It’s been a wild first month of the season thus far. With just under a quarter of the season already complete, we have three undefeated teams: the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs, who are 4-0, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are looking to match them with a victory against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night. Within the NFC alone, the divisional leaders are the Vikes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1), Seattle (3-0), and the Washington Commanders (3-1). Just how we all thought it would be, right?
We were fortunate to see the overall number of injuries tick down again this week. However, some notable big-name players came away scathed and we’ll need to navigate time without them.
Of Note: Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson picked up a hamstring injury at some point during Sunday’s victory over the Saints, though both the severity and timeline of the injury remain unclear. More over, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is thought to have sustained a high-ankle sprain when he got rolled up on in the loss to the Vikings. If that’s what it is, expect him to be sidelined for at least three weeks, with a high probability his juice will be sapped for longer. In addition, the Indianapolis Colts’ two top rushers left Sunday’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers dinged up. Running back Jonathan Taylor picked up what was reported as a “mild” high-ankle sprain, and currently the team isn't planning on placing him on IR. However, the fact that it’s even part of the conversation can’t be good. In other Colts news, QB Anthony Richardson (oblique) is considered day-to-day.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) popped up on the team’s injury report late last week, and he will potentially miss their Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Los Angeles Rams will potentially be down another WR as Demarcus Robinson (groin) is expected to be limited in practice this week. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Cordarelle Patterson (ankle) was forced from the team’s loss to the Colts, and we should receive an update on him over the next few days. Last but not least, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) is feared to have suffered a season-ending knee injury. However, reports have not confirmed this.
As a reminder, this column assumes PPR formats and will only highlight players around or under 50% ownership via Yahoo! Fantasy. If you want waiver suggestions for deep roster leagues, check out Streamers for the Desperate - Week 5.
Additionally, next week begins bye weeks for NFL squads, and the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, and Titans will all get the week off. Let's get to the Week 5 waivers.
Quarterback Streamers
One of the positives of coming this far along in the season is that we can start to spot trends – particularly in the defenses we want to attack that present as a run or pass funnel for their opposition. From here on out, the quarterback portion of this column will feature streamers targeting defenses weak against the pass.
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (57% Owned)
Despite New York QB's Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy outputs to date, he’s actually been better than you think. It appeared Rodgers might have picked up an injury in the team’s 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos. However, head coach Robert Saleh quelled those fears when he reported Rodgers as “fine.” Evidently, it’s just some “wear-and-tear.”
In Week 5, the 40-year-old signal-caller will head to Minnesota for a matchup with the Vikings, and they’re a defense we want to target. Despite the 4-0 record, Minnesota has allowed 1,097 passing yards through four weeks – the most in the league. While they have intercepted eight passes – the most by any defense – the six touchdowns they’ve let up through the air are fifth-most in the NFL.
Due to bye weeks, Rodgers is someone you may have to consider for your roster, and I like him to have to throw the ball a lot this coming Sunday.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (50% Owned)
Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins also faces a favorable matchup in Week 5 against division-rival Tampa Bay. The Bucs have allowed just one touchdown to go with two INTs through the air, but the 815 yards they’ve surrendered are in the top half of the league. Additionally, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) is still not practicing.
I’ll admit that Cousins looks rusty and not very mobile in the pocket. Still, he could have a big game if Atlanta is forced to throw a ton. While Tampa Bay did just give the Eagles’ offense a lot of trouble this past Sunday, Philly was down WR's Devonta Smith and AJ Brown. Additionally, Atlanta potentially lost another linebacker this weekend, so their defense is far from 100%. This could increase the odds that the Falcons may have to pass more. If he's available in your league, go get Cousins.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (22% Owned)
Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson is my least favorite streamer in this group, but he has the best matchup of all three when he and the Browns square off against the Washington Commanders. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels has taken the league by storm with fewer incompletions than scoring drives over the last few weeks – so Cleveland projects to be playing from behind. Additionally, the Browns defense isn't nearly as good as it was last year, so odds are Watson will need to air it out in this matchup.
Pair that with the fact that Washington has let up the tenth-most passing yards and the most passing touchdowns (10) in the league without registering an interception, and you’ve got an intriguing streamer for the week. My hopes aren’t high for the former Texan, but the pickings are getting slim with QBs Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Will Levis all on bye.
Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (23% Owned)
Atlanta RB Tyler Allgeier played his most snaps of the season in the Falcons’ 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, and that is no surprise considering backfield mate Bijan Robinson (hamstring) popped up on the injury report with a shoulder injury late last week, and now could miss more time.
It’s unclear when Robinson's hamstring injury occurred or the severity, but he was a limited participant in Monday’s estimated practice. Additionally, Atlanta will play its Week 5 matchup this Thursday when it hosts the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the short week doesn’t exactly bode well for Bijan's game-time status.
As a result, Allgeier was efficient in the team's Week 4 win, handling eight carries for 60 yards (7.5 YPC) and hauling in both of his targets for an additional 20 yards. While it’s unlikely the third-year back gets all the work to himself (with one or both of RBs Avery Williams and Jase McClellan mixing in), if Robinson were to miss time Allgeier would immediately be an RB2 with upside. As a result, he is one of the top RB pickups this week if available.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (12% Owned)
There hasn’t been much to be excited about with the Jaguars offense through four weeks, but they have one of the best matchups in the league this coming Sunday. Jacksonville will host the Indianapolis Colts – the second-most porous defense against opposing ground games.
First-string back Travis Etienne (shoulder) was forced from the team’s Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans after just two plays even though he eventually returned. However, Etienne did not look like his usual self nor play his typical allotment of snaps.
Conversely, backup RB Tank Bigsby matched his season-high in snaps (17) and was hyper-efficient with his work – rushing for 90 yards on seven carries (12.86 YPC) with a long run of 58 yards.
Etienne’s status for Week 5 is currently uncertain, but even if he suits up, Bigsby's performance may make this more of a timeshare moving forward. If Etienne can't go, Bigsby will easily be a low-end RB2. Go get him.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (14% Owned)
Despite teammate Derrick Henry going nuclear for 209 total yards and two scores on 27 touches in the team’s decisive 35-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, backup RB Justice Hill still found a way to be relevant. Actually, he was more than relevant, working his way to a top-ten fantasy finish on the week.
Four carries for 18 yards won’t inspire much, but Hill led the team in receptions (6), yards (78), and targets (6), and scored a touchdown through the air. It’s the second time this season the 26-year-old has caught six passes.
This game script doesn’t feel predictive moving forward, and I wouldn’t make the former-fourth round pick a priority waiver add this week. However, Baltimore's offense hasn’t exactly run smoothly through the tight ends and wide-outs. To that end, if Hill can keep up his passing game work, he’ll garner weekly low-end FLEX consideration. As a result, Hill is definitely worth monitoring.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (52% Owned)
Jets RB Braelon Allen and the rest of the offense didn’t do much this past Sunday on a rain-soaked field in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, he did lead his team in rushing with 34 yards on eight carries. Additionally, RB Breece Hall was severely underwhelming on his ten carries (1.4 YPC). It doesn’t appear that Hall is dealing with injury, so for the moment I’m chalking it up as an anomaly.
However, I’m suggesting Allen here for two reasons. One – it’s likely your last chance to get him if he’s still available. Two – in an exchange with reporters, head coach Robert Saleh was questioned why he chose not to utilize the rookie RB on goal-line carries. The drive in question resulted in Hall being stuffed on the goal line not once but twice. Additionally, on the ensuing play, Allen entered but the team ran a pass that fell incomplete. To make matters worse, a fourth-down penalty pushed them back too much to make another attempt.
I don’t believe Hall will lose his job or even become part of a 60/40 split, but there is no denying Allen is built for short-yardage situations, and it’s possible he’s used in such moving forward. If Allen is somehow still available in your league, he's worth a pickup.
Wide Receivers
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (14% Owned)
Green Bay WR Dontayvion Wicks was one of my favorite mid-to-late round dynasty selections this offseason. I took him everywhere and traded for him whenever I could, hoping he would evolve into a WR2 with upside. I also thought 2024 might be a slow burn – he's surrounded by a young, deep corps of pass-catching weapons – but with the high-ankle sprain wideout Christian Watson picked up in the team’s loss, his breakout could come quicker.
Wicks racked up a staggering 13 targets in the Week 4 loss, and although he only converted five, still amassed 78 yards and scored two touchdowns. Last season, the fifth-round rookie was the fill-in when Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed missed time, showing his versatility and ability to play any position. Additionally, Wicks was one of the best out-breaking route runners in the league, so this performance isn’t coming out of nowhere.
However, consistency could be challenging to come by with Doubs, Reed, and tight end Tucker Kraft all vying for targets. That said, at this point I’d rather have Wicks than all of those not named Jayden Reed. Moving forward, he’s an attractive low-end WR3/FLEX option with huge upside, and worth a waiver add.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (21% Owned)
If there was one sneaky under-the-radar player I loved more than Wicks coming into the season, it would be Colts WR Josh Downs. Downs had wildly high success rates against man and press coverage last year, routinely torching DBs in the short-middle area of the field. He reminded me a bit of WR Hunter Renfrow but with much more juice. He wasn’t just running layup routes, either, and was often used downfield as a rookie while excelling against all coverages.
However, the unfortunate truth about Downs' eight-catch, 82-yard performance is that it was likely fueled by the savvy veteran QB Joe Flacco while having to replace an injured Anthony Richardson (oblique). It doesn’t sound like Richardson will miss much time, and it’s unlikely Flacco starts again unless the team has no other option.
Despite this, the second-year wideout looked impressive in the win and appeared to be over the ankle injury that forced him to miss the season's first two games. If you can afford the roster spot, he’s someone who needs to be stashed in case this performance wasn't a fluke.
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (56% Owned)
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey is another player I’m throwing on here as a “last call” type of deal, as he’ll likely be unavailable to you after this week of waivers. McConkey reeled in 5-of-7 targets for 67 yards and a touchdown in LA’s 17-10 loss to the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. It marked the third time in four contests that the rookie wide-out led or tied for the team lead in targets, receptions, and yards.
The second-round pick in this year’s draft is QB Justin Herbert's obvious No. 1 option, as he has out-targeted the team’s second-leading wide-out (WR Quentin Johnston) by six. McConkey will be a better PPR play than anything, but it makes sense for him to improve as the season progresses. He's someone to possibly get excited about.
Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams (3% Owned)
I gave Rams WR Jordan Whittington an honorable mention two weeks ago, but with WR Demarcus Robinson's (groin) injury, Whittington has graduated to a deep-league option. He had the best game of his young career in the team’s 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears, converting 6-of-8 targets for 62 yards while playing 97% of the team’s snaps.
The sixth-round rookie caught a ton of buzz this offseason out of Rams camp, and he’ll now have the opportunity to make his mark in the regular season. Fantasy managers may want to exhibit caution when slotting him into their lineups off a one-game sample. However, the Green Bay Packers have allowed the eighth-most yards and third-most scores to opposing passing attacks, and QB Matthew Stafford is running out of options.
If Robinson suits up, it’s best to take a wait-and-see approach with Whittington.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15% Owned)
When it comes to the tight end position in fantasy, we're simply looking for a body that hasn't succumbed to the veritable fire dumpster sale. With this in mind, Buccaneers TE Cade Otton has progressed to a weekly starting option after back-to-back productive games. Otton caught 6-of-9 targets for 56 yards in Tampa Bay’s 33-16 Week 4 win over the Eagles, building off his performance from the previous matchup when he posted a 7/47 line.
I liked Otton as a sleeper heading into the season but I’m not celebrating just yet. Despite playing the entire contest, WR Mike Evans has been dealing with an injury. It’s unclear if this aided Otton’s big day, but at this point we'll take anything we can get.
The 25-year-old will be a high-end TE2 when the Bucs square off against the Falcons in Week 5, so he's worth a look and possible waiver addition if available in your league.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (4% Owned)
Green Bay TE Tucker Kraft played more snaps in Week 4 in nearly three weeks and responded well. His nine targets were good for second on the team, and he turned them into six catches, 56 yards, and a touchdown.
He did cough up a fumble during the contest, but I like Kraft moving forward for the next few weeks while we see how long WR Christian Watson (ankle) will be sidelined. QB Jordan Love likes to spread the ball around, but with one less viable target it's fair to assume the uptick in usage for the second-year tight end is no fluke.
As we approach the heart of the NFL season, the first month has certainly delivered its fair share of surprises and standout performances. With three undefeated teams and intriguing matchups ahead, it's clear that fantasy managers need to stay vigilant. The recent decline in injury reports is promising, but the toll of key players sidelined—like RB Bijan Robinson and WR Christian Watson—highlight the importance of a proactive waiver strategy. As bye weeks begin, those roster spots will be crucial for navigating the challenges ahead.
In this ever-evolving fantasy landscape, identifying the right waiver wire picks can make or break your season. From reliable quarterbacks to emerging wide receivers, there's plenty of talent waiting to be snatched up. As we gear up for Week 5, now's the time to make those strategic moves and secure the players who can lead your team to victory. Don't let opportunities slip away—stay engaged and keep an eye on the latest developments!
