Injuries can be detrimental to the success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for a plug-in starter. Unfortunately, there were plenty of key players added to the injury report after a full Sunday slate. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
Four weeks have passed, so if some of those late-round flyers you thought were going to boom aren’t producing enough, it may be time to drop them and look elsewhere. If you’re in need of an immediate upgrade, here are some Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help push your team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Jared Goff, Lions (44.1%)
Jared Goff enters Week 5 as the QB5 in fantasy football. The Detroit Lions offense has plenty of talent, including a good offensive line and running game, so Goff should continue to put up consistent fantasy points moving forward. The Lions currently average the most points per game (35.0), so the offense is able to score, but the main attraction is that they also allow the most points per game (35.3). As long as the defense continues to allow so many points, Goff and company will be forced to throw the ball which equals more fantasy points.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (15.1%)
Many NFL fans thought the Seattle Seahawks would be the tanking team this season, but they actually look solid with Geno Smith under center. Smith isn’t a flashy fantasy football waiver wire pickup by any means, but he’s scored 17+ fantasy points in three of four contests so far. There’s no telling how long the Seahawks offense looks decent, but they face some weak and banged-up secondaries in two of their next three games.
Other options: Ryan Tannehill (15.3%), Daniel Jones (13.8%), Kenny Pickett (4.0%)
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Brian Robinson, Commanders (37.4%)
There isn’t much to say about Brian Robinson yet because he hasn’t logged a regular season snap. He was regarded highly in the Washington Commanders’ coaching staff and front office, and their run game has been lackluster through four games. There are a lot of mouths to feed in that backfield, but Robinson could very easily carve out the lead role if he produces with limited snaps. He’s more of a stash-and-wait until we see how his role forms in the offense.
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (16.8%)
With Cordarelle Patterson placed on IR with a knee injury, Tyler Allgeier immediately becomes a top fantasy football waiver wire pickup. He totaled 84 yards on just 10 carries and can be used in the passing game if needed. It’s hard to trust an Atlanta Falcons running back outside of Patterson, but Allgeier has looked good when given opportunities and doesn’t have much competition for carries. At just under 17 percent ownership, he is likely available in your league, especially smaller leagues.
Other options: Mike Boone (1.0%), Kenneth Gainwell (18.8%), Rachaad White (11.3%)
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (46.5%)
After missing the beginning of the season with an injury, Michael Gallup is back. He caught a touchdown in his return, but his target share was certainly disappointing. He was somewhat limited and Cooper Rush being under center instead of Dak Prescott surely doesn’t help his case much. Gallup has big-play ability and Rush doesn’t have a strong arm to reach him for those plays, but once Dak is back, his upside and value will increase.
Isaiah McKenzie, Bills (20.1%)
It’s a blessing and a curse to own Buffalo Bills pass catchers because of how high-powered the offense is. Isaiah McKenzie has shown some consistency so far, catching three touchdowns in four games. McKenzie is their slot guy and, with news of Jamison Crowder breaking his ankle, the snap split is gone. He has chemistry with Josh Allen and seems to be a go-to target on crucial downs. The Bills don’t run the ball, so you might as well roster some of Allen’s weapons because they’re going to throw it 80 percent of the time.
Other options: Romeo Doubs (46.1%), Joshua Palmer (40.2%), George Pickens (37.6%)
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (21.4%)
I have been a vocal Hayden Hurst supporter this season simply because of his volume in a high-powered passing offense. But, he has definitely disappointed for the most part. He caught his first touchdown last week on only four targets, but the Bengals will figure it out moving forward. Once the offense is fully humming and opposing secondaries are scrambling to cover all their wide receivers, Hurst will be open for those easy catches that turn into solid value for fantasy managers.
Will Dissly, Seahawks (1.6%)
Will Dissly making a fantasy football waiver wire pickups article isn’t what I had imagined, but his consistency has been impressive. He is too touchdown-dependent to provide consistency in the long term, but he has caught three touchdowns in four games. Dissly has also hauled in every target that has been thrown to him, so it’s clear Geno Smith looks for him on short downs and in the red zone. Don’t raise expectations, because this stint could end soon but his volume is hard to ignore.
Other options: Tyler Conklin (38.8%), Robert Tonyan (21.7%), Taysom Hill (10.8%)
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