Christian Ponder (QB | Minnesota Vikings | 29 percent owned in Y!) Ponder was just mentioned in the waiver wire two weeks ago, but fantasy owners are still not giving him the love he deserves. Yes, he has just six touchdowns on the year and has tossed two picks since we last spoke about him, but he currently rocks the highest completion percentage (69.0) of any quarterback with a minimum of 100 completions thru five weeks. He and his supporting cast continue to get better each week — so the touchdowns will come. He may prove to be more than just a bye week fill-in.   

Alex Green (RB | Green Bay Packers | 10 percent owned in Y!) Kevin touched on Alex Green earlier in our “Gold Mine” report, but it has now been confirmed that Cedric Benson could miss the next eight weeks — and potentially the rest of the season should he need surgery — due to the dreaded Lisfranc foot injury. For the math majors out there, the next eight weeks means the rest of the “fantasy” regular season for those in most formats, and finally opens the door for Alex Green who has been dubbed a “sleeper” by fantasy analysts two-years running. On Sunday against the Colts, Green carried the rock nine times for 55 yards (6.1 yards per carry), albeit 41 of those yards came on one explosive scamper. Initially, Green may battle James Starks for touches, but Green should win out in the end. I’d be willing to blow my number one waiver claim on Green and 50 percent or more of my FAAB budget, depending on need.

James Starks ( RB | Green Bay Packers | 10 percent owned in Y!) Not a believer in young Alex Green? Then James Starks may be more of your flavor. Although Starks has been hampered by a turf toe injury, he has a bit more on-the-field experience than Green. In 2011, Starks carried the ball 133 times for 578 yards and a score, while adding 29 receptions for 216 yards. When healthy, Starks could have some flex value in PPR leagues should Green not get the job done or in a split scenario, so I’d be willing to place a safety claim on him if you have the need. You could pay upwards of 20 percent of your FAAB budget to acquire Starks’ services.

William Powell (RB | Arizona Cardinals | five percent owned in Y!) The undrafted free agent from Kansas State may be the next-man-in for the Cardinals as Ryan Williams appears to be lost for the remainder of the 2012 season with a shoulder injury. Powell has just three carries on the season yielding nine yards, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the young back would share the ball carrying duties with veteran LaRod Stephens-Howling who is slated to return in week six from an injury. Ryan Williams owners and those hoarding backs could take a flyer on Powell, but I wouldn’t burn a top three waiver claim (for leagues that do no reset weekly) on him. Spend about ten to 15 percent of your FAAB to try and grab him.

LaRod Stephens-Howling (RB | Arizona Cardinals | two percent owned Y!) Stephen-Howlings is coming off a hip injury, but is expected to be back in action for the Cards in week six against the Bills. With Beanie Wells and now Ryan Williams sidelined with injuries, the Cardinals will likely ask William Powell and LaRod Stephens-Howling to split snaps — unless they seek help from outside the organization. He’s been on the field for over fifty snaps this year, but has just 12 carries for one (1!) yard and a touchdown while adding two receptions on four targets for 14 yards. Despite a fine outing in week 17 last season against the Seahawks (21 carries for 93 yards), I’m not ready to call him best candidate for carries in the desert. I’m adding LSH if there is an extreme need, but by no means am I burning a top claim on him. Ten to 15 percent of my FAAB would be my maximum bid.

James Jones (WR | Green Bay Packers| 69 percent owned in Y!) Greg Jennings was out again in week five increasing James Jones’ role in the Packers’ offense. He reeled in four passes for 67 and added two scores on Sunday versus the Colts — raising his touchdown total to five on the season. Those five touchdowns are more than Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb combined. He’s developing into a low-end WR2/Flex in a 12-team format. If he’s still on your wire I’d be spending ten percent of my FAAB on him.

St. Louis (D/ST | 14 percent owned Y!) An impressive outing on Thursday evening against the Cardinals rewarded fantasy owners with 18 points in standard leagues. The Rams defense surrendered just three points, sacked Kevin Kolb nine times and recovered a fumble. They face the Fins and their rookie quarterback in week six — a top ten play for team defense.

Written by Alan Harrison for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Alan’s rants on Twitter @TheFantasyFix .