NFL Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Mitchell Trubisky, CHI - The Bears have been bad enough that they'll accelerate the preseason timetable on Trubisky and give him the starting nod over Mike Glennon this week. Trubisky gets thrown into the fire against the Vikings, who should make for tough matchup. Trubisky will add some fantasy value with his athleticism and can be counted on to get some added points with his legs. FAAB: $3-$6, $20-$40 in 2-QB Leagues

Hail Mary

EJ Manuel, OAK - His time in Buffalo doesn't instill a lot of confidence, but he has a job for the next month or so and can run at the goal line given his size. His 11-17-106 Sunday wasn't bad considering he was thrust into action against a good defense and no Michael Crabtree. He likely will have the Patriots, Chargers and Dolphins on his schedule, all bottom-12 teams in the league in defensive YPA. FAAB: $2-$4

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

C.J. Prosise , J.D. McKissic, SEA - The running back situation in Seattle has been crazy the last couple weeks with Eddie Lacy returning to the fold and C.J. Prosise out with injuries. Now with Chris Carson on IR it looks like a three-headed monster of Prosise, Lacy and J.D. McKissic will be employed. Prosise is expected to play this week, but McKissic, who scored twice on five touches Sunday in place of Prosise, could get touches again. Thomas Rawls, a Week 4 healthy scratch, is waiting in the wings and likely will share the early down work with Lacy given the way coach Pete Carroll changes his mind on a weekly basis. Look for reports later this week on how the Seahawks plan to handle their backfield, but Prosise is the best target as the better receiver. FAAB: Prosise $15-$20, McKissic $2-$4

Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, MIN - Dalvin Cook owners will be running to the waiver wire this week after the rookie suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Sunday. Murray got more work in relief of him, though McKinnon has been around the team longer. The offense has looked good this season and defenses have to play honest with Adam Thielen and Sefon Diggs lining up on the outside. Murray was brought in to carry the ball, but a combination of him recovering from an injury during the preseason and Cook adjusting quickly to the NFL left him a minimal role. Murray said Monday he "wasn't 100 percent" but appears to be in line for a more significant role than McKinnon. Remember that in past years the Vikings at times could have leaned heavily on McKinnon but chose to go with Matt Asiata. FAAB: Murray $10-$15, McKinnon $8-$12

Alvin Kamara, NO - Kamara appears to have taken over the Reggie Bush role in the Sean Payton offense and after 10 targets in London has at least five every game. The Saints used a third-round pick on Kamara, as they liked his pass-catching ability. He would be ranked a bit higher but the Saints are on bye this week and the early down work should continue to feature Mark Ingram or Adrian Peterson. FAAB: $8-$12

Secondary Targets

Alex Collins, BAL - The running back situation got more cloudy Sunday with Collins looking like he's now the early down back and Javorius Allen handling passing situations. Collins finished with nine carries for 82 yard, though it's notable he fumbled and coach John Harbaugh indicated Collins is on a short leash. It's a tough situation to predict for this week, though it appears Collins' arrow is point up while Terrance West's is point down. FAAB: $4-$8

Wayne Gallman, NYG - The Paul Perkins experiment might be over for the Giants as he's averaged less than two yards per carry this season. With Orleans Darkwa out Sunday, Gallman got the most touches in the Giants' backfield and the rookie looked much better than Perkins. The Giants' offensive line isn't very good, but if the G-Men decide to lean more heavily on Gallman he could see more action than the 13 touches he got last week. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

Secondary Targets

Mike Wallace, BAL - Wallace seemingly has become a bigger part of the Ravens' gameplan as his targets have increased (1,3,5,10) every game since Week 1. He finally found the end zone last week and has a good matchup this week against the Raiders, who have given up a 8.0 YPA. Wallace is a hit-or-miss player but in a week with byes, he could be a nice rental. FAAB: $3-$6

Hail Mary

Zay Jones, BUF - The Bills will be without Jordan Matthews for the next month and with opponents realizing Charles Clay is their top receiver there should be room for Jones to operate on the outside. While he's done little fantasy-wise, he was a second-round pick and is fast (4.45) for a tall (6-foot-2) receiver. The Bengals have been good against the pass, but Zay should see five-plus targets Sunday. FAAB: $1-$2