Week 5 saw some crazy things happen that are definitely causing you to read this article. Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome season-ending injury, Dalvin Cook hurt his groin, and a couple of wide receivers broke out in a big way.
I went with a larger number of quarterbacks than normal as I know many people had Dak plugged in as a weekly starter and will need help filling that void.
NOTE: This column refers to players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues and ESPN Leagues.
Quarterbacks
We’re starting this off with guys I have mentioned multiple times in this space as waiver pickups. The first two are actually top-10 quarterbacks right now on the season and not heavily rostered!
Ryan Fitzpatrick – There was magic in the air when the Dolphins met the Niners in Week 5. 350 passing yards and 3 touchdowns worth of magic to be exact. Next up are the Jets. Fitz has passed for multiple touchdowns and/or thrown for over 300 yards in the past 4 games. The Dolphins passing game is rolling. Fitzpatrick is currently the overall QB9 in fantasy. 21% rostered in Yahoo and 19% in ESPN. 10% FAAB.
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s weekly finishes since Miami's season opener (QB32) in New England: QB10, QB6, QB12, QB2*.
*Monday-Tuesday pending
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) October 12, 2020
Gardner Minshew – If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I have a special place in my heart for Minshew-mania. In Week 5 he passed for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has multiple touchdowns in fours games this season and his worst game he threw for 275 yards. This guy is simply spreading the ball around and getting it done. Next up is the Lions and their very friendly pass defense. 51% rostered in Yahoo and 56% rostered in ESPN (I know that breaks the rules but not by much) 10% FAAB
Derek Carr – The raiders are on a bye Week 6, but don’t let that stop you from adding Carr if you know you need a QB. He has passed for at least 1 touchdown in each game this season and has multiple touchdowns in 4 out of 5 games. With Ruggs showing amazing deep ball plays in Week 5, this passing offense looks like it is opening up big time. He has a very friendly schedule for the rest of the season. 21% rostered in Yahoo and 15% in ESPN. 8% FAAB
Justin Herbert – He has 3 touchdowns in each of the past two weeks. Herbert spreads the ball around exceptionally well for the Chargers. Watching him play is wonderful. He was mentioned here last week as well, where I mentioned you could expect the multi touchdown game against the Saints (he delivered in the first half). Rostered in 52% of Yahoo leagues and 35% in ESPN. 10% FAAB
Other Quarterbacks to consider: Andy Dalton
Running Backs
Alexander Mattison – Dalvin Cook is questionable for Week 6 with a groin injury. Mattison took over in Week 5 and gained 112 yards on the ground and 24 more yards receiving. He will be a primary add if you are have Cook rostered. This guy has proven in the past he will produce, and he faces the Falcons in Week 6. 41% rostered in Yahoo and 41% in ESPN. 22% FAAB
Chase Edmonds – Edmonds is heavily involved in the Cardinals passing game with 6 targets in each of the last 2 games. He has also found the end zone in each of the past two weeks. With Drake looking less than spectacular, Edmonds appears to be capitalizing and increasing his usage in the passing game more and more. A must-add in PPR. 61% rostered in Yahoo but on 46% rostered in ESPN. (Mentioned here last week) 12% FAAB
J.D. McKissic – If you are playing points per receptions and are running back needy, I would look at McKissic. He has been targeted 8 times in each of the past two games with 7 receptions for 40 yards in Weeks 4 and 6 receptions for 46 yards in Week 5. In Week 5 he led the team in targets and receptions, having a 27% target share. I like it; I like it a lot in PPR. 6% rostered in Yahoo and 14% in ESPN. 5% FAAB
Other running backs to consider: Justin Jackson and Damien Harris
Wide Receivers
Chase Claypool – 116 total yards and 4 touchdowns makes you notice Claypool. Diontae Johnson left the game early and Claypool more than made the Steelers happy. Claypool also had 88 yards and a TD in Week 3, so this is not a fluke. I wouldn’t expect 4 touchdowns to become a weekly event, but he is a must-add at wide receiver right now. 17% rostered in Yahoo and 8% rostered in ESPN. Top add this week. 25% of FAAB
Travis Fulgham – Claypool got all the press, but Fulgham got 13 targets for 10 receptions, 152 yards and a touchdown. This was a whopping 37% target share in Week 5. The Eagles have been hurting at wide receiver, and Fulgham filled that void in Week 5. In Week 4 Fulgham had 2 receptions for 57 yards. 3% rostered in Yahoo and 0% rostered in ESPN. 10% FAAB
Brandin Cooks – Dropped by many fantasy teams after Week 4, Cooks shows up on our radar with a 12 target, 8 receptions, 161 yards, and a touchdown in Week 5. He should be rostered. His target share was 34% in Week 5, the most thus far this season for Cooks. 44% rostered in Yahoo and 60% in ESPN. 10% FAAB
Henry Ruggs – Ruggs was only targeted 3 times and had 2 receptions, but gained 118 yards and had a touchdown. His target share is going to increase and now is a good time to make the add. 44% rostered in Yahoo and 48% in ESPN. 15% FAAB
Laviska Shenault – Shenault has at least 6 targets in each of the last 3 games. Week 5 brought 7 receptions for 79 yards. D.J. Chark left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. You can expect Shenault to continue to grow his role in the Jaguars passing attack. 34% rostered in Yahoo and 32% in ESPN. 10% FAAB
Mike Williams – 5 receptions for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns. Williams and Herbert appear to be a match made in heaven. A quarterback with a big strong arm and a wide receiver that burns down the field. Rest of season schedule for this passing attack is beautiful by the way. 40% rostered in Yahoo and 34% in ESPN. 6% FAAB
Other wide receivers to consider: Preston Williams and Christian Kirk.
NOTE: I am throwing out a caveat here for all of you, I am not going nuts over the top waiver adds this week myself as I don’t personally have need at wide receiver. I think you can expect the two top wide receiver options to be heavily pursued. As such, I will be VERY happy to get Shenault and Ruggs if available in my leagues.
Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham – Graham has totaled 20 targets in the past 3 games for 13 receptions, 123 yards and 3 touchdowns. Its about time we take notice that he is being utilized by the Bears in the passing game. 40% rostered in Yahoo and 53% in ESPN. 3% FAAB
Austin Hooper – With 5 targets in each of the last two games, it appears the Browns have decided to get Hooper involved in their passing game. If he can maintain the targets, Hooper will at least be playable at TE. 55% rostered in Yahoo and 45% in ESPN. 2% FAAB
Other tight ends to consider: Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate.
Remember to check out Kyle Larson’s Stream Options for Week 4 for a more in-depth look at defenses to stream.
Thanks for checking out our waiver wire column. For more great content from the Undroppables, follow us on Twitter, follow @MikeReedyFF for more great content, and visit back soon for Mike’s weekly Money Makers and Heart Breakers article.
