Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 5 of the 2022 fantasy football season.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Justin Fields (QB – CHI): 44% rostered

• Next opponents: @MIN, WAS, @NE
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $12
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: To put it simply, Justin Fields has not been good this season. It seems like the Bears are content with running the ball heavily, which would require some change in script to warrant adding Fields off the waiver wire. Fields’ floor is firmly around 10 fantasy points with his rushing ability. His upcoming schedule has a good mix of weaker pass defenses and better teams that are likely to push Chicago into a more pass-heavy negative game script.

Geno Smith (QB – SEA): 12% rostered

• Next opponents: @NO, ARI, @LAC
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Not many would have guessed that the Seattle Seahawks would be starting the more productive QB in addition to the haul of draft picks they received in the Russell Wilson trade. Geno Smith has been a revelation so far in 2022 and is on the heels of a 33.7-point performance in Detroit on Sunday. The Saints will be a difficult assignment next week, but Geno has produced in every game except for Week 2, when he left with an injury.

Kenny Pickett (QB – PIT): 5% rostered

• Next opponents: @BUF, TB, @MIA
• True value: $3
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The rookie first-round pick from Pitt made his NFL debut to start the second half on Sunday, replacing the inept Mitch Trubisky. The kid didn’t look too bad, combining three (very unfortunate) interceptions with two rushing scores. It can be surmised that Pickett has usurped Trubisky for the foreseeable future. One issue with adding Pickett right now is the difficulty of the next two matchups. It might be prudent to give him a couple more weeks to marinate on the wire, then strike when the schedule lightens up a bit.

Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA): 2% rostered

• Next opponents: @NYJ, MIN, PIT
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Teddy B replaced Tua Tagovailoa on Thursday night and passed for 195 yards with a touchdown. It is unclear how long Tua will be held out with his severe concussion and neck injury, but it is likely that Bridgewater will lead the Dolphins into the Meadowlands against the rival Jets in Week 5. New York has been a sieve on defense and turnover-prone on offense. For a cheap one-week stream in superflex and deeper formats, Bridgewater could be a decently safe floor play.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): 28% rostered

• Next opponents: @CAR, @ATL, KC
• True value: $2
• Desperate need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Similar to Teddy Bridgewater, Jimmy Garoppolo is a low-ceiling option for Week 5 in a moment of desperation. He is going to enjoy a string of mediocre defensive opponents in the coming weeks. If adding Jimmy G on waivers, keep expectations modest. He has looked horrendous since stepping up to replace injured starter Trey Lance and offers zero rushing upside.

Stash Candidates: Bailey Zappe, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder

Analysis: Zappe, the rookie out of Western Kentucky, saw his first game action and was the first rookie QB to toss a touchdown pass in 2022. If Brian Hoyer is forced out of next week’s game with his injury, and Mac Jones is still not healthy enough to return, Zappe could get a one-week streamer run at the horrendous Lions defense, but he won’t see much value after that.

Ryan Tannehill is once again exceeding expectations this season, but there’s still a feeling that his leash is still relatively short, and the mobile Malik Willis is waiting in the wings. Marcus Mariota looked rough in Week 4, but the Falcons won again to draw even at 2-2. More poor form out of this passing offense, combined with losing football, and the calls for Desmond Ridder will get louder.