Week 5 Waiver Wire Targets – Week 4 Fantasy Football Fallout

Waiver Wire Targets Week 4 – Fantasy Football Week 3 Fallout

The offenses finally showed up in week 4.  I felt like more than half the league was sleep walking through the first month of the season – particularly at the RB position.  Hopefully we see more of the same moving forward.

I’ll keep the same format – breaking players down into available ability probability groups.  However, I’m adding a top overall add at the top of the column because often times, I like guys widely available more than scarce players.

Top Overall Players Available in at least 50% of Leagues:

• Quarterback: C.J. Stroud(available in 68% of leagues)
• Running Back: Gus Edwards and Justice Hill
• Wide Receiver: Romeo Doubs
• Tight End: Luke Musgrave
• Defense: Baltimore (note: they aren’t available in 50% of leagues, but are still widely available and play a banged up and reeling Steelers team in week 5)

Should Be Gone (available between 15-30% of leagues):

Quarterbacks:

1. Anthony Richardson – the rushing yardage and touchdowns alone are worth the add. 
2. Geno Smith – I expect him to have a nice Monday night.  He should be rostered for sure.

Running Backs:

1. De’Von Achane – if he’s on waivers, make him your top priority
2. Khalil Herbert – finally, he shows some life.  My only question now is whether the offensive coaching staff will retain their coaching positions the rest of this season.
3. Jerome Ford – he’s available in just over 15% of leagues and should be added if there.

Wide Receivers:

1. Nico Collins – I’ve been talking up the Texans passing game for a couple of weeks now.  It’s not a fluke.
2. Tutu Atwell – He didn’t have a great game, but the target numbers were there.  He’ll do better next week.
3. Tank Dell – yes, another Texan.  I’m not afraid!

Tight Ends:

1. Sam LaPorta – he’s still out there for some folks.  Snap him up!

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Browns – the Ravens handled them, but even then they had a reasonable score. 

Could Be Available (available between 31-50% of leagues):

Quarterbacks:

1. Russell Wilson – he finally had a strong finish to a game.  Wilson continues to score well and thanks to his contract, he’s not going anywhere.  He’s my backup across most leagues and should be yours too.
2. Jordan Love – he doesn’t look great to me, but he’s scoring well and thus, is useful. 

Running Backs:

1. Tyler Allgeier – proceed with caution here, though.  Bijan Robinson might have broken out for good last week (about time!)
2. Jaylen Warren – he can be had for about 40% of you.  The Steelers offense is bad and things could get worse, but for now, Warren is still scoring well enough to have a roster spot.

Wide Receivers:

1. Quentin Johnston – I think it’s only a matter of time before he breaks out
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba – I’m a fan of adding potential players just before MNF if you can do it just in case there’s a breakout or an injury.  JSN qualifies as someone worth taking a flyer on.

Tight Ends:

1. Zach Ertz – he dopped a TD this week.  He’s still a good backup option for you.
2. Hunter Henry – I expect the Patriots to officially bench Mac Jones soon.  At that point, keep a close eye not only on Henry, but on Gesicki as well.
3. Cole Kmet – he got into the end zone.  That was probably more due to Denver’s poor play, so take that with a grain of salt
4. Dalton Kincaid – he had more targets than Knox this week

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Ravens – they are one of the league’s best units and still widely available.  They play the Steelers this week.  Time to cash in.

Probably Available (available between 51% and 70% of leagues):

Quarterbacks:

1. C.J. Stroud – he’s my top overall QB add.  He’s getting better by the week.  This Texans passing attack is for real. 

Running Backs:

1. Gus Edwards – Justice Hill didn’t play much.  I think that’s more due to Hill still returning from injury, but Edwards’ workshare was strong enough that he’s probably the top available RB this week
2. Kenneth Gainwell – he’ll still get you goal line carries
3. Zach Charbonnet – we’ll see what happens on Monday Night Football, but he’s certainly worth an add before the game if you have roster space. 

Wide Receivers:

1. Romeo Doubs – Christian Watson didn’t exactly wow in his firsts game and Doubs kept eating up targets.  Add him.
2. Joshua Palmer – great first game as he subbed well for Mike Williams.  Palmer will get consistent targets.  I think he’ll score well, but will probably fade behind Quentin Johnston during the season.

Tight Ends:

1. Luke Musgrave – he got hurt last week, but I’ve liked his development so far this season.
2. Jake Ferguson – of the widely available TEs, he’s the most consistent. 

Defense/Special Teams:

1. NA – but there are a couple of solid units below

Sleeper Grabs (available in more than 70% of leagues):

Quarterbacks:

1. Kyler Murray – his return isn’t imminent, but I like what the Cardinals offense is doing.  Murray will score well when he returns.
2. Baker Mayfield – he’s throwing the ball really well.  He always plays better with a chip on his shoulder.  I’d feel fine adding him as a backup.

Running Backs:

1. Justice Hill – he’s battling turf toe, but I still think he could win the job outright this season.  He’s worth a bottom bench spot just in case.
2. Jaleel McLaughlin – it doesn’t look like Javonte Williams will be out long if at all, so McLaughlin will probably remain the third option in this offense, but he certainly did well with his opportunity this past week
3. Chuba Hubbard – very quietly, he was splitting touches with Miles Sanders this week. 
4. Tajae Spears – he’s worthless unless Henry gets injured, but his numbers are so explosive that he might be the league’s best handcuff

Wide Receivers:

1. Michael Wilson – he’s in the midst of a breakout with a backup QB.  When Kyler Murray returns, he could be a huge roster add.  If you missed out on Nico Collins earlier in the waiver cycle, Wilson is a good next target.
2. Marvin Mims Jr. – he is a big play threat for now, but if he can work into the offense more, Mims could explode. 
3. Rasheed Shaheed – the Saints offense was bad this past week, but Shaheed still had solid target totals.  He’s worth a spot.
4. Jonathan Mingo – he missed this week’s game and his replacement had double-digit targets.  I think Mingo will eventually break out this season, but a lot depends on Bryce Young (who looked better in the loss to Minnesota)

Tight Ends

1. Logan Thomas – he was out of action while the Bills were kicking Washington’s tales.  When he returns to the field, you can expect 10 targets and 7 receptions from the aging TE.
2. Cade Otton – I’m not overreacting to the Eagles game.  I expected Tampa to struggle on MNF.  Otton still plays a ton of snaps and has a nice target share under normal circumstances.
3. Taysom Hill – with Jamaal Williams out, Hill will get you consistent rushing yards and is on the field in the red zone quite a bit.
4. Donald Parham Jr. – Parham has a lot of TDs so I don’t want to ignore him.  I think the more likely scenario here is that teams start shifting coverage to Parham and then Everett starts getting more TDs, but I’m not going to argue with early season success either.

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Tampa Bay – they play in a division that struggles to score points.  They generate sacks and turnovers.  This is a team that could start for you most weeks.  NOTE: They have a week 5 bye.
2. Jacksonville – I’m surprised they’re as widely available as they are.  They play the Bills in week 5, so beware.