With Week 5 wrapping up, it’s time to take a look at the fantasy football waiver wire moves you need to make for the new week.
Adds
Colts RB Nyheim Hines
With Marlon Mack unable to stay healthy and rookie Jordan Wilkins failing to step up, the Colts are relying more and more on offensive weapon Nyheim Hines. The rookie rushed 15 times for 45 yards and caught seven of nine targets for 45 yards in the Colts’ 38-24 loss to the Patriots on Thursday. He now has 21 receptions and pair of receiving touchdowns over the last three weeks, making him the top waiver wire target for Week 6.
Browns TE David Njoku
The Browns’ offense was a mess to start the year, but they’ve gotten new life thanks to the emergence of Baker Mayfield, who is finding some nice chemistry with his top tight end. Over the last two games, Njoku has 11 grabs on 18 targets for 121 yards. That makes him a solid addition if you’re in need of tight end help.
Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston
This is a sneaky move to make for next week, as Jameis Winston now has his starting spot back in a Tampa Bay offense that was nearly unstoppable over the first three weeks thanks in large part to their bevy of pass catchers. Any offense that has Mike Evans, Desean Jackson, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate should help produce a solid fantasy starter at quarterback. coming off the bye, Winston should get off to a fast start when he faces a depleted Falcons defense in Week 6.
Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
With Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison sideliend against the Lions, Marquez Valdes-Scantling had his breakout game, hauling in seven passes on 10 targets for 68 yards and one score. Depending on how much longer Cobb and Allison are out, Valdes-Scantling could remain a viable fantasy option going forward. He’s certainly earned the right to play more even when they return.
Raiders RB Jalen Richard
Technically, Jalen Richard is the third running back on Oakland’s depth chart, but they’re really bad, which means they’re playing from behind a lot, and Richard is by far the superior pass catcher to Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin. Richard is only someone you’ll want in deeper PPR leagues, as he rarely runs the ball, but he has 27 grabs for 205 yards in five games.
Browns WR Rashard Higgins
With Mayfield taking charge in Cleveland, the passing game is actually producing multiple viable options. Thus far, Rashard Higgins has been the most consistent, catching seven balls on nine targets for 127 yards and a score. He’s worth taking a flyer on in deeper PPR leagues.
Drops
Raiders QB Derek Carr
With Jon Gruden at the helm, everyone expected Derek Carr and the Raiders offense to take off. But thus far, you’ve been left with mostly duds if you had Carr as your starter or even backup. He’s thrown one or fewer touchdowns in four of five games and have more interceptions (8) than touchdown passes (7). You can do better.
Packers WR Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb has already been a dud this season outside of his big Week 1, and now a hamstring injury has cost him the last two games. In the meantime, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison and Equanimeous St. Brown, Cobb may not have much of a role in this offense once he does return. Cut bate now.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates
We already knew father time was catching up to Antonio Gates, but with Hunter Henry out for the year, there was some hope Gates could still put up respectable numbers. He’s been unable to, catching just nine passes for 107 yards and one score in five games. It’s time to move on.