Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs, and win the
elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While
I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster,
the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players who can
help your squad and may still be available in your league. I’ll
also provide a brief update on the players I covered the previous
week.
Baker
Mayfield, CLE – Mayfield (50% owned)
completed 23-of-32 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns in
Sunday's 47-42 loss to the Chargers. He added eight yards on two
carries.
Carson
Wentz, IND –UPDATE:
Wentz (7-10% owned) seems to be recovered from his double ankle
issues and looked sharp for most of Monday night, completing 25
of 35 passes for 402-2-0 in the 31-25 overtime loss to the Ravens.
He also was sacked twice and lost a fumble, but gets a favorable
matchup in Week 6 vs. HOU.
Davis
Mills, HOU – Mills (0-1% owned)
broke out in a big way Sunday for 312-3-0, and while this one
week doesn’t mean he’s a must-add, it does give the Texans’ offense
some life – and Mills some confidence – heading into a Week 6
matchup against the Colts.
Daniel
Jones, NYG – Unfortunately, Jones
has a concussion. He’s subject to league protocols for head injuries
and will likely yield Week 6 quarterback duties to journeyman
Mike Glennon.
Mac Jones,
NE – Jones was relatively efficient with his 231-1-1
passing line in Sunday’s win over the Texans, but he’s not been
unleashed and has yet to top 300 passing yards in a game.
Taylor
Heinicke, WAS – Heinicke couldn’t
get it done from a fantasy or real-life perspective Sunday, completing
just 20-of-41 passes for 248 yards with zero TDs and two INTs
in the loss to the Saints. He added 40 yards on five carries and
should be a much better option next week against a bad Chiefs
defense.
Running Backs
Devontae
Booker, NYG – Booker (about 5% owned)
will be the hot waiver wire RB pickup this week and Saquon Barkley
sprained his ankle in Week 5 and looks likely to miss a few games.
Booker rushed 16 times for 42 yards and a TD and hauled in three
of four targets for 16 yards and another score in the 44-20 loss
to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Darrel
Williams, KC –UPDATE:
Williams (12-15% owned) is in line for a starting role after the
news that Clyde Edwards-Helaire (sprained MCL) will miss a few
weeks. Williams is a capable veteran who will serve as lead back,
with Jerick McKinnon as change-of-pace. The Chiefs have a favorable
matchup against Washington in Week 6.
Giovani
Bernard, TB – He’s deep-league PPR
only and won’t get a huge workload going forward unless Ronald
Jones or Leonard Fournette gets injured, but Bernard (10-15% owned)
had some big plays in his return with four carries for 21 yards
and 2-14-1 receiving.
Ty Johnson,
NYJ – The Jets RB situation is a weird one, but Johnson
got some red zone touches (four rushes for 12 yards and a TD on
the game) and added two receptions for 22 yards. He’s a fringe
RB4/5 with some upside if they have injuries in the backfield.
Damien
Williams, CHI – Williams was a no-brainer
add for Week 5, finishing with 16 carries for 65 yards and a TD,
adding 2-20-0 on Sunday. Williams should remain usable as long
as David Montgomery is out, but he did yield a few carries to
rookie Khalil Herbert.
Samaje
Perine, CIN – Joe Mixon was active
on Sunday but Perine still saw a lot of work, rushing 11 times
for 59 yards and hauling in four of five targets for 24 yards
and a TD in the loss to the Packers. He landed on the Covid-19
list on Monday.
AJ Dillon,
GB – Owners who took a shot on Dillon (still just 55-60%
rostered) this week were rewarded as the change-of-pace RB rushed
eight times for 30 yards and caught all four of his targets for
49 yards and a TD during the overtime win against the Bengals.
Alex
Collins, SEA – With Chris Carson
Inactive, Collins rushed 15 times for 47 yards and secured 2-25-0
on three targets in the Seahawks’ 26-17 loss to the Rams on Thursday
night. He’s probably just a handcuff with Carson expected back
soon.
Brandon
Bolden, NE – Bolden finished Sunday’s
25-22 win with 25 rushing yards on two carries and 4-6-0 receiving.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Kadarius
Toney, NYG – A lot to unpack here.
Toney had a complicated game that featured 10-189-0 receiving on
13 targets, an ankle injury, and an ejection for throwing a punch
at a Cowboys safety. But the numbers are promising and he seems
to have emerged out of the injury abyss and a worthwhile fantasy
option if the other guys (Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Darius
Slayton) keep missing time.
TE David
Njoku, CLE – Njoku (just 1-2% owned), led the Browns
in catches, targets and receiving yards, hauling in all seven
of his targets for 149 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 47-42
loss to the Chargers. He and Mayfield will try to keep it going
against the undefeated Cardinals.
Chris
Moore, HOU – Moore came out of nowhere
after being elevated from the practice squad to record five receptions
on five targets for 109 yards and a TD in Sunday's loss against
the Patriots. Keep an eye on him moving forward.
Jamison
Crowder, NYJ – Crowder took a step
back in Week 5 with just 4-24-0 on six targets. He’s a fringe
WR4/5.
Darnell
Mooney, CHI – Mooney caught 3-35-0
in the Bears’ 20-9 win over the Raiders on Sunday, which was dominated
by ball control and solid D from Chicago.
TE Dawson
Knox, BUF – Last week was probably your last opportunity
to get Knox (70% owned) who caught three of four targets for 117
yards and a score in Sunday’s win over Kansas City.
Randall
Cobb, GB – Cobb caught two of three
targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime win against the
Bengals, but failed to reach the end zone. His value will be TD-dependent
this season.
Kalif
Raymond, DET – Raymond saw just
two targets and did not have a catch during Sunday’s 19-17 loss
to the Vikings.
TE C.J.
Uzomah, CIN – Just 2-16-0 on two targets on Sunday
for Uzomah, who took a back seat to the WRs in this one.