Week 5 Waiver Wire
Week 4 brought to us a harsh reality of what COVID-19 can do for the NFL and a fantasy perspective. From the Steelers-Titants game being postponed, to the Chiefs-Patriots game being moved a day. Some harsh injuries occurred this weekend as Nick Chubb and Austin Ekeler suffered injuries that require a trip to the IR. This NFL season has been a roller coaster with injuries, and I will continue to hammer this point, championships are won on the waiver wire.
RUNNING BACK
D’Ernest Johnson / Browns / 0% rostered
Who??? Nick Chubb went down with an injury that will require multiple weeks of absence. Kareem Hunt is the obvious RB1 right now, but it was D’Ernest Johnson who impressed. 13 carries for 95 yards filling in the Nick Chubb role. We don’t know for sure what the roles will be next week, but given what we saw Sunday, Johnson is a nice flier until Chubb is back. 10% of FAAB
Justin Jackson / Chargers / 7% rostered
Austin Ekeler looks to be missing numerous weeks and a lengthy IR stay. Insert Joshua Kelley as the RB1. What people forget is Jackson was competing with Kelley in the offseason for the RB2 role. Kelley seems to have trouble holding the ball (2 fumbles in 2 weeks), so keep an eye if he loses touches to Jackson for that reason. Jackson is worth a flier in an offense that has a spark with Justin Herbert. 15% of FAAB
Chase Edmonds / Cardinals / 25% rostered
Kenyon Drake is a bust. There is no way he remains the starter for the rest of the season. Edmonds needs to be rostered now. The Cardinals play the Jets on Sunday and this is their best chance to rack up fantasy stats. Drake was injured Sunday, which isn’t serious, but Edmonds saw 4 carries for 16 yards with 5 catches for 24 yards and a touchdown. He is your best shot this week at an RB2 on the wire. 30% of FAAB
Damien Harris / Patriots / 15% rostered
Sony Michel just went to IR. Harris made the most out of 17 carries going for 100 yards, but was non-existent in the passing game. This could develop into something, but we've seen this before with Bill Belicheck. Last week it was Rex Burkhead, this week it was Harris, next week it will be someone off the practice squad. They face the Broncos next week and will possibly be without Cam Newton again so there is a chance the game script matches up. 25% of FAAB
WIDE RECEIVER
Tee Higgins / Bengals / 25% rostered
I spotlighted Higgins here last week. Higgins followed up by putting up 4 catches for 77 yards and a rush for 13 yards. It’s clear AJ Green is a shell of his former self. Tyler Boyd is the clear WR1 here, but Higgins is filling in nicely with Joe Burrow. 15% of FAAB
Scotty Miller / Buccaneers / 11% rostered
Injuries all over have boosted Millers stock. Chris Godwin is injured, and Mike Evans sprained his ankle. With a short turn around for Thursday’s game, Miller has the chance to be the WR1. He had 5 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. 10% of FAAB
Tim Patrick / Broncos / 1% rostered
Yes, he played the Jets. However, with Sutton out for the season, and now Noah Fant facing a lengthy absence, Patrick becomes the WR2/3 for Denver. He had 6 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Patrick is a nice flier especially with Drew Lock close to coming back. I would imagine Patrick will be on this article again next week. 5% of FAAB
Laviska Shenault Jr. / Jaguars / 27% rostered
The 2nd round pick for the Jaguars recorded 5 catches for 86 yards and added a 5 yard rush. Shenault has not been getting the touchdowns, but he is priming for a breakout as he gets more familiar with the offense. He is also being added in to the running game and almost topped DJ Chark for tops in receiving yards on Sunday. 15% of FAAB
QUARTERBACK
Justin Herbert / Chargers / 11% rostered
He has practically been on here just about every week but remains under owned. He was 20 of 25 for 290 yards with 3 touchdowns and a INT. Herbert seems to be getting better each week adding a 72 yard touchdown. Herbert is a perfect bye week replacement or a QB2. Need dependent, but 10% of FAAB
Tua Tagovailoa / Dolphins / 5% rostered
On Monday, Brian Flores stated he would “assume” Fitzpatrick starts on Sunday. That is not a large vote of confidence. It is almost Tua time in Miami, and this is the best chance you’ll have of getting him early. If you’re in a keeper league or dynasty, Tua and the dolphins may have a top 5 pick in the draft thanks to the Texans to add and help Tua. 5% of FAAB
Teddy Bridgewater / Panthers / 10% rostered
Teddy is really looking good in Carolina. He had 26 of 37 for 276 yards to go with 2 touchdowns and an INT. Teddy added 6 rushes for 32 yards with a touchdown. Many people expected Carolina to be in the Tank for Trevor sweepstakes, but Bridgewater and Carolina are shutting that talk down. A matchup with Atlanta awaits, and it screams breakout. 10% of FAAB
TIGHT END
Robert Tonyan / Packers / 8% rostered
Went off in a monster way Monday reeling in 6 catches for 98 yards and THREE touchdowns. He is a top 10 TE right now thanks to leading the position with 5 TD. Even if you eliminate variance of the touchdowns, he is on pace for over 50 catches and 700 yards, which will more than suffice if you are in need. Aaron Rodgers is known for falling in love with new targets that he finds early success with, and this may develop into a thing. Don't go too crazy here, especially since he is on bye in week 5. But you will have to pay if you need the help as he is front of mind going into Tuesday waivers. 20% of FAAB
Dalton Schultz / Cowboys / 33% rostered
Schultz has the benefit of playing in one of the high powered offenses in the league. Dallas showed it has a horrible defense and will constantly need their offense to produce. Schultz had 4 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. He is continuing to put up TE1/2 numbers and should be rostered as so. 10% of FAAB
STREAMING DEFENSE
Cardinals
They play the Jets. Enough said. Joe Flacco may be the starter if Sam Darnold’s shoulder keeps him out Sunday.
Rams
The Rams defense had a good showing against the Giants, and should continue to do so against Washington.
49ers
In what could be Fitzmagic’s last stand, SF should be a nice option this weekend if someone dropped them.
Patriots
If Drew Lock is out, the Patriots defense is a nice streaming add against Denver. Heck, even if he's in.