Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
If available: Matthew Stafford (50%)
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
*Roster Percentage: 48%
Another week, another C.J. Stroud waiver wire blurb. The rookie continues to impress on a weekly basis even behind a banged up/struggling OLine. In Week 4 he only completed 16 of his 30 passes but still broke the 300 yard mark (2nd time this season) and scored twice. In Week 5 the Texans travel to Atlanta and while they most likely won’t be forced to play catch-up that hasn’t stopped them from continually airing things out. With four teams on Bye, Stroud is a solid option to not only stream this week but to continue rostering in the weeks to come.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 18%
If you are looking for a streaming QB available in the majority of leagues Sam Howell could be your guy. He gets a juicy Week 5 match-up on Thursday Night Football vs a Bears defense who continues to give away fantasy goodness to their opponents. In Week 4 Howell bounced back going 29-of-41, 290 yards and a touchdown while showcasing his rushing upside gaining 40 additional yards on 6 attempts.
Others to Consider:
Baker Mayfield (18% BYE), Joshua Dobbs (6% vs CIN), Zach Wilson (3% @ DEN), Taylor Heinicke (0% might not be long before the Falcons make the switch)
RUNNING BACK
If available: Khalil Herbert (77%)
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 5%
Starter Javonte Williams was knocked out of the Week 4 contest with a hip injury after only two drives. But it was not veteran Samaje Perine who stepped up it was the undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State, Jaleel McLaughlin. McLaughlin carried the rock seven times for 72 yards while also reeling in three balls for 32 yards and a touchdown. This came against a Bears defense who has been, well… atrocious but with four teams on bye and the running back landscape all but dried up of available waiver wire running backs he is our number one add for this week at the position. Keep an eye on the injury report as starter Williams might not be out long.
Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 42%
We’ve all seen what the Dolphins running backs have done in their high-powered system but the one thing they have been missing is the big-back roll. This is where Wilson should slide right in. He is now eligible to return from IR and while we are still waiting to hear if he is ready to return, we recommend stashing him in your IR or bench spots now.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Roster Percentage: 24%
Starter Derrick Henry finally had himself a game but their is still a possibility the Titans could look to trade Henry before the deadline. While Henry continues to be the starter he only saw 59% of the snaps in Week 4 which once again allowed Spears to see the field for over a 50% snap count for the 3rd times this season. That opportunity lead to five rushing attempts for 40 yards and three receptions for 18 yards. I suggest stashing Spears on your bench in all leagues.
Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 47%
There was a lot of chatter that Elliott would get the start against his old team the Dallas Cowboys. Well that didn’t happen, nor did he see an uptick in opportunities. The starting job still remains with Rhamondre Stevenson and I don’t expect that to change. While Elliott only carried the rock six times for 16 yards and caught two balls for six yards better days are ahead as the Cowboys defense he faced is elite. This week the Pats take on the Saints who are also tough to run against although I expect the score for this one to be a bit more even. If you are looking for someone who could fill the void Zeke should continue to be a low-end RB3/Flex option.
Others to Consider:
Elijah Mitchell (40% monitor knee injury), Justice Hill (35%), Matt Breida (27% if Barkley is out again), Chuba Hubbard (25%), Tank Bigsby (25%), Latavius Murray (10%), Rico Dowdle (9%, monitor hip injury) Melvin Gordon (2%)
WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 2%
Wilson has been someone who has been mentioned on our watch list but had yet to see many targets come his way. Well the talented rookie final got his, catching all seven of his targets for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Like another waiver wire darling, Puka Nacua, I got the opportunity to see the rookie out of Stanford dominate during his week at the 2022 Senior Bowl. Injuries plagued him throughout college but the talent, size (6’2”) and speed (4.5 sec 40-Yard) and opportunity are there for him to continue to build on his Week 4 breakout.
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 39%
Sean Payton has been known for making rookies earn their stripes and we continue to see that with Marvin Mims. Mims is electric each time he touches the ball and we saw his snap count rise to 35% in Week 4, catching both his targets for 44 yards. While the explosive rookie is hard to count on for fantasy right now I believe that his talent will continue to garner him more playing time. Come on coach, give the kid a chance!
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 37%
I feel like most of us have been here before but with Tee Higgins likely to miss a few weeks with a rib injury Tyler Boyd stepped into the WR2 roll for the Bengals in Week 4. That opportunity went on to produce 26 yards, catching four of his seven targets. The Bengals offense is a bit broken right now behind hobbled QB Joe Burrow and while the uptick in opportunity is there I’m not convinced the upside is.
Josh Reynolds/Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 39/32%
This one is a bit of a cheat paring these two together but I think the discussion needs to be had. On one hand Josh Reynolds has been more than serviceable all season in the WR2 role for the Lions. On the other hand we have the higher pedigree Jameson Williams who has barely seen the field since he entered the NFL two years ago due to injury and a suspension. Which way do you go…I say both are worthy of rostering. I believe Reynolds will hold onto his role at least for now until Williams can get up to speed. But if it’s long term upside you are after I don’t mind being more aggressive and picking up Jameson Williams.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 4%
Recommending any Giant as a pickup feels gross but the struggling team needs play-makers and Wan’Dale Robinson has shown glimpses of that when he has been on the field. In Week 4 he caught 5-of-6 targets for 40 yards and the Giants manufacture plays for him out of the backfield as well. In only his second game back this season we saw his snap count rise to 64% and he lead the team in targets. If you feel you can stomach it, the move could eventually pay off for fantasy purposes down the line.
Others to Consider:
Quentin Johnston (47%), Rashid Shaheed (42%), Rashee Rice (32%), Jayden Reed (24%), Curtis Samuel (9% monitor quad injury)
TIGHT END
If available: Jake Ferguson (53%)
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 26%
Sometimes all you need from your fantasy tight end is targets and Mr. Ertz continues to get those to the count of ten in Week 4 (on the year he is 2nd among TEs with 30 targets). He went on to haul in six of those for 53 yards. While he hasn’t caught a touchdown yet the Cardinals are surprisingly playing better than we expected and the TD’s will eventually come.
Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 18%
What can we say about the tight end landscape for fantasy purposes other than it has been the PITTS. Yah you see what I did there, and perhaps its time to drop Kyle Pitts for veteran Jonnu Smith who once again out produced Pitts in Week 4. Smith caught all six of his targets for 95 yards. Perhaps we shouldn’t trust any Falcons (not named Bijan) with Arthur Smith calling the shots but it’s hard to ignore any TE who continues to produce on a weekly basis and that is what old man Jonnu has been doing.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 36%
Musgrave has been in this column each week and I am not going to get down on him after he suffered what was believed to be a concussion in Week 4. While he hasn’t been fully cleared for Week 5 yet he was spotted at Tuesday’s practice. The upside is there for this rookie after hauling in 12 of his 16 targets for 125 yards on the season.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 18%
AHH…THE CONK, he rolls in and out of the waiver column all the time and he’s back again. In Week 4 Conklin grabbed four balls for 58 yards. This is about what you can expect as a ceiling from the CONK but hey its better than a zero. But maybe I speak too soon with a match-up against the Denver defense in Week 5 the possibilities are endless.
Others to Consider:
Taysom Hill (12%), Logan Thomas (6% concussion protocol), Noah Fant (2%), Durham Smythe (1%), Darnell Washington (0%)
DEFENSE
Detroit vs CAR
Washington vs CHI
Miami vs NYG
Houston @ ATL
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
Join @CHUBZBURGER & @DrewDeLaware for “Winning The Wire” on the @XSpaces every Tuesday @ 9pm ET. This week our guest will be Dalton Del Don of Yahoo Sports.
