Top Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 8

Quarterback:

* SF Alex Smith - After Smith's promising performance in the second half of Week 7 and weapons, it doesn't hurt to take a chance especially with so many byes. However, you just have to consider Smith's inconsistency in his career. VERDICT - RISKY

* WAS Jason Campbell - Inconsistency has spelled the Redskins this season. But with a new playcaller and good performances from unknowns like Fred Davis and Devin Thomas could mean a decent outlook. VERDICT - RISKY

Runningback:

* NYJ Shonn Greene - Although Thomas Jones will get the larger share of the carries, Washington's injury means opportunities for Greene, who took advantage of it in Week 7 with 144 rushing yards. VERDICT - GOOD

* NO Mike Bell - New Orlean's terrific offense means more garbage time, which also means more carries for Bell, who often does his work later in the game. Either way, that means points for Bell, and while he may not get the yardage, he'll get the touchdowns. VERDICT - SOLID

* ARI Beanie Wells - Wells broke out in Week 7, but Arizona says Tim Hightower is still the starter. Wells is worth a roster spot, but he's injury prone and he needs to prove he can have decent numbers week to week. VERDICT - RISKY

* KC Jamaal Charles - With Larry Johnson's on and off-field troubles, that should mean Charles will be Kansas City new starter. However, with no career starts, it's tough to say what we could see. VERDICT - SLEEPER

Wide Receiver:

* PIT Mike Wallace - Wallace has gradually improved as the season moves on and could be Pitt's version of Devery Henderson. But as long as Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are around, his production is limited. VERDICT - SLEEPER

* CIN Laveranues Coles - After a slow start, Coles has now had back-to-back great games. His consistency is still a question but with Cincy flourishing, it's worth a shot. VERDICT - RISKY

* WAS Devin Thomas - With a new playcaller, many changes took place for the Skins Week 7. Thomas had a breakout game in his first career start and head coach Jim Zorn says he'll stay as the starter. Still, the risky QB situation will make Thomas a bye week fill-in at best. VERDICT - LAST RESORT

* NYJ David Clowney - He has potential and with Jerricho Cotchery's injury and Braylon Edward's legal issues, Clowney took advantage last week. However, he still has a rookie QB and a terrific run game to deal with. I'd wait 'till next season. VERDICT - LAST RESORT

Tight End:

* GB Donald Lee - Although it seemed as if Lee was slowly withering away due to Jermichael Finley's emergence, Finley's injury could mean a resumed role of Lee in the Green Bay offense. VERDICT - SOLID

* WAS Fred Davis - With starter Chris Cooley out anywhere from a month to the rest of the year, Davis has a great game in place of Cooley Monday night. Don't expect the same numbers consistently however. VERDICT - SLEEPER

Players are listed in order from higher to lower value within positions. "Good" means high expectations and low chance of busting. "Solid" means decent expectations and low chance of busting. "Sleeper" means high expectations and medium chance of busting (but high inconsistency). "Risky" means high expectations and high chance of busting. "Last Resort" means average expectations and medium chance of busting (but high inconsistency, essentially a poorer sleeper). "Good" is the best verdict possible, but past that verdict, all the other verdicts depend on the scenario.