The waiver wire is absolutely critical for Fantasy Football owners everywhere, especially as we enter the second half of the NFL regular season. Here are five players you should consider singing off the waiver wire this week.

1. LeGarrette Blount

The New England Patriots beat the Washington Redskins over the weekend, but it came at a cost. Dion Lewis left the game with a leg injury, and there's no telling when he will return. LeGarrette Blount stepped up big time in his place with 129 rushing yards and a touchdown. Blount fits this Patriots system very well, and you know he's going to get his fair share of carries going forward. Next week the Patriots play the New York Giants who have the 22nd ranked rush defense in the league. Blount already has as many rushing touchdowns this season as he did all of last year.

2. Kamar Aiken

With Steve Smith Sr. out for the season, the Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco are going to have to rely on other targets. Kamar Aiken should be ready to go considering the Ravens just had a bye week. Aiken and the Ravens take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in their next game. The Jaguars pass defense ranks 25th overall, so Aiken should have a solid day at home. Aiken now has the most receiving yards of any active wide receiver on the Ravens, and he already has more catches and receiving yards than all of last season.

3. Darren McFadden

Darren McFadden is really playing well as the full time start for the Dallas Cowboys. He's hit the 100-yard mark two of the last three games, and he will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his next game. With Joseph Randle out, and the Cowboys having no reliable option at quarterback whatsoever, and McFadden will get a lot of carries in the next two weeks. With so many quality running backs struggling out there, you would be wise to invest in McFadden short term.

4. James Starks

Something just isn't right with Eddie Lacy. Despite having less carries than Lacy this season, James Starks has more rushing yards. Starks is also a much better player catching passes out of the backfield racking up receiving yards. Some people think Lacy is hurting while others even believe he's overweight. Whatever the case is, he's just not performing well right now. If you're having running back problems, it's time to give Starks a try. With back to back losses, the Packers need a win. They take on the Detroit Lions next week.

5. Kirk Cousins

A lot of people may like Ryan Fitzpatrick off the wire because he's been playing well, but the New York Jets take on the Buffalo Bills in a tough AFC East game. You're better off going with Kirk Cousins, who takes on the putrid New Orleans Saints defense. Cousins has actually put up some solid numbers this season when he faces a bad defensive team. The Saints pass defense ranks 30th in the NFL in yards allowed and dead last in touchdowns allowed. If Cousins were ever going to have a great game, this would be it.

 Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1