Kenny Pickett took over in Pittsburgh, Latavius Murray showed up out of nowhere for the Saints, Michael Gallup made his triumphant return, Mike Boone registered his yearly appearance on fantasy radars, and, oh yeah, preseason darling Brian Robinson Jr. is due back just in time to coincide with Antonio Gibson losing touches in Washington. All are among our top Week 5 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, and while they inspire various levels of excitement, they’re potential difference-makers the rest of the way.
Our full free agent list features more players who made impacts in Week 4, including preseason sleepers George Pickens and Tyler Allgeier, underrated contributors Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Reynolds, and Corey Davis, and breakout TEs Tyler Conklin, Mo Alie-Cox, and Will Dissly. We also have a few QBs and handcuff RBs, and as always, we also have defense streamer recommendations for next week, which can be found at the end of the list. It’s slim pickings for Week 5, so hopefully, you’re already set at D/ST.
Robinson is definitely worth a high waiver claim if you’re in one of the 46 percent of Yahoo leagues where he’s available. However, the rest of this week’s top pickups probably aren’t worth more than mid- or low-tier waiver claims. Despite two key RBs getting hurt (Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Williams), there isn’t an obvious, widely available handcuff worth bidding up. Boone will be probably claimed, but he’s not worth a top-five slot. It’s also unlikely you’re desperate enough at QB to use a high claim on Pickett, and Alvin Kamara (ribs) could easily be back next week to crush Murray’s value. The receivers are your typical assortment of inconsistent WR3 types, and there’s a new crop of those every week.
UPDATE: Williams is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, raising Boone’s value. It was also announced Monday that Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) will miss at least the next four games, making Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier valuable waiver claims, too.
UPDATE 2: Latavius Murray was signed to the Broncos’ practice squad on Monday, lowering the long-term value of Boone while also lowering Murray’s short-term value. Neither should be as sought after on the waiver market, but they still will likely get claimed. Mark Ingram’s short-term value rises, though.
WEEK 5 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
As we’ve seen the past few weeks, though, injuries tend to pop up closer to Sunday, so having a high waiver claim for a potential late-week waiver add is important. At the very least, preserving your spot near the top of the pecking order will eventually come in handy, so don’t be in a rush to waste it on a mid-tier player. There might not be a ton of waiver movement this week, so the climb back up the waiver order will likely be slow. Focusing on free agents and trying to improve around the margins seems to be the play this week.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 5
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Commanders. Robinson is owned in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues, but that number will skyrocket now that he’s fully expected to be activated in time for Week 5’s game against Tennessee. Antonio Gibson has disappointed and seen his snap share dwindle, and considering Robinson was expected to start before getting shot in an attempted robbery just before Week 1, it seems likely that Robinson will immediately be the co-No. 1 RB, at the very least. He has the talent to completely dominate this committee right from the start, so grab him now if he’s still available.
WEEK 5 FANTASY: Full waiver list | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Latavius Murray, RB, Saints. Mark Ingram got the start in place of Alvin Kamara (ribs), but it was Murray who looked like the far superior back, rushing a team-leading 11 times for 57 yards and a TD. Ingram had 10 carries for 30 yards. Murray doesn’t have much value if Kamara is healthy, but given Kamara’s injury history, Murray has to be on the handcuff radar. He’ll continue to split carries with Ingram if Kamara is out, and, if that’s the case, he’ll have some flex upside in favorable matchups like next week’s date with Seattle. (UPDATE: With Murray now on the Broncos, he’ll lose short-term value but potentially gain long-term value as part of a three-man committee looking to replace Javonte Williams.)
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers. Pickett was called into action after halftime in Week 4, performing well (10-for-13, 120 yards, six carries, 15 rushing yards, two rushing TDs) and generally looking more competent than Mitchell Trubisky. He did throw three INTs, but two came on tipped balls that weren’t entirely his fault and the third was on a Hail Mary. Given Pittsburgh’s receiving weapons, Pickett should have upside most weeks even if he’s running for his life behind a shaky O-line. You don’t want to start him next week against Buffalo, but Pickett is definitely worth adding in deep leagues or if you have QB issues.
Mike Boone, RB, Broncos. Javonte Williams exited early in the second half due to a knee injury, and it was Boone, not Melvin Gordon, who handled the bulk of the RB snaps the rest of the way. Gordon fumbled in the first half — his fourth fumble of the season — which is likely why he was barely involved. Boone finished the game with just 29 total yards on four touches (three carries, one reception) — and had a bad drop late in the fourth quarter — but considering the Broncos have a quick turnaround for a Thursday night matchup against Indianapolis, there’s a chance Boone leads the backfield again. He has to be picked up despite all the uncertainty. (Update: With Williams out for the season because of a torn ACL, Boone is a must-have player.) (UPDATE 2: With Murray now on the Broncos, Boone loses potential long-term value.)
George Pickens, WR, Steelers. Pickens was the talk of the fantasy world in the preseason, but it took until Week 4 before we really saw him produce. Pickens caught six passes (eight passes) for a team-leading 102 yards against the Jets, and it might not be a coincidence his rise came the same week Kenny Pickett took over at QB after halftime. Pickens is worth stashing in case Pickett’s presence ignites him, but keep him on your bench next week against Buffalo.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including some potential streaming options, check out our full Week 5 list.
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