NFL fantasy wire tap

No NFL team has been hit as hard by injuries in recent weeks as Cleveland, which has lost its top two quarterbacks -- Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn -- and tight end Kellen Winslow in the past few weeks.

Stepping into the starting lineup behind center for the Browns is Ken Dorsey, whose collegiate career at the University of Miami has overshadowed what little he has accomplished in the NFL.

In two seasons in San Francisco Dorsey completed just better than 53 percent of his attempts; since arriving in Cleveland in 2006 he's attempted just four passes, including his 0-for-3 performance in relief of Anderson on Sunday.

But as rusty as Dorsey may be, he is the last option for a Cleveland offense that still has considerable firepower. The team has a capable receiving corps led by Braylon Edwards and a running game powered by veteran Jamal Lewis, who is on track to reach 1,000 yards rushing for the seventh time in his eight-year career.

Dorsey will not be a miracle worker for fantasy owners, but for a team expected to throw a ton in these final few weeks he should muster enough fantasy points to make him worthy of consideration for those fantasy owners in need of a fill-in at quarterback.

Here are a couple more waiver wire candidates who offer value to fantasy owners:

From all reports, Marion Barber's toe injury will not keep him out of uniform this weekend, but that doesn't mean it won't limit him on the field. Choice showed against Seattle (11 carries for 57 yards) that he can offer a decent change-of-pace for the team's thin backfield. Fantasy owners desperate at running back may want to consider Choice as a longshot.

Few fantasy owners pounced on Williams upon his return, but on Sunday he finally showed flashes of his old self -- albeit in limited quantity. His four carries in the win over New Orleans netted him 20 yards and a key third quarter touchdown run. Williams probably won't regain his full fantasy value until the start of the 2009 season, but he just might offer a few nuggets to fantasy owners in the season's remaining few weeks.

Here is a look at this week's buy and sell candidates:

Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers

Anyone who watched Green Bay's game against Carolina has to have noticed Jackson, whose 80 yards on 11 carries was far more impressive than starter Ryan Grant's numbers (12 carries for 39 yards). Jackson is still maturing as a player, and by next season he may dislodge Grant from the lineup. Until then fantasy owners can expect the Packers to give their second-year back more opportunities to shine in this struggling running game.

Domenik Hixon, WR, Giants

Hixon escaped off the waiver wire in most leagues following his 102-yard, Week 5 performance. Now, though, his value to fantasy owners should climb as Plaxico Burress deals with criminal charges and his self-inflicted gunshot wound. Hixon caught five passes for 71 yards in the win over Washington, and fantasy owners can expect much of the same from him as New York works to wrap home field advantage in the NFC.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

Yeah, yeah, McNabb responded loudly on Sunday to his benching from the week before. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect McNabb to continue to put up the numbers he did against Arizona, however. In the coming weeks the Eagles have three matchups against NFC East foes -- two of them on the road. Considering New York, Washington and Dallas all rank among the top dozen in the league against the pass it might be wise for fantasy owners to unload McNabb now while they still can.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings

Berrian's 99-yard touchdown against Chicago allowed him to post his fourth 100-yard game of the season. But Berrian has been one of fantasy football's most inconsistent receiver options (five games with fewer than 50 yards receiving), and it would be advisable to trade him if he can be dealt for a more reliable prospect.