While the season has been rough, we’ve avoided superstar injuries so far. Unfortunately, that changed in Week 4. With the loss of Javonte Williams for the season and Jonathan Taylor dealing with a high-ankle sprain, your waivers this week will be critical. Even if you didn’t lose a player, bye weeks start in Week 6, and you need to be ready. So let’s get into my top picks for the Week 5 Waiver Wire.
Quick Note: All players listed are available in around 50% of ESPN leagues. While not everyone plays on ESPN, studies show most do. So, if they’re available there, they’re likely available on your platform. Pick ‘Em Up!
Week 5 Waiver Wire
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Quarterbacks
Jared Goff (55% Available)
At some point, leaving the QB5 on waivers is a mistake. We all have a sketchy history with Goff, but you cannot deny his play this season. He’s been over 15 fantasy points each week and over 30 twice already. With New England on deck before his Week 6 bye, Goff should hit 25+ again.
Zach Wilson (90% Available)
This Jets offense is performing far better than expected for fantasy purposes. Of course, that was with Joe Flacco in the opening weeks, but Wilson played well in his first game. He finished with 252 yards and a TD giving him 19 fantasy points. A home game against a leaky Miami defense could give us his first multi-TD game of the season.
Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier (83% Available)
With Cordarrelle Patterson heading to the IR for at least four weeks, Allgeier will have his chance to prove his worth. In Week 4, with Patterson limited, he carried the ball 10 times for 84 yards and averages over five yards per carry on the season. Perhaps more importantly, he played over 40% of the snaps last week, more than any other Atlanta RB, proving that the coaching staff is ready to trust him.
J.D. McKissic (57% Available)
I’m pretty sure McKissic has been on this list every week, and I say the same thing every time: FOLLOW THE TARGETS! He’s at 23 through four games and on pace for over 100 on the season. If you need an RB3 or Flex, the passing game keeps his floor safe.
Raheem Mostert (50% Available)
I can’t say I trust Raheem Mostert. My brain won’t let those words pass through my lips. But the usage is there, and the offense is scoring. He’s out-carrying Chase Edmonds and basically matching his passing game work. At the very least, managers with Edmonds should have him as insurance.
Rex Burkhead (74% Available)
Stop me when you’ve heard this: FOLLOW THE TARGETS! Dameon Pierce is the man in Houston, but Burkhead is still active in the passing game, with 21 targets in four games.
Rachaad White (88% Available)
If you have Fournette on your roster, White is a must-add as injury insurance. In what was basically a blow-out this week, White found the endzone and was essentially in a 50/50 split with Fournette. He’s no threat to Fournette, but this is a “get ahead of the crowd” kind of move.
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Wide Receivers
Romeo Doubs (53% Available)
With each passing week, it looks more and more like Doubs will be the WR1 for Green Bay. If you play fantasy, I don’t need to tell you how valuable Aaron Rodgers’ top WR can be. Of course, Allen Lazard and Christian Watson will still be involved, but Doubs looks like he has Rodgers’ trust, which is worth its weight in gold.
Zay Jones (64% Available)
Jones missed Week 4, and Jacksonville got wrecked. Coincidence? I think not. I might be overstating Jones’ value slightly, but he will be back for a bounceback game against Houston this week.
Michael Gallup (53% Available)
While I still like Noah Brown, Gallup returned and found the endzone. Cooper Rush has kept this offense respectable, and Gallup’s role will only grow as he gets healthier. Also, Dak Prescott will be back soon, which could move Gallup ahead of Brown in the Cowboys’ pecking order.
George Pickens (62% Available)
George Pickens does what Chase Claypool does, only better. The two are tied for targets on the season, but Pickens has more yards and fantasy points. With Kenny Pickett taking over, there could be a rookie-rookie bond. Plus, their names sound similar. You cannot argue with that kind of science.
Mack Hollins (80% Available)
Let me clear my throat: FOLLOW THE TARGETS! Hollins is in the Top 40 of all WRs right now, with 25 on the season. He also had an eight-target game before Hunter Renfrow got hurt. Hollins is the WR3 on a team in the Top 10 for passing attempts.
Tight Ends
Robert Tonyan (78% Available)
Tonyan now has back-to-back weeks with nine or more fantasy points. For any other position, that’s a laughable stat. For a tight end, it makes him a top-5 option. He also scored his first TD of the year. He smells blood now; get him while you can.
Hayden Hurst (78% Available)
See JD McKissic, Rex Burkhead, and Mack Hollins for my detailed analysis of why you should add Hayden Hurst. He’s also scored 7+ fantasy points in three of four games this year.
If you’re looking for Week 5 Rankings, Ryan and Austin have you covered! We do our first upload early on Tuesday and update them throughout the week!