Be sure to check back as Sunday approaches, because these rankings will change.

QBs, RBs, WRs, TEs updated 10/22/10.

Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees (NO vs. CLE)
2. Kyle Orton (DEN vs. OAK)
3. Philip Rivers (SD vs. NE)
4. Aaron Rodgers (GB vs. MIN)
5. Tony Romo (DAL vs. NYG)
6. Tom Brady (NE @ SD)
7. Joe Flacco (BAL vs. BUF)
8. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT @ MIA)
9. Jay Cutler (CHI vs. WAS)
10. Eli Manning (NYG @ DAL)
11. Matt Cassel (KC vs. JAC)
12. Brett Favre (MIN @ GB)
13. Matt Ryan (ATL vs. CIN)
14. Kevin Kolb (PHI @ TEN)
15. Josh Freeman (TB vs. STL)
16. Matt Hasselbeck (SEA vs. ARI)
17. Carson Palmer (CIN @ ATL)
18. Donovan McNabb (WAS @ CHI)
19. Chad Henne (MIA vs. PIT)
20. Sam Bradford (STL @ TB)
21. Alex Smith (SF @ CAR)
22. Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF @ BAL)
23. Max Hall (ARI @ SEA)
24. Colt McCoy (CLE @ NO)
25. Kerry Collins (TEN vs. PHI)

Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson (TEN vs. PHI)
2. Frank Gore (SF @ CAR)
3. Ray Rice (BAL vs. BUF)
4. Steven Jackson (STL @ TB)
5. Adrian Peterson (MIN @ GB)
6. Rashard Mendenhall (PIT @ MIA)
7. Peyton Hillis (CLE @ NO)
8. LeSean McCoy (PHI @ TEN)
9. Matt Forte (CHI vs. WAS)
10. Jamaal Charles (KC vs. JAC)
11. Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG @ DAL)
12. Michael Turner (ATL vs. CIN)
13. Cedric Benson (CIN @ ATL)
14. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC @ KC)
15. Ryan Torain (WAS @ CHI)
16. Thomas Jones (KC vs. JAC)
17. Marshawn Lynch (SEA vs. ARI)
18. Ryan Mathews (SD vs. NE)
19. DeAngelo Williams (CAR vs. SF)
20. Knowshon Moreno (DEN vs. OAK)
21. Felix Jones (DAL vs. NYG)
22. Christopher Ivory (NO vs. CLE)
23. Michael Bush (OAK @ DEN)
24. Darren McFadden (OAK @ DEN)
25. Chris “Beanie” Wells (ARI @ SEA)
26. Brandon Jackson (GB vs. MIN)
27. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams (TB vs. STL)
28. Danny Woodhead (NE @ SD)
29. Brandon Jacobs (NYG @ DAL)
30. Fred Jackson (BUF @ BAL)
31. Ronnie Brown (MIA vs. PIT)
32. Willis McGahee (BAL vs. BUF)
33. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE @ SD)
34. Justin Forsett (SEA vs. ARI)
35. Darren Sproles (SD vs. NE)
36. Mike Tolbert (SD vs. NE)
37. Jonathan Stewart (CAR vs. SF)
38. Ricky Williams (MIA vs. PIT)
39. C.J. Spiller (BUF @ BAL)
40. Keiland Williams (WAS @ CHI)
41. Earnest Graham (TB vs. STL)
42. Marion Barber (DAL vs. NYG)
43. Jason Snelling (ATL vs. CIN)
44. Javon Ringer (TEN vs. PHI)
45. Tim Hightower (ARI @ SEA)
46. Chester Taylor (CHI vs. WAS)
47. Correll Buckhalter (DEN vs. OAK)
48. Julius Jones (NO vs. CLE)
49. Laurence Maroney (DEN vs. OAK)
50. Jerome Harrison (PHI @ TEN)

Wide Receivers

1. Roddy White (ATL vs. CIN)
2. Brandon Marshall (MIA vs. PIT)
3. Terrell Owens (CIN @ ATL)
4. Anquan Boldin (BAL vs. BUF)
5. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI @ SEA)
6. Randy Moss (MIN @ GB)
7. Miles Austin (DAL vs. NYG)
8. Jeremy Maclin (PHI @ TEN)
9. Hakeem Nicks (NYG @ DAL)
10. Mike Wallace (PIT @ MIA)
11. Dwayne Bowe (KC vs. JAC)
12. Mike Williams (TB vs. STL)
13. Greg Jennings (GB vs. MIN)
14. Hines Ward (PIT @ MIA)
15. Brandon Lloyd (DEN vs. OAK)
16. Wes Welker (NE @ SD)
17. Johnny Knox (CHI vs. WAS)
18. Steve Smith (NYG @ DAL)
19. Marques Colston (NO vs. CLE)
20. Santana Moss (WAS @ CHI)
21. Percy Harvin (MIN @ GB)
22. Chad Ochocinco (CIN @ ATL)
23. Mike Williams (SEA vs. ARI)
24. Deion Branch (NE @ SD)
25. Derrick Mason (BAL vs. BUF)
26. Jabar Gaffney (DEN vs. OAK)
27. Craig Davis (SD vs. NE)
28. Mike Thomas (JAC @ KC)
29. Davone Bess (MIA vs. PIT)
30. Steve Smith (CAR vs. SF)
31. Patrick Crayton (SD vs. NE)
32. Michael Crabtree (SF @ CAR)
33. Donald Driver (GB vs. MIN)
34. Nate Washington (TEN vs. PHI)
35. Roy Williams (DAL vs. NYG)
36. Danny Amendola (STL @ TB)
37. Danario Alexander (STL @ TB)
38. Kenny Britt (TEN vs. PHI)
39. Mike Sims-Walker (JAC @ KC)
40. Deon Butler (SEA vs. ARI)
41. Steve Breaston (ARI @ SEA)
42. Louis Murphy (OAK @ DEN)
43. Robert Meachem (NO vs. CLE)
44. Lance Moore (NO vs. CLE)
45. Demaryius Thomas (DEN vs. OAK)
46. Steve Johnson (BUF @ BAL)
47. Jason Avant (PHI @ TEN)
48. James Jones (GB vs. MIN)
49. Michael Jenkins (ATL vs. CIN)
50. Lee Evans (BUF @ BAL)
51. Eddie Royal (DEN vs. OAK)
52. Dexter McCluster (KC vs. JAC)
53. Devin Hester (CHI vs. WAS)
54. Devery Henderson (NO vs. CLE)
55. Brandon Gibson (STL @ TB)
56. Chansi Stuckey (CLE @ NO)
57. Mario Manningham (NYG @ DAL)
58. Dez Bryant (DAL vs. NYG)
59. Anthony Armstrong (WAS @ CHI)
60. Justin Gage (TEN vs. PHI)

Tight Ends

1. Antonio Gates (SD vs. NE)
2. Zach Miller (OAK @ DEN)
3. Vernon Davis (SF @ CAR)
4. Jason Witten (DAL vs. NYG)
5. Aaron Hernandez (NE @ SD)
6. Tony Gonzalez (ATL vs. CIN)
7. Brent Celek (PHI @ TEN)
8. Benjamin Watson (CLE @ NO)
9. Chris Cooley (WAS @ CHI)
10. Kellen Winslow (TB vs. STL)
11. Heath Miller (PIT @ MIA)
12. Todd Heap (BAL vs. BUF)
13. Greg Olsen (CHI vs. WAS)
14. Tony Moeaki (KC vs. JAC)
15. John Carlson (SEA vs. ARI)
16. Jeremy Shockey (NO vs. CLE)
17. Marcedes Lewis (JAC @ KC)
18. Jermaine Gresham (CIN @ ATL)
19. Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN @ GB)
20. Kevin Boss (NYG @ DAL)

Defenses

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT @ MIA)
2. New Orleans Saints (NO vs. CLE)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (KC vs. JAC)
4. Seattle Seahawks (SEA vs. ARI)
5. San Francisco 49ers (SF @ CAR)
6. Baltimore Ravens (BAL vs. BUF)
7. Green Bay Packers (GB vs. MIN)
8. Chicago Bears (CHI vs. WAS)
9. Tennessee Titans (TEN vs. PHI)
10. New York Giants (NYG @ DAL)
11. Atlanta Falcons (ATL vs. CIN)
12. Philadelphia Eagles (PHI @ TEN)
13. Carolina Panthers (CAR vs. SF)
14. Denver Broncos (DEN vs. OAK)
15. St. Louis Rams (STL @ TB)
16. Washington Redskins (WAS @ CHI)
17. Minnesota Vikings (MIN @ GB)
18. Dallas Cowboys (DAL vs. NYG)

The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week you pick up a defense that is playing against a bad offense (preferably at home). And each week you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position.

Last season, my top pick averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game. My second pick averaged 9.1 and my third pick averaged 7.3. On the whole, DTBWW averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game, which equate to DT5 numbers — all for the price of a few waiver wire pickups. In 2008, my top two picks averaged DT6-type numbers. (Note: To calculate fantasy points, I use this scoring system.)

Unlike Defensive Team By Committee (DTBC), which is for those owners who prefer low maintenance teams, DTBWW strategy allows fantasy owners to virtually ignore DTs on draft day and focus on picking up an extra RB/WR flier instead.

To be eligible, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Let’s see how my Week 6 picks fared:

#1 Giants: 2 SK + 1 INT + 2 FR = 5 fantasy points
#2 Titans: 3 PA (8) + 2 SK + 3 INT + 1 FR = 14 fp
#3 Raiders: 17 PA (2) + 2 SK = 4 fp

I’m surprised the G-Men didn’t come up with more points after knocking Shaun Hill out of the game. It didn’t help that Calvin Johnson was surprisingly effective after being questionable all week with a bum shoulder. The Titans dominated the Jags, keeping up the trend of my #2 pick outperforming my top pick. So far this season, DTBWW is averaging 6.3 / 11.3 / 5.0 for a total average of 7.6 fantasy points per game.

Let’s take a look at my Week 7 picks, keeping in mind that to be eligible, a defense has to be available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues:

#1: Kansas City Chiefs (vs. JAX)
David Garrard, Trent Edwards or Todd Bouman — not even the Jags know who’s starting at QB this week. The Chiefs were good the first three weeks against middling competition before struggling a bit against two of the best offenses in the NFL (IND & HOU). Plus, the Jags are coming off a short week. I expect big things…maybe even a special teams TD.

#2: Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
In two home games this season, the Seahawks have averaged 19.0 fantasy points. Arizona has been a good matchup for fantasy defenses this season, giving up an average of 10.6 points per game (including a 24-point disaster against the Chargers). My only concern is that the Cards are coming off their bye.

#3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. STL)
The Bucs DT played well (10.0 fppg) against CLE, CAR and CIN, and not so well (1.5 fppg) against PIT and NO. Which group does STL fall into? The Rams have given up 16.0 fppg to opposing defenses on the road this season.

Bonus Picks: WAS (@ CHI), ATL (vs. CIN), CAR (vs. SF), DEN (vs. OAK)

Wondering who to add/drop or whether or not a trade is fair?

I’m here to help.

After checking out our Waiver Wire Watch, you can post your questions here, and unless you say differently, I’m assuming your league has a standard (non-PPR) scoring system.

If you are wondering who to start in a standard scoring league, please wait until later this week (usually Wednesday or Thursday) when I’ll release my official Week 7 rankings.

And if you’re a regular visitor, please take a moment to rate my advice at Fantasy Pros (under Member Rating). I’d appreciate it.

Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only guys eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll list each player’s percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I’ll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance scoring system.

Please note that these rankings are for total value through the end of the year. Players with particularly good matchups this week are in bold.

Matthew Stafford (22.7)
Shaun Hill has a broken arm, so the Lions are planning to bring Stafford back after the team’s Week 7 bye. His upcoming schedule is very favorable (WAS, NYJ, BUF, DAL, NE), so he should make an excellent backup/borderline starter for the stretch run.

Chad Henne (62.6)
Henne has thrown 2 TDs in each of the last three weeks. His schedule gets tougher before it starts to ease up in Week 12 (@ OAK).

Josh Freeman (13.8)
Yesterday on Twitter, I mentioned that Freeman is the master of the garbage TD. He has thrown for six scores in five games, and his schedule is pretty reasonable the rest of the way.

Matt Cassel (10.5)
It’s not so much Cassel’s play of late, which has been better. It’s more about how favorable his schedule is over the next several weeks. He has JAX, BUF, OAK, ARI, SEA and DEN twice. He makes a decent QB2 going forward.

Sam Bradford (30.3)
With Mark Clayton out, I don’t feel as good about Bradford as I did a couple of weeks ago. That said, his schedule starting Week 10 is pretty favorable.

Matt Hasselbeck (17.8)
Except for the St. Louis game, Hasselbeck has thrown for at least 220 yards and one TD or for two TDs in the four other games.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (5.6)
It’s tough to argue with seven TDs in the last three weeks, but his schedule gets pretty tough over the next three weeks (BAL, KC, CHI).

Kevin Kolb (58.4)
He’s playing well and a Week 7 matchup with the Titans isn’t bad, so if you need a spot starter, you could do a lot worse. But his long-term status as a starter is very much up in the air.

Bruce Gradkowski (2.5)
Gradkowski should be the starter once that shoulder is healthy. Hopefully, he’ll return this week in time for a matchup with the Broncos.

Alex Smith (15.9)
He has five TDs in the last two weeks and eight TDs on the season. His Week 7 matchup (@ CAR) isn’t the greatest, but things ease up down the stretch.

Colt McCoy (1.2)

Matt Moore (1.2)

Max Hall (1.0)

Trent Edwards (0.6)

Donald Brown (60.3)
Joseph Addai was knocked out of the game for the second consecutive week with some sort of head/shoulder injury, and was reportedly ‘woozy’ heading to the locker room. If he’s out of action, Brown should be the first in line for carries. He has been out of commission for a while but is reportedly getting close, so he should be available after the team’s bye in Week 7.

Danny Woodhead (6.3)
I actually had to start Woodhead in two PPR leagues this week and was rewarded with 16+ points. He has taken over Kevin Faulk’s role in the offense and actually led the Pats in carries on Sunday. He’ll get more work when the Pats are playing catch-up, though his value could take a hit if/when Fred Taylor comes back.

Chris Ivory (2.1)
After being outplayed by Ladell Betts in Week 5, Ivory bounced back with 15 carries for 158 yards against the Bucs. He appears to be the main ball carrier as long as Pierre Thomas is out.

Mike Hart (2.0)
Hart would backup Brown if Addai can’t go in Week 8. If Brown can’t go, Hart would be a solid RB2 against the Texans.

Earnest Graham (11.9)
LeGarrette Blount (1.6)
Graham has been pretty solid this season, though he did leave Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. With Kareem Huggins’ season-ending ACL injury, Graham’s position is a bit more solidified. As for Blount, he was inactive for Sunday’s game, but should be active going forward in Huggins absence.

Derrick Ward (2.4)
He’s probably the best handcuff for Arian Foster, though he has some value in his own right given the fact that he has rushed for a TD in each of the last three games.

Keiland Williams (0.9)
Ryan Torain had a big game for the Redskins, but came out of Week 6 nicked up. It appears that Williams would be next in line if Torain were to miss any time.

Roy E. Williams (65.9)
Two more TD against the Vikings gives Williams five in the last three weeks. It looks like the light has finally gone on.

Kenny Britt (64.8)

Mike Williams 2.0 (53.4)
He has at least four receptions or a TD in all five games. The upcoming schedule (STL, ARI, ATL) is pretty nice.

Jabar Gaffney (48.0)
Continues to be money in PPR leagues. The guy is on pace for a 99-catch season. Seriously.

Robert Meachem (58.5)
2009′s second-half star has finally started his 2010 season. He has 8-128-2 in the last two weeks, but it’s tough to depend on any WR in the Saints’ spread-the-wealth offense.

Lance Moore (58.4)
Moore has three nice games in the last four, but that fourth (1-8 vs. ARI) was ugly. Still, he has 14 receptions and four TDs in the last four games.

Davone Bess (19.7)
Bess seems to be expanding his game from possession guy to bona fide redzone target. 19-219-2 in the last three games.

Deion Branch (13.1)
9-98-1 in his first game back. The matchups aren’t great the next two weeks and I’m skeptical about Branch’s long term upside, but this debut was impressive.

Danny Amendola (32.3)
There was a lot of hype heading into Week 6 and Amendola posted 3-19. Ugh. However, he’s still on pace for 96 catches. Pick him up if you’re in a PPR league or a deeper standard league.

Mike Thomas (11.0)
8-88 against the Titans. He continues to be the Jags most dependable receiver, especially in PPR leagues. He is on pace for 77 catches this season.

Mike Williams 1.0 (45.4)
His 10-123 outing against Chicago was by far his best game of the year. Seattle needs someone to step up.

Steve Johnson (10.6)
Johnson has four TD in the last three weeks and has caught at least three passes in every game this season. With Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, these Bills are no pushovers.

Louis Murphy (44.0)
Murphy really needs Bruce Gradkowski under center. Man, it feels weird typing that.

Vincent Jackson (55.2)
V-Jax is apparently going to report to the Chargers by the end of the month and potentially play starting in Week 12. The way San Diego’s receiving corps has suddenly been depleted, they could use him. If your team is looking strong, he’s an interesting guy to stash for possible use during the fantasy playoffs.

Nate Washington (61.2)

Nate Burleson (29.4)
After a rough start to the season, Burleson is finally healthy. 10-106-2 in the last two weeks is nothing to sneeze at. There are a few nice matchups coming up as well.

Deon Butler (1.0)
4-47-1 in his first game w/o Deion Branch. He looks like the WR2 in Seattle after Mike Williams 1.0. Throw in his deep play ability and he’s an interesting pickup in deeper leagues.

Patrick Crayton (0.5)
Buster Davis (0.3)
With Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee out, these are the starting WRs for the Chargers. Seriously. And with the Patriots coming up, they’re actually startable this week.

Steve Breaston (57.7)
It looks like he’s going to make his return in Week 7.

Michael Jenkins (0.7)
He had 5-99 in his first game back from injury.

Jacoby Jones (34.4)
Kevin Walter wasn’t even targeted in Week 6, so it looks like Jones is Houston’s WR2, at least for now.

Anthony Armstrong (2.1)
8-130-1 in the last two weeks. He’s coming on.

Devin Hester (28.7)
We keep waiting…and waiting…and waiting…for some consistency.

James Jones (1.9)
Keep an eye on Donald Driver’s hamstring injury. If he misses any time, Jones figures to get most of the extra work.

Owen Daniels (57.0)
Is he almost back? 5-79 in Week 6 heading into a bye week. He should be close to 100% in Week 8.

Aaron Hernandez (50.0)
He had a couple of drops in overtime, but still, 4-61 isn’t bad.

Heath Miller (47.9)
It didn’t take long for Ben Roethlisberger to boost Miller’s value. He went 2-50-1 in Week 6,

Benjamin Watson (4.6)
He’s not going to catch a ton of TDs, but in PPR leagues, Watson is a fine TE2 and a borderline starter. He has 22 catches in the last four weeks.

Tony Moeaki (18.5)
After a hot start to the season, Moeaki seems to be cooling off with just 6-71 in the last two games, including a terrific matchup in Week 6 against the Texans.

Brandon Pettigrew (8.9)
Pettigrew is on pace for an 88-catch season, yet he’s available in 91% of ESPN leagues heading into Week 7. I’ll admit that I’m a little worried about his value with Matthew Stafford back under center, but one would think that Stafford has seen what Pettigrew can bring to the table.

John Carlson (21.8)
The Bears aren’t a great matchup, but I was expecting more than 2-21 from Carlson. His schedule is great over the next five weeks.

Jeremy Shockey (59.3)
He had a nice three-week, 17-166-2 run, but just 2-21 against the Bucs in Week 6.

Tony Scheffler (4.5)
Scheffler could see a boost with Stafford coming back. He is on pace for a 69-catch season.

Todd Heap (21.2)
Heap capitalized on a good matchup with the Pats to the tune of 3-49-1. He’s a spot starter in PPR leagues.

Fred Davis (1.6)
Want to take a flier on a TE? If Chris Cooley misses any time with that concussion, Davis is more than capable. He averaged 4.1-46-0.6 in 10 games as Cooley’s fill in last season.

Jermaine Gresham (10.0)
22 catches and two TD in five games. Not bad.

Andrew Quarless (0.7)
He didn’t show much in Week 6, but Jermichael Finley has just been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Bo Scaife (3.7)
If Vince Young misses some time, Scaife could have some value with Kerry Collins, who is more apt to throw the ball in the red zone instead of tucking the ball and running it.

- More ugliness from Jake Delhomme (325 yards, 3 INT). Anytime your fantasy defense faces him it’s a good thing.

- Matt Cassel (97 yards, TD, 3 INT) looked awful. Still worth rostering, but proceed with caution.

- Alex Smith (206 yards, 3 TD, INT) came off the bench to lead the 49ers’ comeback. Showed a great rapport with Vernon Davis.

- Carson Palmer (233 yards, 5 TD) was on fire against a normally decent Bears pass defense.

- Tony Romo (311 yards, 3 TD) played very well against a pretty good Falcons defense.

- Drew Brees (298 yards, TD, 3 INT) didn’t have the sharpest passing day, but he found the endzone twice on the ground.

- LaDainian Tomlinson (23 carries, 71 yards) has a disappointing day against the Chiefs. He failed to score on several goal line carries.

- Steve Slaton (22 touches, 89 yards, 2 TD) starting to perform up to first round expectations.

- Frank Gore (15 touches, 47 yards) had a surprisingly quiet day against an inconsistent Texans defense.

- Ryan Grant (27 carries, 148 yards, TD) had his first big fantasy day of the season.

- Laurence Maroney (13-43-1) was pretty bad in the first half, but bounced back in the second, scoring a TD.

- Rashard Mendenhall (10 carries, 69 yards) dominatee Willie Parker (1 carry, 2 yards) in carries.

- In a semi-surprise, Adrian Peterson (22 touches, 129 yards, TD) had a big day against the Steelers. Start your studs.

- The Bills couldn’t get Marshawn Lynch (17 carries, 40 yards, TD) going on the ground, which is pretty sad considering how bad the Panthers are at stopping the run.

- Justin Fargas (11 touches, 90 yards) and Michael Bush (9 toucches, 31 yards) split the OAK backfield work with McFadden sidelined. Fargas ran hard.

- Thomas Jones (26 carries, 121 yards, TD) got the Jets off to a good start, and Shonn Greene (19 carries, 144 yards, 2 TD) took over for the injured Leon Washington (1 carry, 6 yards). With Washington out for the year, Greene looks like a great pickup for the rest of the year.

- Cedric Benson (37 carries, 189 yards, TD) absolutely shredded his old team.

- Mike Bell (12 carries, 80 yards) got more touches and was more productive than Pierre Thomas (9 touches, 44 yards). Bell looks like the better start going forward.

Be sure to check back in a few minutes for the QB position.