An in-depth waiver article that continues to be ahead of the game. Follow the path to fantasy success with the @FF_ProdigalSon Waiver Wire Week 5 edition.
If you haven't started planning for your fantasy team's bye schedules, then it's time you start doing so. If you're serious about winning your championships or making a run to the finals through the bye weeks, then being prepared is the best way. Waiver Wire Week 5 edition is here to guide you!
Ask any former champion in any league and they'll probably tell you it's fantasy luck that got them the wins. But realistically, their nous to navigating the logistics of the NFL season is what got them that trophy.
They know how to scrap for victories to come from behind or stay on top of the league ladder with savvy streaming options during this period - knowledge is power.
We will delve into some players who are relevant to add in Week 5 but, also could assist during the weeks ahead. Let's beat the waiver wire!
Teams that have the bye in Week 6 are the Falcons, 49ers, Saints, and the Jets.
Make sure you tune in to my Twitter handle @FF_ProdigalSon to see my other Week 5 bullseyes.
Week 4 Recap
Another hot week of waivers keeps us rolling.
- Traps - Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman
- Taylor Heinicke finished as QB5
- Cordarrelle Patterson finished RB1
- James Washington had 4/5 catches for 69 yards
- Emmanuel Sanders continued his form for the Bills
The Bullseyes - Week 5
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington Football Team
Taylor Heinicke was our bullseye in Week 4 and we want to keep rolling with the Washington Football Team QB.
Week 4: 290 yards, 3 touchdowns; 5 carries 43 yards; 27.90 Fantasy Points
Taylor Heinicke gets the Saints in Week 5 who just allowed Daniel Jones to be QB4. The schedule gets even friendlier for Heinicke with the Chiefs, Packers, and Broncos before the Week 9 bye.
Sam Darnold QB, Carolina Panthers
Before the season even started I had Sam Darnold and D.J. Moore as a top 12 QB and top 10 WR respectively. But even I am surprised by just how good they are both going. In Week 5 Darnold gets the Eagles but, he is virtually playable as a low QB1 for the rest of the season.
Week 4: 301 yards, 2 touchdowns; 6 carries 35 yards, 2 touchdowns; 33.54 Fantasy Points
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The Obvious
Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Monitor the injury report on Jimmy Garoppolo but I would go all-in obtaining Trey Lance. That is if he hasn't already been stashed by another manager with great foresight. The 49ers' schedule is ridiculously good and would catapult the 21-year-old rookie in fantasy stardom.
In one half of football against the Seattle Seahawks he managed:
Week 4: 157 yards, 2 touchdowns; 7 carries 41 yards; 20.38 Fantasy Points
Damien Williams, RB, Chicago Bears
Initial tests look as though David Montgomery has escaped serious injury. However, he could still miss some time which means Damien Williams is the next man up for the Chicago Bears.
Even with David Montgomery active on the field, Damien Williams rushed for a 4-yard touchdown.
Week 4: 8 carries, 55 yards, 1 touchdown; 2/2 catches 15 yards; 15.00 Fantasy Points
Monitor the injury report, and depending on the severity of the injury to David Montgomery, spend some decent FAAB on Williams.
But also look for Williams on the injury report as well since he exited late in the game with what seemed to be a quad issue. Over the next two weeks, the Bears get the run-friendly Raiders and Packers.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner has a new lease of life and looks fresh. His last two weeks have been formidable and he led Week 4 in carries. He also got all the valuable goal-line carries.
Week 3: 11 carries, 43 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1/1 catches 10 yards; 18.30 Fantasy Points
Week 4: 18 carries, 50 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2/2 catches 16 yards; 20.60 Fantasy Points
Chase Edmonds is still in the mix for the Cardinals but with James Conner bullocking into the end zone you can keep him in a flex spot.
Conner gets the 49ers in Week 5 before a tough matchup against the Browns in Week 6. But after that, it's smooth sailing for Conner and the Cardinals before a Week 12 bye.
Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants
Kadarius Toney lead the team in targets with both Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton sidelined. He ran a lot of routes including short to intermediates as well as long. He looked like a jack of all trades for the Giants with a carry but also helped as a run blocker. If Shepard is out in Week 5, add Toney in against the Dallas Cowboys.
Week 4: 6/9 catches 78 yards, 1 carry 1 yard; 13.10 Fantasy Points
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Buffalo Bills
Emmanuel Sanders was in the Week 4 edition and should be rostered by now. If he isn't, grab him.
Week 3: 5/6 catches 94 yards, 2 touchdowns; 27.40 Fantasy Points
Week 4: 5/6 catches 74 yards; 13.10 Fantasy Points
The Bills' next six games are against the Texans, Chiefs, Titans, Dolphins, Jaguars, and finally the Jets.
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills
Dawson Knox also has the favorable schedule aforementioned but will unlikely be available on waivers. But in the off chance he is, consider this the last curtain call for the Buffalo Bills TE.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Dalton Schultz is currently on a tear-away for the Dallas Cowboys.
Week 4: 6/8 catches 58 yards, 1 touchdown; 17.80 Fantasy Points
Schultz is currently TE5 and gets the Giants in Week 5. Keep an eye out for him in the coming weeks if you miss the waiver as the Cowboys have a Week 7 bye. A manager could drop him to cover the position.
Other obvious candidates (Deep Rosters Only):
J.D. McKissic RB, Washington Football Team
Zach Pascal, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bold
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
Sam Darnold had himself a day out against the Dallas Cowboys with his rushing ability. Now it's Daniel Jones's turn. Add Jones in 2QB leagues only as Saqoun Barkley is returning to full health and could possibly get further volume.
Michael Carter Jr, RB, New York Jets
Michael Carter Jr is working his way to lead back after topping the touches for a second straight week. There is still a log jam in the Jets backfield but Carter could be a solid RB3 in the future. He gets the Falcons in Week 5 followed by the bye week.
Michael Carter could be a great hole filler through the bye weeks. Then it is from Week 11 onwards where the Jets schedule gets favorable for RBs.
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
Jamison is back to his usual role after some time away from injury. He is a flex-worthy option for most PPR leagues and can be streamed in a good matchup.
Week 4: 7/9 catches 61 yards, 1 touchdown; 19.10 Fantasy Points
Week 5 brings the Atlanta Falcons followed by the bye. Be sure to look for him on your waivers. Just be mindful that Elijah Moore could return and take some targets away from Crowder in the future.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears
The touted Darnell Mooney breakout seems to have happened but, it was against the Detroit Lions. Furthermore, the success of the Bears day came with an offense that Bill Lazor was play-calling. Matt Nagy could well just decide to take back over in Week 5.
Week 4: 5/7 catches 125 yards; 20.5 Fantasy Points
Darnell Mooney will be a solid WR2 for rosters to stream. But buyers beware the Bears' schedule for pass catchers gets incredibly difficult over the coming five weeks before their bye.
Other Bold candidates (Deep Rosters Only):
Ty Montgomery, RB, New Orleans Saints
Kenny Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Quintez Cephus, WR, Detroit Lions
Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Football Team
The Stashes
Jeff Wilson Jr, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Jeff Wilson will remain on the stash list for a reminder to see if he is available in your league to put on the IR position.
Other Stash candidates (Deep Rosters Only):
Jacob Eason or Sam Ehlinger, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
Gerrid Doaks, RB, Miami Dolphins
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The Traps
Latavius Murray, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Ty'Son Williams was a late scratch. Le'Veon Bell got elevated to the active roster and somehow Latavius Murray saw the volume of touches for the Ravens after a five carry Week 3.
Latavius Murray's 18 totes for 59 yards and a touchdown wasn't anything to write home about in Week 4. This is almost similar to the Patriots backfield. Hard to choose a player who we can trust with consistency.
Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts
I wish the best for Marlon Mack, but the history of being fantasy-relevant after an Achilles injury doesn't bode well for Mack. Even if he does get traded to another team - steer clear.
New England Patriots, Running Back Position
Good luck in guessing. I've got a hunch to keep stashing J.J. Taylor, but otherwise nothing to see here.
Thank you for reading! You can find more of my work on my IDP Guys author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @FF_ProdigalSon and, while you’re there, be sure to follow @IDPGuys too!
