Adam Strangis NFL Week 5 Waiver Wire
Week 4 had some injuries to high-profile running backs and we’re in the first scheduled week of bye weeks. The NFL Week 5 Waiver Wire is set to be very active and it’s likely a good week to burn a higher priority or spend some FAAB, and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you with!
*Note* The ownership referenced will be based on Yahoo and if this needs updated after Monday Night Football, it certainly will be before your waivers run.
Teams on a bye in Week 5 – Detroit, Green Bay
Quarterback
Justin Herbert, Chargers – 16% rostered
Folks still aren’t buying into Herbert but that has to be coming to an end. Perhaps the hesitation came from Coach Anthony Lynn saying that Tyrod Taylor would be the starter when he was healthy enough to play. That train of thought has to be at an end. Tyrod isn’t making this throw.
He’s also not making this one, either.
Herbert has a 71.9% completion rate, a 5:3 TD:INT ratio and is already 17th in passing yards in just three games. He’s racking up a 12.1 yards per completion and the INT ratio is only 2.8%. That’s perfectly acceptable for a rookie and he’s even kicked in 15, 18 and 24 rushing yards in each game with a rushing score. Herbert lines up against the Saints and the Jets the next two weeks and he should have a firm grip on this job.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings – 29% rostered
I’m not thrilled to write about Cousins, but he gets the #FlowChart spot against Seattle this week. Even when Ryan Fitzpatrick played poorly in Week 4, he still paid off in fantasy late with a rushing touchdown. I don’t expect that from Cousins, but he has been better the past two weeks with four touchdowns to two picks. The yardage isn’t going to be impressive, but he’s not going to have a choice this Sunday. Russell Wilson is on the other side of the game and he should have a field day against the weak Vikings secondary. They’ve given up the fourth-most passing yards this year, while Seattle is leading the league so this could be the only spot we want Cousins. He’s a great one week fill in for the Rodgers owner.
Honorable Mention
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars – Other than the stinker on Thursday Night Football without D.J. Chark, Minshew has thrown for 799 yard and eight touchdowns in three games. The Houston defense shouldn’t be of any concern.
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers – He’s coming off his best performance of the season with three total touchdowns and the matchup against Atlanta on a shorter week should lead to plenty of production. The touchdowns haven’t been there but the 73% completion rate should be useful against the Falcons.
Running Back
D’Ernest Johnson, Browns – 1% rostered
Johnson might well be the most popular option for the NFL Week 5 Waiver Wire. Nick Chubb is heading to the IR and while his primary backup can’t be had on waivers (Kareem Hunt was a Round 5-7 pick, depending on your draft room) you can target the third string back. Johnson rolled up 95 yards on 13 carries against the Cowboys on Sunday, in what was admittedly the best game script possible. Now, he’s not a league winner and it certainly seemed like Cleveland was being cautious with Hunt.
However, Cleveland is in the top five in rushing attempts per game and is the only team averaging over 200 yards on the ground. Johnson should still get 10-12 touches a week and is well worth a flex play in this style of offense.
Joshua Kelley/Justin Jackson, Chargers – 55%/5%
If Kelley is still available in your league, he’s absolutely the preferred pickup. The results have been rough the past couple weeks but the game scripts haven’t been great and the Tampa matchup was tough. Both backs do have a tough spot again this week with the Saints on the docket, but Austin Ekeler is expected to be out for a lengthy time. These backs are both going to get work and might be more matchup plays than lock buttons, but they absolutely must be rostered now. After the Saints, the Chargers play the Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars and Raiders ahead of their bye week.
Honorable Mention
Reggie Bonnafon, Panthers – I’m not exactly convinced on the viability over the next few weeks until CMC gets back. At the same time, Bonnafon carved out 12 touches and a score this week while Mike Davis saw a dip in snaps. He could be on the flex radar this week against the Falcons, but would be a deep league add in a pinch.
Wide Receiver
Tee Higgins, Bengals – 33% rostered
I felt last week that Justin Jefferson would be way more popular than Higgins and that was absolutely the case. Jefferson is 79% rostered compared to Higgins, who looks to be taking over in Cincinnati. The past three weeks, Higgins has 22 total targets and 12 receptions. With A.J. Green increasingly looking like a non-factor (14 receptions, no game over 51 yards and three yards on Sunday), Higgins is the man to own not named Tyler Boyd. The rookie from Clemson already has two scores and the Bengals will be trailing more often than not this year.
Tim Patrick, Broncos – 2% rostered
It likely flew under the radar because the Thursday night game between the Broncos and Jets wasn’t watched by…well, anyone. However, Patrick put together his second straight strong performance. With the loss of Courtland Sutton and possibly even Noah Fant, Patrick’s role has expanded in this offense. In the past two weeks, he has 11 targets for 156 yards and two scores. Rookie Jerry Jeudy will continue to get the attention of defenses and Patrick should continue on the flex radar. The next three weeks features the Patriots, Dolphins and Chiefs.
Tre’Quan Smith, Saints – 27% rostered
Michael Thomas appears to be on the quick track to returning to the lineup, which puts Smith in an odd spot. Through three weeks without Thomas, he hasn’t eclipsed 86 yards or five receptions. The two scores on Sunday might garner him more attention than it should, but the hope is Smith has earned a role in the Saints offense moving forward and faces soft coverage with Thomas back in the fold.
Honorable Mention
Laviska Sheanult, Jaguars – The good news is the Jaguars want to get the ball to Shenault. He has 20 targets and nine rush attempts through four games. The bad news is the floor is pretty low, evidenced by the Thursday night game. The rookie is more of a stash than an immediate play, hoping he breaks out opposite of D.J. Chark.
Scotty Miller, Buccaneers – With Chris Godwin out, O.J. Howard done for the year and Mike Evans hobbled in Week 4, Miller should be involved in this offense going forward. Heading into Week 4, Miller had 26.5% of the air yards for the Bucs.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys – 52% rostered
I sort of blew off Schultz after the first week without Blake Jarwin but he’s accumulated 24 targets over the past three games with at least 48 yards in each and a touchdown in two. Dallas continues to allow points to the opposing team at a top five rate and the offense is playing at the fastest pace in the league. It’s the perfect mix for fantasy and Schultz should be involved moving forward until something changes. He’s the prime target in the NFL Week 5 Waiver Wire for the player who’s missing T.J. Hockenson.
Honorable Mention
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts – I think the touchdowns might be a little misleading. Cox has scored in each of the past two weeks, but he’s also contending with Trey Burton and Jack Doyle for targets. Cox only has five targets the past two weeks and just two receptions. Burton was on the IR for the first three weeks but saw five targets in his first game back, so don’t expect a ton from any option here.
D/ST
Arizona Cardinals – 50% rostered
The Cards are playing the Jets this week and Sam Darnold may or may not play. Arizona already has 11 sacks and Darnold has been sacked 12 times himself. He’s being pressured over 25% of the snaps and the New York offensive line is banged up.
Thanks for reading the NFL Week 4 Waiver Wire and make sure you follow me on Twitter at @bucn4life and be sure to sign up for an ALL ACCESS GOLD ACCOUNT account here at Win Daily Sports. Gain access to our Projection Models and jump into our Discord where we will have our experts talking plays across every sport and slate!
