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're in a league in which Lions running back Mikel Leshoure is somehow available, you should immediately stop reading this and put in your waiver claim.

Seriously, go. We'll be here when you get back.

Leshoure's ESPN ownership percentage is a comically low 36.9. It's unlikely he's available in any league with more than 10 teams, but he should be considered a starter in any format.

In his NFL debut last week at Tennessee, the Lions didn't gradually work Leshoure, who was suspended for the first two weeks, into the lineup.

They gave him 30 touches, which produced 134 yards and a touchdown.

Leshoure should be a productive No. 2 running back in fantasy, especially when you consider he plays in an offense that could average 30 points per game.

He's a no-brainer as the top-ranked running back this week, and it should be the last week of the season in which he's available in more half of the ESPN formats.

As always, we only consider players who are owned in fewer than 50 percent of the ESPN leagues, and we try to go much lower than that.

On to the rankings:

QUARTERBACKS
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (owned in 42.2 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Christian Ponder, Vikings (5.9)
3. Matt Cassel, Chiefs (35.9)
4. Mark Sanchez, Jets (32.0)
5. Jake Locker, Titans (7.4)
Dropped out: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Just missed the cut: Wilson (14.1 percent)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Mikel Leshoure, Lions (36.9 percent)
2. Andre Brown, Giants (41.9)
3. Bilal Powell, Jets (1.1)
4. Tashard Choice, Bills (0.4)
5. Jacquizz Rogers, Falcons (9.4)
Dropped out: Dexter McCluster, Chiefs; Daryl Richardson, Rams; Jackie Battle, Chargers
Just missed the cut: Danny Woodhead, Patriots (5.3 percent); Shaun Draughn, Chiefs (3.9); Lamar Miller, Dolphins (3.1)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (6.3 percent)
2. Kendall Wright, Titans (12.3)
3. Donnie Avery, Colts (15.6)
4. Jon Baldwin, Chiefs (25.4)
5. Ramses Barden, Giants (0.7)
Dropped out: Danny Amendola, Rams (he's now owned in 81.4 percent of the ESPN leagues); Brandon LaFell, Panthers (now at 49.1 percent ownership); Brian Hartline, Dolphins; Greg Little, Browns
Just missed the cut: Alshon Jeffery, Bears (16.7 percent); Davone Bess, Dolphins (8.2); Jeremy Kerley, Jets (4.8); Golden Tate, Seahawks (1.3)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (43.0 percent)
2. Heath Miller, Steelers (27.6)
3. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (20.5)
4. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (14.2)
5. Greg Olsen, Panthers (16.6)
Dropped out: Coby Fleener, Colts; Brandon Myers, Raiders
Just missed the cut: Scott Chandler, Bills (24.6 percent); Myers (1.1)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3