Chargers running back Jackie Battle has four touchdowns in as many games this season.

Sunday, he started over much more celebrated backfield mate Ryan Mathews, who has been in Coach Norv Turner's doghouse (and is there a more terrifying place than Norv Turner's doghouse?) because of fumbling problems.

On the season, Battle -- who rushed for 597 yards for the Chiefs last season -- is averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In Week 4, he had 19 touches, produced 81 total yards (42 receiving) and scored a pair of TDs.

That all sounds promising, right?

Yes, until you remember Mathews, despite the temporary benching, rushed for 61 yards on 14 attempts (one fewer carry but 22 more yards than Battle) Sunday, and he will get more of a workload in future weeks as long as he doesn't put the ball on the ground.

It was Mathews whom we all believed was a top-six running back in fantasy before he broke his collarbone in the preseason.

And it was Mathews who ran for 1,091 yards in 14 games, caught 50 passes for 455 yards and had a norm of 4.9 yards per carry last season.

Make no mistake: Mathews will be the guy in the Chargers' backfield. But it might not be as soon as this week, which gives Battle short-term value if you need a starting back because of bye weeks -- and long-term value if you have Mathews and want to add Battle as insurance.

Before we get to this week's waiver-wire picks -- you might have taken a wild guess and determined Battle is No. 1 at running back -- a quick reminder that we discussed the value of Dolphins receiver and former Buckeye Brian Hartline on Monday morning.

As always, we only consider players who are available in more than half of the leagues on ESPN.com, and we like to go much lower than that.

On to the rankings:

QUARTERBACKS
1. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals (owned in 7.8 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Matt Cassel, Chiefs (31.3)
3. Christian Ponder, Vikings (17.3)
4. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (2.9)
5. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (14.8)
Dropped out: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (he's now owned in 46.5 percent of the ESPN leagues, which makes him too obvious of a choice); Mark Sanchez, Jets; Jake Locker, Titans
Just missed the cut: None

RUNNING BACKS
1. Jackie Battle, Chargers (9.0 percent)
2. Bilal Powell, Jets (5.4)
3. Joique Bell, Lions (0.8)
4. Brandon Bolden, Patriots (0.3)
5. Lance Ball, Broncos (1.5)
Dropped out: Andre Brown, Giants (now owned in 92.8 percent of the ESPN leagues); Mikel Leshoure, Lions (73.1 percent); Tashard Choice, Bills; Jacquizz Rogers, Falcons
Just missed the cut: Rogers (17.9 percent); Danny Woodhead, Patriots (7.4); Shaun Draughn, Chiefs (4.5); Evan Royster, Redskins (4.2)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Brian Hartline, Dolphins (26.7 percent)
2. James Jones, Packers (21.6)
3. Kendall Wright, Titans (10.6)
4. Donnie Avery, Colts (11.0)
5. Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (28.1)
Dropped out: Ramses Barden, Giants; Jon Baldwin, Chiefs
Just missed the cut: Randall Cobb, Packers (29.9 percent); Davone Bess, Dolphins (7.4); Andre Roberts, Cardinals (1.9); Domenik Hixon, Giants (0.5); Baldwin (22.4); Greg Little, Browns (17.6)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Scott Chandler, Bills (31.6 percent)
2. Greg Olsen, Panthers (16.7)
3. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (40.7)
4. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (24.8)
5. Brandon Myers, Raiders (1.4)
Dropped out: Heath Miller, Steelers (now owned in 46.9 percent of the ESPN leagues); Dennis Pitta, Ravens (62.6)
Just missed the cut: None

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4

If you enjoy "Hard Knocks" on HBO as much as I do, you might have noticed Brian Hartline wasn't mentioned at all when the outstanding behind-the-scenes reality show discussed the Dolphins' need for a standout wide receiver this past summer.

Well, there is a reason for that: The former Ohio State standout missed almost all of training camp because of a calf injury.

When HBO was filming, Hartline wasn't practicing.

He has since answered the question we all had about the Dolphins -- and done so convincingly.

Hartline -- a fourth-round draft choice by Miami in 2009 -- has 25 receptions for 455 yards in four games. That's a 16-game pace of 100 receptions for 1,820 yards.

Sunday, Hartline had a Dolphins-record 253 yards on 12 catches, including an 80-yard score against the Cardinals.

In Weeks 1 and 3, he didn't do much -- a combined four catches for 91 yards and zero TDs.

In Weeks 2 and 4, he was sensational -- a combined 21 catches for 364 yards and one TD.

Is he a spot starter? Should we start him on even-numbered weeks? Should we play him every week and figure there is a 50-50 chance he will be very good?

The simple answers are yes, no and yes.

In point-per-reception leagues, Hartline should be considered a No. 3 receiver. If you play in a league in which yards and touchdowns are all that matter, play the matchup game with Hartline, who isn't a great source of touchdowns (he has five in 44 career games).

If you own Hartline, you likely acquired him on the waiver wire, so you might have three good receivers ahead of him on your roster. If that's the case, play him if the matchup is very favorable and/or one of your top three wideouts is banged up.

Hartline might not be consistent -- most receivers with rookie quarterbacks throwing to them aren't -- but he is a big-play threat. He is averaging 15.9 yards per reception in his career.

Plus, he has an outstanding mustache in this profile picture.

What about Bess?

Believe it or not, the Dolphins have two wide receivers who merit consideration in PPR leagues.

Davone Bess -- who also didn't get much (or any) airtime on "Hard Knocks" -- has 12 catches for 209 yards and two TDs in his last two games.

With Ryan Tannehill averaging 35.8 pass attempts per game, Bess and Hartline could both go over 1,000 yards.

Bess should be considered a fourth receiver in deep PPR leagues. He has yet to score a touchdown this season, and he has only 11 TDs in his five-year career, so he's not much help in standard formats.

Bess' 16-game pace: 80 receptions for 1,188 yards.

Yes, the Dolphins have two receivers on track for 80-plus catches and more than 1,100 yards.

Chad Johnson, your thoughts?