In Week 7 I suggested grabbing Demaryius Thomas, Tashard Choice, Keiland Williams, Terrell Owens and Chris Ogbonnaya prior to the week's games. I personally snagged Thomas and feel very good about his potential for the rest of the season after he saw 10 targets and snatched his first score of the year. At running back I was clearly wrong about Choice but both Williams and Ogbonnaya played well with each averaging about 5.0 yards per carry and totaling over 40 yards from scrimmage. The jury is out on Owens since he didn't get signed after his workout, and he's worth waiting on for one more week.

For Week 8, I've got five fresh new faces to learn and learn quick so you can decide which one to stash. As always, don't touch these guys unless you've got a roster spot wasting away on your bench and could use an upside player. None of these young guys has done much, but all are capable of doing so much more if the cards fall their way. And that could begin this week for each, so pick one, add 'em and watch while your leaguemates curse your name when putting in their claims after Sunday.

1. Alfonso Smith – If Beanie Wells (hamstring) sits, which is a good possibility, Smith could have a shot to show something. And even if that something is no better than say 16 carries for 60-70 yards, that would be impressive against a brutal Ravens defense that figures to be flat out angry and out for blood after an embarrassing loss to Jacksonville. And there is reason to believe Smith could play well. At 6-1, 210 and with 4.4-speed, Smith has the physical tools to emerge as a productive player. When Wells was out in Week 3 Smith totaled 75 yards against a stingy Seahawks rush defense. I, for one, wouldn't be at all surprised if he topped that 75 yards against Baltimore if given the touches. And realistically, Wells might not be healthy all year and could even go down for a longer stretch if the Cards rush him back. With three of Arizona's next four games against the Rams (twice) and the Eagles, two of the worst run defenses in the league, Smith could end up a valuable commodity, and is certainly worth stashing as a lottery ticket in deeper leagues.

2. Javon Ringer – After scoring a touchdown in his first game of the season (Week 2), Ringer has done very little as the backup to Chris Johnson, totaling a whopping 62 yards on 21 carries, with an additional 80 yards through the air. As a consequence, Ringer is owned at a very low percentage in most leagues. But with a sweet matchup against the freeway Colts run defense, Ringer could become involved heavily, particularly if CJ, who's averaging a pitiful 2.9 yards per carry, continues to struggle in the early going. It's unlikely Ringer will steal the job outright from a former 2,000-yard back who just got paid big time, but he certainly could start an almost even timeshare if he outplays Johnson in this matchup. After all, Tennessee is still in the hunt to win the AFC South.

3. Niles Paul – Paul is a physical specimen at the receiver position. He's built very similarly to Anquan Boldin, at a thick, chiseled 6-1, 220 lbs. but with 4.5-speed. And his time could be now. With Santana Moss (hand) out for the bulk of the remaining schedule, Paul is primed to step in as the Redskins No. 2 receiver with only the career journeyman Jabar Gaffney in front of him. When Moss went down last week, Paul stepped in and caught both of his first two regular season targets for 25 yards. Shanahan reportedly thinks highly of Paul and the rookie has all the tools to become the Skins' top receiving threat this season. Against a terrible Bills defense, I could genuinely see a 100-yard game. That's right. Don't be too surprised if he blows up and does it soon. Add him now if you have a bench spot available. He's all upside.

4. Phillip Tanner – Tanner saw his first carries of the season last week when he stepped in late for an injured Choice (shoulder/pride) and he looked impressive. He runs with a very physical, aggressive style and fights for yardage like a starving man wrestling over a piece of bread. After posting 34 yards and his first career touchdown on only six carries, you can bet he's already stolen Choice's spot in the rotation, and with Felix Jones down for likely another 2-3 weeks, Tanner is only a DeMarco Murray injury away from being a temporary feature back. Even though the sample for his ability was against the pathetic Rams defense, I'm sold on him as a special player and could completely see him putting up big numbers if given the bulk of the carries. As it stands now, he could be a part of the rotation the rest of the season and is the type of backup to invest in because an injury or two could make him a star. Grab him in case he gets a bigger workload this week and/or Murray suffers an injury. He'd be a strong start for a week or two if he got the backfield to himself.

5. Donnie Avery – Avery has not made a single catch in a regular season contest since the 2009 season. However, in his first two years, '08 and '09, he caught 100 balls for 1,263 yards and eight touchdowns. He's had a litany of injuries over his career and that pretty much led to the end of his time with the Rams. But he's healthy now and if he's even close to the 4.3-speed he had coming out of college, he could become an impact player for the Titans who are hurting for a legit No. 1 receiver. Though he hasn't caught a ball yet this season, Avery was targeted three times last week in the loss to Houston, including on the first Titans pass of the game. Though he's likely third or fourth on the receiver depth chart, it would not be a shock for him to launch himself up to No. 2 as early as this week, and he could conceivably finish the year as the team's most productive wideout if he can build some quick chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck. He's been effective in the past, and there's really not much to prevent him from being productive in the present. So don't forget the name. And take a shot with a flyer bench spot if you have it.