BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

It was not a pretty week on the football field, as DeSean Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Antonio Gates all left their games early with injuries. Tragic as it is, as Kevin Kolb and Christopher Ivory reminded us this weekend, injuries and trades can open the door to opportunities for several potential fantasy stars.

Here’s a look at the top fantasy options available on waiver wires for week seven in the NFL.

Buyer’s guide:

1) Look for catches or rushes (how often did the player have the ball in their hands?)

2) Look for touchdowns (are they a part of the goal line or red zone attack?)

3) Look at their age (are they a young player on the rise, a good investment?)

4) Look at their team and roster (were they filling in, and what’s their role?)

5) Look at post-game recap (any quotes of encouragement for upcoming weeks?)

SILVER

Michael Jenkins, WR, Falcons

Jenkins returned to the field in a big way, with five receptions for 99 yards. The 99-yards was actually a career-high, for the Falcons 2004 first round pick, who has long played second fiddle to Roddy White. Jenkins had missed the first five weeks of the season due to injuries, but now that he’s healthy, he will offer a new dimension to the Falcons offense. Jenkins has been serviceable before, but never a fantasy star. His career-high in passing yards was set in 2008 with 777, though he has never been much of a touchdown option. If the Falcons start to turn away from the rush and look to pass more, Jenkins would be an intriguing fantasy option.

Christopher Ivory, RB, Saints

His role will decrease, the second that Pierre Thomas and/or Reggie Bush return from injuries. But for now, Ivory is the best weapon in the backfield for the Saints. On Sunday, Ivory ran wild for 158 yards on just 15 carries. The 22-year, old from little-known Tiffin, had averaged 10 carries in each of the past three games preceding Sunday’s breakout performance. Nonetheless, it is concerning, that the Saints evolved into a three-way split in the backfield, with Ladell Betts and the recently acquired Julius Jones combining for 15 carries. Ivory is a short-term bet for fantasy managers. He will likely never again enjoy a performance like he did on Sunday.

Patrick Crayton, WR, Chargers

The Chargers were beset with injuries on Sunday, as the two top weapons left the game hobbled: Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates. Just like how the Chargers have continued to march on without Vincent Jackson, they were forced to do so without Floyd and Gates. This time, it was former Cowboys prospect Patrick Crayton that stepped up. He hauled in six passes for 117 yards. Crayton is no stranger to big performances. However, his greatest issue throughout his career has been consistency. If both Gates and Floyd miss some time, Crayton is certainly a player on the rise.

GOLD

Johnny Knox, WR, Bears

After a couple of poor performances, Knox bounced back for the Bears with his best game of the season. Knox hauled in five receptions for 120 yards. If you’re wondering if this is fool’s gold, I would suggest otherwise. After all, you can’t blame Knox for not forming a rapport with Todd Collins last weekend, when Jay Cutler took a seat with a concussion. Of course, it was in the game before that when Cutler got injured, so that 26-yard performance is discounted, since Cutler only played one half (and Cutler could barely get a ball out because of the Giants blitz schemes). So if you ignore those two poor performances, Knox is actually thriving this season with nearly 400 yards in just six games. He’s a solid start at third WR in fantasy leagues, with his only weakness so far being an inability to find the end zone.

Nate Burleson, WR, Lions

I’ve been a fan of Burleson for a long time. Even though his career has been riddled by injuries, when healthy Burleson ranks as one of the game’s better targets. On Sunday, he reminded the Giants of this when he scored a touchdown and racked up 50 yards on six receptions. Burleson has only played two complete games this season and in that time, the former Seahawks star has scored two touchdowns and averaged 53 yards per game. With the Lions rushing attack struggling, the team has resorted more to the air. Burleson is a solid number two option behind Calvin Johnson and should perform even better once first-string quarterback Matthew Stafford returns to the field.

Danny Woodhead, RB, Patriots

Woodhead led the Patriots in rushes this weekend, and he turned in quite a performance with 63 yards on 11 rushes. Woodhead was also targeted for five receptions and 52 yards. Even though the Patriots backfield is usually like the Bermuda Triangle for fantasy managers, Woodhead’s head-turning performance should attract a lot of attention on the waiver wire this week.

DIAMOND

Benjamin Watson, TE, Browns

Considering Antonio Gates, Visanthe Shiancore, and Jermichael Finley are all nursing injuries, and Greg Olsen has gone into hiding, fantasy managers need a tight end more than ever. Fortunately for them, Watson remains on the waiver wire, even though we’ve featured him here before. Watson led the Browns with six receptions and 88 yards and he also scored his second touchdown of the season. You have to love that Watson is one of the most targeted receiving threats in Cleveland, as he averages five receptions per game.

Mike Williams, WR, Seahawks

The Seahawks release of TJ Houshmandzadeh and trade of Deion Branch has now resulted in Mike Williams landing in the lead role for the Seahawks passing game. The one-time bust was a star for his former college coach on Sunday, as he led the team with 10 receptions and 123 yards in a key win over the Bears. Williams suddenly has new life in the NFL, and his vast talents are finally being utilized in a winning formula that makes him a serious fantasy threat.

Deion Branch, WR, Patriots

We all assumed that Brandon Tate would evolve as the replacement for Randy Moss, but instead it was the veteran and former top target of Tom Brady. Branch made himself at home with the Patriots once again, as he led the team with nine receptions and 98 yards with a touchdown. Branch struggled to get the attention of Matt Hasselbeck in Seattle, but now that he has returned to the east coast, he is turning back the clock to 2005 when he established career highs with 78 receptions and 998 yards.