Every year, the fantasy football waiver wire becomes an important place to browse as injuries pile up during the rigors of an NFL season. Week 4 featured multiple injuries, opening the door for backups to make a mark out of the backfield.
Here’s the early look at the week 5 fantasy football waiver wire.
Latavius Murray/Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings
It’s being feared that Dalvin Cook tore his ACL, which severely limits Minnesota’s ability to compete for an NFC North title. Cook was quickly becoming a dominating force out of the backfield. Without him, the majority of the carries will likely shift to Murray, who has shown some flashes of brilliance in the past.
Murray still has to battle for carries with McKinnon, who I also believe should be owned. McKinnon will see the majority of third-down work, while Murray will likely be the main back on the early downs.
Cook was a major fantasy stud because he could do three downs worth of work for fantasy teams. Murray isn’t that kind of back and McKinnon can’t get early down work. So you’re getting limited action from both of these backs. If I had my choice, I would target Murray because his volume load will likely be more.
However, McKinnon will probably be targeted less on waiver wires this week, so if you’re down on the list, McKinnon may be your man.
Aaron Jones/Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers
Ty Montgomery’s injury doesn’t appear to be as serious as once perceived. However, I’ve had my concerns with Montgomery since the beginning of the season since he’s never taken the punishment of an every-down running back.
Injuries to Montgomery may become a common weekly discussion piece. That makes it imperative to have his backup. The only problem is that could be either Jones or Williams. Williams was injured after filling in for Montgomery in week 4, giving Jones an opportunity to make his mark.
Jones was good in that role, but it’s unclear who would handle the majority of the work if Montgomery missed time during the season. It may be a hot-hand approach, but it’s still worth investing in one of these backs for your bench.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
I’m beginning to wonder the competency of Houston head coach Bill O’Brien. Why did Watson start the season on the bench?
Watson tallied the best score of week 4 with more than 30 fantasy points for his performance. This comes after a stellar performance in week 3 on the road against New England. I failed to jump on the Dak Prescott runaway fantasy train in 2016, so I’m not making the same mistake with Watson.
It doesn’t mean you have to start him right away, but he’s looking like the real deal. Houston’s offense is a sleeping giant as long as Watson can continue to hide the offensive line’s inefficiencies. If he can avoid negative plays, he has skill position players all around him that can make plays.
Watson doesn’t have to do a ton to score in fantasy. That’s what makes him a nice addition off the waiver wire.
Elijah McGuire, RB, New York Jets
I’m always on the look-out for possible running backs who could create depth. McGuire may actually be available this week, since he’ll be added in far fewer leagues than the previously mentioned backs. But he’s probably been the most explosive running back out of this crew and may have some value as the season progresses.
McGuire went for 131 total yards and one touchdown in week 4 against a Jacksonville defense that is having a tough time stopping the run. McGuire has gotten some work in recent weeks, but he exploded in week 4 without Matt Forte in the lineup. Forte will continue to have a tough time staying off the injury report, so expect McGuire to stay on the field. He has to battle with Bilal Powell for carries, but Powell hasn’t been that much better than the McGuire this season.
He’s not going to be a consistent producer right now, but he could fill in for some players who will be on bye in the coming weeks.
Devin Funchess, WR, Carolina Panthers
Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
These are carry-overs from the week 4 waiver wire. They showed in week 4 that they will have volume and can produce. There’s no reason why either of these players should be sitting on waiver wires in 12 or 14-team leagues.
Get them on your team, especially with bye weeks approaching, before other owners get the hint and put them on their team.
