I'm not saying you should start Brandon Weeden this week.

You shouldn't.

Here is what I am saying, er, writing: The Browns' rookie quarterback is on pace to throw for 4,051 yards and 19 touchdowns. In his last two games, he has thrown for 522 yards and four TDs.

Sunday, the Browns will play at the Colts, who rank third against the pass, allowing an average of 201 yards per game, but are tied for 22nd with 10 touchdown passes given up -- in five games.

I'm aware Weeden is a walking turnover -- a league-high 10 interceptions.

I'm aware he might be throwing to Josh Gordon, Ben Watson and The Uncatchables. (Gordon, Watson and The Stonehands? I'm open to suggestions.)

The only reason I'm bringing Weeden up is there are six teams on a bye this week, and four of them have Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Michael Vick at quarterback. (Or maybe you have Vick or Rivers and are encouraging them to take a week off.)

If you play in a very deep league (say, 16 teams) ... and your starting QB is off ... and you're desperate for a one-week fill-in ... Weeden might not be terrible Sunday.

That's my ringing endorsement.

That brings us to this week's waiver-wire selections. And a reminder: We wrote about Felix Jones -- the top target in many leagues this week -- on Monday. He's not ranked below because he is owned in 51.3 percent of the ESPN leagues -- a number that seems too high.

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. Christian Ponder, Vikings (owned in 36.7 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (12.3)
3. Brandon Weeden, Browns (6.0)
4. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (6.2)
5. Matt Hasselbeck, Titans (6.7)
Dropped out: Kevin Kolb, Cardinals; Mark Sanchez, Jets
Just missed the cut: John Skelton, Cardinals (1.9 percent)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Alex Green, Packers (28.4 percent)
2. William Powell, Cardinals (3.2)
3. Vick Ballard, Colts (32.0)
4. Montario Hardesty, Browns (0.4)
5. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals (23.7)
Dropped out: James Starks, Packers; Brandon Bolden, Patriots
Just missed the cut: Bolden (26.6 percent); Danny Woodhead, Patriots (15.6); Dexter McCluster, Chiefs (9.0); Joique Bell, Lions (3.0); Cedric Peerman, Bengals (0.1)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Randall Cobb, Packers (36.0 percent)
2. Kendall Wright, Titans (13.2)
3. Josh Gordon, Browns (2.5)
4. Davone Bess, Dolphins (9.7)
5. Brandon Stokley, Broncos (11.4)
Dropped out: Andre Roberts, Cardinals (now owned in 50.6 percent of the ESPN leagues); Jeremy Kerley, Jets (44.3); Andrew Hawkins, Bengals
Just missed the cut: Hawkins (31.0 percent); Donnie Avery, Colts (7.4); Brandon Gibson, Rams (24.8); Domenik Hixon, Giants (17.0); Stephen Hill, Jets (15.1); Santana Moss, Redskins (10.4); Michael Jenkins, Vikings (0.1)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (32.2 percent)
2. Greg Olsen, Panthers (25.9)
3. Brandon Myers, Raiders (1.6)
4. Joel Dreessen, Broncos (5.1)
5. Coby Fleener, Colts (13.7)
Dropped out: Scott Chandler, Bills (now owned in 46.1 percent of the ESPN leagues)
Just missed the cut: Anthony Fasano, Dolphins (2.0 percent)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6

We didn't expect much from Cedric Benson as the Packers' featured back.

And Ced certainly delivered.

Benson, prior to suffering a foot injury Sunday that could sideline him for at least eight weeks, rushed for 248 yards in five games and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He caught 14 passes for 97 yards and scored one TD -- a 1-yard run against the Seahawks in the now-infamous Monday night Replacement Referee Bowl on Sept. 24.

With Benson out, running-back needy owners likely will be scrambling to the waiver wire this week, and it's a particularly interesting time to search for a back, since Arizona's Ryan Williams suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last week (we broke down the Cardinals' backfield situation on Monday).

The best Packers running back from a fantasy perspective should be Alex Green, who had nine carries for 55 yards Sunday at Indianapolis.

Green, a third-round draft choice by the Pack in 2011, could be Green Bay's back of the future -- and present.

I wouldn't consider him a No. 2 running back in fantasy, but he is a decent option as a flex play in deeper formats if you're desperate for help. For the time being, Green likely will share carries with James Starks, who might get the start Sunday because of his pass-blocking ability.

Starks -- the Packers' leading rusher in 2011 with 578 yards -- hasn't played this season because of a toe injury, and he scored only one TD on 162 touches, including 29 receptions, last season.

Green is the better long-term choice, and he's the top back in our rankings this week.

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. Christian Ponder, Vikings (owned in 27.8 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals (16.6)
3. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (5.4)
4. Mark Sanchez, Jets (22.7)
5. Brandon Weeden, Browns (3.7)
Dropped out: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Just missed the cut: Wilson (13.1 percent)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Alex Green, Packers (0.8 percent)
2. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals (5.4)
3. James Starks, Packers (5.9)
4. William Powell, Cardinals (0.1)
5. Brandon Bolden, Patriots (21.1)
Dropped out: Jackie Battle, Chargers (now owned in 54.1 percent of the ESPN leagues); Joique Bell, Lions; Bilal Powell, Jets; Lance Ball, Broncos
Just missed the cut: Bell (1.5 percent); Danny Woodhead, Patriots (9.3); Shaun Draughn, Chiefs (4.3)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Randall Cobb, Packers (28.8 percent)
2. Kendall Wright, Titans (10.5)
3. Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (31.4)
4. Jeremy Kerley, Jets (33.2)
5. Andre Roberts, Cardinals (29.1)
Dropped out: Brian Hartline, Dolphins (now owned in 91.0 percent of the ESPN leagues); James Jones, Packers (69.0); Donnie Avery, Colts
Just missed the cut: Davone Bess, Dolphins (9.2 percent); Domenik Hixon, Giants (17.3); Rueben Randle, Giants (38.4); Brandon Stokley, Broncos (11.5)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Scott Chandler, Bills (40.2 percent)
2. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (33.6)
3. Greg Olsen, Panthers (29.3)
4. Brandon Myers, Raiders (1.0)
5. Coby Fleener, Colts (14.6)
Dropped out: Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (now owned in 50.8 percent of the ESPN leagues)
Just missed the cut: Joel Dreessen, Broncos (2.8 percent)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5

Before we get started, I'll admit replacing Matt Schaub with a Week 11 waiver-wire candidate is similar to benching Arian Foster in favor of Chris Ogbonnaya, but desperate times call for acquisitions of Andy Dalton.

Monday, we learned the Texans' Schaub is out for the season because of a Lisfranc injury, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has "a couple" broken ribs and Chiefs QB Matt Cassel will need hand surgery and might miss the remainder of the season.

Cassel's injury is minor at quarterback, but it isn't welcome news if you own Dwayne Bowe.

Vick is questionable for this week's game against the Giants, and if you don't have a decent backup, you could stash Vince Young on your bench and make the switch if needed prior to Philly's Sunday night game at New York.

We don't need to tell you the Schaub situation is much more serious, and we don't need to inform you of the importance of drafting two quarterbacks for times such as this.

If, however, your backup is of the Colt McCoy variety, or if you were planning on picking up a fill-in QB for Schaub this week (when Houston is on a bye), here are five names to consider (all are available in more than 74 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com):

1. Carson Palmer, Raiders (owned in 25.7 percent of the ESPN leagues): What, you expected Matthew Stafford to be available? I'm not a fan of Palmer, who has thrown seven interceptions in three games since the Raiders overpaid the Bengals to lure him out of retirement, but he has racked up 631 yards and five TDs (with four picks) in his last two games. Last Thursday at San Diego, he actually looked pretty competent (299 yards, two TDs, one interception).

Of the five players on this list, the Raiders' schedule is the most favorable for a QB. In the next six weeks, Palmer will face the Vikings (No. 30 against the pass), Bears (No. 29), Dolphins (No. 25), Packers (No. 31), Lions (No. 4) and Chiefs (No. 16).

2. Andy Dalton, Bengals (24.7 percent): The rookie has thrown for 1,866 yards and 14 TDs with a passer rating of 82.6. In his last three games, Dalton has seven TDs and four picks, and he's thrown for at least two scores in four of his last five contests. Don't get too excited, though, since Cincy's schedule is about to get much more difficult.

Dalton will face four of the NFL's top six pass defenses in the next four weeks (all rankings are prior to Monday night) -- the Ravens (No. 6), Browns (No. 1), Steelers (No. 3) and Texans (No. 2). If you can make it to Week 15 with him, the slate gets much more favorable, as the Bengals will match up with the Rams (No. 12 vs. the pass) and Cardinals (No. 24) in Weeks 15 and 16.

3. Alex Smith, 49ers (15.1 percent): He has been surprisingly effective (1,709 yards, 11 TDs, three interceptions, 95.8 rating) for the 8-1 49ers, but he's also more "game manager" than fantasy stud. Smith has one TD in four consecutive games, and has accounted for two or more scores in only three of nine contests. In the next six weeks, the 49ers will play the Cardinals (No. 24 vs. the pass), Ravens (No. 6), Rams (No. 12), Cardinals again, Steelers (No. 3) and Seahawks (No. 19).


4. Matt Leinart, Texans (0.0 percent): Be among the first to acquire Matt Leinart! Hurry! Time is running out!

Leinart hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2009, and he has six more interceptions (20) than TD passes in his disappointing career. Yes, he has more weapons at his disposal than the first three players on this list, assuming Andre Johnson returns after Houston's bye to play in Week 12. But, to be blunt, we don't trust him, and you probably shouldn't, either.

Houston's schedule from Weeks 12 to 16 is as follows: at Jacksonville (No. 5 vs. the pass), home against Atlanta (No. 23), at Cincinnati (No. 10), Carolina (No. 14) at home and at Indy (No. 21).

5. Christian Ponder, Vikings (10.2 percent): Let's just say we were a little more excited about Ponder -- well, at least excited enough to consider him over Leinart -- before he threw for 190 yards, no TDs and one interception Monday night against Green Bay's generous pass defense. Prior to Monday, the rookie threw for 455 yards, three TDs and two picks in his first two starts.

The schedule in Weeks 11 through 13 is favorable -- Oakland (No. 22 vs. the pass) at home, at Atlanta (No. 23) and Denver (No. 20) at home -- but not enough to justify starting Christian Ponder in the final three weeks of the fantasy regular season.

If that's the predicament you find yourself in, good luck. And remember, crazier things have happened (see Ogbonnaya rushing for 90 yards last week).

We'll be back Tuesday night with Week 11 waiver-wire picks. Until then, you can follow me on Twitter.