Week 5 waiver wire roundup and initial player rankings
Week 5 waiver wire roundup and initial player rankings
My first stab at this week's rankings, with an update on injuries and waiver wire options.
🏥 Injury roundup and waiver targets
Percentages reflect how many teams have that player rostered in Yahoo! Sports fantasy leagues.
Quarterback
Colts QB Anthony Richardson suffered a hip injury in Week 4, and his Week 5 status isn’t clear. Coach Steichen says it's not a “huge, huge injury,” for what it’s worth. But it is worth monitoring this week, of course.
On a bye: Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert
Top available QB: Were all those Justin Fields (33%) fantasy obits premature? After 312 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns, it’s hard to ignore him on the wire, and his home matchup with the Cowboys isn’t all that bad based on the first four weeks (11th best for QBs). Plus, Dallas lost two key defensive players to injury last week, All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons and stud defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.
Other QB waiver options: Sam Darnold, MIN (56%), Trevor Lawrence (56%)
Running Back
The Colts Jonathan Taylor seems likelier to miss Week 5 than his quarterback after suffering a high-ankle sprain. It’s been described as a “mild” ankle sprain, but that’s usually enough to miss at least one game. Trey Sermon is the next man up in the Indy backfield … The Texans Joe Mixon is trending in the right direction in terms of playing Week 5 … Nick Chubb is set to return to practice this week, which is something Jerome Ford owners to monitor.
On a bye: Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Top available RBs: The Chiefs backfield is an absolute mess, but Kareem Hunt (38%) emerged from Week 4 as the likely best one to own (this week, anyway) after a solid outing of 69 rushing yards on 14 carries and a couple of catches. This may be heading toward an eventual timeshare with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who will soon return from the non-football illness list.
Other RB waiver options: Trey Sermon (3%), Rico Dowdle (49%), Justice Hill (15%)
Wide Receiver
Rashee Rice has already been ruled out for Week 5 by the Chiefs as we wait for more details on the severity of his ACL injury. Xavier Worthy is now the top wide receiver on the depth chart, though Coach Reid says the plan is still to “spread the ball around” … The Packers’ Christian Watson has also been ruled out for Week 5 with his ankle injury, and there are reports that he may be IR-bound.
On a bye: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins
Top available WR: Dontayvion Wicks (16%) has an opportunity to take the reigns as Green Bay’s lead outside receiver following the Watson injury. His Week 4 performance, on paper, was pretty great, with five catches for two touchdowns. But he was actually targeted 13 times and dropped a bunch of passes. Anyway, opportunity is king in fantasy football.
Other WR waiver options: Wan'Dale Robinson (27%), Xavier Legette (15%), Josh Downs (21%)
Tight End
After scoring two rushing touchdowns, the Saints’ Taysom Hill left the Falcons game with a rib injury. It’s one to monitor all week as little is known about his Week 5 outlook … Browns TE David Njoku will return to practice this week, but his Week 5 status remains unclear.
On a bye: Sam LaPorta, Dallas Goedert, Hayden Hurst
Top TE waiver options: Tucker Kraft (8%), Cade Otton (16%)
Need a D/ST?
The Broncos (22%) are the top defense likely available in your league, and may be the best D/ST play in Week 5 overall. Denver has topped 10 fantasy points in three of four games this season and has only allowed 16 points over the last two weeks against the Buccaneers and Jets. Next up is a killer matchup with the Raiders.
Initial Week 5 fantasy football rankings
My Week 5 fantasy football rankings for PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard scoring formats will be updated frequently throughout the week and up until kickoff on Sunday.