NFL Waiver Wire: Week 5 Deep Dive

We're at the point of the season where the waiver wire is beginning to run dry, especially at running back, but the waters still run plentiful at wide receiver — for now. We may also be nearing the deadline to grab a passable rest-of-season QB or TE off waivers, but a few promising options have emerged there as well. 

The list below includes players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and is listed in order of preference based on half-point per reception scoring and a 12-team league. Depending on your league's scoring and roster settings, certain players might warrant higher consideration than what is listed. Each player's listed roster percentage is based on Tuesday's Yahoo statistics, to give a general sense of availability for a given week.

QUARTERBACK

Justin Herbert (17 percent) - I was always in on Herbert in dynasty circles, but it's shocking to see him have such a strong start to his career (Sunday's 291 yard, 3-TD performance just barely kept the rookie from having three 300-yard games in as many career appearances). Granted, the Chargers haven't yet won with Herbert, but he's put up solid-to-spectacular numbers despite playing without numerous offensive linemen, a starting WR, and facing some of the league's toughest secondaries. Losing Austin Ekeler (hamstring) for at least the foreseeable future is a legitimately tough blow, however, and coach Anthony Lynn could still stubbornly turn back to Tyrod Taylor (ribs/lung) at some point.

Gardner Minshew (46 percent) - Not counting Week 3's disastrous TNF performance, Minshew has scored at least 25 fantasy points every game. He's now got DJ Chark back, but statistically Week 5's matchup against the Texans (who allow just 211.5 passing yards per game) isn't ideal. However, the stinginess of Houston's secondary is mostly a product of the team being abysmal against the run (giving up the most rushing yards per game in the league at 181.8), so as long as Jacksonville doesn't get out to a huge lead early Minshew should get plenty of opportunities through the air.

Teddy Bridgewater (20 percent) - Bridgewater threw two scores and rushed for another in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, solidifying himself as a solid fantasy option in plus matchups. He now gets a favorable game against a Falcons secondary that ranks last against QBs, allowing an average of 353 passing yards and 3.25 touchdowns. That equates to 30-plus fantasy points in most formats, a.k.a QB1territory.

Daniel Jones  (34 percent) - Since losing Saquon Barkley to a torn ACL, Jones hasn't thrown a touchdown and is averaging just 9.6 fantasy points per game. Sunday's game at Dallas will provide the ideal venue for a bounceback, though, as the Cowboys have allowed 12 passing touchdowns and just surrendered 49 points to Cleveland. Jones defined himself as a boom-or-bust player in 2019 (four games with 30-plus fantasy points, no games with 17-30 FP, seven with 17 or less), and if that trend continues into 2020 it looks like Week 5 will be one of his occasional "booms."

Philip Rivers  (20 percent) - If Rivers is ever going to have a big game this season, Sunday's upcoming matchup against the Browns might be his best bet. The veteran has thrown for less than 220 yards and had less than 15 fantasy points three consecutive weeks, but Cleveland is one of just three DSTs that's surrendered at least 300 passing yards per game this season.

RUNNING BACK

Damien Harris (32 percent) - Harris reached 100 rushing yards in his first real NFL action Monday, and also got more carries (17) than any New England RB has had all season. It's historically been befuddling to predict which Patriots tailback will go off in a given week (James White and Rex Burkhead also got notable work Monday), but for now Harris looks like arguably the most tantalizing fantasy play.

Phillip Lindsay  (48 percent) - Lindsay (toe) has missed three consecutive games, but he's expected to play Week 5. He had an essentially even workload split with Melvin Gordon before getting injured Week 1, and Denver's offense needs to establish the running game to function without Courtland Sutton (torn ACL). Quality RB depth is rare on the WW at this point in the season, so Lindsay is someone on whom I'm willing to blow substantial FAAB. 

Justin Jackson  (6 percent) - Austin Ekeler (hamstring) is set to miss significant time, and at this point a late-season return doesn't even look guaranteed. It's also worth checking whether Joshua Kelley (56 percent) is on waivers, though he's lost fumbles in back-to-back games, and this backfield will probably end up an even split between he and Jackson sans Ekeler.

Tony Pollard  (22 percent) - Pollard not only scored for the first time all year in Week 4, but his 27 percent of offensive snaps were also a season high. He's still not likely to have reliable fantasy value while Ezekiel Elliott is healthy, but as arguably the highest-upside handcuff in the game Pollard will keep getting mentioning here as long as his rostered percentage remains so much lower than the likes of Alexander Mattison and Chase Edmonds.

D'Ernest Johnson  (4 percent) - After Nick Chubb left Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Johnson essentially played his role (13 carries for 95 yards) alongside Kareem Hunt. Chubb is expected to miss about six weeks, so it's possible that Johnson gets a 1b role in the league's premiere rushing attack for awhile. A caveat worth noting, however, is that Hunt was questionable to play last week with a groin injury and may have had his load limited. 

Alexander Mattison  (37 percent) - Mattison punched in a four-yard TD while Dalvin Cook briefly exited Sunday's win with an injury scare, but after the starter returned Mattison didn't see much work of value. He's still firmly in the "high-upside handcuff" category, but that's enough to warrant rostering him in most leagues.

Chase Edmonds  (36 percent) - Edmonds is dominating Arizona's backfield targets and had a 5-24-1 line through the air Week 4. This fairly surprising, considering that Kenyan Drake has historically excelled as a pass catcher, but as long as the trend continues Edmonds will have some flex value in addition to his obvious appeal as a handcuff.

Jamaal Williams  (13 percent) - Williams' 105 scrimmage yards (95 receiving) were a product of top wideouts Davante Adams (hamstring) and Allen Lazard (abdomen) both missing Monday's contest. It looks like at least Adams will return soon, though Lazard is in line to miss at least a month. Still, Williams looks clearly established as the No. 2 back behind Aaron Jones, and Lazard's absence could give him limited flex appeal in addition to underrated value as a handcuff.

Ke'Shawn Vaughn  (6 percent) - Vaugh got his first score of the season with Leonard Fournette (ankle) inactive, LeSean McCoy (ankle) leaving in the first quarter, and Kenjon Barner suffering a concussion. Ronald Jones was still the clear lead RB, and Vaughn  likely will drop back into a depth role when his backfield mates get healthy, but he could see enough work to be a flex option versus the Bears on Thursday. Fournette is doubtful for TNF. 

Malcolm Brown  (36 percent) - Despite Darrell Henderson having looked great in back-to-back games, Brown led LA's RBs in both carries and targets versus the Giants. With Cam Akers (rib) supposedly in line to return Week 5, this could be one of those backfields that's essentially impossible to predict each week, but has a good chance of having someone put up solid fantasy numbers.

Duke Johnson  (19 percent) - Duke's return to the field Sunday didn't lead to a huge statline, but he did garner 38 percent of offensive snaps, including two-minute scenarios. He's a fair emergency flex option even as long as David Johnson remains fully healthy, as long as the Texans have a plus matchup.

Rashaad Penny  (3 percent) - Penny is only worth a stash in very deep leagues, but it could be worth getting ahead of the curve as he inches closer to a return from the PUP list. Carlos Hyde (shoulder) did not play Week 4 and Chris Carson has a history of injuries, including a sprained knee in Week 3.

Wayne Gallman  (2 percent) - Gallman looked like the best between-the-tackles runner for New York on Sunday, with six carries for a team-high 45 rushing yards, but Devonta Freeman is still the lead ballcarrier. There's not much upside, but in deep leagues it's justifiable to take a shot on Gallman. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Tee Higgins  (33 percent) - As Jerry Donabedian notes in Week 4's Hidden Stat Line, Higgins has by all accounts usurped A.J. Green as Cincinnati's deep threat, despite the fact that he's still seeing fewer snaps. He also dropped what should've been a big gain last week, so though Sunday's matchup against the Ravens brings tough defensive competition, the rookie second-round pick looks destined for an eventual fantasy breakout.

Scotty Miller  (16 percent) - Miller had five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, and it looks like Chris Godwin (hamstring) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) will both miss Thursday's game against the Bears. Plus, O.J. Howard is also out for the season with an Achilles tear, and Mike Evans played through a sprained ankle Week 4, all of which is to say that targets should be plentiful for Miller. The one caveat is that he's considered questionable due to a hip injury of his own.

Laviska Shenault  (24 percent) - Shenault's snap share declined with DJ Chark back in the lineup Week 4, but his 86 receiving yards on four catches were a career high. He also had another carry, so the upside of occasional backfield work remains in play.

Mecole Hardman  (41 percent) - Demarcus Robinson has now gone consecutive games without a catch (and only one target), while Hardman has scored twice and compiled 8-for-108 in that span, so that they're splitting snaps doesn't tell the full story. It's worth checking whether impatience led to Hardman being dropped, as thus far he's only showed hints of what his upside could be in a full-time role.

Tre'Quan Smith  (27 percent) - Smith was boom-or-bust as a rookie back in 2018, so to see him put up two scores against Detroit didn't exactly come out of left field. However, Michael Thomas (ankle) looks destined to return from his three-game absence soon, and even if he misses Monday's game, the Chargers' secondary presents a tough hurdle.

Christian Kirk  (33 percent) - Kirk's fantasy day was salvaged by his first score of the year Week 4, but otherwise his three catches for 19 yards were unremarkable. Those three catches were actually a season high for Kirk, so it's difficult to trust him in lineups for the time being, but he's previously showcased enough upside to be worth a stash.

Darnell Mooney  (1 percent) - Mooney had season-highs in terms of both targets (nine) and snap share (74 percent) Week 4. He's playing more than Anthony Miller at this point, and appears to be quickly making a case for the No. 2 WR role — if he hasn't already won it. Mooney is technically questionable for TNF with a shoulder issue, but he was a full-go in practice all week.

KJ Hamler (5 percent) - Hamler was quickly forced out of last Thursday's game with a hamstring injury, but for what it's worth he was playing consistent snaps before leaving the field. If the rookie second-round pick can get healthy soon, he should be in line for considerable (and potentially high value) targets. Not only is Courtland Sutton (torn ACL) gone, but Noah Fant (ankle) is expected to miss Week 5.

Zach Pascal (4 percent) - Pascal led Indianapolis with eight targets versus Chicago, though he only caught three for 58 yards. As noted in last week's column, Pascal had a number of huge games last season, making him a tempting boom-or-bust play in deep leagues or best-ball formats. Sunday's matchup against the Browns is basically as favorable as it gets.

N'Keal Harry  (35 percent) - Harry may need to find the end zone to reward those who trust him for fantasy, especially as long as Cam Newton remains out while dealing with COVID-19, but he did just that versus the Chiefs. He and Julian Edelman are both above the 20 percent target share mark.

Greg Ward  (17 percent) - Four catches for 38 yards versus San Fran didn't win any fantasy matchups, but Ward did have a team-high seven targets. As long as Philadelphia's receiving corps remains riddled by injuries, his target share will remain high enough to warrant real fantasy consideration.

Tim Patrick  (2 percent) - Patrick has seen at least four targets in every game this season, but Week 4's 6-113-1 line was his first time pacing the Broncos in all receiving categories. KJ Hamler left early with a hamstring injury, and Noah Fant's ankle issue caused him to exit late, but Patrick's performance was nonetheless impressive.

Curtis Samuel  (22 percent) - Samuel dropped to a 47 percent snap share Week 4, so while he had his most productive game of the season (three catches for 51 yards), the future looks concerning. He also only had one backfield snap.

Cole Beasley  (25 percent) - Beasley scored against the Raiders on Sunday after having put up 100 yards Week 4, so he may be a popular waiver wire add, but his snap count has diminished down to the 30 percent range. It looks like the Bills want to get Gabriel Davis more playing time, and that's primarily coming at Beasley's expense.

Nelson Agholor  (1 percent) - Agholor played 91 percent of snaps as a starter Week 4 with Henry Ruggs (knee) and Bryan Edwards (ankle) both out, and he hit paydirt while catching all four of his targets for 44 yards. He'll remain a starter and command most of Las Vegas' deep throws as long as both rookie starters remain sidelined. It's also worth checking whether Hunter Renfrow (41 percent) and Zay Jones (0 percent) are available, though Ruggs could return Week 5.

David Moore  (1 percent) - Moore had one of his occasional blow up days Week 4, with three catches for 95 yards and a score. He only played 35 percent of snaps, but the occasional looks he does see from Russell Wilson are valuable enough that he's a viable emergency option in deep leagues.

Olamide Zaccheaus  (2 percent) - Exactly who we all predicted to lead the Falcons in receiving on Monday, yeah? Zaccheaus handled most of the snaps vacated by Julio Jones (hamstring) making a first-quarter exit, and Calvin Ridley (ankle) also had his workload scaled back. If those two starters get back to full health, Zaccheaus  likely will lose his opportunities for relevancy, but as long as Jones and Ridley are banged up he could keep getting significant looks from Matt Ryan.

Isaiah Ford  (1 percent) - Ryan Fitzpatrick hyper-targeted Ford as Seattle deployed a defensive gameplan designed to remove Mike Gesicki as an option, which isn't something that'll happen every week. Ford strictly plays from the slot, so his snap count relies on the Dolphins deploying 11 personnel heavily, but he should keep getting regular looks while Miami is behind.

TIGHT END

Mo Alie-Cox  (33 percent) - Alie-Cox only played 46 percent of offensive snaps Week 4, and he only had one catch on two targets — but that catch did go for a touchdown. The enormous tight end continues to make a strong case for more playing time, and he's quickly transforming in to a preferred target of Philip Rivers.

Robert Tonyan  (31 percent) - Tonyan's three-TD primetime performance will have many fantasy managers chasing a likely illusion, as the Packers will soon have red-zone machine Davante Adams (hamstring) back from injury. While multi-score games aren't likely to prove consistent when both Adams and Aaron Jones (who leads the NFL with nine red-zone targets) available, Tonyan is the clear top tight end in Green Bay. That just doesn't seem likely to translate into weekly upside, though he could be a low-end TE1 the rest of the way.

Eric Ebron  (27 percent) - Ebron should be a popular waiver wire pickup due to his upcoming matchup against an Eagles secondary that George Kittle just gashed for 183 yards and a score. The Steelers have ample mouths to feed, so there's always the chance that Ebron simply doesn't see the looks he needs, but he's one of Week 5's better streaming options.

Drew Sample  (3 percent) - Sample is handling a legit three-down role with C.J. Uzomah (Achilles) out of the lineup. His target share has been behind all of Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green and Tee Higgins, but Joe Burrow has attempted at least 36 passes in each of his starts, so there's plenty of volume to go around.