Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Week 5 Byes: Cleveland, LA Chargers, Seattle, Tampa Bay
Stroud threw for another 2 TDs (three straight games) and over
300 yards against a tough Steelers pass rush. The Falcons are
a mid-level defense against QBs, only allowing one QB (Jordan
Love) to throw more than 1 TD in a game. Stroud is the best QB
largely still available as we head into the bye weeks.
Howell went 290-1-0 passing while rushing 6-40-0 against an Eagles
defense that is bottom 10 against QBs. Howell gets the 2nd-worst
defense against QBs in the Bears in Week 5, who have allowed 10
passing TDs in four games. In his other two games against bottom-10
defenses, Howell through the ball 80 times, passing for 589 yards
and 3 TDs. His ceiling isn’t the highest, but like Stroud,
he can be serviceable if you’re sitting Herbert, Geno or
Watson.
Matthew
Stafford, LAR @ IND: Stafford threw for over 300 yards for
the third time in four games, but unfortunately, he hasn’t thrown
for more than 1 TD in any game. This has resulted in a low ceiling,
mediocre floor. He still has a couple nice matchups coming up
against the Eagles and Cardinals, and with Kupp set to return
he could start to throw for more. But, there’s likely higher upside
options available.
Andy Dalton,
CAR vs MIN: Bryce Young came back and delivered 204-2-0 against
the Vikings. As the No.1 overall pick Young will be the starter
for as long as he is healthy, but Dalton has shown his effectiveness
in spot start duty.
McLaughlin came in after Javonte Williams left with a hip injury
and promptly went 7-72-0 on the ground and 3-3-32-1 through the
air. It’s unknown at this time how long Javonte will be out, but
McLaughlin seemed to be a clear favorite over Samaje Perine once
Williams was ruled out, and he didn’t disappoint with his opportunity.
Up next is a mid-level Jets defense against RBs that has only
allowed 1 rushing TD, but they are averaging 6 receptions to RBs
per game; Russell Wilson is targeting RBs the 3rd-most in the
NFL, so McLaughlin should still be a strong option in PPR leagues.
Edwards is the early-down back for the Ravens seeing double-digit
carries in the last three games since J.K. Dobbins went down.
There wasn’t a lot of room to run last week against the Browns,
where Edwards rushed for 15-48-0 and went 3-2-1-0 receiving (yes
you read that right), but the Steelers are allowing 126 rushing
yards per game to RBs and have given up 2 rushing TDs, so Edwards
could see one of his better games of the year.
Devon Achane,
MIA @ BUF: Achane did it again against a stingy Bills RB defense.
He delivered 8-101-2 rushing and 5-3-19-0 receiving, while out-snapping
Raheem Mostert 39-28. He’s no longer available in your league,
but if he is, go get him.
Roschon Johnson,
CHI vs DEN: Johnson is the clear No.2 RB in this backfield, although
he has a clear role as a passing down back. Unfortunately (and
surprisingly), the Bears got up early on the Broncos, so Roschon
took a backseat to Khalil Herbert and put up only 5-13-0 rushing
and 1-1-2-0 receiving.
Wilson tied for the team lead in receptions against the Cowboys,
delivering a 7-7-76-2 line. He seems to have taken over the WR2
role from Rondale Moore. Wilson could be a sneaky start in Week
5 against the Bengals, who are a top-10 defense against WRs but
have allowed the WR2 to score a TD the last three weeks.
Rice was 2nd on the team in targets for the 2nd game in a row,
behind only Travis Kelce, going 5-3-32-0 against a Jets defense
that’s top-10 against WRs. Next up is a juicy matchup versus the
next-to-worst Vikings defense, who have given up 5 TDs to the
position and are allowing an average of 18+ receptions to opposing
WRs.
Robinson led the team in targets and receptions in a Monday Night
tilt against the Seahawks, going 6-5-40-0 plus one carry for 7
yards rushing. Robinson is working his way back from a knee injury
in 2022 but has seen solid work in both games played this year.
In Week 5, the Giants play the Dolphins, who are bottom-10 against
WRs (averaging 15+ receptions and 5 total TDs to WRs in 4 games)
and who will force the Giants to throw to keep up with a potent
Dolphins offense.
Ertz tied for the team lead in targets while going 10-6-53-0
against the dominant 49ers defense. Ertz is still widely available
in most leagues, despite being No.2 in tight end targets in the
league, largely due to his low YPR and lack of touchdowns. But,
for PPR leagues, Ertz has a solid floor, and in Week 5 he gets
the Bengals defense, ranked 6th-worst against the position, and
have allowed touchdowns to TEs in 3 out of 4 games this year.
Kincaid seems to have supplanted Dawson Knox as the top TE target
for Josh Allen, going 5-4-27-0 in Week 4 against the Dolphins.
In Week 5, Kincaid goes up against the Jaguars in London, who
have given up at least 4 receptions or a TD to the top TE from
every opponent this year.
D.J. Chark
and Adam Thielen,
CAR vs MIN: Thielen went 8-7-76-0 against the Vikings with Bryce
Young back under center. Chark could only manage a 3-2-28-0 day
with Terrace Marshall Jr. gobbling up 9 of 10 targets. Thielen
appears to be the only proven commodity in this passing attack.
Josh Palmer
and Quentin
Johnston, LAC vs LV: Palmer caught 3-of-8 targets for 77 yards
against the Raiders, while Johnston caught 1 pass for 18 yards.
Palmer appears to be the biggest beneficiary of the Mike Williams
injury. He’s still available in almost 40% of Yahoo leagues, and
if you have a roster spot with the Chargers going on a bye, this
is probably the last week to pick him up.
Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave, GB vs DET: Doubs had another monster
showing with 13-9-95-0 receiving, with Christian Watson back on
the field. It should be noted that Watson was on a pitch count
coming back from a hamstring injury. Musgrave left in the first
half due to a concussion, only getting 1 reception. Doubs is still
available in nearly half of leagues, and we’ll have to see
when Musgrave can bounce back from the concussion protocol.
Defense/ Special Teams
Lions vs CAR
Detroit has produced 12 sacks and 3 turnovers in their last two
games, both wins. The Lions look to keep it rolling against the
winless Panthers, who have allowed 5 turnovers and 11 sacks and
averaged barely 13 points per game in three starts by rookie Bryce
Young.
Texans @ ATL
Houston dominated the Steelers in Week 4, getting an interception
and 3 sacks and allowing only 6 points. Next up they face the
Falcons and the struggling Desmond Ridder, who have given up 11
sacks, 4 turnovers, and a defensive TD while scoring a combined
13 points in the last two games.
Update:Dolphins
vs NYG
Miami got torched by the Bills in Week 4, but next up are the
Giants, which have been the 2nd-most forgiving team to defenses
in 2023. The Giants have allowed 23 sacks, 8 turnovers, and 2
defensive TDs in four games. Last week they allowed 11 sacks to
a pedestrian Seahawks pass rush that had only 5 sacks in the previous
three weeks combined.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Steelers @ HOU: Pittsburgh laid an egg against
the Texans by giving up 30 points and not recording a single turnover
or sack against rookie C.J. Stroud.
Buccaneers @ Saints: Tampa Bay had a nice day
against the Saints, creating 3 turnovers and 3 sacks and holding
them to only 9 points.
