Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Tank Bigsby, Rico Dowdle, Kareem Hunt (Week 5)

The week is nearly wrapped up, and of course there were another round of injuries and surprising performances. As a result, fantasy football managers will be on the lookout for wavier wire additions and replacement options for those injured over the weekend or just to bolster their lineup moving forward. Here are a few players to consider adding via the fantasy football waiver wire this week. And also be sure to check out our full fantasy football waiver wire advice for the week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

Kareem Hunt (KC): 35% rostered

• Next Opponents: NO, BYE, @SF
• True value: $11
• Desperate Need: $15
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: It’s slim pickings among the running backs available on waivers this week. I wasn’t sure how much action Kareem Hunt would get in the Kansas City backfield less than two weeks after he was signed on the heels of Isiah Pacheco‘s injury. The one certainty was that neither Samaje Perine nor rookie fullback Carson Steele was worth much FAAB last week. But it is time to add Hunt, who had 14 carries for 69 yards Sunday vs. the Chargers. He also brought in a couple of receptions, which was a part of his game when he was with the Chiefs earlier in his career. The Chiefs may have to lean on their running backs more heavily in the weeks to come in the wake of a knee injury to WR Rashee Rice. Hunt’s experience and versatility makes him a priority waiver add in this market.

Tank Bigsby (JAX): 11% rostered

• Next Opponents: IND, @CHI, NE
• True value: $10
• Desperate Need: $14
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: The Jags have a similar problem as their North Florida neighbors in Tampa Bay. Their established starting RB has struggled to gain yards on the ground. Travis Etienne also picked up a shoulder injury on Sunday, but it sure looked like he was simply pulled for Tank Bigsby in the first quarter. Bigsby ran the ball seven times for 90 yards Sunday against the Texans, including a 58-yard romp on which he was brought down inside the 5-yard line. Etienne returned and was fine, but Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson is on the hottest seat imaginable. A backfield timeshare with Etienne and Bigsby, along with satellite back Dare Ogunbowale, could very well be on the horizon. Bigsby is the only one of the three who has looked the part on an underperforming Jacksonville team.

Rico Dowdle (DAL): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: @PIT, DET, BYE
• True value: $9
• Desperate Need: $14
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: The Dallas Cowboys do not have a running game. They couldn’t even muster a decent performance against the Giants last Thursday, but the box score scouts will see Rico Dowdle‘s receiving touchdown and run to add him on waivers. Go ahead, but don’t overspend, and keep expectations at ground level. Neither Dowdle nor Ezekiel Elliott has found any room behind a young and unproven offensive line, and head coach Mike McCarthy’s play calling has also been as predictable as ever. Dallas has two very tough run defenses upcoming before its Week 7 bye. Dowdle doesn’t have much upside, but a running back who’s averaging 10.8 touches a game will have some appeal now that the bye weeks are upon us.

Successful In-Season Fantasy Football Management

Once your fantasy football team is drafted, the work is not over. Successful in-season management is crucial to a winning fantasy football season. Here are some tips to help you manage your team effectively throughout the season:

Stay up to date on player news
Keep track of player injuries, suspensions, and other news that may impact their performance. This will help you make informed decisions about which players to start each week.

Monitor the waiver wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire and be ready to pick up players who may be undervalued or overlooked by other teams. This can provide valuable depth to your roster. Use our waiver wire assistant to view optimal lineups, waiver and trade suggestions, and league analysis.

Analyze matchups
Analyze the upcoming matchups for your players and opponents to determine which players to start in your lineup each week. Look for favorable matchups and take into account the strength of the opposing team’s defense.

Stay active in trades
Be open to trading players with other teams if it will benefit your team. Analyze the potential impact of a trade before making a decision and negotiate with other teams to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Be prepared for bye weeks
Plan ahead for bye weeks by having backup players ready to fill in for your starters. Avoid having too many players with the same bye week, which can leave your team short-handed.

Don’t overreact to one bad week
Avoid overreacting to one bad week of performance by a player. Take a long-term view of their performance and evaluate their potential moving forward.

Continuously evaluate your roster
Continuously evaluate your roster throughout the season and make adjustments as needed. Be willing to drop underperforming players or make changes to your lineup if necessary.