As early breakouts materialize and injuries keep raining down, the waiver wire is more bountiful than in past weeks. However, the most high-profile option enters Week 5 in limbo.

Replacing Jimmy Garoppolo in the second half, Trey Lance scored more fantasy points (20.4) than Lamar Jackson, Ryan Tannehill, and Tom Brady in Week 4 This year’s No. 3 overall pick flashed tantalizing dual-threat capabilities by adding 41 rushing yards to 157 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air. Those explosive two quarters left many fantasy players dreaming of the next league-winning star.

That’s assuming he keeps playing. On Monday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that he’s not ruling out Garoppolo returning for Week 5’s NFC West showdown against the Cardinals. This outlook appears overly optimistic coming a day after Garoppolo expressed hope of only missing a few weeks.

But because of this uncertainty, Lance isn’t necessarily a must-add in one-quarterback leagues. After all, two former top picks are thriving in a dual-threat capacity. San Francisco also a Week 6 bye, giving Garoppolo more time to heal while forcing new investors to head right back to the waiver wire.

That said, Lance’s ceiling is high enough to roll the dice anyway. Considering nobody should rely on Garoppolo in single-quarterback leagues, it’s only a viable move for managers who can pair the rookie with another viable starter.

Note: Rostered percentages provided via Yahoo leagues.

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Top 5 Waiver Targets of Week 5

Damien Williams (RB – CHI): 9% Rostered
After amassing 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns, David Montgomery left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. While he appears to have avoided an ACL tear, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter Chicago’s running back may need time to recover. Unfortunately, his backup is also hurt, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Williams has a more optimistic prognosis:

#Bears RB Damien Williams suffered a thigh bruise on Sunday and should be OK, source said. He’d be the starter in the event David Montgomery misses a few weeks with his knee injury. Montgomery may miss some time, though the belief is the knee isn’t serious.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2021

Only the Saints have attempted fewer passes than the Bears this season, and Montgomery already stockpiled 75 touches through four games. Furthermore, Williams looked up to the task when registering 75 yards and touchdown on 10 touches in Week 4’s win over the Lions.

The Super Bowl LIV hero looked poised for fantasy stardom before opting out of the 2020 season. While Williams is no longer is an elite offense, he has enough talent to deliver RB2 production with starting reps.

Dalton Schultz (TE – DAL): 34% Rostered
Players usually get more attention when breaking out in primetime, and there’s an oversaturation of Cowboys coverage regardless of their start time. As a result, it was surprising to see Schultz remain available in two-thirds of Yahoo league entering Week 4. Didn’t everyone see him catch six of seven targets for 80 yards and two touchdowns the previous Monday night?

For an encore, Schultz reeled in six receptions and found the end zone again. He drew even more attention from Dak Prescott, collecting a season-high eight targets. Schultz now ties Travel Kelce for the third-most touchdowns among tight ends. He ranks fourth in receptions, sixth in receiving yards, and fifth in half-PPR fantasy points.

Managers will be hard-pressed to find 10 tight ends they rather play than Schultz moving forward. Expect those who were skeptical last week to eagerly jump on board after back-to-back big games.

Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI): 38% Rostered
Justin Fields was mostly a delivery man in his second career start, handing off 36 times in a 24-14 win. When he did pass, he looked Mooney’s way. The dynamic wideout registered 125 of Chicago’s 209 yards through the air, receiving seven of Fields’ 17 targets and accounting for five of 11 completions. Mooney also bailed out the rookie quarterback with a highlight-reel grab:

Darnell Mooney goes full extension with one hand! #DaBears

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/O3FPtXEIiQ

— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021

What could this duo accomplish when Fields has to throw more than 17 times? A lot, but we might not find out immediately. Chicago could go back to a healthy Andy Dalton, who fed Mooney seven targets in Week 1. The Red Rifle isn’t a deal-breaker for Mooney’s fantasy value. It might make Chicago’s offense better at the moment.

The popular preseason breakout selection took a while to get going, but Mooney still brandishes immense upside. Just don’t expect dependable weekly results in this subpar passing offense.

Sam Darnold (QB – CAR): 38% Rostered
Darnold ran for five touchdowns in three seasons with the Jets. He has five rushing touchdowns in four games with the Panthers. That leads the NFL, and we’re not just talking about quarterbacks. In fact, only five teams have more rushing scores. (Raiders 3)

Although this pace isn’t sustainable, Darnold could remain an active goal-line participant with Christian McCaffrey out of action. Besides, he’s also cleared 300 passing yards in three straight games. The 24-year-old has accounted for at least two touchdowns and 22 fantasy points in each game, making him the QB5 (35.82 over Herbert, 26.4 more than Carr) this season. Already recommended here three times this season, this will be the last week Darnold remains eligible.

Latavius Murray (RB – BAL): 48% Rostered
Plagued by preseason injuries to their backfield, the Ravens signed Murray right before the season began. He took a back seat to Ty’Son Williams in September, tallying 26 carries in the first three games

That changed Sunday. Williams went from Baltimore’s starter to a head-scratching healthy scratch behind Murray, Le’Veon Bell, and Devonta Freeman. It became apparent whom Jim Harbaugh prefers from that veteran trio; Murray fielded 18 of 23 handoffs, amassing 59 yards and a touchdown.

Murray hasn’t had a pretty start to his Baltimore tenure, averaging 3.4 yards per carry with a long run of 11 yards. However, he could ride volume — particularly in the red zone — to flex consideration. He’s a solid addition, but not a game-changer. Without a single target all season, Murray needs a good game script and goal-line opportunities. Despite the limited ceiling, the starting running back on a run-orientated offense should be rostered in all leagues.

Notable Players 36-50% Rostered

Dawson Knox (TE – BUF): 47%
Knox has submitted four touchdowns this season, tying the injured Rob Gronkowski for the most among tight ends. Dating back to last year (and including the playoffs), he’s found the end zone nine times in his last 13 games. While the 24-year-old isn’t racking up yards (67 represents his career-high), he received a season-high eight targets in Sunday’s 40-0 onslaught over the Texans. With Josh Allen finding a new red-zone buddy in a percolating Bills offense, Knox has played himself into TE1 territory. He might be this year’s Robert Tonyan.

Curtis Samuel (WR – WAS): 40%
After missing the first three weeks with a groin injury, Samuel submitted just 18 yards in his season (and team) debut. Don’t fret the middling stat line; he’ll play more than 25 snaps when returning to full strength. The dynamic wideout tallied 1,051 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns for Carolina last season on 97 targets and 41 rushes. Washington probably didn’t hand Samuel a three-year, $34.5 million deal without big plans in mind, so pick him up now in hopes of attaining a WR3 by midseason.

DeVante Parker (WR – MIA): 38%
Parker posted 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019. Although yet to truly boom in a given week this season, he’s accrued 242 receiving yards on 32 targets. The Dolphins have already ruled out Will Fuller for Week 5’s game against the Buccaneers, who rank last in passing defense and first against the run. Helping Parker’s outlook even more, Tampa Bay probably won’t have shutdown cornerback Carlton Davis available after he suffered a quad injury Sunday night. That makes Parker the top receiving option in a perfect pass-heavy situation, opening the door for his first 100-yard showcase this season.

Notable Players 10-35% Rostered

Josh Gordon (WR – KC): 32%
According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, Andy Reid said Gordon could make his debut in Week 5. Fantasy players have spent years chasing his resounding 2013 success, and it’s rarely proved a worthwhile use of their time and resources. That said, it’d be much easier to ignore Gordon if he didn’t sign with Kansas City. He’s an interesting stash for managers who can afford to tuck him on the bench until seeing enough snaps, targets, or deep bombs from Patrick Mahomes to deploy again.

Daniel Jones (QB – NYG): 31%
While he’s no Darnold in the end zone, Jones has the third-most rushing yards (188) among quarterbacks after Jackson and Jalen Hurts. He ran the ball in himself twice while punctuating another pair of two-point conversations. He’s also improving as a passer, posting a 98.3 quarterback rating with 8,2 yards per attempt and only one interception. Jones hadn’t cleared 300 passing yards since the end of the 2019 season before offering 402 in an overtime win at the Superdome, bringing his season average to 296. The current QB6 is the high-upside matchup play drafters anticipated in 2020.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PHI): 29%
On a day in which Miles Sanders mustered 13 rushing yards, Gainwell took one of three carries to the house for a seven-yard score. He tallied 31 yards on the ground while also hauling in six of eight targets on 29 snaps. That gives Gainwell 18 targets in four games, with yardage tallies trending upward each week. He also has two rushing touchdowns inside the 10, creating an impactful role in limited reps.

Hunter Renfrow (WR – LV): 27%
Although the Raiders’ offense crashed down to earth Monday night, Renfrow still led the way with six catches and eight targets (and one bone-crushing hit). He found the end zone for the second straight game, and a solid 45 yards represents his lowest total this season. More recognition is overdue for the 5’10” wideout.

Dallas Cowboys (D/ST): 22%
The Cowboys’ defense ranks fifth in fantasy scoring despite allowing 315.25 passing yards and 24.25 points per game. That’s because they’ve delivered two interceptions in each game alongside nine total sacks, five in Week 4’s win over Carolina. The NFC East leaders get two above-average matchups against the Giants and Patriots before their Week 7 bye.

Jamison Crowder (WR – NYJ): 20%
Crowder didn’t miss a step in his season debut, hitting paydirt while leading the Jets in targets (nine) and receptions (seven). He averaged 4.9 catches and 58.3 receiving yards per game on a sinking ship last season, opening with three straight 100-yard performances. While Crowder probably won’t display that upside again, he promptly reclaimed his role as a steady PPR presence.

Minnesota Vikings (D/ST): 16%
The Vikings have 13 sacks this season and allowed just 17 points to Seattle and 14 to Cleveland. They should at least be good for a few points when hosting the Lions in Week 5

Darrel Williams (RB – KC): 10%
Williams has received a larger rushing share each week, accruing one, three, seven, and 10 carries in each game this season. On Sunday, he pounded in his second goal-line touchdown for a Kansas City offense averaging 33.5 points per game for what many onlookers consider a disappointing start. Williams has some standalone deep-league value as a touchdown vulture, which could expand to all leagues if working his way into a committee with Edwards-Helaire. For now, he’s an essential (and overlooked) handcuff.

Notable Players <10% Rostered

Larry Rountree II (RB – LAC): 6%
Austin Ekeler returned from the medical tent to put on a show Monday night. If he hadn’t, Rountree would be near the top of the column. He still saw 11 carries behind Ekeler’s 15 in a 28-14 victory, so the sixth-round pick is the clear backup for a Chargers offense firing on all cylinders.

Van Jefferson Jr. (WR – LAR): 5%
Jefferson has more receiving yards (226) than Robert Woods (172) this season. He’s drawn six targets in consecutive weeks and caught all of them for 90 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. The 25-year-old tossed a 14-yard dud into his stellar start, so expect ebbs and flows from the Rams’ third wide receiver. Jefferson is nevertheless far more valuable than anyone who filled the same role with Jared Goff in Los Angeles.

Kadarius Toney (WR – NYG): 3%
With the Giants missing Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, Toney caught six of a team-high nine targets for 78 yards in their overtime win at New Orleans. He spent most of his time in the slot, where Shepard shined as Jones’ go-to target in the opening weeks. This year’s first-round pick played a pivotal role in Jones’ career day, so Toney shouldn’t fall by the wayside even if New York’s receivers return. Yet his role would probably fluctuate too much to trust if sharing the spotlight with Shepard.

Samaje Perine (RB – CIN): 3%
Joe Mixon left Thursday night’s game on the final drive with what the Bengals believe to be a minor ankle injury. Mixon may not miss any games, but stash Perine just in case. Last season, he was a late fantasy hero, swaying some championships when replacing Mixon with 136 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 16.

C.J. Uzomah (TE – CIN): 2%
Uzomah went from a four-yard Week 2 and catchless Week 3 to 95 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. Fantasy managers can’t depend on someone with a literal floor of zero, so don’t overreact to one big performance. However, the seven-year pro could garner some deep streamer appeal if the Bengals play without Tee Higgins again in Week 5.

Taysom Hill (QB – ONO: 2%
So much for Tony Jones Jr. siphoning red-zone carries. Instead, Sean Payton utilized Hill as his goal-line rusher. The backup quarterback bouldered his way to two rushing touchdowns, giving him three in the Saints’ last two games.

TAYSOM SHAWN HILL!!!!! 💪#NYGvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/afSbfQ6ypO

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 3, 2021

Hill also attempted three passes. Although they resulted in nine yards and a pick, it’s noteworthy after he previously had just one pass all season. Jameis Winston has struggled since a great Week 1, so Payton could call Hill’s number more often for gadget plays and short-yardage runs. He could especially come in handy for managers needing to replace a veritable starting quarterback in a two-QB or Superflex league.

Alex Collins (RB – SEA): 2%
Collins entered Week 4 with three carries all season before receiving three red-zone carries Sunday. Overall, he turned 10 carries and two targets into 78 yards and a touchdown on 22 snaps. Meanwhile, Chris Carson has played fewer than half of Seattle’s snaps in consecutive games. It’s unclear if Collins will get enough touches to represent anything more than an occasional touchdown vulture, but he’s at least establishing himself as an intriguing handcuff behind a starter who’s never played every game in a season.

Maxx Williams (TE – ARI): 1%
Williams has had two big games in the last three weeks on the NFL’s second-ranked offense. During that stretch, he’s secured each of his 15 targets. An efficient tight end playing with an MVP front-runner deserves attention as he climbs the TE2 ladder.

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