If there’s anything we learned from Week 4, it’s that teams are continuing to score – and see marquee players injured – at a league-record pace.

With all of these touchdowns being scored, and all of these fantasy-relevant players ending up on the sidelines, working the waiver wire to perfection is as critical as it has ever been. Fortunately, we’re here to help with that!

Here are Dan Harris, Mike Tagliere and Kyle Yates with their waiver wire rankings and FAAB recommendations for Week 5:

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Q1. Who is your top waiver wire option of the week, and why?

He should’ve been picked up last week, but Tee Higgins is still out there in 70 percent of leagues. We’ve now watched Joe Burrow throw for 300-plus yards in three straight games, and that’s while under extreme duress. If the offensive line can hold it together for just a bit longer, we should see his numbers continue to improve. Higgins is a full-time player in this offense, and now that we’ve seen A.J. Green already pop up with some nagging injuries, it’s possible we have a breakout star.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

It’s Alshon Jeffery for me, and because he was one of my top options last week, it’s no surprise that he’s in the top spot this week (though the top few options are fairly close for me). The next two games are tough for Jeffery even if he does play this week, with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. But the schedule opens up big-time after that, and Jeffery is legitimately someone who should be a WR2 once he returns. The fact that he’s so widely available is silly, because he’s one of the few options that doesn’t need an injury ahead of him to have a huge role going forward. Again, it’s close with the top few options this week, but Jeffrey is my top choice.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

Tee Higgins appears to have taken over as one of the top receiving options in this Bengals WR room. Green continues to see targets, but he simply can’t convert them into anything. Higgins is a special talent at the WR position and the ceiling is sky high in this offense for him. In a week that doesn’t feature a ton of great options for waiver wire pickups, Higgins is the best available.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q2. Which high-end waiver wire option for Week 5 was the most difficult to rank?

All of them, really. It’s not a great week for those who need someone to fill a void on the waiver wire. Instead, this is a week to explore trades. Are you a team that’s started 3-1 or 4-0? Go and make some trade offers to the Christian McCaffrey manager. This is a time to take advantage of those who’ve started out slow. But if forced to pick one, I’d say it’s Alshon Jeffery. On one hand, you have someone who’s going to walk back onto the field as the No. 1 receiver at some point. On the other hand, you have a struggling Carson Wentz, matchups with the Steelers and Ravens on deck, and we can’t forget about Jeffery’s injury woes.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Tim Patrick. The numbers say to be aggressive with Patrick. The opportunity is there with injuries to Courtland Sutton and KJ Hamler, he’s seeing the most snaps of any Broncos receivers, and he’s producing. But . . . it’s Tim Patrick and the Broncos. He can legitimately become a reliable WR you start every week, or someone who is a wasted spot on your bench if the Broncos start (appropriately) incorporating Jerry Jeudy more. I opted to be aggressive with the ranking.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

Tre’Quan Smith was a tough rank for me. It’s hard to downgrade someone who just came out and scored two touchdowns, but Michael Thomas should return to the lineup next week, which limits Smith’s upside. He should still be involved in this offense, but MT is going to soak up targets from Brees. Smith may have hit his ceiling for fantasy purposes this past week.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Q3. For managers renting a D/ST in Week 5, what readily available option (under 40%) should they target?

The Cardinals defense would be my choice. They’ve manage to rack up 11 sacks, which ranks as the sixth-most in the league, while the Jets have now allowed Sam Darnold to be sacked 12 times, including six times against a Broncos defense that was missing three of their best players on the defensive side of the ball. There is no team in the league you’d rather have your defense going against than the Adam Gase-led Jets.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Unfortunately, the Cardinals are too widely rostered to be considered here, otherwise it would be the usual “insert D/ST playing the Jets.” There are few good options this week but I’d go with the Texans against the Jaguars. You know Gardner Minshew will take sacks and probably throw a pick or two. It’s not pretty, but that’s the best bet.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

There really aren’t many enticing options, so Dallas gets the nod here due to their matchup. Dallas has been destroyed through the air this season, but they’re going up against the Giants offense that simply can’t move the ball. Additionally, Daniel Jones has been turning the ball over like crazy this year. If you’re in a pinch and need a start this week, Dallas can be plugged into your lineups.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

Notable Week 5 FAAB Recommendations (in %)

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Q4. Which Week 5 waiver wire option carries the biggest risk of being a waste of FAAB dollars?

There will be a lot of FAB dollars spent on someone like Chase Edmonds this week. While I understand the want (running backs are hard to come by), Kenyan Drake has still totaled 72 percent of the running back touches in this backfield. Edmonds has looked better, but he’s also been fresh as a change of pace back. Edmonds is certainly worth a pickup if he’s out there, but I would recommend avoiding spending 20-plus percent on someone who’s clearly on the wrong side of a timeshare.
– Mike Tagliere (@MikeTagliereNFL)

Justin Jackson. We are assuming that Anthony Lynn wants to keep a committee going, but the Chargers drafted Joshua Kelley and he had assumed the 1B role to Austin Ekeler‘s 1A. Jackson will factor in, but if Kelley gets the goal-line work, then there’s little chance for Jackson to be a weekly viable option. You go after Jackson on the waiver-wire, of course. But he’s got a chance at being a waste.
– Dan Harris (@danharris80)

After Justin Herbert‘s performance in Week 4, he’s going to be a hot waiver wire add. However, Anthony Lynn still refuses to back him and announce him as the starter. There’s the possibility that we see Tyrod Taylor back on the field for this next game and Herbert riding the bench. Even if Herbert does play though, it’s not a fantastic matchup against the Saints.
– Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

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