Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 4.
Week 5 Byes: Detroit, LA Chargers, Philadelphia, Tennessee
Fields started slowly but heated up in the second half, going
34-22-312-1-0 passing and 10-55-2 rushing in a loss to the Colts.
Throwing for 300+ yards and rushing for 2 TDs is a fantasy dream,
Fields is getting into must-start territory if you added him in
your league. Up next is a positive matchup against the banged
up Cowboys defense.
Carr started the season hot with 5 passing TDs in two games,
but has only thrown 1 TD total in his last two, including a 239-0-1
line against the Falcons in Week 4. Up next, however, he gets
a Chiefs team that is in the bottom 10 against QBs and are frequently
forcing teams to pass in the second half.
Flacco came in for an injured Anthony Richardson (hip) early
in the Colts’ win against the Steelers, and ended up throwing
for 2 TDs. If Richardson is forced to sit against the Jaguars,
Flacco will face the league-worst defense against QBs.
Sam Darnold, MIN vs HOU: Darnold had another multi-TD game (every
game this year) as the Vikings jumped out to a big lead against
the Packers, going 275-3-1 through the air. Up next is a tougher
test against the Jets at home, but Darnold could be worth a start
if you’re still hurting at the QB position or have someone
on bye.
Caleb Williams,
CHI vs LAR: Williams got the win but that was largely on the running
game, as he threw only 23 times (fewest attempts of the year).
He managed a passing TD but he’s still not running much
(12 yards on 5 carries). He gets another positive matchup against
the Panthers in Week 5, but it appears the Bears will prefer to
run the ball if they get a lead.
I suggested Hunt in last week's column,
but if he's still available in your league, he's worth a look.
He was added to the Chiefs roster towards the end of the week,
and after Carson Steele lost an early fumble, Hunt dominated RB
touches going 14-69-0 on the ground and 3-2-16-0 through the air.
Up next is a tough challenge against the Saints, but if Hunt is
going to get the majority of work he will be a must start in a
KC offense that is missing Isiah Pacheco and looks to have lost
Rashee Rice to a knee injury.
Brown has been playing second fiddle to Zack Moss, but in Week
4 he split touches almost evenly and ended up with 15-80-2 rushing
and 3-2-12-0 receiving. Up next is tough matchup against the Ravens,
but if he continues to have a near-even timeshare, he’ll be worth
a flier in a high-powered Bengals offense.
Irving continues to play behind Rachaad White, but in Week 4
they had the same number of carries. He ended up with 10-49-1
rushing and 2-1-6-0 receiving against the Eagles. Up next is a
tough Falcons rush defense on Thursday Night Football, but we
may be seeing a changing of the guard in Tampa.
Gibson is playing behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but still managed
6-12-0 rushing and 4-3-67-0 receiving against a tough 49ers defense.
In Week 5, he’ll face a Dolphins defense that is 5th-worst against
RBs, allowing 2 TDs a game to running backs.
Sermon is the handcuff for Jonathan Taylor, who has suffered
a high-ankle sprain in Week 4 that typically sidelines players
for multiple weeks. Sermon will be a priority add considering
the Jaguars are the 6th worst against RBs, especially receiving
backs.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs CIN: Hubbard had another big day in a loss
to the Bengals, going 18-104-1 on the ground and adding 4-4-17-0
receiving. With Andy Dalton at the helm, all Panthers skill positions
are getting an upgrade. Up next is another positive matchup against
the Bears on the road.
Alexander
Mattison, LV vs CLE: Mattison isn’t getting a lot of touches
but he’s out-producing starter Zamir White. At some point White
will have to get going, but it might not be this week after losing
a fumble and having 17 rushes for a measly 50 yards. Mattison
might be called on for more against the Broncos in Week 5.
Rico Dowdle, DAL @ NYG: Dowdle continued to see more touches
than Zeke Elliott, and turned them into a nice 11-46-0 rushing
line and 1-1-15-1 receiving line against the Giants. Up next will
be a tougher assignment against the Steelers.
All Panthers offensive players are seeing an upgrade with Andy
Dalton under center, so in Week 4 Legette had his best game of
the season, going 10-6-66-1 receiving against the Bengals. Up
next is a tough matchup against the Bears, but with Adam Thielen
on IR, Legette could be called upon again as the WR2 behind Diontae
Johnson.
Wicks took over after Christian Watson left with an ankle injury.
He proceeded to see 13 targets, catching 5 for 78 yards and 2
TDs against the Vikings as the Packers were playing from behind.
If Watson is forced to sit Week 5, Wicks will get a juicy matchup
against the Rams, who have allowed the 2nd-most TDs to WRs.
Mooney has emerged as the WR2 in Atlanta, behind only Drake London.
He managed a 6-3-56-0 line against the Saints and now faces another
division rival (Buccaneers) on a short week. Mooney has averaged
7 targets in the last three games.
Robinson saw a whopping 14 targets against the Cowboys and caught
11 of them, although he only managed 71 yards. He’ll probably
be called upon again versus the Seahawks, as their secondary is
also stingy against WRs.
Jeudy had a nice day against the Raiders, leading the team in
receiving, going 9-6-72-0. Up next is a potential blowup game
against the Commanders, who have allowed the most fantasy points
to opposing WRs.
Downs had a great day against the Steelers, going 9-8-82-1 this
week. Some of this can be attributed to Joe Flacco coming in for
an injured Anthony Richardson, as Flacco showed last year he can
still sling it. Up next is a great matchup against a Jaguars team
that has allowed the 2nd-most receptions and yards to opposing
WRs.
Rashee Rice likely tore his ACL in the win over the Chargers
and will be out for the season. Watson saw the 2nd-most receiving
targets after Rice left, although it appears Travis Kelce is main
beneficiary of Rice’s absence. Up next is a tough matchup against
the Saints, but with Watson moving up the depth chart, he should
still have some value.
Strange went 3-3-19-0 in another losing effort against the Texans
in Week 4. However, with Evan Engram possibly out again in Week
5, Strange could get another start. If he does, he’ll get a favorable
matchup against a Colts defense that has given up the 3rd-most
points to opposing TEs.
Conklin tied for the team lead in targets, going 8-4-17-0 against
the Broncos. Up next is a great matchup against the Vikings that
have had a strong defense, but have allowed the 5th-most points
to TEs.
Kraft was glad to have Jordan Love back in the lineup, and ended
up with a big 9-6-53-1 receiving line against the Vikings. Up
next is a positive matchup against the Rams.
Jauan Jennings,
SF @ LAR: Deebo Samuel was back in the lineup but Jennings still
led the team in targets and receiving yards, going 6-3-88-0 against
the Patriots. Up next is a tougher test against the Cardinals.
Jakobi Meyers,
LV vs CLE: Meyers was the clear WR1 with Davante Adams sitting
out Week 4, and ended up going 10-5-49-0 against the Browns. Up
next is a tougher assignment against a Broncos defense that has
defended WRs well. However, if Davante Adams is out again, Meyers
could benefit.
Michael Wilson, ARI vs WAS: Wilson led the team in targets against
a dreadful Commanders secondary, but could only manage 3 catches
for 38 yards in a blowout loss. Up next is a matchup against the
49ers.
Jahan Dotson,
PHI @ TB: Even though he tied for 2nd in targets, Dotson couldn’t
pick up the slack with both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith out.
This team clearly is missing its top WRs, so the Week 5 bye couldn’t
come at a better time.
Rome Odunze, CHI vs LAR: Odunze struggled in a game with Keenan
Allen back in the lineup and Caleb Williams only attempting 23
passes. Odunze caught 1 pass for 10 yards. Up next is another
soft matchup against the Panthers.
Calvin Austin, PIT @ IND: Austin caught his only target for 17
yards even though the Steelers played from behind the entire game.
It doesn’t help that Justin Fields spread the ball around
to 7 different pass catchers in the Steelers’ run-heavy
attack. Up next is a tougher matchup against the Cowboys.
Andrei Iosivas,
CIN @ CAR: Iosivas dropped down the target pecking order with
Tee Higgins coming back to life, catching only 1 pass for 29 yards.
Up next is a good matchup against the Ravens.
TE Cole Kmet, CHI vs LAR: Kmet went 3-3-34-0 in a win over the
Rams where Caleb Williams threw only 23 passes. The 3 targets,
tied for 3rd on the team (behind Swift and Moore). Up next is
another good matchup against the Panthers who are bottom 10 against
TEs.
Defense/ Special Teams
Seahawks vs NYG
The Seahawks have yet to play on Monday Night Football, but in
Week 5 they’ll face the Giants, who have scored the 5th-fewest
points of any team in the NFL, as well as being one of six teams
to have a defensive touchdown allowed. Meanwhile, the Seahawks
have only allowed 13 points per game in their first three games.
Broncos vs LV
Denver has quietly produced a stingy defense, allowing only 29
points in their last three games while getting 12 sacks in their
last two. The Raiders have allowed the 6th-most sacks to opposing
defenses.
Other D/ST to consider: Patriots vs MIA, Commanders vs CLE
Last week’s waiver adds:
Dolphins vs TEN: TBD on Monday Night Football.
Miami’s offense struggled on the road against the Seahawks,
but the Dolphins D still managed 3 sacks and 2 INTs. Up next is
a juicy matchup against the turnover-prone Will Levis.
Vikings @ GB: Minnesota had a solid day against
the Packers, creating 4 turnovers in jumping out to a big first-half
lead. They currently sit in the top 10 among D/STs for the week.
Up next is a date with the Jets who don’t like scoring points.
Saints @ ATL: New Orleans managed only 1 sack
and 1 turnover in a divisional loss against the Falcons. Up next,
they get the undefeated Chiefs on the road.
