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Waiver priority means little in leagues in which it's first come, first served. Quickly getting fantasy updates (from the Fantasy Source) is the key. However, owners with weekly waiver drafts need to put more thought into moves.

That is where my team has fallen short this season. I have burned claims when I didn't need to. As a result, I have missed out on high-quality performers (Drew Brees and Marcus Robinson) when other owners trumped me. I also have done the opposite, passing up decent additions (Ben Roethlisberger and Jesse Chatman) because I wanted to save my waiver priority for a really hot find.

In order to avoid any more second-guessing, I have put together a plan of attack for the future:

Waiver priority 1-4: To use one of these top spots, you'll need to be sure that the player you are adding is worth it. (Note, I didn't say team; don't waste a top pick on a defense or a kicker.) Mostly, you're looking for a player at one of the key positions who could start at least every other week. Later in the year, an injury fill-in (Antowain Smith, Derrick Blaylock) also makes sense.

Waiver priority 5-6: You're stuck in no man's land--not high enough to save your priority but not low enough to use it on anyone. The people ahead of you might influence which way you go. If they have been sitting on their spots for a while, you're probably not going to move up quickly. Feel free to use a claim when you see a high-quality addition that won't last long enough to become a free agent.

The rest: Folks above will get to the top choices before you, but they'll be hesitant to put in claims on borderline players. Use claims early and often. You don't have to worry about dropping; you're at the bottom already.

M@IL BONDING

ROB HURTT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

What do you think about starting two receivers from the same team?

Tom Graham, New Orleans

Tom: I don't like it. I feel it limits my scoring potential. Every touchdown Marvin Harrison scores for Indianapolis is one Reggie Wayne didn't. And what happens if neither player scores a touchdown? Deciding what to do with these players can be frustrating for owners, especially if a benched player scores while the one in the lineup doesn't. My suggestion is to trade one of the receivers for a comparable player from another team.

To submit a question to our fantasy experts, click on Daily Mail at fantasygames. sportingnews.com/football.

            STUDS                 SLEEPERS              STUMBLERS

Week 13 calls from Fantasy Source experts Chris Bahr, Vinnie Iyer and
Brendan Roberts.

CHRIS BAHR
QB    Trent Green, K.C.     Jake Delhomme, Car.      Drew Brees, S.D.
RB    Deuce McAllister,      Kevin Jones, Det.      Fred Taylor, Jac.
             N.O.
WR   Terrell Owens, Phi.    Brandon Lloyd, S.F.     Chad Johnson, Cin.
D        New England             Minnesota              Tennessee

VINNIE IYER
QB   Donovan McNabb, Phi.    Trent Green, K.C.     Carson Palmer, Cin.
RB   Willis McGahee, Buf.    Nick Goings, Car.     Domanick Davis, Hou.
WR    Deion Branch, N.E.     Larry Fitzgerald,      Chad Johnson, Cin.
                                    Ari.
D         Washington              Seattle                 Denver

BRENDAN ROBERTS
QB    Aaron Brooks, N.O.     Kyle Boller, Bal.      Michael Vick, Atl.
RB    Corey Dillon, N.E.    Onterrio Smith, Min.    Rudi Johnson, Cin.
WR   Derrick Mason, Ten.    Nate Burleson, Min.     Amani Toomer, NYG
D         Baltimore              St. Louis               Atlanta

TSNumber 15

Rushing tounchdowns allowed by Carolina, a league high. A poor run defense is a major reason why Julius Peppers and Co. have given up just eight passing touchdowns.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning