Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterbacks (Week 5)

We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top Quarterback fantasy football waiver wire targets for the week below. And also be sure to check out our full fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterback

QUARTERBACKS

Written by Bo McBrayer

Justin Fields (PIT): 31% rostered

Next Opponents: DAL, @LV, NYJ
True value: $9
Desperate Need: $14
Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: The good news is that a lot of you added Fields last week (or earlier) and enjoyed his first massive fantasy performance (33.98 points). There is still some concern that, with Pittsburgh suffering its first loss of the season Sunday against the Colts, Fields’ grasp on the starting job over an “injured” Russell Wilson might not be stable. When active, Fields is a weekly QB1. The next two games are also against suspect defenses, Dallas and Las Vegas. Scared money doesn’t make money, so I’m at the well with my ladle again.

Geno Smith (SEA): 44% rostered

Next Opponents: NYG, SF, @ATL
True value: $7
Desperate Need: $11
Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: You all know how much I love Geno Smith by now. Week 5 offers a date with the putrid Giants. Geno has weapons and a capable coaching staff. He is making big-time throws behind an improved and healthy offensive line. Streaming him could help you win fantasy championships this season, as it did in 2022.

Derek Carr (NO): 47% rostered

Next Opponents: @KC, TB, DEN
True value: $3
Desperate Need: $6
Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: After throwing for six touchdowns through two weeks, Carr has come hurtling back to the pavement with only one in his last two games. Perfect. While some might toss him back into the waiver pond like an undersized trout, it’s good timing to stream him against the Chiefs and Buccaneers. Kansas City and Tampa Bay are each among the top-10 most favorable matchups for fantasy QB, thanks to having large leads early in games. Carr and new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak look like a great match, especially when involving Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara more in the early-read sequences.

Andy Dalton (CAR): 14% rostered

Next Opponents: @CHI, ATL, @WAS
True value: $2
Desperate Need: $4
Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: I’m not in love with Andy Dalton‘s next two matchups. Chicago and Atlanta have been stingy against the pass, but look to Week 7 for a sparkling clash with the abysmal Commanders secondary. It’s sort of funny to think about a streaming QB so far in advance, but savvy managers will definitely notice such a juicy spot. I would definitely pull the trigger if my starting QB is Dak Prescott, whose Cowboys have a bye in Week 7.

Joe Flacco (IND): 1% rostered

Next Opponents: @JAX, @TEN, MIA
True value: $1
Desperate Need: $1
Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Joe Flacco has now tossed multiple touchdown passes in a league-high eight consecutive games. Colts starter Anthony Richardson was knocked out of Sunday’s game with a hip injury, and there is no word yet on its severity. Richardson managers might want to hedge by adding Flacco for a date with the porous Jaguars secondary, but don’t expect much in the way of ceiling from the former Super Bowl MVP.