Week 5 Waiver Wire (Fantasy Football)
The Fantasy Footballers review Week 5 waiver wire options to help cover injuries or replace some under-performing players on your squad. Hosts Andy, Mike, and Jason go into detail on these players, discuss FAAB, and who you can drop from your team to make room. Make sure to listen to the Week 5 Waivers to get the full breakdown of available players and who they think you should target for Week 5. Here’s a summary of the top waivers adds for Week 5:
Don’t forget, Week 5 will mark the first official bye week that includes the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers.
Also, check out Snap Count Observations, Target Report, and the Week 4 Injury Recap in conjunction with your waiver options to make the best decision for your team. Don’t forget to check who your leaguemates have already dropped to make room for their waiver claims.
WRs
Tee Higgins, Bengals (Rostered: ESPN 26% / Yahoo 33%)
@BAL, @IND, CLE
Week 4 vs JAX — 7 targets for 4/77/0 — 1/13/0 rushing
Scotty Miller, Buccaneers (Rostered: ESPN 11% / Yahoo 16%)
@CHI, GB, @LV
Week 4 vs LAC — 7 targets for 5/83/1
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (Rostered: ESPN 44% / Yahoo 68%)
BYE, @TB, @HOU, MIN
Week 4 vs ATL — 8 targets for 4/45/0
Russell Gage, Falcons (Rostered: ESPN 59% / Yahoo 56%)
CAR, @MIN, DET
Week 4 @GB — 3 targets for 2/22/0 — 1/-2/0 rushing
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (Rostered: ESPN 26% / Yahoo 57%)
MIA, LAR, @NE
Week 4 vs PHI — 5 targets for 2/18/0 — 1/38/1 rushing
Tre’Quan Smith, Saints (Rostered: ESPN 21% / Yahoo 27%)
LAC, BYE, CAR
Week 4 @DET — 4 targets for 4/54/2
Greg Ward, Eagles (Rostered: ESPN 20% / Yahoo 18%)
@PIT, BAL, NYG
Week 4 @SF — 7 targets for 4/38/0
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (Rostered: ESPN 41% / Yahoo 41%)
LV, @BUF, @DEN
Week 4 vs NE — 4 targets for 4/27/1
Zach Pascal, Colts (Rostered: ESPN 2% / Yahoo 4%)
@CLE, CIN, BYE, @DET
Week 4 @CHI — 8 targets for 3/58/0
Tim Patrick, Broncos (Rostered: ESPN 1% / Yahoo 2%)
@NE, MIA, KC, BYE
Week 4 @NYJ — 8 targets for 3/58/0
Laviska Shenault, Jaguars — (Rostered: ESPN 27% / Yahoo 24%)
@HOU, DET, BYE, @LAC
Week 4 @CIN — 6 targets for 5/86/0 — 1/5/0 rushing
Note: Reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury
Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons (Rostered: ESPN 0.7%/ Yahoo 2%)
CAR, @MIN, DET, @CAR
Week 4 @GB — 9 targets for 8/86/0
This is certainly an interesting week for wide receivers making a name for themselves. Most of these players have capitalized on their opportunity due to injuries to other players or changes at quarterback. When you’re selecting a WR to target on the waiver wire, remember to look at the WR1 or WR2 of the team and check when they will be back into full action if they are missing time. For example, Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith has been feasting in Michael Thomas‘ absence while defenses are trying desperately to do something about RB Alvin Kamara. How much will Smith be involved once Thomas returns? He may have edged out veteran Emmanuel Sanders, but he is not a guaranteed start in fantasy when Thomas returns to the field.
Honestly, there isn’t a sure-fire pick up out of all of the receivers available outside of Tee Higgins. Too many are contingent upon injuries, and their production isn’t guaranteed. Higgins will have season-long potential but may be a high-risk, righ-reward option.
Greg Ward, Russell Gage, Scotty Miller, and Brandon Aiyuk may be the only other available wide receivers to target in Week 5. Ward is considered the veteran in the Eagles WR corps and saw seven targets for 48 yards. He will have a tough go in Week 5 against Pittsburgh, but with precious few options, Ward may be the go-to. Gage had a disappointing game yesterday on Monday Night Football against the Packers, but both Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones are banged up. Julio may very well miss Week 5. Despite Olamide Zaccheaus seeing a ton of targets, Gage should be the target between the two receivers. Aiyuk still could have a few weeks of fantasy relevance (or more) while Deebo Samuel gets his groove back. Samuel saw his first action of the 2020 season in Week 4.
Laviska Shenault deserves an honorable mention. D.J. Chark has been owning the end zone, but Shenault has been getting looks in the Jaguars’ offense. He is the only other piece of Jacksonville’s WR corps worth rostering. However, he is reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury and should be monitored.
RBs
Joshua Kelley, Chargers (Rostered: ESPN 56% / Yahoo 55%)
@NO, NYJ, @MIA
Week 4 @TB — 9/7/0 — 3 targets for 3/26/0
Justin Jackson, Chargers (Rostered: ESPN 9% / Yahoo 6%)
@NO, NYJ, @MIA
Week 4 @TB — 6/9/0 — 2 targets for 2/12/0
Chase Edmonds, Cardinals (Rostered: ESPN 25% / Yahoo 35%)
@NYJ, @DAL, SEA, BYE
Week 4 @CAR — 4/16/0 — 6 targets for 5/24/1
D’Ernest Johnson, Browns (Rostered: ESPN 0% / Yahoo 3%)
IND, @PIT, @CIN
Week 4 @DAL — 13/95/0
Damien Harris, Patriots (Rostered: ESPN 16% / Yahoo 31%)
DEN, BYE, SF
Week 4 @KC — 17/110/0
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Buccaneers (Rostered: ESPN 5% / Yahoo 6%)
@CHI, GB, @LV
3/4/0 — 3 targets for 2/22/1
Nyheim Hines, Colts (Rostered: ESPN 57% / Yahoo 60%)
@CLE, CIN, BYE, @DET
Week 4 @CHI — 9/24/0 — 3 targets for 3/8/0
Latavius Murray, Saints (Rostered: ESPN 55% / Yahoo 60%)
LAC, BYE, CAR
Week 3 @DET — 14/64/2 — 2 targets for 1/19/0
Travis Homer, Seahawks (Rostered: ESPN 3% / Yahoo 2%)
MIN, BYE, @ARI, SF
Week 4 @MIA — 4/5/0 — 1 target for 1/3/1
Cordarrelle Patterson, Bears (Rostered: ESPN 7% / Yahoo 8%)
TB, @CAR, @LAR
3/5/0 — 2 targets for 1/0/0
Insurance:
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (Rostered: ESPN 30.9% / Yahoo 22%)
Alexander Mattison, Vikings (Rostered: ESPN 51% / Yahoo 37%)
Brian Hill, Falcons (Rostered: ESPN 22.5% / Yahoo 29%)
Giovani Bernard, Bengals (Rostered: ESPN 10.3% / Yahoo 15%)
I have been saying this since Week 1, but go grab Chargers RB Joshua Kelley if he is still available in your league. I know he had a terrible game on Sunday, but with Austin Ekeler out, Kelley should see a much bigger role. He is a rookie, so mistakes are inevitable, but he should bounce back the rest of the season. Justin Jackson could see an uptick as well.
As for other RBs that may be available (under 55% rostered), the only names I feel comfortable promoting is Patriots RB Damien Harris and Browns D’Ernest Johnson. It was Damien Harris‘ first game of the season on Monday night, and he should keep seeing volume with Sony Michel on IR. Harris didn’t score a touchdown but had 17 rush attempts for 100 yards. It’s hard to overlook that kind of opportunity. The same holds true for Johnson who should benefit from the absence of Nick Chubb. HC Kevin Stefanski is a “run all day” type of coach and we have seen that play out so far this season. I expect Johnson to have a big role alongside Kareem Hunt until Chubb is able to return later in the season.
TEs
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (Rostered: ESPN 34% / Yahoo 52%)
NYG, ARI, @WSH
Week 4 vs CLE — 8 targets for 4/72/1
Jimmy Graham, Bears (Rostered: ESPN 56% / Yahoo 50%)
TB, @CAR, @LAR
Week 4 vs IND — 5 targets for 4/33/0
Robert Tonyan, Packers (Rostered: ESPN 8% / Yahoo 29%)
BYE, @TB, @HOU, MIN
Week 4 vs ATL — 6 targets for 6/98/3
Logan Thomas, Washington (Rostered: ESPN 20% / Yahoo 26%)
LAR, @NYG, DAL, BYE
4 targets for 1/8/0
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (Rostered: ESPN 22% / Yahoo 32%)
@CLE, CIN, BYE, @DET
Week 4 @CHI — 2 targets for 1/13/1
Drew Sample, Bengals (Rostered: ESPN 3% / Yahoo 3%)
@BAL, @IND, CLE
Week 4 vs JAX — 5 targets for 3/47/0
No doubt, Robert Tonyan will be a wavier wire favorite after his three-touchdown performance against the Falcons. Remember that Green Bay has a Week 5 bye and WR Davante Adams has been sidelined. Tonyan’s targets may decrease once Adams returns. It’s easy to chase the points, but just remember the circumstances surrounding his production. I still like the add, especially if you’re hurting at TE and can afford to hold him for a week.
Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz should be an add in Week 5 if you need a tight end. He has a role in the offense and the Cowboys look to continue throwing while playing from behind, thanks to their poor defensive play. Mo Alie-Cox could be considered, but the Colts have been using three tight ends including Jack Doyle and Trey Burton. He is touchdown dependent but is a big-bodied red zone target if you are desperate at the position.
Remember to listen to the Week 5 Waivers episode to get an in-depth breakdown of these players, as well streaming QB options and D/ST to target.
Comments
Tim Patrick actually had a way better game then what you guys reported. I kno u guys are crazy busy
I would want Josh Kelley and Scotty Miller over Ingram. The other three I would leave on waivers in lieu of Ingram
If you needed a start id pick up kelley and start him over Ingram. probably stay ingram over the other waiver options though.
how much longer do we hold onto mark ingram… or should i dump him and pick up someone like kelan cole, cole beasley, josh kelley, scotty miller or trequan smith?!??