Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
If available: Jared Goff (53%)
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Roster Percentage: 13%
Coming into the season, most (including myself) were down on the Seahawks offense but Geno Smith has played surprising well, and Seattle is beginning to bring some fire and up their tempo which has really payed off for those who drafted DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Smith completed 23 of his 30 attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns. As an added bonus, this week Geno helped showcase the ground game by adding 49 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. We will see if he can keep it rolling against a stout Saints defense which has given up the 9th fewest points to fantasy QBs.
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 17%
This is the floor play at QB for those who have lost their fantasy quarterback to injury. The Titans continue to play it conservative through the air but Tannehill has proven over the years to be a middling stop gap for those in need. In Week 4 Tannehill completed 17-of-21 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns. If you are looking to stream in Week 5, Tanny could be your man as the Titans take on a Commanders defense who has given up the 5th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 2%
With Tua Tagovailoa suffering a head injury the Dolphins turned to Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater completed 14 of his 23 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. Similar to the above mentioned Tannehill, Bridgewater is not the most electrifying option to slide into your QB slot but he is attached to a high-powered Mike McDaniel’s offense that has the weapons to produce points. And with the Dolphins taking on the Jets this week I’m recommending Bridgewater as a stream-worthy option in Week 5.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 5%
FINALLY the Steelers came to their senses and benched Mitch Trubisky after halftime. Unfortunately Pickett stepped in to immediately throw an interception, but I am not putting this on Kenny as it was a catchable ball that bounced off Chase Claypool’s hands, and he didn’t stop there throwing two more picks later in the game (one of which was a hail mary). So you ask yourself, why am I recommending Pickett as a pick-up? Because he DID complete 10-of-13 passes for 120 yards and the offense immediately looked better with him under center. If the Steelers can do something to get that OLine shored-up they have the weapons to take a big step forward as the season progresses. So if you have room to stash Pickett it could pay off.
Others to Consider:
Jameis Winston (36% vs Seattle), Zach Wilson (10% vs Dolphins), Cooper Rush (6% at LA Rams), Bailey Zappe (0% vs Detroit), Desmond Ridder (1% stash)
RUNNING BACK
If available: Nyheim Hines (62%), Brian Robinson Jr. (54%), Raheem Mostert (51%)
Tyler Allgeier/Caleb Huntley, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 18%/1%
With Cordarrelle Patterson being placed on IR this week its time to take a hard look at the Falcons backfield. Tyler Allgeier is the back I would add first although he has played inconsistently so far in his rookie season he did look good on Sunday rushing 10 times for 84 yards and it’s possible this backfield becomes a split backfield as it did this week. Caleb Huntley also saw 10 carries gaining 56 yards and a touchdown. While I expect Allgeier to lead this backfield, Huntley runs hard and is likely to remain involved (also put Damien Williams on your watch list who could come off IR in the weeks to come). Both players are worth an add although this is not the week to start them as they take a Bucs defense who has given up the fewest points to fantasy RBs this season.
Mike Boone/Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 9%/1%
Boone seemed like a top add this week with Javonte Williams out for the season with a torn ACL and LCL. But with Melvin Gordon already seeing a solid workload and the team signing Latavius Murray off the Saints practice squad the answer is a bit more muddled. Mike Boone rushed three times for 20 yards adding a catch for 9 yards. Although the Broncos seem to have questioned Boone’s ability to pass protect which will likely limiting his upside.
Murray was actually going to be an add for me on the Saints’ roster this week. He was elevated from the Saints practice squad and played a surprising amount with Kamara out for the game and Mark Ingram leaving the game at points. Murray looked fresh and ended the day with 11 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. Given the fact that Melvin Gordan has fumbled 4 times already this season the big vet could immediately get some run. While it would be nice to see how this plays out both are speculative adds this week with a match-up against the Colts.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Roster Percentage: 20%
If it seems like we have been here before with Isiah Pacheco it’s because we have. The Chiefs are not the easiest team to predict usage but Pacheco once again got some run and showed why he is worthy of rostering in many leagues. He rushed 11 times for 63 yards and continues to impress. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon will continue to be involved but it could be a matter of time before the Chiefs give their rookie RB Pacheco more run.
Mark Ingram II, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 31%
Alvin Kamara was a scratch in the Week 4 London game leaving Mark Ingram to get the start. He rushed 10 for 30 yards and grabbed three balls for an additional 13 yards. Latavius Murray was elevated from the Saints practice squad and played well in this match-up but has since been signed to the Broncos (see above). If Kamara is out again the Saints will likely continue to give Ingram first crack at this backfield and could be a FLEX consideration for Week 5 with a plus match-up against the Seahawks.
Others to Consider:
Rachaad White (27%), Jaylen Warren (9%), Phillip Lindsay/Deon Jackson(0%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available: Robert Woods (63%), Darnell Mooney (54%)
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 39%
The switch to Pickett along with a 31% target share for George Pickens in Week 4 has me thinking Pickens should be the top add of the week. Pickens has impressed with the ball in his hands and it looks like the Steelers are turning to their rookies to see what they have moving forward. Pickens caught 6 of his 8 targets for a whopping 102 yards in Week 4. The Steelers take on the Bills in Week 5 so I would pick him up and stick him on your bench this week. This talented rookie has the upside we are looking for in fantasy.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Roster Percentage: 41%
In his 2022 debut Michael Gallup caught 2 of his 3 targets for 24 yards and a touchdown. While that might sound like a ho-hum stat line what the box score doesn't show is he was constantly winning against defenders resulting in 65 yards of penalties. He has big play ability and if he can stay healthy he has WR3 weekly potential with some boom weeks mixed in. One of those weeks could come as soon as this week when the Cowboys take on the Rams who have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 47%
It’s very possible McKenzie sits out Week 5 after being concussed in Week 4. But with Jamison Crowder suffering a broken ankle Mckenzie should see a big boost when he is ready to return. Mckenzie has been highly efficient in this high-powered Bills offense scoring 3 touchdowns in the first 4 games. If he can’t play this week Khalil Shakir could see some run but I don’t think the Bills are ready to trust him as a full time player. Mckenzie should be added in all leagues but obviously watch the injury reports before you consider putting him in your lineups.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 28%
Prior to being designated as out for Week 4 we saw Jones have an impressive start to the season. Jones is top 25 in wide receiver targets in the league and seeing a 23% target share for the Jagz, and he had another strong showing in Week 3 catching 10-of-11 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. Coming into the season I loved Jones as a late round best ball pick but now it’s looking like he needs to be rostered in most redraft leagues. Since he was out in Week 4 he could be a sneaky pickup assuming he is healthy this week.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 25%
Davis is a player I have continued to list in this column but is still only rostered in 25% of leagues. Zach Wilson’s return was a bit rocky but he does seem to have a trust level with his veteran Davis. He lead the team in targets with 7, catching 5 of them for 74 yards and a touchdown. He has been a solid Flex in 3 of his 4 weeks this season and the Jets take on a Miami defense that has given up the 5th most points to WRs this season.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 20%
Josh Reynolds was already on the radar as an add last week but once Amon-Ra St. Brown and D.J. Chark were announced as out for Week 4 he was a last minute plug-N-play for fantasy. Those who were on the ball and jumped on the news were not disappointed. Reynolds caught 7-of-8 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown (that brings his target total to 18 over the last two weeks). If either or both starters return he likely sees his usage diminish but his connection with Jared Goff continues to flourish.
Others to Consider:
Jakobi Meyers (43%), DeVante Parker (28%)
TIGHT END
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 42%
What do I have to do to get the CONK rostered? He’s been one of the most consistent TEs in all of fantasy this season. Sure Zach Wilson’s return could pump the breaks on things but he did still catch three balls for 52 yards against a tough Steelers defense. The Jets take on another stout Miami defense in week 5 but it has been a plus match-up for TEs.
Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 5%
The Colts tight end rotation has been a hard one to figure out but It seems Alie-Cox is finally starting to win out running. Last week he caught all 6 of his targets (16% target share) for 85 yards and two touchdowns. With the lackluster state of the TE position he is worthy of picking him up to see if he can sustain the momentum against the Broncos.
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 32%
While volume has never been Tonyan’s M.O., I have expected to see his target share rise as his snap count increased. So far that hasn’t happened only seeing two targets in week 4 but he did manage to catch them both for 22 yards and his first touchdown of the season. The touchdown upside should continue to be there but not sure we get the projected volume we hoped for coming into the season.
Others to Consider:
Hunter Henry (35%), Taysom Hill (29%), Logan Thomas (24%), Will Dissly (3%), Greg Dulcich (1%), Daniel Bellinger (1%), Cade Otton (0%)
DEFENSE
Jacksonville vs HOU
Minnesota vs CHI
Miami @ NYJ
Denver vs IND
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
