Of course, with the bye weeks officially kicking in, we also have some streamer defense and tight end ideas (no kickers, sorry), as well as some overlooked wide receivers who are quietly racking up targets – or could be racking up targets soon thanks to injuries.
WEEK 5 RANKINGS:Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
As always, we break down some of the top options on this week’s wire, but you can find our much more comprehensive list of possible adds, which also takes into account Week 5 matchup streamers, here.
MORE: Week 5 waiver wire list | RB handcuff chart
Top waiver wire pickups fantasy football Week 5
Only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered unless otherwise noted.
Aaron Jones, RB, Packers. Ty Montgomery reportedly has “multiple broken ribs”, and even though he still thinks he can play this week against Dallas, his fantasy owners shouldn’t count on having him. With Jamaal Williams (knee) also banged up, that leaves Jones as the healthiest Packers’ back. His 49 yards and a score on 13 carries last week wasn’t overly impressive, but it shows he’ll get the ball and he’s at least competent. That’s half the battle with fantasy RBs, especially during the bye weeks.
Wayne Gallman, RB, Giants. Gallman was one of our preseason RB sleepers – not necessarily because we think he’s great, but because he just seemed like he was in a situation where he would eventually get a chance at real playing time. That happened in Week 4, and he responded with 50 total yards and a TD on 13 touches. Paul Perkins has struggled and is dealing with a rib injury, and Orleans Darkwa has a back problem, leaving Gallman as the healthiest – and possibly best – guy in the Giants backfield. He’s not a sure thing to even see the field if Perkins and Darkwa are healthy, but he’s worth the flier.
MORE: Full Week 5 waiver wire list
Latavius Murray/Jerick McKinnon, RBs, Vikings. Dalvin Cook’s season-ending knee injury opens the door in Minnesota, and while Murray figures to be the first guy to get a crack at starting, McKinnon is going to be involved, too (unless is ankle injury keeps him out, of course). Murray should get most of the first-down and goal-line work, but McKinnon is a solid receiving back who beefed up in the offseason and can also run the ball. Both are worth adding, with Murray having more perspective value right now.
WEEK 5 DFS: DraftKings cash lineup | FD GPP | Y GPP | DFS lineup builder
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks. The Seahawks backfield is a mess, so if you want to stay out of it, we don’t blame you, but there is (potentially) a starting running back to be had here, and based on what Pete Carroll said on Monday, it will likely be Rawls. That doesn’t mean he’ll keep the job – not with Eddie Lacy, J.D. McKissic, and C.J. Prosise all hanging around – but the former has his own issues, and the latter can’t stay healthy. That leaves McKissic and the next most intriguing, but he’s a complete wild card.
WEEK 5 RANKINGS:Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Alex Collins, RB, Ravens. Here’s another potential starting RB from a mess of a backfield. Collins started and led the Ravens in carries last week, not really doing much besides one 50-yard run (and a lost fumble). After fantasy owners got excited and burned by Buck Allen (for seemingly no reason), Collins might not be too appealing, but clearly the coaching staff likes him.
For more potential waiver wire pickups, including other breakout RBs, defense streamers, a possible QB1 and several under-the-radar WRs, check out our full waiver wire list.
