Anything that can go wrong inevitably will go wrong for the unlucky fantasy manager, and this is a Murphy’s Law type of week for waiver claims.
How so?
Well, there have been some tasty morsels available on waivers over the last couple of weeks. But we didn’t necessarily need to add a lot of new talent to our rosters since there are no byes in the early weeks of the season and we generally have a lot of lineup options available to us without having to work the waiver wire.
But now that the bye weeks are upon us, the waiver pond has been fished out.
Just our luck.
Oh, sure, there are a few widely available players worth your attention, but this week’s waiver crop is the worst one we’ve seen since the start of the season.
A quick reminder: We only include players who are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. So, while we won’t be covering roster-worthy players such as players such as Romeo Doubs (54% rostered), Jake Ferguson (53%), Roschon Johnson (54%), Cole Kmet (53%), Matthew Stafford (50%) and Jaylen Warren (55%), those players may be available in one or more of your leagues.
OK, let’s get to it …
Grade: D
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
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RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN): 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @KC, GB
- True value: $13
- Desperate need: $21
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: The undrafted, undersized rookie from Youngstown State had an incredible preseason. He was pressed into action when Javonte Williams injured his hip in Denver’s Week 4 game against the Bears. McLaughlin turned his 10 touches into more than 100 scrimmage yards and cashed in with a receiving touchdown. Although it’s unclear how much time Williams will miss, there was no doubt who the better RB was between McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. I don’t expect many more surprise performers to make waves on waivers from the RB position, so I’ll pursue McLaughlin aggressively, even though the Broncos won’t get to play the Bears again.
Chuba Hubbard (CAR): 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DET, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $9
- Desperate need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The increase in volume for Chuba Hubbard with Miles Sanders on the mend from a groin injury unfortunately did not translate into very many fantasy points – 53 yards on 16 touches does not pay the bills. The waiver streets for RBs are cutthroat and lack anyone exciting, but your situation might lead you to add Hubbard in desperation. Don’t get carried away with your FAAB bid, regardless.
Ezekiel Elliott (NE): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: NO, @LV, BUF
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $16
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Zeke’s role in the Patriots backfield has grown each week alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. The trouble is that the Week 4 matchup with the mighty Cowboys was brutal, and Zeke’s “revenge game” was much ado about nothing in the Patriots’ blowout loss. The Saints are tough too, but this week’s game should be closer. I’m circling the game in Las Vegas as a spot where Elliott should have a throwback performance. If Zeke is still hanging around on waivers in your league, remedy that.
Tyjae Spears (TEN): 24% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, BAL, BYE
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Tyjae Spears‘ role in the Titans’ offense is perfect. He has maintained a nice little piece of the running game to spell Derrick Henry while also subbing in for passing situations. The rookie from Tulane has caught multiple passes in three consecutive games and has already showcased his ability to make big plays in the open field. I foresee his role expanding as the season progresses, in which case he goes from stash candidate to waiver add on the cheap who will pay dividends in the second half of the season.
Stash Candidates:
Tank Bigsby‘s role has not grown at all this season behind Travis Etienne, leaving Bigsby as a stash-only player. The rookie is plenty talented and could still rise to be a thunder to Etienne’s lightning, but that certainly remains to be seen.
Rico Dowdle looked a bit more pedestrian in Dallas’ Week 4 blowout win over New England than he did against the Cardinals in Week 3. That should not shake the resolve around Dowdle taking on a pivotal role if Tony Pollard were to miss time. Dowdle is well-rounded and trusted by the Cowboys’ coaching staff.
Elijah Mitchell was ruled out in Week 4 with a knee injury, and it was Jordan Mason who assumed the miniscule supporting role behind Christian McCaffrey‘s prolific day. Mitchell is still the preferred stash whose role would be elevated in a massive way if CMC ever missed time. Mason is more of a special teams fill-in — unless Mitchell’s knee injury is more serious than previously thought.
If you blinked, you missed a nice cameo performance by Zamir White in Week 4. He looked very explosive in relief of Josh Jacobs — much better than Amir Abdullah. Stash White in deep bench leagues in hopes he sees a blossoming role.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Jameson Williams (DET): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @TB, @BAL
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $ 12
- Budget-minded: $ 6
Analysis: Assuming Williams is 100% healthy, he should be a starter in three-receiver sets in short order. Because of suspension and injury, we have not seen the talented former first-round pick on the field very often in his first two NFL seasons. His star might have dimmed for some because of the layoff, but the absence has made my heart grow fonder. Williams enters a thriving offensive ecosystem. Detroit is eighth in yards per game, seventh in explosive passing rate, and 12th in points per game. Williams should be the field stretcher tied to a quarterback who’s currently fifth in deep passing grade and second in deep adjusted completion rate (per PFF). Williams could be a difference-making addition.
Quentin Johnston (LAC): 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, DAL, @KC
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: In Johnston’s first game without Mike Williams in the lineup, he played 50% of the snaps with a 12.5% target share, and he ran a route on 22 of Justin Herbert‘s 24 pass attempts. While Johnston’s overall snap share might concern some, he was a full-time player when the team was passing, which is all we should care about. The Chargers have a bye week coming up to further integrate Johnston into this offense. While the early returns have not been promising, we also have to remember that he is a rookie, and we are only four games into the season. While Johnston has not blown up like Puka Nacua or Tank Dell yet, that doesn’t mean he can’t. The offensive environment is amazing, with Johnston catching passes from Herbert and only Josh Palmer to hop in the pecking order. I’m willing to bid aggressively to get exposure to Johnston’s upside. If he hits this season, it will be magical.
Rashid Shaheed (NO): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NE, @HOU, JAX
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Shaheed will have plenty of ceiling performances upcoming. He has been the Saints’ field stretcher and zone coverage destroyer. Shaheed entered Week 4 with a 13% target share, a 27.4% air yard share and 2.51 yards per route run against zone coverage. If you secure him off waivers, do not play him against the Patriots, who play heavy man coverage, but consider flexing him against Houston and Jacksonville, who deploy their corners in zone on at least 68% of their snaps.
Michael Wilson (ARI): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @LAR, @SEA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Wilson exploded in Week 4, securing all seven of his targets for 76 yards and two scores. He played 70% of the snaps with 85% route participation and a 17.0% target share (per PFF). Wilson entered Week 4 with a 68% route run rate, a 12.2% target share and 2.68 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). The talent could be real with Wilson, but we also have to understand the sobering reality that he is probably the third option in the target pecking order on a Josh Dobbs-led offense. Wilson’s next two matchups are brutal, with the outside corners for the Bengals and Rams playing exceptional football, so he is likely riding the bench in those weeks. Grabbing Wilson off the waiver wire now requires an eye toward the future, with the possible return of Kyler Murray looming, not to mention an appealing Week 7 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
D.J. Chark (CAR): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DET, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: While many will run to the waiver wire to grab Terrace Marshall Jr., don’t do it. Marshall is fool’s gold. Once Jonathan Mingo is back, Marshall will head back to the bench. Chark is the pickup here. Chark led the Panthers in snaps and routes on Sunday. Adam Thielen and Marshall overshadowed him, as Chark drew only a 9.3% target share. Chark will have big days moving forward against teams that struggle to defend the deep ball. He’s a WR4/5 on your bench who could provide WR3 production in any week that the matchup is right.
Jayden Reed (GB): 24% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, BYE, @DEN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Before I discuss Jayden Reed, I need to toss a glass of cold water on this pickup. Remember, this is a Jordan Love-fronted offense, so the peaks and valleys will be real for the rest of the season. OK, now to the good stuff. Reed has a 69% route run rate, a 17.4% target share and 1.97 yards per route run. He has played quite well this season, but we need to understand the context of his role and the Packers’ offense. Green Bay ranks 14th in the usage of multiple-TE sets. With Reed lining up in the slot 73% of the time, he’ll never be an 80%-90% route per dropback player unless the team changes course. Also, he is no better than the third or maybe fourth option in this offense now that Christian Watson has returned. Reed has favorable slot matchups in his next two games that could give him flex viability.
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, @BUF, WSH
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: It’s not as if we’re eager to recommend any component of the New York Giants’ at the moment, but the dysfunction of the Giants’ offense probably bodes well for Wan’Dale’s usage. The G-man have an unfathomably bad offensive line that gave up 11 sacks to the Seahawks on Monday night. And this was not merely just an off night — the Giants’ offensive line also performed miserably vs. the 49ers in Week 3. With Daniel Jones getting very little time to throw, he’s going to need a reliable short=area receiver, and it looks like Wan’Dale will be that guy. His average depth of target so far this season: 3.0 yards. Wan’Dale drew a team-high six targets in Week 4 and finished with 5-40-0 receiving along with a 7-yard run. Robinson will be more useful in PPR formats than in leagues with standard scoring.
Treylon Burks (TEN): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, BAL, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Burks missed Week 4 with a knee injury. He opened the week with a limited practice, but he was unable to practice on Thursday and Friday before being ruled out. It’s no sure thing that he returns for Week 5, but that’s the hope, and it’s why he makes the list this week. Nothing about his profile is sexy this season, but if he can go in Week 5, the matchup with the Colts puts him in the flex conversation. Entering Week 4, the Colts had allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. After Puka Nacua destroyed them in Week 4, that ranking won’t be any prettier once updated.
Josh Downs (IND): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @JAX, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Downs could be a decent flex play to consider over the next two weeks. Matchups with Roger McCreary (who has allowed a 68.4% catch rate and 86.5 passer rating on throws into his coverage) and Tre Herndon (76.9% catch rate and 140.9 passer rating, per PFF) should not strike fear in anyone’s heart. Downs is a stronger option in PPR formats with his low average depth of target, but he has been utilized in the red zone, so it’s not like he doesn’t have any touchdown equity in this offense.
Stash Candidates:
I don’t know what dirt Brandon Johnson has on Sean Payton, but it must be good. That’s all I can think of at this point. Mims continues to crush with every opportunity he is given. He entered Week 4 near the top of any YPRR or TPRR list. He didn’t do anything in Week 4 to hurt that, as he finished with 3.91 yards per route run. Payton should play the rookie more. Mims should be a full-time player, but the assumption of rational coaching can be a dangerous bedfellow. Mims is a must-stash player. I’ll drink the rational coaching Kool-Aid here, though. There’s no way Payton can continue to play Johnson over Mims if he wants to win games this season.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Sam Howell (WAS): 18% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @ATL, @NYG
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Allow me to take a bow for begging you to stick with Sam Howell last week after a dreadful performance against mighty Buffalo. While some managers were petrified of what Howell would do against Philadelphia, I used him as a streamer on the cheap to the tune of nearly 20 fantasy points. Howell is a good player. His next three games line up nicely to catch a glimpse of the young Tarheel’s ceiling. Stream away!
C.J. Stroud (HOU): 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, NO, BYE
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $16
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: The rookie from Ohio State hasn’t just been good in his first few career starts. Stroud has been magnificent and has gone so far as to elevate the talent around him. Stroud is QB13 in fantasy so far, rising in the rankings after a QB10 performance in which he passed for more than 300 yards for the second time in four games and tossed a pair of touchdowns for the third game in a row. Houston’s post-bye schedule is Charmin-soft, so Stroud is a Week 5 streamer with staying power in deeper leagues that start a single QB.
Bryce Young (CAR): 12% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DET, @MIA, BYE
- True value: $6
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Pardon me, sir, but your FAAB debit card has been declined. Let’s say you can’t afford to stream C.J. Stroud or Sam Howell. True sickos read between the lines with Bryce Young‘s poor start and pick him up on the cheap anyway. Young is going to be a great aerial attacker soon. It might be as soon as this week in the Motor City. A strong showing against the Lions and I’ll let him stick around for a potential shootout in South Beach.
Joshua Dobbs (ARI): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @LAR, @SEA
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: It would have made anyone look loony had they predicted it in the preseason, but the Cardinals aren’t that bad. Journeyman pro and certified genius Josh Dobbs just dropped 23 fantasy points on the vaunted 49ers defense a week after leading his team to victory against the Dallas Cowboys. The Bengals are next, and they haven’t looked good at all this season. Cincinnati also made Ryan Tannehill look good on Sunday. Dobbs looks sharp in this spin-off version of the Kevin Stefanski system, so he’d be the ultimate bargain bin stream start.
Stash Candidates: N/A
Don’t worry your pretty head about stashing QBs in leagues that only start one. Those spots should be reserved for skill players only. You pick up QBs on waivers with the sole intention of plugging them right into the starting spot. Stream, don’t stash.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Luke Musgrave (GB): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, BYE, @DEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Musgrave left Week 4 with a concussion, so toss that game’s stats in the trash. Entering Week 4, among 45 qualifying tight ends, Musgrave ranked 17th in yards per route run and 10th in yards after the catch per reception (per PFF). He has a 15.8% target share and 91% route participation. His three red zone targets rank eighth at the position. Everything about his usage screams top-12 upside tight end for the rest of the season. The only reason Musgrave remains available is because he has yet to have a blowup game. It’s coming. Grab him now.
Logan Thomas (WAS): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @ATL, @NYG
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Thomas returned from a concussion to play 79% of Washington’s offensive snaps while running a route on every Sam Howell pass attempt except one. Thomas only had a 7.3% target share, but he drew a 22.6% target share and a 24.5% air yard share in Week 1. There’s more target volume to be had for Thomas than what he showed in Week 4. Thomas is firmly on the matchup streaming radar, with Week 5-6 matchups against two teams that have given up the 10th-most and fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Cade Otton (TB): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, DET, ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Otton entered Week 4 with a 12.4% target share and 97% route participation. He is worthy of a pickup now to get ahead of the TE-streaming curve. In Weeks 6 and 7, he faces two defenses that have allowed the fifth- and fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Otton could put up back-to-back TE1-worthy stat lines.
Stash Candidates: None
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Washington Commanders: 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: CHI, @ATL, @NYG
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Commanders don’t have a great defense, but it’s better than the Broncos’ defense, and the Broncos scored 14 fantasy points against the Bears in Week 4. This week it’s Washington’s turn to give those cuddly Bears a squeeze. Chicago QB Justin Fields is a sack magnet who’s been sacked 17 times in four games. Denver got him four times on Sunday, with one of those sacks resulting in a fumble that the Broncos returned for a touchdown. Fields has also thrown five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Bottom line: The Bears are the best possible matchup for a team defense. In addition to the great matchup in Week 5, the Commanders get appealing matchups against the Falcons and Giants in Weeks 5-6, so don’t be shy about spending an extra buck or two on the Commanders and riding with them for the next three weeks.
Detroit Lions: 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @TB, BAL
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Don’t look now, but the Lions suddenly have a shutdown run defense. Detroit’s run D ranked No. 5 in DVOA entering Week 4, and then the Lions stifled the Packers’ running game last Thursday night, holding Green Bay to 27 rushing yards on 12 attempts. The Lions also have a pass rush in 2023. They’ve notched 13 sacks, with star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson responsible for 3.5 of them. The Lions are a strong play against the anemic Carolina offense this week, and you can also feel good about playing Detroit against Tampa Bay in Week 6.
Denver Broncos: 40% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, @KC, GB
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Let’s start with the caveat that the Denver defense is not good. The Broncos gave up 70 points to the Dolphins in Week 3, then yielded 21 first-half points to the Bears’ wayward offense on Sunday. But the matchup against Chicago paid off eventually, as the Broncos collected four sacks, one of which resulted in a Justin Fields fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Denver also intercepted Fields once. The Broncos get another great matchup this week, returning home to high altitude to take on the Jets and their sputtering, gasping offense. You can feel good about using the Broncos this week before quickly ditching them next week before they get eaten alive by the Chiefs in Week 6.
Miami Dolphins: 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, CAR, @PHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: With 10 sacks and three interceptions so far, the Miami defense isn’t exactly piling up fantasy points. But the Dolphins’ elite offense is going to pile up points and force opponents to throw in order to keep up. It’s the same recipe that has made Kansas City an appealing fantasy defense in recent years. This week, the Dolphins have an attractive matchup against a Giants offense that has offensive line problems. After doing a better job of protecting the ball in 2022, Giants QB Daniel Jones has reverted to his turnover-prone ways in 2023. The Dolphins also get a nice matchup against the panthers in Week 6.
Green Bay Packers: 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, BYE, @DEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: After racking up 15 fantasy points against the Bears in Week 1, the Green Bay defense has scored 5 or fewer points in each of its last three games. But the Packers get a nice matchup against the Raiders this week. Veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo will most likely return to action for Las Vegas after missing Week 4 with a concussion, but this is still a decent matchup for Green Bay nevertheless.
Stash Candidates:
- Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ defense was impregnable for the first three weeks of the season. The Ravens managed to hang 28 points on the Browns in Week 4, but Cleveland’s defense is clearly still among the best in the league. The Browns are on bye this week, then have an unappealing Week 6 matchup against the 49ers. But if you can feasibly stash the Browns for a couple of weeks, you’ll eventually be rewarded.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Riley Patterson (DET): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @TB, @BAL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The 3-1 Lions are legit. They can put up points on offense, and their defense isn’t the pushover it’s been in recent years. Patterson should have plenty of scoring opportunities this season, and he gets kind matchups against the Panthers and Buccaneers the next two weeks. Patterson is a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals and 13-of-13 on extra points this season. The only bad thing about having Patterson as your kicker is that Lions head coach Dan Campbell is aggressive about going for it on fourth downs.
- Next Opponents: TEX, @JAX, CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In Week 3, Gay became the first kicker in NFL history to kick four field goals of 50 or more yards in a single game. He missed his only attempt in Week 4, but Gay is still a viable streaming kicker option the next two weeks vs. the Texans and Jaguars.
Ka’imi Fairbairn (HOU): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, NO, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Fairbairn has been one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers for a few years, but the ineptitude of the Texans’ offense made him an unattractive fantasy option. No longer. The Texans have a real quarterback now in rookie C.J. Stroud. Houston just hung 30 points on Pittsburgh despite being without four of its starting offensive linemen. Fairbairn drilled three field goals and three extra points against the Steelers. Since the start of the 2020 season, Fairbairn has knocked home 87.8% of his FG tries.
- Next Opponents: BAL, BYE, ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: One of the underrated aspects of kicker selection is how a kicker’s head coach values field goals. Washington’s “Riverboat” Ron Rivera and the Chargers’ Brandon Staley often eschew field goal opportunities to go for it on fourth down. But the Patriots Bill Belichick and one of his proteges, the Titans’ Mike Vrabel, seem to appreciate the value of putting three points on the board. Folk, who has kicked for both Belichick and Vrabel, has made 10 field goals over his first four games with Tennessee and hasn’t missed a kick.
Anders Carlson (GB): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, BYE, @DEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Green Bay offense has been reasonably competent, and the Packers have a Week 5 matchup against the raisers, who are allowing 25.3 points per game. Carlson is a perfect 5-of-5 on field goals and 9-of-9 on extra points this year.
Stash Candidates: None.
FOOL’S GOLD
Terrace Marshall caught 9-of-10 targets for 56 yards against the Vikings on Sunday, but Marshall’s role will shrink when Jonathan Mingo comes back from the concussion that kept him out of action in Week 4.
One of these years, the Colts will have some clarity at the TE position. This is not the year for that. Ogletree had 3-48-1 against the Rams on Sunday, but he played only 43.8% of Indy’s offensive snaps and ran only eight routes. He’s not worth adding — at least not yet.
Curtis Samuel is a useful player in real life, but he’s a hard-to-manage fantasy asset. He’ll have a handful of useful fantasy performances every season, but good luck guessing when they’re coming. He had one such game on Sunday, with 7-51-0 receiving to go along with a 1-yard touchdown run. But the biggest mistake you can make in fantasy football is chasing last week’s points — which is what you’d be doing by spending FAAB money on Samuel.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable
The Jets’ offense can’t seem to support one fantasy-viable running back, let alone two. Breece Hall is a star in the making, while Cook is clearly in the twilight of an outstanding career. You won’t have any regrets about dropping Cook.
The plodding A.J. Dillon wasn’t able to provide fantasy value even when Aaron Jones missed Weeks 2-3 with a hamstring injury. Dillon is averaging 2.7 yards per carry, and he’s had three receptions in four games. Now that Jones is healthy again, Dillon has virtually zero fantasy value and isn’t worth keeping on your roster.
Josh Reynolds worked his way into flex consideration over the first four weeks of the season, but now that Lions WR Jameson Williams is being allowed to make an early return from a gambling suspension, Reynolds’ fantasy value is diluted.
Droppable with a chance of regret
With Alvin Kamara back from suspension in Week 4, Kendre Miller played only five offensive snaps — fewer than Saints RBs Tony Jones and Adam Prentice. Jamaal Williams will eventually come off injured reserve and be the Saints’ designated between-the-tackles banger. Miller will eventually get a chance to make a meaningful contribution to an NFL backfield, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen in his rookie year.
K.J. Osborn is playing more snaps and running more routes than rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison, but Osborn isn’t doing anything with the opportunity. He’s caught a pair of TD passes, but he’s caught 8-of-15 targets for 117 yards and hasn’t had more than 36 yards in a game this season.
When Javonte Williams sustained a hip injury on Sunday, it was undrafted free agent rookie Jaleel McLaughlin, not Samaje Perine, who provided a spark from the RB position. If Williams misses more than a game or two, it’s possible Perine will split work 50/50 with McLaughlin or even get a majority of the RB touches. But it’s also possible that McLaughlin’s Week 5 mini-breakout is for real and he’s about to completely marginalize Perine. If byes have you in a pinch this week and you have to drop a player or two to make room for new additions, Perine can be thrown overboard.
Don’t drop yet
Joe Burrow‘s career passer rating entering this season: 100.4. Joe Burrow‘s 2023 passer rating: 66.2. The guess here is that if you offered Bengals head coach Zac Taylor the chance to go back in time and reassess the handling of Burrow’s calf injury, Taylor would keep his quarterback sidelined for the first few weeks of the regular season and give that nagging calf injury a chance to heal. Burrow has been a shell of himself so far this season, but the calf-related malaise won’t last all season. Just as Justin Fields broke out of a three-week slumber with a big game in Week 4, Burrow will eventually snap out of it and go back to being one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Resist the urge to spite-drop him.
Kareem Hunt‘s surface stats from the Browns’ 28-3 loss to the Ravens in Week 5 look ugly: five carries for 12 yards, with zero targets. But the Browns’ offense was doomed from the start after QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was a surprise inactive, and there was actually a silver lining around Hunt’s usage. Hunt played only 15 snaps, but he either had a carry or ran a route on 13 of those 15 snaps. Jerome Ford is unquestionably the lead guy in the Cleveland backfield, but Hunt will have a role, and he’d become a valuable asset if Ford were to go down.
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