The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

WITH the first month of the NFL season in the books, it's time for serious fantasy managers to start shaking things up if they are off to a slow start, 0-4 or 1-3 perhaps?

It's time to make smart, critical moves. Use your head not your hearts to solidify your rosters for the weeks ahead.

There's no more to wait and see, most fantasy leagues start the playoffs Weeks 13 or 14, so your team is closer to the midway point than to the opening week.

Also the dreaded bye weeks are back. So factor in - the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Redskins - being unavailable this weekend.

Don't forget to add league-wide injuries to the equation.

So this week's waiver wire could be the hottest one yet.

• Here are 5 big waiver wire pick-ups that can help jump start your ailing team.

1. Latavius Murray,

RB Vikings:

Although he has lost a step since his days with the Raiders, Murray is a prime candidate to see more touches in the wake of Dalvin Cook's ACL tear.

Despite declining yardage totals, Murray maintained his fantasy value last season thanks to some excellent work at the goal line, which should be the case here again with the Vikings.

2. Devin Funchess,

WR Panthers:

Funchess was the beneficiary of Cam Newton's most productive passing performance of the season, pulling down a pair of touchdowns.

Funchess should have season-long value even in ugly games.

3. Andre Ellington,

RB Cardinals

Ellington didn't see much action due to injury last year, but he has made up for that by becoming one of Carson Palmer's favourite targets in light of David Johnson's wrist injury. He saw 14 targets on Sunday - a career high - catching 9 in the process for 86 yards.

4. Will Fuller,

WR Texans:

Fuller picked a great time to return from the broken collarbone he suffered during training camp. With two touchdowns, he's already a preferred option from close range.

Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson has improved with every game so far, developing a great rapport with WR DeAndre Hopkins, and now Fuller also.

5. Tyrod Taylor,

QB Bills:

The Bills' offence has been effective even if it's not exciting, so Taylor should get plenty of opportunities to put up points. Taylor hasn't thrown an interception since Week 1 and is always a threat to scramble into the redzone. Making Taylor a must to pick up, if he's still available in your league.

I'm off to tweak my NFL fantasy teams, I've got some catching up to do!

• Naughty presents 'Mischief and Mayhem in da AM' from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and 'The Press Box' sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net