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Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterbacks (Week 5)

We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top fantasy football waiver wire quarterbacks to target for the week below. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 5.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks

Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson

Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 18% Rostered

  • Next Opponents: MIA, DAL, @NYJ
  • True Value: $4
  • Desperate Need: $6
  • Budget-Minded: $2

Analysis: Hear me out on this one. The Panthers have one of the easiest upcoming schedules for fantasy quarterbacks. Despite their offense flipping between functional and hard to watch, there should be better days ahead. A week removed from shutting out the Falcons and scoring 30 points, the Panthers lost 42-13 to the Patriots. Over their next three games, the Panthers go up against the defenses that have allowed the second-most, most and seventh-most fantasy points to the quarterback position. This stretch starts against a Miami team that is allowing an average of 26.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. If you are in quarterback purgatory, Bryce Young could be a great option for several weeks to come.

Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG): 23% Rostered

  • Next Opponents: @NO, PHI, @DEN
  • True Value: $3
  • Desperate Need: $5
  • Budget-Minded: $1

Analysis: What a debut for Jaxson Dart. Holding down the fort against a previously undefeated Chargers team is a heck of a challenge. Yet, Dart and company managed to come out victorious. What should have fantasy managers excited is that Dart was not afraid to run, especially in the red zone. His next few games present some tricky matchups, but Dart is a good streaming option next week against the Saints. The Giants seem to have some swagger for the first time in a while. Dart could be a useful fantasy starter for the rest of the season, although his passing outlook is somewhat diminished by the loss of star wide receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL.

Sam Darnold (QB – SEA): 21% Rostered

  • Next Opponents: TB, @JAX, HOU
  • True Value: $1
  • Desperate Need: $2
  • Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: Seattle is rolling. The Seahawks have a well-balanced offense and a defense that can stifle the best. Through three quarters of their Week 4 game, the Seahawks dominated the Cardinals. This week, they have a fun matchup against the Buccaneers, who are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the quarterback position. Coming off a tough loss to the Eagles, the Bucs will be motivated to get back in the win column on the road. Mike Evans is likely out again, but with Chris Godwin back, the Tampa Bay offense is still one of the most potent in the league. Sam Darnold may be forced to keep up with a red-hot Baker Mayfield and could have a solid day for fantasy.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): 24% Rostered

  • Next Opponents: NYJ, @CAR, LAC
  • True Value: $0
  • Desperate Need: $1
  • Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: After looking like one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the league over the first two weeks of the season, the Dolphins played a tight game against the undefeated Bills in Week 3. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had productive days against Buffalo. If they can continue to produce, and if De’Von Achane continues to be a dangerous threat out of the backfield, Tua Tagovailoa will have all the weapons to be a viable fantasy quarterback. The upcoming schedule is decent for the Dolphins. However, the Panthers have quietly allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the quarterback position.

Jake Browning (QB – CIN): 13% Rostered

  • Next Opponents: @DEN, DET, @GB
  • True Value: $0
  • Desperate Need: $1
  • Budget-Minded: $0

Analysis: The Jake Browning we saw against the Vikings in Week 3 is not the one we should expect to see every week. Before the disaster in Minnesota, Browning had been a top-10 fantasy quarterback in five of his seven starts for the Bengals. He is not Joe Burrow (no one is), but Browning is a very capable backup who can get his playmakers the ball. Since the Bengals don’t have a functional defense, Browning will have to push the ball downfield to keep up with opponents. A home game against the red-hot Lions in Week 6 could be a shootout. In fact, the Lions have allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns on the season. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins can carry Browning to a productive fantasy day in a good matchup.

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