Cadillac is up on blocks. Deuce has a knee that's loose. Rudi watched the Bengals' Monday meltdown.

Steven Jackson, Hines Ward and Andre Johnson have missed games with injuries. Rex Grossman and Marc Bulger? Benched.

This is why you work the waiver wire, make trades and pick up backups in fantasy football.

Not every move will work. But you only need to get a couple right to get ahead of your opponents.

Possible pickups

Quarterback: You're probably set unless you've faced injury (Jake Delhomme), ineffectiveness (Drew Brees) or both (Bulger).

Daunte Culpepper has had just one big game. But the Raiders' offense is not as inept as 2006 and he could provide a good bye-week score.

In the high-low market, Donovan McNabb owners may be getting itchy and Brett Favre owners could sell if they don't believe in him long-term.

Running backs: By now, the waiver wire has been picked over like a rib bone. Almost every back with a pulse is gone.

If you drafted "handcuff" guys for your key starters, you're probably OK. If you drafted someone else's backup, you've got trade bait.

If you're in need, take a shot at Indy's Kenton Keith, Tampa Bay's Earnest Graham, St. Louis' Brian Leonard, Denver's Selvin Young or Oakland's Justin Fargas — just know Dominic Rhodes returns to the Raiders from suspension next week.

For a deep sleeper, Cleveland's Jason Wright may have value if Jamal Lewis is out.

Receivers/tight ends: If you missed on Dwayne Bowe, these guys might be available and could contribute.

Houston's Andre Davis has played well in Andre Johnson's absence. Atlanta's Michael Jenkins will be hit-and-miss but is capable of a big game.

If you play in a league with tight end starters, Pittsburgh's Heath Miller and New England's Benjamin Watson are gone. If not, they have value.

Don't count on Tampa Bay's Ike Hilliard. All Jacksonville receivers are as shady as an e-mail offer.

For a deep, deep, deep sleeper, Buffalo's Josh Reed and/or Roscoe Parrish could have value provided quarterback Trent Edwards is for real and teams start respecting Lee Evans.

If you have fantasy football questions or comments, e-mail mgokavi@coxohio.com and put ffball in the subject line.