If you’re like me, the fantasy football waiver wire night is a roller coaster of emotions. It usually goes something like this: “I know it’s 3 o’clock in the morning babe, but I have to see if my waiver requests went through.” “Son of a Bitch!” “How did that guy get my waiver?” “Oh, thank god, I got my 6th option.” With a slew of fantasy football players on bye this week the waiver wire will be blowing like Angelina Jolie’s tinder account. To make sure you are prepared, I’m going to give you fantasy football week 5 waiver wire options. All of these players are owned in less than 40% of leagues, so they could be available in yours.
Quarterbacks: (D. Brees, B. Bortles, A. Smith, R. Wilson on bye.)
- Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears (5% owned)
Brian Hoyer has done nothing for Chicago over the last two weeks in relief of Jay Cutler, except throw for over 600 yards, 4TDs and 0 INTs. If Hoyer continues to start for Chicago, he gets great match-ups over the next three weeks. The Colts this week, the Jaguars next week and finally the Packers. All three of these teams rank near the bottom for most fantasy points given up to QBs this year.
- Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (35% owned)
The rookie is completing over 64% of his passes and is averaging 7.54 yards per attempt. Parlay those statistics with the fact he has thrown 5 TDS and 0 INTs, and Carson gets a juicy matchup in week 5 against the Detroit Lions. Detroit has given up the most fantasy points per game than any other team in the league to QBs.
- Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (33% owned)
Joe Flacco is a prime example of the law of numbers. More is more when it comes to Wacko for Flacco. Flacco is averaging 42.5 passes per game to begin the season and has Washington in week 5. It doesn’t look like this is the week he will be lowering that average.
Running Backs: (C. Michael, J. Charles, M. Ingram on bye.)
- Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens (27% owned)
West was finally given the chance to tote the rock as a lead back last week and he didn’t disappoint. West rushed 21 times for 113 yards and a TD. The only challenge he has right now is the return of Kenneth Dixon, but I feel like he still has a few more weeks to prove he is trust worthy. Washington has given up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs this season.
- Fozzy Whittaker (24% owned)
Waka Waka Waka! Fozzy is a great streamer if you need to fill the running back position on your team this week. Last week he caught 9 passes for 84 yards and ran the ball 3 times. Not the sexiest matchup against TB in week 5, but I still think he will catch his way to 10+ fantasy points for you.
- Bilal Powell, New York Jets (22% owned)
Monitor Matt Forte this week. If Forte can’t go, Bilal will be the top week 5 fantasy football pick up. Last week Powell caught 6 passes for 54 yards and ran the ball 4 times for another 26 yards.
Wide Receivers: (A. Robinson, A. Hurns, B. Cooks, W. Sneed, D. Baldwin, J. Maclin on bye.)
- Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers (17% owned)
Finally, Sammy has gotten the hang of hanging onto the ball. We have been waiting for this talented wide receivers to break out and it looks like he has. Sammie is a big play guy with 5 receptions this year over 40 yards. Scoop him up!
- Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills (7% owned)
Woods answered the question of “who will step up with Sammy Watkins” going on the IR. This is terrible news for Sammy Watkins, but great news for Robert Woods. Woods put up a modest 7 catches for 89 yards against a typically stout New England defense. Now he gets lack luster Rams’ and 49ers’ defenses against wide receivers.
- Kenny Britt, Los Angeles Rams (4% owned)
Coming off a 4 catches for 89 yards last week, Kenny will have a tough matchup in week 5 against Buffalo. He gets the Detroit Lions in week 6 that are giving up the 6th most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Tight Ends: (J. Thomas, C. Fleener, J. Graham, T. Kelce on bye.)
- Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10% owned)
Cameron Brate has been a target machine since Tampa Bay released Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He has taken sole possession of the job and two weeks ago racked up 18 targets, 10 catches, 113 yards and 2 TDs.
- Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills (12% owned)
As I mentioned earlier, the absence of Sammy Watkins has left a lot of targets and passes on the able and they that need to go somewhere. Tyrod has developed chemistry with Clay and he has a few juicy match-ups over the next couple of weeks.
- Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers (30% owned)
As long as Antonio Gates is in the tub, Hunter Henry is a perfect sub! Gates has missed the last two games and it looks like he may miss more. Hunter has been rewarded over the last two weeks totaling 12 targets, 9 catches, 133 yards and a TD.
– You’re Welcome!
Get at me on twitter: @Paul_ThePAShow