Imagine this: it’s the eve of Week 5, and you find yourself scrutinizing your fantasy football roster for that elusive hidden gem ready to ignite your weekend games. This is the moment where fantasy legends are born. We are here to uncover those players who are steadily earning more playing time and possess the uncanny ability to make every opportunity count.
But what exactly are we on the prowl for among our weekend waiver stash candidates? It’s not a matter of grabbing just any player; it’s about identifying a player at precisely the right moment. This could involve nabbing a rising star who’s ascended the depth chart due to injury or suspension, or perhaps an under-the-radar player lurking in the shadows as the ultimate insurance policy for a star performer. Sometimes, it’s simply those hyper-efficient players who are gradually earning more snaps and becoming prime targets that you want to add over the weekend from the waiver wire.
This column refers to players that you can find on the waiver wire as they are rostered in under 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and Sleeper Leagues.
Week 5 Weekend Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals
If you are a quarterback needy Dobbs may be your guy! He has at least one touchdown in three games straight. He has also rushed for over 40 yards in three games straight. Scoring over 20 fantasy points in 2 out of those 3 games. The Bengals are up next and quarterbacks have had some success against them. The Bengals give up the 11th most fantasy points to QBS.
18% rostered on Yahoo
27% rostered on ESPN
26% rostered on Sleeper
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford has passed for a lot of yards but not a lot of touchdowns so far this season. The first two games Stafford passed for over 300 yards in each game. In Week 4 Stafford passed for 319 yards and a touchdown. The touchdowns are low as he currently has only 3 on the season and this is what is holding him back in fantasy. Cooper Kupp is coming back soon, the schedule is favorable right now.
52% rostered on Yahoo
32% rostered on ESPN
49% rostered on Sleeper
Other Quarterbacks to Consider:
- Baker Mayfield: Current QB13, 882 yards and 7 TDs this season
- Sam Howell:388 yards and 2 TDs passing, 19 yards
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard snapped Miles Sanders in Week 4. Sanders is averaging 2.9 yards per carry, while Hubbard is averaging 4.6. It appears that the Panthers coaching staff are starting to move away from Sanders and his struggling to produce and more towards Hubbard. I expect Hubbard’s role to grow in Carolina.
28% rostered on Yahoo
18% on ESPN
35% on Sleeper
Latavius Murray, Buffalo Bills
Consistently getting some run as he is in on 33% of the snaps. In Week 4 Latavius had 4 carries for 32 yards to lead the Bills in rushing. He also had 2 receptions for an additional 24 yards receiving. The old guy is efficient in a role, splitting time in the Bills’ backfield. I am watching this closely. Not a bad addition if you have deep benches.
14% rostered on Yahoo
5% on ESPN
16% on Sleeper
Other Running Backs to consider:
- Tyjae Spears: Handcuff to Derrick Henry, playing 50% of the snap
- Ezekiel Elliot: Averaging 4.1 yards per carry, schedule is easy after Week 5
Wide Receivers
Marvin Mims, Denver Bronco
This is a player I had in this article last week. Right now, Mims is playing roughly 24% of the snaps weekly. With his limited playing time, Mims leads the team in receiving yards with 242. His totals are 11 targets, 9 receptions, 242 yards, and a touchdown on the season. He only has a 9% target share but 25% of the air yards. He should be rostered before he breaks out.
37% rostered on Yahoo
16% on ESPN
44% on Sleeper
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
Wilson had his best game as a pro. He saw 7 targets which he turned into 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is second on the team in snaps at wide receiver. And let’s face it, the Cardinals need someone that is actually producing, he did this week.
41% rostered on Yahoo
21% on ESPN
49% on Sleeper
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
Samuel was third on the team in targets in Week 4. He saw 8 targets which he turned into 7 receptions for 51 yards. He also ran the ball one time for 1 yard and a TD. More of a speculative add right now. But if they are going to start using him in the running game too, he becomes a fantasy asset
14% rostered on Yahoo
14% on ESPN
21% on Sleeper
Other Wide Receivers to consider:
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine –6 targets 5 receptions 51 yards, TD
- Michael Gallup – 6 targets, 5 receptions, 60 yards
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons
We need to pay attention to what Jonnu is doing in Atlanta. He has 20 targets in the last three games. In Week 4 he had 6 targets, 6 receptions and 95 yards. Next week the Falcons play the Texans. The Texans give up the 10 most fantasy points to opposing teams TE’s. Lets face it almost everyone is TE needy and this guy has some life, and is available EVERYWHERE.
12% rostered on Yahoo
7% on ESPN
17% rostered on Sleeper
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Ertz has 30 targets over the first 4 games. That is second most in the league behind TJ Hockenson. So he has plenty of opportunity. Next up are the Bengals who give up the 5th most points to opposing teams TE’s. He had 6 receptions for 53 yards on 10 targets in week 4. The volume will be there and he is another guy that is available.
44% rostered on Yahoo
61% on ESPN
49% rostered on Sleeper
Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty