Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 5. Injuries continue to pile up, and with the Bye weeks now upon us, lots of fantasy managers are going to be scrambling to field decent lineups this week. I know I am.
The waiver wire doesn’t have a ton of great answers at the moment, but there are definitely players who can help you bolster not only your roster, but also your starting lineup.
Note: I’ll repeat something I said last week. When managing through the Bye weeks, it never hurts to look ahead a week and get a jump on the competition, and especially at the “onesie” positions (QB, TE, PK, and D/ST). Getting your pick of the litter beats fighting for scraps.
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during Bye weeks). Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the two Week 4 Monday night games (NYJ@MIA, CIN@DEN).
Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list any of the Commanders’ RBs, Wan’Dale Robinson, Brenton Strange, or Hunter Henry this week, among others who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues.
WEEK 5 BYES: ATL, CHI, GB, PIT
Week 5 Waiver Wire
Quarterback:
I’d feel a lot better about Jaxson Dart if Malik Nabers didn’t go down with a torn ACL on Sunday. Losing one of the top receiving weapons in the game is tough for any QB, much less a rookie making his first NFL starts. Still, Dart showed his dual-threat prowess, didn’t turn the ball over, and ran the offense decently well on the way to a big upset win over the previously unbeaten Chargers. He’s got some upside for fantasy and is worth a pickup in Superflex or deeper 1-QB leagues. He’s also a decent streaming option in Week 5 (@Saints) if your QB is out.
Beyond Dart…The availability of QBs is going to vary widely between 1-QB and Superflex leagues. Sam Darnold, Michael Penix, Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Bryce Young, Spencer Rattler, C.J. Stroud, Aaron Rodgers and Geno Smith aren’t going to be available in most Superflex leagues. They’re the obvious places to start if you need longer-term help in a 1-QB league. I like them roughly in this order for the rest of the season, but in terms of streaming them, check the matchups for a given week and target them accordingly. Note that Rodgers is not available this week (Bye).
Others to consider if you’re scrambling in Superflex leagues, but whose duration as starter is unclear, include Carson Wentz (who has been pretty good in two starts, and is in a great situation), Cooper Rush, and Marcus Mariota.
Running Back:
I’ve been banging the drum in this column for Woody Marks for several weeks, and it paid off big-time in Week 4 with by far his highest snap and carry share, which led to 119 yards and a pair of TDs. Yes, it was the bottom-of-the-barrel Titans, but still, he appears to be taking over the Texans’ backfield for now. He’s rostered at right around 50% on most of the major platforms so he might still be out there for you. If so, he’s a high priority add.
Jaylen Warren (knee) was a surprise inactive in Dublin on Sunday and it was Kenneth Gainwell and not Kaleb Johnson who got the start, dominated touches, and produced very nicely. The Steelers are off in Week 5, but Gainwell still makes for a solid stash at this point. He made a strong case for more work even when Warren returns.
Other RBs worth considering heading into Week 6: Kendre Miller, who saw increased usage (and scored) in Week 4, and Zavier Scott, a converted college WR who caught six Carson Wentz passes for 43 yards and a TD on Sunday, on eight targets. With Aaron Jones out, Scott could continue to see expanded looks in the passing game and especially when the game script is positive (the team trailing).
Depth adds (lots of them to choose from): Tyjae Spears (eligible to come off IR as soon as this week), Tyler Allgeier, Ollie Gordon, II, Rico Dowdle, Bhayshul Tuten, Rachaad White, Justice Hill, Kyle Monangai, Emari Demercado, Raheem Mostert, and Blake Corum.
Wide Receiver
The free agent cupboard is somewhat bare at receiver.
Romeo Doubs went off in Week 4, and he was at the top of my WR sleepers list in my Week 4 Fantasy Preview! It was against the Cowboys, after all, and they’re making every passing game look like the ’07 Patriots. He can’t give you immediate help in Week 5 (Bye). Still, he’s very much worth rostering and especially with Jayden Reed out for a while longer, and Christian Watson also probably not returning in October. He’s the default WR1 on a very good offense, for now.
Darius Slayton won’t wow anyone, but he’s the next man up for the Giants and has a proven track record of being a reliable WR3/Flex type when given the opportunity.
Jalen Coker is a sneaky pickup this week. He’s eligible to come off IR, and the Panthers are searching for answers. With Xavier Legette and Ja’Tavion Sanders both hurt, Coker could step right in and get decent WR2 volume alongside Tet McMillan, for a team that’s often going to be trailing.
Luke McCaffrey has scored in consecutive games with Terry McLaurin injured, but it’s on low volume so it’s performance I wouldn’t chase too hard.
Others to consider for depth: Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Tolbert, Calvin Austin III, Malik Washington, Christian Kirk, Tutu Atwell, Troy Franklin, and Parker Washington.
Tight End:
Jake Tonges had his best game of the season in Week 4 (which included a TD), and can work as an emergency streamer until George Kittle returns.
Theo Johnson also scored Sunday and should see increased volume with the Nabers injury.
Others you can consider for depth: Isaiah Likely and Tommy Tremble.
PK and D/ST Streamers, Week 5: (ranked outside the Top-15 for the week):
PK: C. Ryland (vs. TEN), N. Folk (vs. DAL), B. Grupe (vs. NYG).
D/ST: NYG (@NO), NO (vs. NYG).
That’s a wrap. Good luck with your waiver claims!
***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***
See More:
