Waiver Wire Targets: Week 5

Heading into Week 5, we have another enticing list of players available on the waiver wire. So, let’s jump right into it! 

I would like to add a disclaimer here that FAAB recommendations vary widely from league to league, roster construction, available players, etc. While I try to give a roundabout number to bid on these players, you know your leagues better than I do, so you should ultimately bid the amount that you feel is right. There is also a big difference between leagues with minimum $0 bids and minimum $1 bids that could adjust the bid amount, as well. If you want more waiver wire help, you should join patreon.com/brotofantasy for the waiver wire podcast that dives deeper into available players not mentioned in this article, as well as TE and QB streamers of the week. You can also join the discord and ask me more direct waiver questions with info about your league so that I can give you the most informed advice that I can. Hope to see you there! 

*Players listed in order of FAAB Recommendation 

**Roster percentage based on Yahoo 

Michael Wilson (ARI WR)

Roster Percentage: 2% 

Faab Recommendation: 15-20% 

Rookie third round pick, Michael Wilson, put himself on radars in Week 3 then absolutely put himself on the map in Week 4. In a tough matchup against the 49ers, Wilson had a career game, totaling seven catches on 7 targets, for 76 targets and two TDs en route to a WR1 finish on the week. Wilson was trending upwards in weeks 2 and 3 as well, turning his five targets in that span into 5 receptions for 142 yards. Josh Dobbs has been way better than most expected this season, keeping Hollywood Brown in must start territory, while Michael Wilson has risen to the #2 pass catching option in the offense. Wilson will certainly have down weeks throughout the rest of the year but he is proving to be a solid NFL wide receiver and will have more big games mixed in as well. 

Josh Palmer (LAC WR)

Roster Percentage: 61% 

Faab Recommendation: 15-20% 

Josh Palmer should have been universally added last week but he is still barely over 60% rostered in yahoo leagues. Palmer led all Chargers WRs with 86% of snaps and target percentage at 33.3% in Week 4. Yes, Quentin Johnston’s role expanded, but Palmer was the clear #2 option behind Keenan Allen. With the way Herbert is throwing it, Palmer should absolutely be rostered and treated as a WR3/Flex play heading iafter the bye. The bye week may even help you get him on a discount.  

Romeo Doubs (GB WR)

Roster Percentage: 54% 

Faab Recommendation: 15-20% 

Romeo Doubs impressed in Week 4, totaling nine receptions and 95 yards on 13 targets. Doubs now has at least 14 half ppr fantasy points in three of four games for the Packers. Yes, Christian Watson was limited, and his role is only going to increase, but Doubs has proven to be a favorite of Jordan Love and should retain value, even with a fully healthy Christian Watson. He should be rostered in all leagues right now, not 54% of leagues. 

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN RB)

Roster Percentage: 3% 

Faab Recommendation: 10-15% 

After Javonte Williams got hurt, McLaughlin took the lead in the Broncos backfield, He led the team in rushes with 7 and targets with 3, compared to 6 and 2 for Samaje Perine, respectively. McLaughlin looked better than any Denver RB has looked all year in 10 touches, turning in 104 yards and a TD. Unfortunately, the Broncos RB room has generally been a wasteland through four weeks, as McLaughlin was the first Broncos RB to score double digit fantasy points this season. Denver faces off against formidable defenses the next couple weeks against the Jets and Chiefs, so while McLaughlin is flex worthy with Williams out, expectations should be tempered. 

Jake Ferguson (DAL TE)

Roster Percentage: 53% 

Faab Recommendation: 10-15%% 

Jake Ferguson should be treated as a TE1 from here on out. He has seen 7 targets in three of four games and is getting more and more involved in the offense as the season has progressed. If you are in need of TE help, go get Ferguson. 

CJ Stroud (HOU QB)

Roster Percentage: 47% 

Faab Recommendation: 10%

CJ Stroud looks like an absolute stud through four weeks of the season for the Houston Texans. Fans have a reason to be excited for the first time in a long time. From a fantasy standpoint, after a mediocre Week 1, Stroud has now put together three straight 20+ point fantasy performances. He looks like he could be the answer for the Joe Burrow managers and other QB needy teams. 

Jameson Williams (DET WR)

Roster Percentage: 32% 

Faab Recommendation: 10% 

With Williams’ suspension reduced to four games, the second year wide out will be active and on the field for the Lions in Week 5. He will likely be eased into the offense, but let’s not forget he is a first-round pick with a lot of potential. It could take time but this is a high risk, high reward speculative add. 

Tyler Boyd (CIN WR)

Roster Percentage: 37% 

Faab Recommendation: 5-10% 

The Bengals offense has been absolutely abysmal through four weeks of the season but with Tee Higgins getting hurt, you have to expect Tyler Boyd to get more involved. Surprisingly, he has even seen 24 targets already through the last three games. Certainly some flex appeal here. 

Dalton Kincaid (BUF TE)

Roster Percentage: 67% 

Faab Recommendation: 2-8%

Dalton Kincaid is yet to have a statement game this season but he did separate himself from Dawson Knox in Week 4 from a usage standpoint. With the TE position continuing to be an absolute mess, Kincaid is worth a look if still available in your league. 

Zay Jones (JAX WR)

Roster Percentage: 31% 

Faab Recommendation: 5% 

Zay Jones went 5/55/1 in his only healthy game this season and is close to returning. At the very least he is a strong bye week fill in. He should be way more than just 31% rostered. 

Michael Gallup (DAL WR)

Roster Percentage: 19% 

Faab Recommendation: 3-5% 

With Brandin Cooks seemingly being cooked, Michael Gallup has seen his role increase over the past two weeks, totaling 11 receptions and 152 receiving yards. The Cowboys have been in several blowouts already this year, leading to weird overall fantasy output, but Gallup is making some noise and should be considered for WR desperate teams. 

Curtis Samuel (WSH WR)

Roster Percentage: 9% 

Faab Recommendation: 3-5% 

Trusting Sam Howell to produce several fantasy worthy receiving options every week is not something that anyone should be relying on, however, Curtis Samuel has found his role in the Commanders offense as a safety blanket and rushing option. He is coming off of his best game of the season and has generally been involved enough that he should not be ignored in deeper leagues, especially with bye weeks kicking off this week. 

Josh Dobbs (ARI QB)

Roster Percentage: 5% 

Faab Recommendation: 0-2% 

Josh Dobbs has performed admirably as the Arizona Cardinals starting QB, putting together some way better performances than most expected. Dobbs has scored over 23 fantasy points in two of his last three starts and has been a QB1 in this span. With three straight games over 40 rushing yards, he is also setting up a nice floor for himself, even if he struggles passing. I am not as Bullish on Dobbs as I am on Stroud, but in deep leagues, he is certainly worth a look in Week 5 against the Bengals.

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By Michael Petropoulos