NFL fantasy football waiver wire: 7 adds and 3 drops for Week 5

With NFL Week 4 wrapping up, it’s time for a look at the fantasy football moves you need to be making on your waiver wire entering Week 5.

ADDS

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara

The third-round pick from Tennessee has already emerged as a major weapon for the Saints. Despite the presence of veterans Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson, Kamara was the featured back in a Week 4 win over the Dolphins in London. He finished the game with 10 catches for 71 yards to go with 25 yards on the ground. Kamara scored his first touchdown last week in the Saints’ win over the Panthers. Add Kamara in any league you can get him in.

Minnesota Vikings RB Latavius Murray

This add is more due to injury than anything else. The Vikings appear to have lost Dalvin Cook to a torn ACL during their Week 4 loss to the Lions. With Cook down, the Vikings will now rely on the guy they ironically signed this offseason to be their featured back. Latavius Murray enjoyed a solid career with the Raiders before signing with Minnesota this offseason, but the emergence of Cook led to Murray rarely seeing the field over the first four games.

Once Cook when down against Detroit, Murray led the Vikings with seven carries for 21 yards. He also caught two passes for eight yards. He won’t light up a scoreboard, but if you need running back help, he’s one of the top adds to make this week.

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Kroft

The Bengals may have found their answer at tight end with Tyler Eifert sidelined yet again. Tyler Kroft has rarely caught passes in Cincinnati’s offense due to injuries and Eifert being there. However, Kroft has remained healthy this year, and once Eifert went down, the third-year man stepped up in a big way. Over the last three weeks, Kroft has caught nine passes on 11 targets for 96 yards and two scores, the latter two of which coming against the Browns in Week 4. Kroft’s stay as Cincinnati’s tight end may not be long if Eifert gets healthy, but for now, Kroft is a good streamer if this is a position you need help at.

Seattle Seahawks RB Eddie Lacy

If you watched Sunday Night Football and saw what happened to Chris Carson, you know he is probably out for the season. It was awful to watch as the young, talented rookie’s season end just as his star was shining brightest.

Now, Seattle will likely rely heavily on Eddie Lacy as the top back in their offense. Lacy was active in Week 4 while Thomas Rawls was a healthy scratch. This could turn into a committee approach, but for now, Lacy looks like the Seattle running back to own in fantasy football.

Houston Texans WR Will Fuller

A broken collarbone led to Will Fuller missing the first three games of the season, but he returned with authority in Week 4. Against the Titans, Fuller caught two touchdowns on four catches for 35 yards. He drew the second-most targets (6) behind DeAndre Hopkins (12) as Deshaun Watson was on fire. Fuller had his moments with Brock Osweilerand Tom Savage last year, but it looks like he’s already a better fantasy receiver with Watson throwing him passes. If you need receiver help in leagues with barren waiver wires, Fuller is easily one of the best names out there.

Cincinnati Bengals RB Giovani Bernard

The Bengals continue to use Giovani Bernard in a role that makes him valuable in PPR leagues. Over the last two games, Bernard has caught two touchdowns on five receptions for 79 yards. Owning Bernard is an even better move for owners of Joe Mixon, who has gotten the majority of touches over the last two games. Bernard is one of the better handcuffs to own, so add him if you need running back depth, especially in PPR leagues.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin

Sure, Doug Martin hasn’t played in a game this year, but after finishing up his three-game suspension, he figures to go back into a featured role in Tampa Bay. Jacquizz Rodgers has been hit or miss as the starter, but he’s a ticking time bomb in terms of health, as he’s rarely stayed healthy since coming into the NFL.

Martin probably won’t light the world in his first game back, but over time, he should become a nice RB2 on your fantasy team if you can snag him off waivers this week.

DROPS

Cincinnati Bengals RB Jeremy Hill

The Bengals finally are giving up on Jeremy Hill as a featured back in this offense. Even in Bill Lazor’s new-look offense, Hill is becoming an afterthought in this backfield, carrying the ball just 13 times over his last two games. What makes that stand out compared to the 12 carries he got in the first two games was the Bengals led for much of the way over the last two weeks, whereas they trailed most of the game in losses to Baltimore and Houston.

Seeing Hill rarely touch the ball when the Bengals are in control shows that he’s no longer fantasy relevant in this offense. Drop him ASAP.

New York Giants RB Paul Perkins

Whereas Hill is rarely getting touches, Paul Perkins is getting plenty of them, but he’s been unable to do anything behind this putrid Giants offensive line. Against the Buccaneers in Week 4, Perkins mustered up just 13 yards on nine carries. He has averaged under 2.5 yards per carry in all four games this season and has yet to reach the end zone. Drop him in all leagues.

Baltimore Ravens WR Jeremy Maclin

After a hot start with the Ravens, Jeremy Maclin has disappeared in recent weeks. In losses to the Jaguars and Steelers, Maclin caught a combined four passes for 29 yards and no scores. That includes just 11 targets as Mike Wallace is drawing most of the targets now (10 in Week 4). Drop Maclin and find a better option at receiver.