The injuries continue to mount, testing our roster depth and requiring us to seek replacements. That’s why you’re here — to scout replacements.
We had some big-name players go down in Week 4. Javonte Williams has a devasting knee injury that will end his season. Jonathan Taylor has what is widely believed to be a high-ankle sprain, which could cost him a week or two. Cordarrelle Patterson landed on IR Monday. Rookie WRs Jahan Dotson (hamstring) and Treylon Burks (foot) both went down and could miss time, and Isaiah McKenzie (more on him later) sustained a concussion.
The ground rule here is that we only discuss players who are rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues. We’re breaking that rule this week with Brian Robinson, who is nearing a return and needs to be discussed. We’re leaving out Melvin Gordon, who’s still available in 20% of Yahoo leagues and should be immediately claimed wherever he’s available. We’re also leaving out Jared Goff, an unlikely early-season hero who’s rostered in 52% of Yahoo leagues.
Your roster is hurting. You need help. Read on to see what’s available.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Quarterback Streamers
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Tight End Streamers
- Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 5
Week 5 Waiver Wire Grade: B-
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Written by Bo McBrayer and Pat Fitzmaurice
Week 5 Waiver Wire Rankings
Running Backs
Written by Bo McBrayer
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 16% rostered
- Next opponents: @TB, SF, @CIN
- True value: $22
- Desperate need: $34
- Budget-minded: $14
Analysis: The touches from the Atlanta backfield were as bountiful as they were evenly distributed in Week 4. The rookie from BYU logged 11 touches for over 100 yards from scrimmage. Cordarrelle Patterson has not been completely healthy, and now he’s on IR with his knee issue. The other active RB is Caleb Huntley, who also logged 10 carries Sunday and scored a touchdown. Patterson still figures to be the starter when healthy, but Allgeier is likely to be the leading man in the Atlanta backfield for the next month.
Mike Boone (RB – DEN): 2% rostered
- Next opponents: IND, @LAC, NYJ
- True value: $20
- Desperate need: $31
- Budget-minded: $13
Analysis: With Javonte Williams‘ knee injury knocking him out for the season, the Denver backfield is likely to become a time-share between Boone and Melvin Gordon. With his seniority, Gordon will likely start and might see a slight majority of snaps and touches, but Gordon has had major fumbling problems of late, so it’s possible Boone could quickly become the top option in the Denver backfield.
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA): 50% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, MIN, PIT
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $12
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Although the Dolphins offense has been explosive this season, it has mostly been a product of their passing attack. With Tua Tagovailoa likely to miss some time, it might benefit Mike McDaniels’ team to get down and dirty with the run game like his longtime cohort Kyle Shanahan. Mostert was the lead back in Weeks 2 and 4, but ceded to Chase Edmonds in Weeks 1 and 3. If the alternate-RB strategy is just coincidence, Mostert is a plug-and-play addition with decent upside in Week 5 versus the Jets. He also has the type of speed to occasionally pop off for performances in RB2 territory.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PHI): 32% rostered
- Next opponents: @ARI, DAL, BYE
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $12
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: There isn’t much more to say at this point about Gainwell, who has graced every waiver column in 2022. Miles Sanders has been a pleasant surprise this season and has earned a larger volume of touches in the high-flying Eagles attack. Gainwell is still a very talented player, but he needs to score touchdowns to justify a fantasy roster spot if his receiving role doesn’t expand from its current status.
Brian Robinson (RB – WAS): 54% rostered
- Next opponents: TEN, @CHI, GB
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $12
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: We’re cheating here by including Robinson, whose rostership is above the 50% threshold. But Robinson is nearing a return, and Antonio Gibson’s weekly snap shares have been shrinking even before B-Rob comes back from the gunshot wounds he sustained in a robbery attempt. The reason our suggested bids are somewhat modest: The Washington offense appears to have run aground. Still, Robinson is certainly worth a bid if he’s still available and you need RB help.
Ken Walker (RB – SEA): 43% rostered
- Next opponents: @NO, ARI, @LAC
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: Week 4 was the Rashaad Penny show. Unfortunately, the Seahawks cannot play the Lions every week. Even though the rookie from Michigan State took the back seat to Penny again, he more than doubled his season total in rushing attempts with eight. Walker stands as the best handcuff available with less than 50% rostership. He is a home run hitter who is one Penny malady away from taking over this backfield.
Stash Candidates: Caleb Huntley, Jerick McKinnon, Jaylen Warren, Eno Benjamin, Craig Reynolds, Deon Jackson, D’Onta Foreman
Analysis: The constant churn of a fantasy bench is pivotal to a manager’s success. Most of the movement should center around the RB position. The main reason the rotation is constantly changing comes from injury attrition.
Cordarrelle Patterson has hit the IR with a knee injury and will miss at least the next four weeks. Tyler Allgeier is the coveted waiver prize as a result, but Cordarrelle Patterson has hit the IR with a knee injury and will miss at least the next four weeks. Allgeier is the coveted waiver prize as a result, but Huntley is likely to see just as much work as the rookie. A miss on Allgeier on Tuesday night can be alleviated with a free add of an equivalent player on the same team. Caleb Huntley could conceivably see just as much work as the rookie. A miss on Allgeier on Tuesday night could be alleviated with a free add of an equivalent player on the same team.
Jerick McKinnon has not parlayed his strong snap share into consistent fantasy performance, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s touchdown production has to be unsustainable, right? Jaylen Warren is the direct handcuff to Najee Harris and is getting some decent rotational work to keep the lead back fresh. The same goes for Eno Benjamin and D’Onta Foreman, who have not really produced much in their limited work thus far.
Jonathan Taylor is also dealing with an ankle injury, pushing Deon Jackson into stash territory for a couple weeks next to Nyheim Hines. Craig Reynolds took a very small role spelling Jamaal Williams for a mere three touches in D’Andre Swift‘s absence.
Wide Receivers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
George Pickens (WR – PIT): 39% rostered
- Next opponents: @BUF, TB, @MIA
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Pickens is increasingly looking like a star. He runs crisp routes, his hands are like flypaper, and he seems very comfortable with the physicality of the NFL. Pickens had 6-102-0 against the Jets on Sunday for the first 100-yard game of his career, and it looks as if there will be many more to come. The hope is that the QB change from Mitchell Trubisky to rookie Kenny Pickett will help unlock Pickens, since his talents as a deep-ball artist didn’t pair especially well with Trubisky, an inaccurate deep passer. This is talent worth paying for.
Isaiah McKenzie (WR – BUF): 45% rostered
- Next opponents: PIT, @KC, BYE
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Before you bid on him, realize that McKenzie sustained a concussion on Sunday and could potentially miss Week 5. McKenzie has compiled 11-97-2 on 15 targets over his last two games. If he keeps getting targets, he’s going to be a worthwhile fantasy asset, because those targets are coming from Josh Allen. Gabriel Davis still hasn’t shown the ability to consistently draw a steady diet of targets, and that bodes well for McKenzie’s involvement.
Michael Gallup (WR – DAL): 41% rostered
- Next opponents: @LAR, @PHI, DET
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Returning from a knee injury, Gallup made his season debut on Sunday and finished with 2-24-1 on three against Washington. CeeDee Lamb is the alpha receiver in Dallas, but Gallup figures to be the No. 2, and that can be a valuable role once Dak Precott returns from injury. Get him somewhat inexpensively now and keep him on ice until his juicy matchup against Detroit in Week 7, by which time Dak has a good chance to be back.
Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE): 42% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, @CLE, CHI
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Meyers missed Week 4 with a knee injury. If you know before you make your waiver claims that he’s going to be back for Week 5, spend an extra buck or two and use him this week against the Lions, who turn every game they play into a display of offensive pyrotechnics. Meyer has never made a lot of big plays, and very rarely does he score touchdowns, but he catches plenty of passes and can pile up those PPR points.
Zay Jones (WR – JAC): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: HOU, @IND, NYG
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Zay Jones missed Week 4 with an ankle injury but led the Jaguars with 19 receptions after three weeks. He’s a solid possession receiver in an ascendant offense.
Corey Davis (WR – NYJ): 25% rostered
- Next opponents: MIA, @GB, @DEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Young Jets QB Zach Wilson seems to have an affinity for Corey Davis. Sure enough, when Wilson made his 2022 debut after missing the first three games of the season with a knee injury, Davis had a team-high seven targets and finished with 5-74-1, catching a 5-yard TD pass from Wilson midway through the fourth quarter. There is other noteworthy talent in this WR corps. Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson are both exciting young players. But don’t discount the chemistry that Wilson and Davis have.
Mack Hollins (WR – LV): 31% rostered
- Next opponents: @KC, BYE, HOU
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Hollins will lose some of his appeal once Hunter Renfrow returns from his concussion but even when Renfrow is back, Hollins will still get plenty of snaps. He’s been playing in three-receiver sets all year and has played at least 87% of the Raiders’ offensive snaps in every game. Over his last three games, Hollins has 16-257-1 on 24 targets.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – KC): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: LV. BUF, @SF
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Chiefs’ investment in Valdes-Scantling has not yet paid dividends. MVS has 13-168-0 so far on 23 targets. It’s possible that he and QB Patrick Mahomes just need time to sync up. We certainly want pieces of the Kansas City offense, and this is a piece that can be had cheaply.
Stash candidates: Jameson Williams, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney
The Lions are playing the long game with first-round draft pick Jameson Williams, playing it cautiously in his return from a torn ACL. It’s possible (but by no means assured) that we could see Williams back in action by the end of the month. He’s a little firecracker, and if you want to get him, better to spend a modest amount of FAAB money now rather than pay Fourth of July prices in a few weeks.
Skyy Moore is starting to get an uptick in snaps, though not enough of an uptick to put him on the fantasy radar … yet.
Kadarius Toney is a freakish athlete, and the Giants are in desperate need of talent at wide receiver. Toney and new Giants HC Brian Daboll seem to not be on the same page. But if Toney can get healthy, stay healthy and stay on Daboll’s good side, he offers abundant upside.
Tight Ends
Written by Bo McBrayer
Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ): 42% rostered
- Next opponents: MIA, @GB, @DEN
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Incredibly, Conklin is the TE4 so far in 2022. He did see a reduction from his eight-target average with Zach Wilson stepping back into the starting QB role, which is somewhat concerning. Wilson attempted 36 passes and was even less efficient than Joe Flacco. Conklin is a decent streamer, even if his perch near the top of the positional rankings is on shaky ground.
Hayden Hurst (TE – CIN): 21% rostered
- Next opponents: @BAL, @NO, ATL
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Hayden Hurst loves playing for the Bengals. He has already been quoted raving about his role in the explosive passing game led by Joe Burrow. Hurst can still be a back-end TE1 option, even as his team’s fourth receiving option behind Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Irv Smith (TE – MIN): 49% rostered
- Next opponents: CHI, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Irv has been just as disappointing as the Minnesota passing attack itself. Even so, the Vikings have not neglected to give the Alabama alum some decent target volume. I think the O’Connell offense will have weekly explosive upside until Week 10 against Buffalo, so Smith is as likely as any other TE to produce satisfactorily for fantasy.
Robert Tonyan (TE – GB): 32% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, NYJ, @WAS
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Tonyan is one of my favorite TE streamers for the next three weeks. Each of the Giants, Jets and Commanders is putrid at covering the middle of the field. Tonyan found the end zone in Week 4 and will continue to be a valuable touchdown threat whom Aaron Rodgers trusts.
Taysom Hill (TE – NO): 29% rostered
- Next opponents: SEA, CIN, @ARI
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Hill is more of a novelty player these days who only seems to produce as a zone-read rusher with annoying TD upside. In deeper leagues, he might be a decent secondary or tertiary flex player in the next three weeks versus gettable defenses.
Stash candidates: Daniel Bellinger, Greg Dulcich
Analysis: Very deep leagues with TE-premium scoring offer fantasy managers the opportunity to stash players whose roles might expand in the future, for one reason or another. Daniel Bellinger has been a steady but underwhelming part of the awful Giants passing game, but the dearth of any redeeming talent at WR in New York, combined with a rash of injuries, puts him on watch to see that modest target volume rise as he adapts to the NFL.
The Broncos have been frustrating when it comes to providing fantasy managers a reliable option at TE. Albert Okwuegbunam has been a ghost in the receiving game and has struggled to earn more looks than Eric Saubert. Enter the talented rookie from UCLA, Greg Dulcich. He was quite impressive before injuring his hamstring in the preseason. He is an intriguing high-upside stash in deeper leagues.
Quarterbacks
Written by Bo McBrayer
Justin Fields (QB – CHI): 44% rostered
- Next opponents: @MIN, WAS, @NE
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $12
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: To put it simply, Justin Fields has not been good this season. It seems like the Bears are content with running the ball heavily, which would require some change in script to warrant adding Fields off the waiver wire. Fields’ floor is firmly around 10 fantasy points with his rushing ability. His upcoming schedule has a good mix of weaker pass defenses and better teams that are likely to push Chicago into a more pass-heavy negative game script.
Geno Smith (QB – SEA): 12% rostered
- Next opponents: @NO, ARI, @LAC
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Not many would have guessed that the Seattle Seahawks would be starting the more productive QB in addition to the haul of draft picks they received in the Russell Wilson trade. Geno Smith has been a revelation so far in 2022 and is on the heels of a 33.7-point performance in Detroit on Sunday. The Saints will be a difficult assignment next week, but Geno has produced in every game except for Week 2, when he left with an injury.
Kenny Pickett (QB – PIT): 5% rostered
- Next opponents: @BUF, TB, @MIA
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The rookie first-round pick from Pitt made his NFL debut to start the second half on Sunday, replacing the inept Mitch Trubisky. The kid didn’t look too bad, combining three (very unfortunate) interceptions with two rushing scores. It can be surmised that Pickett has usurped Trubisky for the foreseeable future. One issue with adding Pickett right now is the difficulty of the next two matchups. It might be prudent to give him a couple more weeks to marinate on the wire, then strike when the schedule lightens up a bit.
Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA): 2% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, MIN, PIT
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $7
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Teddy B replaced Tua Tagovailoa on Thursday night and passed for 195 yards with a touchdown. It is unclear how long Tua will be held out with his severe concussion and neck injury, but it is likely that Bridgewater will lead the Dolphins into the Meadowlands against the rival Jets in Week 5. New York has been a sieve on defense and turnover-prone on offense. For a cheap one-week stream in superflex and deeper formats, Bridgewater could be a decently safe floor play.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): 28% rostered
- Next opponents: @CAR, @ATL, KC
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Similar to Teddy Bridgewater, Jimmy Garoppolo is a low-ceiling option for Week 5 in a moment of desperation. He is going to enjoy a string of mediocre defensive opponents in the coming weeks. If adding Jimmy G on waivers, keep expectations modest. He has looked horrendous since stepping up to replace injured starter Trey Lance and offers zero rushing upside.
Stash Candidates: Bailey Zappe, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder
Analysis: Zappe, the rookie out of Western Kentucky, saw his first game action and was the first rookie QB to toss a touchdown pass in 2022. If Brian Hoyer is forced out of next week’s game with his injury, and Mac Jones is still not healthy enough to return, Zappe could get a one-week streamer run at the horrendous Lions defense, but he won’t see much value after that.
Ryan Tannehill is once again exceeding expectations this season, but there’s still a feeling that his leash is still relatively short, and the mobile Malik Willis is waiting in the wings. Marcus Mariota looked rough in Week 4, but the Falcons won again to draw even at 2-2. More poor form out of this passing offense, combined with losing football, and the calls for Desmond Ridder will get louder.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Jacksonville Jaguars: 12% rostered
- Next opponents: HOU, @IND, NYG
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Jaguars rank third in defensive fantasy scoring, largely on the strength of seven interceptions. That’s a fluky-high number, but the Jags defense itself is not at all fluky. Jacksonville has seven sacks and ranked No. 1 in run defense DVOA entering Week 4. The Jaguars now enter a favorable stretch of schedule that presents them with a home game vs. Houston in Week 5, a road game against an Indianapolis team that could be without RB Jonathan Taylor for a few weeks, and a home game against turnover-prone QB Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. Spend an extra dollar or two and ride with Jaxson de Ville and the Jaguars for the next several weeks.
Tennessee Titans: 9% rostered
- Next opponents: @WAS, BYE, IND
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Titans have a Week 5 date with Washington, whose offense has fallen into a state of disarray. The Commanders have scored 18 points over the last two weeks. Washington QB Carson Wentz has thrown five interceptions this season and has been sacked 17 times. This is an offense to target with streaming defenses. The Titans have recorded 10 sacks this season and should be able to get to the highly sackable Wentz.
Miami Dolphins: 22% rostered
- Next opponents: @NYJ, MIN, PIT
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: NA
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Zach Wilson threw two interceptions in his first start of 2022. The Jets have also cycled through multiple left tackles due to injury. This is a nice Week 5 matchup for Miami.
Minnesota Vikings: 41% rostered
- Next opponents: CHI, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: NA
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The home game against the Bears looks like a great matchup, but the Bears have been the run-heaviest team in the league this year. Fewer passes means fewer opportunities for sacks and interceptions, so don’t go overboard with the bidding if you’re interested in the Vikes as a Week 5 streaming option.
Stash candidates: None
Kickers
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Greg Joseph (MIN): 46% rostered
- Next opponents: CHI, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: After missing his only two FG attempts in Week 3 — both of them long tries of 50+ yards — Joseph was 5-of-5 against the Saints in London, drilling a 47-yarder with 24 seconds left to put the Vikings ahead for good in a 28-25 win. Joseph was sixth in fantasy kicker scoring last season and had the fourth-most FG attempts. He’s connected to a solid offense, and he gets a nice Week 5 matchup against the Bears inside the domed confines of U.S. Bank Stadium, followed by a warm-weather Week 6 game against the Dolphins in Miami.
Will Lutz (NO): 7% rostered
- Next opponents: SEA, CIN, @ARI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Lutz had a heroic Week 4 effort vs. the Vikings in London, kicking a 60-yarder to tie the game with 1:51 left in regulation, then just barely missing a 61-yarder to tie at the end of regulation after the ball hit the left upright, then hit the crossbar. Lutz is only 2-for-5 on FG attempts this season, but the Saints get an appealing home matchup against the defenseless Seahawks this week.
Riley Patterson (JAC): 8% rostered
- Next opponents: HOU, @IND, NYG
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The main attraction here is a home matchup against the lowly Texans in Week 5. The bonus is that Patterson is tied to an ascendant offense. He didn’t get to attempt a field goal in a Week 5 loss to the Eagles, but Patterson is 7-of-8 on FG attempts this season and 10-of-10 on extra points.
Jake Elliott (PHI): 44% rostered
- Next opponents: @ARI, DAL, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $NA
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In theory, Elliott should be a top fantasy kicker. He’s attached to one of the NFL’s better offenses and has converted 84.1% of his career FG attempts. Maybe the Philly offense is too good. Elliott is only 4-of-5 on field goals this season and has yet to kick a field goal of 40 yards or longer. At the very least, though, he’s going to kick a lot of PATs, and you have to figure there are more field goals coming for a kicker who was inside the top 10 in fantasy scoring at the position last season. Elliott gets a nice (and presumably weather-immune) matchup vs. the Cardinals in Arizona this week.
Dustin Hopkins (LAC): 44% rostered
- Next opponents: @CLE, DEN, SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: NA
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Good kicker, good offense. The mandatory disclaimer here is that Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has been aggressive about going for it on fourth down throughout his tenure, so Hopkins will miss out on some attempts due to Staley’s aggression.
Nick Folk (NE): 28% rostered
- Next opponents: DET, @CLE, CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: NA
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: I realize it’s hard to consider adding a kicker on a team that might be quarterbacked by either Brian Hoyer or Bailey Zappe in Week 5, but the Patriots are going up against an atrocious Lions defense this week, and Bill Belichick appreciates the value of a field goal. New England was third in FG attempts last season.
Stash candidates: Harrison Butker
Harrison Butker tried for 12th in kicker scoring last year and was 13th in 2020. He’s tied to a prolific offense. If he’s able to come back from an injury this week, Butker will have an attractive matchup vs. the Raiders.
Fool’s Gold
Latavius Murray ran for 11-57-1 against the Vikings in London and added an 8-yard catch, but he played two fewer snaps than Mark Ingram, and neither Murray nor Ingram will remain fantasy-relevant once Alvin Kamara is back from an injury to his ribs. Kamara was a surprise scratch in Week 4, so it’s very possible he’ll be back this week.
DeVante Parker had 5-156-0 vs. the Ravens in Week 3 and had a 25-yard TD catch against the Packers in Week 4. But in Weeks 1-2, Parker had four targets and a single 9-yard catch. Even with Jakobi Meyers out in Week 4, Parker drew only two targets. And the Patriots have QB issues. Mac Jones missed Week 4 with a high-ankle sprain, and even if Jones returns this week, he’s not exactly an air-raid guy. Parker will be erratic all season with more misses than hits.
Will Dissly has three touchdowns on only 12 targets. His four targets in Week 4 were a season high.
Don’t get sucked in by the 6-85-2 eruption by Mo Alie-Cox in Week 4. The Colts spread the ball around to three TEs (Kylen Granson and Jelani Woods are in the mix, too), and Alie-Cox had 4-44-0 over his first three games.
Jamal Agnew had 4-50-2 on six targets Sunday against the Eagles. He seemed to be playing an enhanced role for the Jaguars in the absence of Zay Jones. But Agnew is basically just a gadget player who had three carries and three targets entering Week 4.
Drop recommendations
Droppable
- Mike Gesicki
- Mark Ingram
- James Cook
- Cole Kmet
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Greg Dortch
Mike Gesicki simply isn’t playing enough snaps or running enough routes. He had a 4-41-1 day in Week 2 but has had just 4-30-0 in his other three games combined.
Mark Ingram shared work with Latavius Murray in Week 4 after Alvin Kamara was declared out with a ribs injury. Since even a Kamara injury isn’t enough to give Ingram fantasy value, he’s dead weight on rosters.
The Bills ostensibly drafted James Cook to be their pass-catching back, but now Josh Akken is simply throwing to starting RB Devin Singletary, who has 13 receptions on 16 targets over the last two weeks. Cook played two snaps in Week 4.
After being shut out in his first two games, Cole Kmet has 5-56-0 on six targets in his last two games. The Bears simply aren’t throwing enough to animate Kmet’s fantasy value.
The Kenny Pickett era has begun. Hold this clipboard, please, Mitchell Trubisky.
The Greg Dortch party was fun while it lasted, but with Rondale Moore back from a hamstring injury in Week 4, Dortch played only about one-third of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps and had one catch for six yards.
Droppable with a chance of regret
After putting up 7-114-0 in his Week 1 Saints debut, Jarvis Landry has had 8-54-0 in the three games since. Landry has a long and successful track record, but Chris Olave appears to be on his way to stardom, and Michael Thomas has shown that he can still command a big target share. That doesn’t leave much meat on the bone for Landry.
Joshua Palmer drew one target in Week 4 and had a 25-yard catch. He’s played a bigger role in other games this season, but Palmer’s role will shrivel as soon as Keenan Allen is back from a hamstring injury, which might be this week.
Rondale Moore made his season debut in Week 4 after missing the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury. He had 3-11-0 on five targets, along with one carry for a 4-yard loss. In other words, it was more of the same low-value opportunities. So much for the notion that Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury would use Rondale in a more optimal way.
Don’t drop yet
Chase Edmonds‘ snap share has shrunk with each successive week and fell to 28% in Week 4. He’s scored three touchdowns in his last two games, but obviously that sort of success isn’t sustainable on a low snap share. So, why are we holding? Because the player to whom Edmonds is losing snaps, Raheem Mostert, has been extremely brittle in recent years. If Mostert were to go down, Edmonds and his three-down skill set could become quite valuable.
Claypool has 11-79-0 receiving through four games. Diontae Johnson has an established track record, and George Pickens is an impressive-looking rookie. The outlook doesn’t appear bright for Claypool. But hold him another week or two to see what the Pittsburgh passing game looks like with rookie QB Kenny Pickett at the controls.
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