Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings & Pickups to Target (Week 5)

Our analysts combine to provide rankings for weekly waiver wire targets. We’ll help you prioritize your bids for the week ahead. And here is all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 5.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings

Waiver Wire Rankings powered by FantasyProsECR ™ – Expert Consensus Rankings

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

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!

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.

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.

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.