Dynasty Waiver Wire: Week Five
I looked back on the article I wrote last week, and saw the theme of a lower scoring week… It could not be more different this week. Holy Moly! Christian McCaffrey is, dare I say, becoming the best running back in the NFL right in front of our eyes! Will Fuller showed up in a huge way, DJ Chark is becoming a superstar week in and week out, Deshaun Watson showed that talent we have been waiting to see, and Aaron Jones was a TD machine.
But unfortunately, not everyone scored a ton of points (*cough… Mike Evans owners). Maybe you were ready for a big game from Marquez Valdes-Scantling with Davante Adams ruled out, or you are a Saquon Barkley owner who has been deploying Wayne Gallman until Barkley returns, or you needed LeSean McCoy to score more than two points… I feel your pain and understand your frustration.
So why do we put ourselves through this torment every week? Simple. The legacy that one can hope to achieve by having your name etched in the history books as a fantasy football legend… cash prizes are nice as well.
No matter what the reason is for playing fantasy football… I am here to help. Here are some names you will hear on waiver wire articles, and I will help you decipher if they are a good pickup or not, depending on your league size.
Shallow (18-22 man rosters)
Gerald Everett, TE LAR
Remember that one time when I recommended that you pick up Everett in shallow leagues and I was told by many that it would be a waste of time and you should look elsewhere because Tyler Higbee was “coming back” and Everett would be an afterthought? I do… because it was last week.
Good thing for you is that not a ton of people picked him up in shallow leagues and he is still available in way more leagues than he should be. This will be your last week to grab him, guaranteed. Everett garnered 11 targets from Jared Goff, and turned that into seven catches for 136 yards. I’d say that is pretty solid. Brandin Cooks is in concussion protocol and Everett could be a very viable TE1 option in the coming weeks.
Auden Tate, WR CIN
Tate didn’t have the most productive game, but he was still effective and found the end zone for the Bengals. With AJ Green still sitting out, Tate has quickly become the second-most valuable wide receiver to own in Cincinnati behind Tyler Boyd. There are rumblings of Green being traded, and Tate would move into a permanent role as a starter.
Tate still struggles with focus and drops, which can plague him at times… but he has also shown a toughness that John Ross hasn’t ever had. Tate could move into a flex option depending on the right matchup.
Darius Slayton, WR NYG
There is a new regime in New York and it’s Sheriff Daniel Jones’ time. Yes, they are only 2-3, but with all things considered, I would be happy if I were a Giants fan. One of those things to be happy about is the play from rookie wide receiver Darius Slayton. He had a quiet week four, but in week three, he had 82 yards and in week five, he caught four passes for 62 yards and a score.
Sterling Shepard will be the number one receiver there for quite some time, but there is no reason that Slayton can’t slot in as the number two and be a productive player. He’s not a guy you will want to start week in and week out, but a name to stash on the bench.
Chase Edmonds, RB ARI
Let’s face it… David Johnson hasn’t looked the same for the past three years, and he probably never will. He is a really good, but no longer an elite player at this point. Johnson had a very productive game in week five, totaling 156 yards. But the Cardinals do not want to ride him to the ground and would do well to get Chase Edmonds more involved in the week-to-week gameplan, which seems to be the trend. In week three, Edmonds had five touches, week four he had six touches, and in week five he had eleven touches.
He is a MUST for any David Johnson owner but is also starting to build some stand-alone value as he gets more involved.
JD McKissic, RB DET
I was a firm believer that Detroit would have a competent running back that could spell Kerryon Johnson when he needed it… I just thought it would be Ty Johnson. It is looking like the Lions coaches are liking what they see in McKissic. In week four, McKissic appeared in 27 snaps compared to just 11 for Ty Johnson. McKissic has also lined up at wide receiver as well and has shown explosive ability when given a chance. McKissic is the back I would target as the backup in Detroit.
Other “Shallow” roster players to keep an eye on:
- Olabisi Johnson, WR MIN
- Foster Moreau, TE OAK
- Danny Amendola, WR DET
Average (23-27 man rosters)
Jon Hilliman, RB NYG
Wayne Gallman was knocked out of the week five contest and Jon Hilliman took over. He ran the ball… that’s about all I can say. I don’t know what your waiver wires look like, but if you need someone who will possibly get some playing time (Barkley is trying to come back) on Thursday night football against the Patriots, Hilliman is your guy. If you want someone with lasting value… pass on this waiver add.
Darren Fells, TE HOU
Houston Texan’s tight ends feel like a teeter-totter. One week Jordan Akins is the tight end to have on your roster, next is Darren Fells. Fells had two TD catches in week five and is constantly playing a bit more than Akins is, so if you feel like rolling the dice… add Fells and hope for the best.
Bryce Love, RB WAS
This add is completely speculative. Love can possibly return after week six after starting on the NFI list. Look, the Redskins are 0-5 and are playing for next year. Derrius Guice can’t stay healthy, they are trailing in every game, and Adrian Peterson is rendered useless in the passing game. The Redskins will love to see what some of their younger guys can do, and Bryce Love may be given a shot before the season is over.
Love has been forgotten about by many and flown under the radar because of landing spot and injury. But when a team is 0-5… all preconceived notions of what that team will do and will not do, go out the window.
Demaryius Thomas, WR NYJ
Here is the positive for Thomas… he saw nine targets which tied for the lead on the team, and he was the most productive receiver on the day. He came back from a hamstring injury and looked pretty good. The bad news is that he plays for the Jets and Sam Darnold is still not healthy. Once Darnold comes back, the offense will surely look better, but until then, Thomas is left on the bench. He is worth a stash in somewhat deeper leagues.
Trevor Davis, WR OAK
The Green Bay Packers traded Trevor Davis to the Oakland Raiders a couple of weeks ago for a few baseball cards and a sack of marbles. Good news for Davis was that the depth chart in Oakland is “lean” to say the least. Tyrell Williams… out. JJ Nelson… out. Even Dwayne Harris was out, and I didn’t even know he was on an active roster. Davis caught four passes for 42 yards, and looked good enough. Anything can happen under coach Gruden, and if Williams or Nelson have to miss any more time, Davis slots into the WR2/3 role for that team.
Other “Average” roster players to keep an eye on:
- DeAndre Washington, RB OAK
- Mark Walton, RB MIA
Deep (28+ man rosters)
Reggie Bonnafon, RB CAR
Trying to figure out who Christian McCaffrey’s backup is, has been a mystery the entire season. Now we may have gotten some more clarification as Reggie Bonnafon had a breakout game while CMC had to sit out some fourth-quarter snaps due to cramps. I can only imagine the weight of carrying your entire team could put a bit of stress on those legs. 25 touches, over 230 total yards, and three TDs might do that. Bonnafon will be a popular pickup this week, and if you have room on your bench, I would add him.
Steven Sims Jr., WR WAS
Was the rookie out of Kansas a fluke this week? Possibly. Are the Redskins actually trying to win? I’m not entirely sure. Terry McLaurin has been a stud this year when healthy, Trey Quinn has been reliable, and Paul Richardson has been up and down. The Redskins can obviously use all the help they can get, and if Sims Jr. can provide an explosive element to the offense that they didn’t have before, he could start to see some playing time.
Byron Pringle, WR KC
Pringle made the most of his opportunity in week five. With Tyreek Hill still sitting out, and Sammy Watkins out as well, Pringle was Patrick Mahomes‘ most productive target. He caught six passes for 103 yards and his first career TD. While Pringle will most likely fall back to WR5 when Hill and Watkins get back… adding a viable scoring receiver from the Chiefs is always a good idea, regardless of injuries.
Ryan Izzo, TE NE
Izzo has been flying under the radar for the past five weeks. He hasn’t garnered many looks in the passing game but has been playing about 65% of the snaps for five straight weeks. The Patriots are still looking for a tight end, ever since that one guy retired. Obviously, Brady likes to throw to tight ends, especially when they are good. It’s still tough to break down what Ben Watson’s role will be in the offense, but Izzo is steadily climbing in value.
Duke Williams, WR BUF
I’ll be completely honest, after Duke Williams NFL combine, I never thought he would play a down in the NFL. His very poor combine, coupled with his immense off the field issues made him one of the more risky prospects. He ended up playing in the CFL and was an “all-star” the past couple of years, and he made his debut for the Bills this past weekend. He was always talented enough but didn’t seem to have his life put together enough to make it happen.
He scored the game-winning touchdown in his debut, and looks like he could make an impact for the Bills moving forward.
Other “Deep” roster players to keep an eye on:
- Stanley Morgan Jr., WR CIN
- Devlin Hodges, QB PIT
- Jeremy Sprinkle, TE WAS
Follow me on Twitter @LeviChappell.
- Levi Chappell: Dynasty Fantasy Football Rankings Explained - February 24, 2023
- 2023 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Josh Downs, WR North Carolina - January 23, 2023
- 2023 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Quentin Johnston, WR TCU - January 14, 2023
