Short-term versus long-term thinking is the theme for free agents this week. Whose bandwagon do you hop on with expectations for future results, and whose best days are behind them? Blips on the radar are a dime a dozen in fantasy football, so we must consider all factors to predict who’s here to stay.

The big question for those seeking wide receiver help is, Ted Ginn Jr. or Donnie Avery with a waiver wire pick? Really, you can’t wrong with either one of these guys, but if you ask us, we like Ginn Jr.’s chances to out-produce Avery. The reason? Experience and learning on past mistakes.

Avery’s teammate, Marc Bulger, is among our most recommended quarterbacks this week. He had struggled to put anything resembling a relevant fantasy day together, but went big with 304 yards and a TD in the Rams’ loss in New England. The emergence of Avery has finally given St. Louis a vertical threat to spread out opposing defenses.

There are no perfect options at running back at this stage of the season. Guys are getting their chances, but what they do with them and how long they last are big issues. Kansas City’s Kolby Smith is a good example as he fills in for suspended Larry Johnson. Cedric Benson is another, not because he can’t keep a starting job, but because he appears incapable of putting up big numbers.

Below are complete profiles of our top quarterback, running back and wide receiver free agents this week.

In order to make the list, a player must enter this week available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues. Some notable players worth immediate consideration, but just missed our availability cut line: Patriots QB Chad Pennington, Falcons QB Matt Ryan, Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, Raiders RB Justin Fargas, Bears WR Devin Hester, Eagles WR Kevin Curtis and Cardinals WR Steve Breaston.

QUARTERBACKS

Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
Status: Back in the saddle as Rams starting QB
Key Stats: Season-high 301 yards, TD, INT in Week 8
What to Watch For: New energy from lifeless Rams offense
Other Notes: Got second chance at starting job after coach Scott Linehan was fired and replaced by Jim Haslett … hadn’t passed for even 200 yards in a game until breakout effort in Week 8 … has found chemistry with rookie WR Donnie Avery
Bottom Line: Worth an add with a friendly schedule ahead

Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Taking over for demoted J.T. O’Sullivan
Key Stats: Threw for 173 yards, TD in 2nd half vs. Seattle
What to Watch For: How he fits into Mike Martz scheme
Other Notes: Martz system can bring value to any quarterback, heralded or unheralded … played well in one half of action, though in a 34-13 loss to hapless Seattle … 49ers have a bye in Week 9, giving him two weeks of reps as a first-teamer
Bottom Line: Need more proof he can make an impact in standard leagues

Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
Status: Offering surprisingly acceptable production
Key Stats: Has 200+ yards passing in all 5 starts
What to Watch For: More scoring; has 5 TDs and 7 INTs
Other Notes: Even with big yardage totals, Vikings offense has been stagnant … real-life success will be measured in wins and losses … Week 7 served as an example of what can happen when Minnesota is forced to air it out … Frerotte can implode when the offense becomes one-dimensional
Bottom Line: Consistent, safe to to use in event of injury or bye

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions
Status: Staking claim to start the rest of ‘08
Key Stats: Has 3 TD passes and 0 INTs in 3 starts
What to Watch For: How arrival of Daunte Culpepper affects job security
Other Notes: Word of caution: faces stout defenses in CHI, JAC, CAR, TB and TEN in next 5 weeks … must keep performing to hold off Culpepper … got audition to start after Jon Kitna was placed on the injured reserve
Bottom Line: Speculative pickup, not recommended to start

Brooks Bollinger, Dallas Cowboys
Status: Waiting in the wings as Brad Johnson struggles
Key Stats: Has thrown for 2,155 yards with 8 TDs, 8 INTs in 4+ career seasons
What to Watch For: Johnson’s productivity and Tony Romo’s health
Other Notes: Is surely a reach, given uncertainty he will start this week and how many starts he would get with starter Tony Romo out … has a wealth of weapons around him, giving him a small hint of intrigue
Bottom Line: Worth an add in extremely deep — nearly bottomless — leagues

RUNNING BACKS

Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Splitting carries with Julius Jones
Key Stats: Had 11 carries to Jones’ 6 last week
What to Watch For: How Mike Holmgren distributes touches
Other Notes: Working his way back to full speed after missing three weeks with a knee injury … likely to earn a 50/50 split with Jones, but with Seahawks struggles, how much is that really worth?
Bottom Line: An addition to build depth, not regularly start

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
Status: Carving out niche in Ravens backfield
Key Stats: Has 247 total yards in last 3 weeks
What to Watch For: How changing Baltimore offense affects his workload
Other Notes: Baltimore has strayed from the bruising running of FB Le’Ron McClain and opened the playbook for Rice … has been active in the passing game, averaging nearly 50 receiving ypg in his last three
Bottom Line: An upside pick, especially in PPR leagues

Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots
Status: Getting most value out of versatility
Key Stats: Averaging 5.9 ypc over the last 4 weeks
What to Watch For: Consistent touches with Pats RBs nursing injuries
Other Notes: Each Patriots running back plays a different role … Faulk’s is generally as a third-down back and pass catcher, so big scoring efforts are exception to the rule … a viable option again in Week 9 with Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan both questionable with injuries
Bottom Line: Speculative pickup, based on status of Morris’ knee injury

Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Status: On the mend from preseason elbow injury
Key Stats: Yet to play in an NFL game
What to Watch For: State of Denver’s backfield upon his return
Other Notes: Coach Mike Shanahan loves what he can do, so know the name … was in the mix to start before dislocating his elbow in training camp … has some work to do to overtake Selvin Young, Michael Pittman and/or Andre Hall on the depth chart
Bottom Line: A reach for now, but he presents big upside

Kolby Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: On Larry Johnson suspension watch
Key Stats: Just 21 carries for 35 yards in 2 starts
What to Watch For: LJ’s status with the team and NFL office
Other Notes: Was good, not great, in fill-in duties for Johnson last season … rushed for 407 yards in 8 games … not a big play threat; has never broken a 20+ yard run … schedule softens up, but faces tough Tampa Bay defense in Week 9
Bottom Line: A reach to fill a flex spot; must monitor LJ’s status

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots
Status: Getting touches with Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan injured
Key Stats: TDs in 2 straight weeks
What to Watch For: Morris’ knee; how Green-Ellis fits into new Pats RB mix
Other Notes: Was signed from New England’s practice squad prior to Week 7 … filled in nicely for Morris, who left the Patriots’ Week 7 win in the second quarter with a knee injury … got few touches, but scored a goal-line TD in New England’s Week 8 win
Bottom Line: Should be added only if Morris is due to miss more time

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Status: New starter in Cincinnati
Key Stats: 27 carries for 101 yards in 2 starts
What to Watch For: How he fares in fantasy-friendly matchups
Other Notes: Took over for starter Chris Perry, who struggled with consistency and turnovers … faces a better-than-average Jacksonville defense in Week 9, then has a bye in Week 10, and faces three straight tough run defenses in his next three
Bottom Line: Worthwhile addition as a starting running back, but upside is limited

Leon Washington, New York Jets
Status: Coming off strong 2-TD effort in Week 8
Key Stats: Has at least 2 catches in all 7 games
What to Watch For: More favorable split in carries with starter Thomas Jones
Other Notes: Adds possibility for return touchdowns to the mix … bulk of value comes as handcuff to Jones … not worthy of a starter unless carries are split more evenly or Jones is demoted
Bottom Line: Must-have handcuff to Jones, but little value otherwise

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Status: Awaiting possible suspension for Deuce McAllister
Key Stats: Has 3 or fewer carries in 5 straight weeks
What to Watch For: Word from NFL office regarding McAllister’s status
Other Notes: Is waiting in the wings if any discipline is handed down to McAllister, who reportedly violated the league’s drug policy … any kind of suspension may be several weeks away, which limits Thomas’ value … starter Reggie Bush is expected back within the next month
Bottom Line: Wait and see; McAllister’s suspension may not be handed down until Bush is ready to return

WIDE RECEIVERS

Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins
Status: Breaking out as big-play threat
Key Stats: 7 catches for 175 yards in Week 8
What to Watch For: Consistent targets from QB Chad Pennington
Other Notes: A bona fide big play threat, with speed to take any short pass to the end zone … has been up and down this season, but Week 8 effort could have been turning point
Bottom Line: Add in all formats

Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams
Status: Rising up Rams’ WR ranks
Key Stats: Has 291 yards receiving, 2 TDs in last 3 weeks
What to Watch For: Consistency in Rams’ passing attack
Other Notes: Rookie was the first WR taken in the 2008 draft … has TD catches in 2 straight weeks, including one as a 163-yard effort in Week 8 … also has a 37-yard rushing TD to his credit … looking every bit like the heir apparent to Torry Holt
Bottom Line: Worth an add in deep and shallow leagues alike

Matt Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Temporarily avoiding suspension
Key Stats: T13th in NFL with 38 catches
What to Watch For: Verdict from NFL office on appeal of suspension
Other Notes: Big, athletic receiver is finally making good on first round draft choice Jags used on him … has been consistent with 5+ catches in 6 of his 7 games … likely to be suspended 3 games in the near future
Bottom Line: Add with caution, given probability of a suspension

Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
Status: Starting to earn his big money?
Key Stats: Caught 1st TD of season in Week 7
What to Watch For: Any signs of consistency
Other Notes: May be finally hitting stride after a troubled offseason … isn’t helped by QB JaMarcus Russell’s youth and inability to work through progressions … possible that a coaching change has sparked Walker and the Raiders
Bottom Line: Has done it before; worth an add in all formats

Greg Camarillo, Miami Dolphins
Status: Overshadowed by Ginn Jr.’s big day
Key Stats: Leads Dolphins receivers with 52 targets
What to Watch For: His place in the red zone pecking order
Other Notes: An intriguing option … is a crafty receiver who does a nice job finding holes in coverage … has been consistent with at least 4 catches in each of his last 6 games
Bottom Line: Worth an add in all 10 and 12 team leagues