Some have played their way into a role; others have gotten there by taking advantage of an injury. But whatever the reason, you can't win a league by ignoring waivers.

Waiver Wire Gems

Defensive Linemen

Jared Devries, DE, Detroit
I'm really digging deep here, looking for any small nugget of hope among linemen. Over his last three starts, Devries has managed three solo tackles each time out, and he's had a sack in each of his last two games. The Lions as a whole still stink to high heaven, but it appears Devries is starting to become consistent enough to warrant a closer look. With teams having to focus on Dewayne White, that's apparently giving Devries some extra room to roam.

Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota
There will be weeks like last in which Williams will put on a defensive show and make you feel like a pure genius for plugging him in you lineup (eight solos and four sacks Sunday). Then there will be the times you start him only to see him net you a big, fat zero (Week 2). But his upside is just too great to allow him to stagnate on waivers any longer. Through six weeks, all Williams has done is work himself into the No. 1 DL spot in fantasy football with 22 solos and six sacks, and he's looking remarkably similar to the guy we watched a couple of years ago. In deeper leagues he's still on waivers, but in smaller ones he's long gone. In a league that requires DT starters, forget it. But take a look in any case this week, as Williams is a monster right now.

Cincinnati DEs
I get burned too often picking the guy on a team with the best matchup, and since the Bengals don't really have a go-to guy (unless you want to consider Robert Geathers as a No. 1 DE), I'll have to bet on "the field" among Bengals linemen. Somebody among this group should have a field day against the Steelers. So far this year, the Steelers have allowed an average of four sacks per week to their opponents, and at least two every week. So, Geathers, Domata Peko, Antwan Odom or David Thornton will outplay their expected value. At this point, my bet would be Odom, since he's the only one to have more than one sack so far.

Denver DEs
Like the Bengals linemen, the Broncos bunch has an excellent matchup to look forward to this week. The problem is figuring out which guy to put your beans on. The two ends, John Engleberger and Elvis Dumervil, have just one sack between them, and as a team the Broncos line has created just six on the year. You almost have to look to the backups for any consistent stat production. Kenny Peterson leads with three sacks, and Ebenezer Ekuban has two. My money this week would be on Ekuban to collect at least one sack against a Patriots team that's allowed an average of four sacks per game over the last four.

Linebackers

Ben Leber, WLB, MinnesotaEven with the injury to E.J. Henderson, Leber's gotten very few looks when it comes to waiver wire attention. He has 14 solos, an interception, a forced fumble and four defended passes in his last three starts. He's playing a LOT of WLB, while Chad Greenway's sliding over to SLB. As long as the Vikes don't decide to stick Leber at SLB full time, his numbers should remain high enough to warrant a spot as a LB3 or LB4.

Gerald Hayes, ILB, Arizona
Looking at Hayes' year game-by-game, nothing really stands out. He had a sack in Week 1, nine solos in Week 3 and six solos last week. But in looking at his year as a whole, it brings into focus just how good and consistent he's been. His worst statistical week was in Week 2 with a 3-1-1 line. Right now, he ranks 17th among all LBs in fantasy scoring, which elevates him to a solid LB2 in most systems. With the Cardinals battling for a playoff spot, expect Hayes to be involved each and every week and continue to put up very useable numbers.

Takeo Spikes, ILB, San Francisco
Normally, 3-4 OLBs are just not my cup of tea, but Spikes kind of grows on you. I guess that's normal when he puts up 16 solos, 13 assists and three interceptions the last three weeks. His recent surge has brought him into rare territory for a 3-4 OLB: top 15 status. Spikes' recent nose for the football may be most of the reason that Patrick Willis isn't collecting tackles the way he was last year.

San Diego OLBs
The Bills have allowed 15 sacks in four games, so it sure looks like a field day for those Chargers OLBs. Shaun Phillips and Marques Harris get big upgrades, as one of them should get at least one sack and maybe more this weekend.

Pittsburgh OLBs
In a similar situation to the Chargers, the Steelers face a Bengals team that has allowed 16 sacks in four games. James Harrison and Lamar Woodley should create havoc in the Cincinnati backfield and get at least a couple sacks.

Defensive Backs

Cedrick Griffin, CB, Minnesota
For a corner, Griffin's been remarkably consistent, producing just one game this year in which he would've hurt you. That's a rarity when discussing most DBs, and especially corners. His 23 solos in the last three contests have been good enough to move him in to DB2 territory, as he is ranked 20th in fantasy points this year.

Mike Jenkins, CB, Dallas
With Terence Newman looking like he's out for another month, and Pacman Jones now shelved indefinitely, it looks mighty grim in that Dallas backfield. Jenkins has been playing quite a bit already in the dime, but he will be thrown to the wolves beginning this week. The "rookie rule" is in effect, and teams will attack him with a vengeance. Look for him to rack up stats in the short term.

Corey Graham, CB, Chicago
I hesitated mentioning Graham here the last couple of weeks since Nathan Vasher was always "expected right back." Now with a continually ailing Vasher and a really dinged up Charles Tillman, Graham should remain in the lineup for a long time. He has been effective, collecting 13 solos and five assists the last two weeks.