Waiver Wire Week 5 Pickups

Waiver Wire Week 5 Pickups

The bye weeks are finally here. This week, the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans are off. Fantasy managers will be without players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, J.K. Dobbins, and Tony Pollard. With injuries continuing to pile up as well, the waiver wire becomes even more essential. Whether you need help at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, or you’re one of the extremely unlucky ones who are hurting at all four, the names below will be able to help you. Here are my waiver wire additions for Week 5. 

Justin Fields (QB)

Pittsburgh Steelers, 42% Rostered

Coming into the season the consensus was that Russell Wilson would open the season as the starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But a calf injury to Wilson forced Fields into the starting lineup and he has seized the opportunity. Through four games the Steelers are 3-1 and Fields has been playing well. Over that span, Fields has completed 70.6% of his passes for 830 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He has added 145 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He is currently the QB6 on the season and has been a top 12 QB the last two weeks, including an overall QB1 finish this past week. Of course, the competition has not been top-tier.

Fields has faced the Falcons, Broncos, Chargers, and Colts in his four games. Every team is 2-2 and none of them are offensive or defensive powerhouses. But he doesn’t choose his opponents, and the fact is that the Steelers are leading the AFC North. His Week 5 opponent (the Dallas Cowboys) has been uncharacteristically QB-friendly over the first month of the season. That doesn’t mean you want to start him this week, but Fields is certainly worth an add to see if he can build on his momentum and continue to produce as a top-12 QB. A 42% roster rate is much too low for a QB who has been known to break fantasy in the past. 

Kareem Hunt (RB)

Kansas City Chiefs, 37% Rostered

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The Kansas City backfield could be a mess moving forward. In a game that included a first-drive fumble by starter Carson Steele and a potential season-ending injury to star WR Rashee Rice, it’s hard to make any definitive conclusions as to what the Chiefs’ offense will look like in the coming weeks. While these issues allowed Kareem Hunt (and to a lesser extent, Samaje Perine) to see a bulk of the work, things could change in Week 5. Still, Hunt had 16 touches for 85 total yards and was the clear lead running back. That may not be the case long term, especially with the impending return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but Hunt’s involvement can’t be overlooked. He is worth a speculative add. If he holds onto the primary lead-back duties then at worst he’ll be a flex play with RB2 upside. If he is part of a three-way committee or ends up losing touches then he can be cut. No one in this backfield can duplicate Isiah Pacheco’s production, but Hunt could be useful as a depth piece or a flex play in any given week.

Rico Dowdle (RB)

Dallas Cowboys, 55% Rostered

There isn’t much to like about the Dallas backfield, but Dowdle has been the one running back who is worth a roster spot. While he is playing under 50% of the snaps, Dowdle has easily been the most productive of any Dallas running back. Against the New York Giants, Dowdle had 11 carries for 46 yards, as well as one catch for a 15-yard touchdown. Over the last few weeks Dowdle has out-snapped, out-touched, and out-gained Ezekiel Elliott, and he has drawn the start in three straight games. The next two matchups against the Steelers and the Lions are not ideal. Both defenses are in the top three in fantasy points allowed to running backs. After that, the Cowboys will enter their bye week. But coming out of the bye is when Dowdle may be able to reward his fantasy managers. He will have a very fantasy-friendly lineup in November and December and if he continues to see the majority of the work he should provide solid flex-worthy play with RB2 upside.

Dontayvion Wicks (WR)

Green Bay Packers, 18% Rostered

Perhaps no one was more excited to have Jordan Love back in the lineup than Dontayvion Wicks. After three underwhelming weeks, Wicks saw 13 targets (a 24% target share.) Of course, he only managed to haul in five of those targets, but that was good enough for 78 yards, two touchdowns, and an overall WR3 finish. Still, it would have been nice to see him be more efficient with his opportunities. Against the Vikings, Wicks dropped multiple passes, so his day could have been even better. But his ability to separate and his rapport with Jordan Love were clearly on display so he can be forgiven for a few mental errors. With Christian Watson reportedly suffering a high-ankle injury, Wick should be rostered in all formats. Green Bay will face the Rams in Week 5. The Rams are allowing the fifth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. In 2023, Wicks proved he could be a difference-maker when given the chance. If Watson misses time, Wicks could compete with Jayden Reed for pole position on a team with a potent passing game.

Xavier Legette (WR)

Carolina Panthers, 38% Rostered

It took four weeks and a quarterback change, but on Sunday, rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette looked the part of a first-round pick. Legette caught six of 10 targets for 66 yards and a score. With Adam Thielen sidelined for at least the next few weeks, Legette should continue to see additional opportunities. With a 220+ frame, 4.39 speed, and a 40-inch vertical, Legette has plenty of upside. Legette will never be the first option in this passing game as long as Diontae Johnson is healthy. He is also likely the third option in the offense with how well Chuba Hubbard is playing. But he should be the team’s WR2 for the rest of the season and as long as Dalton continues to be under center the Panthers should be a competent offense. This week Legette will face a solid Chicago defense in the top eight in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers so he is not a recommended start. But Legette is a great waiver wire addition as a mid-range flex and bye-week fill-in.

Tucker Kraft (TE)

Green Bay Packers, 8% Rostered

If anyone was hoping to make Luke Musgrave a thing in fantasy circles, those hopes have surely been dashed. After his most recent performance, Tucker Kraft has established himself as the Packers’ starting tight end. Against the Vikings, Kraft received nine targets, catching six for 53 yards and a touchdown. While Jordan Love’s 54 pass attempts deserve the majority of the credit for Kraft’s volume, his 16.6% target share is a solid number for a tight end. Also, with an 86% snap share, Kraft is heavily utilized, giving him TE1 upside for the remainder of the season. Kraft’s Week 5 opponent, the Los Angeles Rams has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, making him an enticing plug-and-play option this week. The tight end landscape has left much to be desired with very little predictability from week to week. Kraft may be able to solve your tight end woes and develop into a consistent contributor at the most volatile position in fantasy football.

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