Week 6: Pickups of the Week

QB Christian Ponder, MIN

Ponder is becoming a regular in this column and will remain so until the fantasy public wises up and awards him with ownership in more than 70 per cent of leagues. Right now two out of five leagues remain Ponder-free, which means people have been missing out on the services of a QB with a 3:1 TD-to-interception ratio who is completing nearly 70 per cent of his passes. Ponder's aerial success thus far is no fluke. He's shown tremendous growth in his second NFL season and has the benefit of an Adrian Peterson-led running game to keep safeties from doubling his receivers. Considered a game manager, Ponder is a threat to produce his first 300-yard performance of the season this Sunday against the Redskins and their league-worst passing defense. For context, Josh Freeman is alone among Washington opponents in failing to exceed the three-century mark (Tampa Bay's embattled QB only managed 299 yards).

RB Brandon Bolden, NE

Stevan Ridley dominated the score sheet in Week 5, but there have been plenty of RB opportunities to go around in New England lately. Patriots backs have split 94 carries and seven touchdowns between them over the last two weeks, creating multiple avenues to fantasy goodness. While the committee approach isn't likely to go away any time soon, there's reason to believe Bolden's share will increase given Ridley's recent fumble troubles. The presumptive lead back has fumbled twice in the last two games and was also benched by coach Belichick back in 2011 for putting the ball on the turf. By comparison, Bolden has been steady and surehanded. He could be the safer bet against Seattle's stalwart and ball-hawking defense this week.

RB Alex Green, GB

Cedric Benson suffered a foot injury during Green Bay's Week 5 loss. Forget him just missing one game as initially projected. The veteran runner is out at least eight weeks with a lisfranc injury and could be out for the season if surgery is required. Yikes. That means Alex Green, who handled RB duties after Benson's early departure, vaults to the top of the thin waiver wire list among runners. Green, who typically projects as a pass catching/change of pace option, managed 63 total yards against the Colts, though most of them came on a single 41-yard run. James Starks remains on the radar, but hasn't played yet this season and his status is unknown while John Kuhn won't be more than a goal line vulture. At a minimum bye-week weery owners may have to turn to Green for short-term insurance in Week 6, though he'd be a luke warm fantasy option this week against the Texans. Green Bay may return to a truly pass-heavy approach without Benson or add a veteran free agent runner, but for now Green appears to be best backfield threat.

RB William Powell, ARI

With first Beanie Wells and then Ryan Williams suffering severe injuries, the Arizona backfield has become one of the most dangerous places to work in the NFL. The Cardinals are down to just Powell, LaRod Stevens-Howling (who has missed the last two games with hip flexor trouble) and the freshly re-signed Alphonso Smith. Though Powell suffered a possible concussion during last Thursday's game, the Cardinals don't play again until Sunday afternoon (which should give him time to recover). We expect him to handle first chair duties until Wells recovers. Stevens-Howling will be the third down back once he's healthy. Owners in PPR leagues and leagues that reward for return yardage should give him a long look too.