Week four of the 2024 NFL season is over and the hits keep on coming. The bad news is that Rashee Rice is likely out for the season with a torn ACL. The worst news is that Anthony Richardson is not expected to miss any time with a hip injury. If you have either of these guys, you have some tough choices ahead. Before you give up on your fantasy season, remember that the waiver wire exists to save you from the cruel and unforgiving fantasy football gods. I’m going to provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, just know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad I don’t even consider them. Maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here. So let us examine our best week five waiver wire players for your championship run…
Week Five Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (49% rostered)
If Sam Darnold is still on your waiver wire and you need a quarterback you are dumb because I told you last week to grab him. In week four, Sam Darnold had 275 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Sam Darnold is the QB4 on the season right now. Go get him.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (33% rostered)
Last week, I told you that Justin Fields’ schedule was about to get really nice. In week four, Fields finished as the QB1 on the week with 312 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, along with 55 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns. Justin Fields went back to doing Justin Fields things. If Fields is on your waiver wire and you need quarterback help, grab Justin Fields.
Week Five Waiver Wire Running Backs
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (52% rostered)
For the second week in a row, Bucky Irving has outperformed Rachaad White in fantasy. In week four, Bucky had 55 all-purpose yards. Bucky Irving has consistently been a flex-worthy option every week. If he is on your waiver wire still, just know that he shouldn’t be and you’ve made a terrible mistake letting him sit there this long.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (28% rostered)
In week four, Kareem Hunt had 85 all-purpose yards. To put it simply, Kareem Hunt is potentially the lead back on a Kansas City offense. If you need running back help, he is a worthwhile dart throw.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (46% rostered)
This is where your running back options start getting dire. In week five, Rico Dowdle had 61 all-purpose yards. In week four, Rico Dowdle had 45% of the team snaps at running back. Someone has to take a lead role in this offense. Who knows, it might even be Rico Dowdle.
Week Five Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (14% rostered)
In his first week back, Josh Downs delivered a WR1 finish on the week with 8 catches for 82 yards and 1 touchdown. We’ve seen Josh Downs be fantasy-relevant, but the real concern here is going to be that Anthony Richardson has been very bad at football and Downs got his production when AR was not in the game. Downs showed well in the preseason and had a good rookie campaign, so this is a solid upside play. There is also a non-zero chance that Joe Flacco will be playing a lot of games this year, which will make Josh Downs an incredibly attractive fantasy asset.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (27% rostered)
Whereas Josh Downs is more of a ceiling play, Wan’Dale Robinson is a floor play that is more attractive than you might first guess. In week four, Robinson had 14 targets and 11 catches for 71 yards. Right now, Wan’Dale Robinson is fourth in the NFL in targets among wide receivers and is currently seeing a 25.5% target share on his team. As teams start bracketing Malik Nabers more and more, I think you will see Robinson receive a bunch of dump-off passes and accrue those boring PPR numbers. It ain’t flashy, but Wan’Dale Robinson has a good chance to finish the year in the top 36 and that is not bad for a waiver-wire guy.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (20% rostered)
Xavier Legette is interesting. He is an athletic specimen. In week four, Legette had 6 catches for 66 yards. Now that Andy Dalton is heading the Panthers offense, it is not a hard fade. I’m just not sure how interested I am in burning a waiver on him. But I do think Legette is an interesting speculative addition.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (12% rostered)
In week four, Dontayvion had 5 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. I would be way more excited about this stat line if he hadn’t been targeted 13 times and only came away with 5 catches. There are a lot of red flags in this performance that make me not interested in targeting Wicks on the waiver wire. Wicks is still the third or fourth receiving option on his team, depending on Christian Watson’s health. (Not a given) A lot of this production came after the Packers were down 28-0, essentially making this garbage time production we probably won’t see again. Oh, AND HE ONLY CAUGHT 5 OF HIS 13 TARGETS! Wicks is a trap. You will never feel good starting him. This is a hard fade.
Week Five Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (33% rostered)
What week is it? IT’S A TAYSOM HILL WEEK! In week four, Taysom Hill had 6 carries for 24 yards and 2 touchdowns. It happens every year. He will finish as the top TE at least twice a season like clockwork. He will also break your heart about 75% of the time. Frankly, with how dire the tight end position has been this year, starting Taysom Hill at tight end is probably one of your best options.
