to struggle
Other Notes: Titans QB job not a glorified one; their run-first approach takes burden off QB, which means fewer opportunities to air it out … treat Collins as a bye week fill-in or as a matchup play if or when your starter gets injured.
 
Brady Quinn, Cleveland Browns
Status: Becoming more deserving of shot to start
Key Stats: Starter Derek Anderson has 6 INTs in last 3 games
What to Watch For: Another poor effort from Anderson
Other Notes: Quinn must wait through a bye and at least one more Anderson start before getting his shot … can infuse some life into a stagnant offense, which could mean better play from another disappointment, WR Braylon Edwards.
 
RUNNING BACKS

Le’Ron McClain, Baltimore Ravens
Status: Looking like strong goal-line option
Key Stats: Averaging 17+ carries through 3 games
What to Watch For: Willis McGahee’s status (ribs) for Week 5
Other Notes: Combination of goal-line carries, short-yardage work, and bruising change of pace touches gives him big value … leads Ravens in rushes, yards and TDs through three weeks … McGahee is questionable for Week 5 matchup vs. Tennessee.
 
Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders
Status: Making most of bruising running style
Key Stats: 148 total yards (80 receiving) in Week 4
What to Watch For: Health of Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden
Other Notes: Value takes obvious hit when Fargas (groin) returns to the lineup … has also benefited from McFadden’s turf toe injury … still a good bet for goal-line carries, even after both backs are healthy.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
Status: Taking goal-line carries from Edgerrin James
Key Stats: Had 3 TDs in first 4 pro games
What to Watch For: Arizona’s ability to create goal-line chances
Other Notes: Won’t get regular work between the 20s, but is a sure thing inside opponents’ 10-yard lines … may be this year’s top “touchdown vulture,” a nice title for those in scoring-only leagues … was a fifth-round pick in the ‘08 draft out of Richmond.

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Status: Finding ways to make fantasy contributions
Key Stats: Scored first career TD last week
What to Watch For: His ability to complement Marshawn Lynch
Other Notes: Could do worse than pick up Jackson in a bye week pinch … isn’t likely to surpass 10 carries, but can also get involved in the passing game and rack up respectable yardage.

Warrick Dunn
Status: Getting nearly half of Tampa Bay’s carries
Key Stats: 16 carries for 63 yards in Week 4
What to Watch For: Consistent work load, chances for TDs
Other Notes: Not a ton of upside here, but coach Jon Gruden is making a concerted effort to find touches for him … makes for a nice flex play in Week 5 against the Broncos, who rank 24th in the NFL allowing 132.8 rushing yards per game.
 
WIDE RECEIVERS
 
Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers
Status: Coming off big Week 4 effort
Key Stats: 8 catches, 147 yards, TD vs. Atlanta
What to Watch For: Consistent targets from QB Jake Delhomme
Other Notes: A good complement to playmaker Steve Smith … is a big, physical possession receiver who will find paydirt sparingly … safe to deploy as a fill-in No. 3 WR or a flex option, especially in PPR leagues.

Matt Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Having a surprising - and consistent - season
Key Stats: Ranks 13th in NFL with 21 catches
What to Watch For: Return of Jerry Porter, how it affects Jones’ production
Other Notes: Has a unique mix of size and speed, which makes him valuable to QB David Garrard on both short and long fields … reasonable to expect more red zone looks as he matches up with smaller corner backs and slower linebackers.

Kevin Walter, Houston Texans
Status: A vastly underrated fantasy option
Key Stats: Exploded for 76 yards and 2 TDs in Week 4
What to Watch For: Consistent play from QB Matt Schabu
Other Notes: Is a big and reliable target for Schaub … had 5 or more catches in 7 of his final 12 games last season … got unexpected bye in Week 2 because of damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints
Status: Averaging a whopping 41 yards per catch
Key Stats: 82.5 yards per game in last 2 weeks
What to Watch For: Reasons to trust his all-or-nothing game
Other Notes: With speed and skill, is an explosive big play threat … but, the well can run dry when he depends so much on the deep ball for fantasy value … was a first-round draft pick in 2007, but missed the entire season with a knee injury.

Steve Smith, New York Giants
Status: Emerging as good intermediate target
Key Stats: Season-high 7 catches for 60 yards last week
What to Watch For: Touchdown possibilities - has 37 career catches (including the postseason) and zero TDs
Other Notes: A main beneficiary of Plaxico Burress’ Week 5 suspension … is especially valuable in PPR leagues …. at 5-foot-11, doesn’t stand to catch many TD passes, but specializes in the possession game.
 
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Could be returning by Week 5
Key Stats: 94 catches, 1,147 yards, 6 TDs in ‘07
What to Watch For: Prolonged health - is attempting to return from shoulder injury at the age of 35
Other Notes: With Seattle’s depleted receiving corps, Engram would return in great situation to produce … be careful, though; at 35 years old, is no sure thing to duplicate his career 2007 season.

Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals
Status: Finishing his suspension in time for Week 5
Key Stats: 17 of his 88 career catches have been for TDs
What to Watch For: Better performance of Cincy offense - his return could help
Other Notes: Is a big-time red zone threat, who has been unable to stay out of trouble … will no doubt get looks from QB Carson Palmer in the end zone once again … will be the team’s No. 3 option, behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson.

Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins
Status: Being expected to produce more for Dolphins
Key Stats: Season-high 49 yards in Week 3 at New England
What to Watch For: All his talent to start yielding results
Other Notes: Surely a receiver that an antsy owner gave up on early this season … lots of reason to think he will get more involved in Miami’s passing attack … emergence of Ronnie Brown a positive, as the running game should open up more passing lanes for QB Chad Pennington.