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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5

- by Nick Mimi

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We saw numerous injuries, to some big-name players last week. Some of the key injuries were Jonathan Taylor’s high ankle sprain, Cordarrelle Paterson has been placed on IR with a knee injury, and Javonte Williams is done for the season with a torn ACL. We saw the debut of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett and the return of second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Here are the top targets that you should look for on the waiver wire for fantasy football as we head into Week 5.

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
The Lions’ offense is good. Goff, if somehow available, is worth picking up off the waiver wire as a streaming option. Last week, he went 26 of 39 on his passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns against Seattle. Goff has played his way into QB1 numbers, and he did this missing some of his top targets like D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Also, don’t forget, rookie Jameson Williams will make his debut in a few weeks.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett was looking to do what Baker Mayfield did to the Jets in 2018, only to fall short. Pickett was 10 of 13 passing for 120 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and three interceptions. The rookie came in the second half and energized the offense. Pickett will continue to hold the starting job, and in Superflex leagues, should be rostered.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Zach Wilson did not look good through three quarters. There was definitely some rust that he’ll need to shake off. He did catch a touchdown pass on a trick play but threw two interceptions. In the fourth quarter, Wilson went 10 of 12 for 128 yards and a touchdown. He marched down the field and scored the winning touchdown with under 10 seconds remaining. With the talent this offense has, Wilson is a solid QB2 right now going to play Miami.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith is having a career year, and nobody saw it coming. Last week against Seattle, he threw 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 49 yards rushing. With talent such as DK Metcalf to throw to, Geno has played his way into QB1 territory. Smith needs to be rostered in all Superflex formats.
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Matt Ryan is hard to trust but will put up big fantasy numbers occasionally. On Sunday, he went 27 of 37 for 356 yards and two touchdowns. That makes him a bye week replacement or decent low-end option if you’re dealing with injuries. Ryan has Michael Pittman and rookie Alec Pierce to throw to, and Pierce is beginning to emerge as a go-to target.
Ryan is a sneaky good add in Superflex formats, and with bye weeks approaching, becomes a matchup-based replacement.
Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
Who? Brian Hoyer left the game with an injury, and the Patriots turned to Bailey Zappe. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He almost defeated Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. While Mac Jones is out, Zappe is an intriguing deep league add for 2QB leagues.
Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
We are likely getting another week or two out of Cooper Rush. Rush went 15 of 27 for 223 yards in Sunday’s win. Rush has several good targets to throw to, and Jerry Jones doesn’t seem to be in a rush to get Dak Prescott back until he is fully healthy. If you’re playing Rush in Superflex, continue to play with confidence.

Running Backs

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
With the news of Cordarrelle Patterson going on IR with a knee injury, Allgeier becomes the RB1 in Atlanta. His only other competition for touches, Damien Williams, is also on IR with a rib injury. The rookie out of BYU rushed 10 times for 84 yards on Sunday adding a reception for 20 yards. With Patterson out, Allgeier becomes the top waiver add of the week, and a starting running back for a minimum of four weeks.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert may not be readily available in your leagues, but if he is, he needs to be rostered. Mostert seems to be chipping away at taking the RB1 title in Miami. On Thursday night, he rushed 15 times for 69 yards and caught two of three targets for 12 yards. Mostert saw 15 rushes to Chase Edmonds five, indicating he seems to be shifting towards the favorite.
Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson is eligible to return off of IR this week, and before he went out on IR, he was the favorite to overtake Antonio Gibson as the top running back in Washington. If you want your chance at a potential long-term running back, Robinson is a sneaky good add, especially since he may fly under the radar on the waiver wire.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White saw his biggest workload on Sunday night against the Chiefs. Despite fumbling the opening kickoff of the game and giving Travis Kelce a touchdown on the very next play. The rookie caught all five of his targets for 50 yards and rushed three times for six yards and a touchdown. He is the clear backup to Leonard Fournette and would be an immediate RB1 if Fournette were to miss any games.
Mike Boone, Denver Broncos
With the news of Javonte Williams’ torn ACL, Mike Boone now becomes the backup to Melvin Gordon. He may have standalone value as Denver split Gordon and Javonte. With Melvin Gordon’s fumbling issues, Mike Boone could work his way into more playing time. On Sunday, he rushed three times for 20 yards and added a reception for nine yards. The signing of Latavius Murray however, may complicate things.
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos
A surprise Sunday morning start for Latavius Murray, he came through with 11 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, adding a reception for eight yards. Murray has signed off the Saints practice squad to the Denver Broncos. He’s an intriguing pickup if he gets more playing time.

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Wide Receivers

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
With the quarterback change in Pittsburgh, George Pickens fantasy stock seems to be going up. Against the Jets, he caught six of eight targets for 102 yards. Pickens is a physical receiver who looked very good on Sunday. Pickens needs to be rostered if he is somehow available on your waiver wire. He’s seen 15 targets in two weeks.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Every year I keep putting players on my waiver wire article until they’re over-rostered. This year I feel like it’s going to be Pierce. The rookie has gotten better each week. On Sunday, he caught four of six targets for 80 yards. In his two games since returning from the concussion protocol, Pierce has seen eleven targets and over 140 yards receiving. He is one of my favorite up-and-coming targets right now.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Let me start by saying I don’t expect Romeo Doubs to be available. He is though only 46% rostered on ESPN, and he must be rostered if he is a free agent. Doubs and Allen Lazard are becoming the top two targets in Green Bay. He caught five of eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win against New England.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
With numerous options this week, Josh Reynolds and TJ Hockenson both had a big fantasy week in the shootout against Seattle. Reynolds caught seven of eight targets for 81 yards and a touchdown. In his last two weeks, Reynolds has seen 18 targets and over 170 yards receiving. Even with players returning, Reynolds still in consideration as a Flex option.
Noah Brown, Dallas Cowboys
Noah Brown has been putting up solid fantasy numbers all season, and was expected to see a dip with the return of Michael Gallup. Brown caught three of six targets for 61 yards. He still remains a part of this offense and offers low-end Flex value.
Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens
With the news of Rashod Bateman’s foot injury, Devin Duvernay has the chance to emerge as the Ravens WR1 in the event he misses any time. Duvernay caught four of five passes Sunday for 51 yards but could see an increase in volume if Bateman is out. He’s already shown flashes this year with a few big games and should be started if Bateman does in fact miss time.
Isaiah McKenzie/Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
I am putting Isaiah McKenzie and Khalil Shakir together as Jamison Crowder is done for the season, and Gabe Davis has been nursing an injury. McKenzie is in the concussion protocol, and if he cannot go next week, Shakir gets the nod as the next man up. If McKenzie is a go, he is worth a flier. He caught four of six passes for 21 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
The Texans may have some quarterback troubles right now, but Nico Collins has been improving each week. The second-year receiver caught three of five passes for 82 yards on Sunday. Collins is a good deep league add who could provide more value as the season progresses.

Tight Ends

Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
For those looking for streaming tight ends, Mo Alie-Cox had a good stat line last week. He caught all six of his targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns. While it could be a fluke, it’s worth keeping an eye on if Matt Ryan continues to play at a high level. He makes for an interesting streaming option if you’re dealing with injuries or need a replacement off the waiver wire.

About Nick Mimi

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