Another week went by, and another fantasy football debriefing period is upon us. But failing to address any shortcomings of your team(s) by not using your waiver wire pickups is a great way to continuously finish last in your leagues this year.
All players below are on less than 50% of rosters in all ESPN fantasy football leagues, meaning that if they are on this list, they likely are available in your leagues and able to be added.
Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
10. Zach Pascal – WR
Indianapolis Colts
18.3% Rostered
The Indianapolis Colts have struggled so far this year, stumbling out of the gate and failing to get their offense going. But with the kind of target share Zach Pascal has been getting so far, it seems that his WR2 status on this team is backed up by his stats.
5+ targets this season, including 4/43/2 in Week 1, has helped bring value to Pascal, not someone thought of as a valuable fantasy football option. But with the Colts boasting a solid offensive attack, once it is unlocked, Pascal’s consistent workload should continue to grow.
9. Taylor Heinicke – QB
Washington Football Team
10.2% Rostered
Our first quarterback on this list is a journeyman option for Washington, and while Taylor Heinicke’s path to the NFL was unexpected, his stats this year in relief of Ryan Fitzpatrick are on path for how he performed last season.
All Heinicke has done is played scrappy football and keep this team more than afloat so far – three consecutive games of 20+ fantasy points will do the trick, and grabbing a top-18 QB off free agency is a great way to upgrade your team.
8. Dalton Schultz – TE
Dallas Cowboys
21.6% Rostered
Tight ends are hard to guess on a weekly basis, but Dalton Schultz has performed at TE5 levels so far this year. The Dallas Cowboys are one of the league’s most volatile offensive attacks, and with Schultz having corralled 6+ targets in three weeks this year, he seems to have established a relationship with Dak Prescott.
25 targets across four weeks is a healthy number, and Schultz looks to be in no shape to be slowing down.
7. Alex Collins – RB
Seattle Seahawks
0.9% Rostered
Even with having the clear-cut starter in Chris Carson in-house, the Seattle Seahawks enjoy ruining fantasy football rosters, which is why Alex Collins is an option on this list.
Waiver wire pickups fluctuate on a weekly basis, which is what makes Collins’ addition to this list one that may have too much stock put into it – or it could help you get out ahead of the curve of your league.
The Seahawks give Carson a very long leash as their starting back, limiting any sort of work for Collins – but after having secured 12 touches and scoring his first TD of the year, Collins could become an RB3 option somewhat soon.
6. Samaje Perine – RB
Cincinnati Bengals
1.5% Rostered
With this many backup running backs on this list, it must mean that injuries have started to flare up around the league’s RB group – and unfortunately, it has struck the Cincinnati Bengals too.
As the Bengals made a second-half comeback on TNF, Joe Mixon was lost due to an ankle injury, one that did not look all that serious at the time it happened. Even though he stayed on the sideline for the rest of the game, Samaje Perine was able to jump in and handle the work.
His nine touches were a result of Mixon’s bell-cow status and his late injury, but he certainly should be looked at if Mixon ends up putting up limited practice showings during the week. As reports begin to surface about Mixon’s injury not being super serious, keep an eye out if Mixon ends up missing time.
5. Kenneth Gainwell – RB
Philadelphia Eagles
24.6% Rostered
Even with Miles Sanders, rookie back Kenneth Gainwell is earning an intriguing amount of work for this Philadelphia offense. Establishing himself as one of Jalen Hurts’ favorite targets so far this year, Gainwell looks to have a long-term role in this offense, something that will fluctuate on a weekly basis.
The Eagles are a tough team to predict, as they seem to be heavily reliant on the right arm and legs of Hurts to orchestrate their offense – and with Sanders looking like a shell of himself to open the season, it certainly has opened the door for Gainwell to earn some looks.
Frequently playing from behind, the Eagles will continue to work Gainwell into the game plan through passing work, which will help him establish fantasy value. Plus, if he continues to vulture red zone work like he did Sunday for his second rushing score of the year, his ceiling will only rise from there.
4. Darnell Mooney – WR
Chicago Bears
40.8% Rostered
Currently sitting as the WR70 on the year, Darnell Mooney has had a relatively slow start to what many thought would be his breakout season. But having earned seven-plus targets in all but one game so far, his offensive target share is there, it just comes down to QB accuracy and production.
Allen Robinson is this team’s top WR, but Mooney seems to be gaining some steam, especially with Justin Fields. And if you are looking for takeaways from a 5 catch, 125-yard day, find that Mooney’s role in this offense seems to only be growing, and he is bringing his fantasy football value with him, making him an important target for your waiver wire pickups.
3. Latavius Murray – RB
Baltimore Ravens
34.2% Rostered
Having been the leading back for the Baltimore Ravens in their surprising road victory over the Denver Broncos, Latavius Murray now seems to be on the good side of the offensive staff, especially since incumbent starter Ty’Son Williams was a healthy scratch.
Three touchdowns across the first four games of the season is an important stat to cue in on for Murray, but his lack of receiving involvement (no receptions) limits his ceiling. But, if Murray is able to remain the lead option in BAL’s backfield moving forward, he certainly can fill a role as one of this week’s waiver wire pickups.
2. Sam Darnold – QB
Carolina Panthers
18.3% Rostered
Christian McCaffrey’s injury certainly has helped in this regard, but having Sam Darnold be tied for the league lead in rushing TDs (5) is not something anyone saw before this season started – but here we are, and here is Darnold.
In his first season with the Panthers, Darnold has developed a rapport with this offense, specifically WR DJ Moore, connecting for 30 receptions, 398 yards, and 3 scores. But for Darnold, his impact on this team lies both through the air and on the ground, having been responsible for 5 scores both ways.
The Panthers are one of the more surprising teams this year, and Darnold is the perfect reason why – especially in Superflex or 2-QB leagues, Darnold is a great fantasy football pickup, especially against PHI in Week 5.
1. Damien Williams – RB
Chicago Bears
10.2% Rostered
Week 4 was a week filled with starting RBs suffering injuries, as both David Montgomery and Mixon went down – while the severity of both players’ injuries isn’t fully known, it does look like Montgomery’s injury will require a multiple-week absence, giving Damien Williams a shot at leading this backfield and leading this week's grouping of waiver wire pickups.
In an offense that relies on a heavy rushing presence, regardless of if Fields or Andy Dalton is the starter, Williams would have a big role. He would fit better next to Fields, as the offense would likely alter its approach to include more of a read-option focus, which would help give Williams a decent shot at a productive day.
Traveling to Vegas to face the Raiders is no easy task, so instilling a threat of a rushing attack will be key, and Williams likely will be called upon early and often to help. Even if Montgomery somehow manages to not miss the Week 5 contest, he likely will have a limited snap count, boosting Williams’ snaps and priority across your waiver wire pickups.
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