NFL Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups

Week 4 will go down as the no-name touchdown week with several players emerging from the shadows of obscurity to find the end zone. Just because a player scored doesn't necessarily make him a target on the waiver wire. In fact, this week seems like a quiet week for the waiver wire with only a few players who should be significantly target. The Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins are on bye this week; outside of a few players on Detroit this shouldn't impact a lot of fantasy teams.

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.

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Jacoby Brissett, IND - Brissett has scored 18.4 fantasy points in each of his first four games as the Colts starter and is poised to have another big week. Even without star T.Y. Hilton, Brissett threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns Sunday. He brings the capability of scrambling and has at least two touchdown passes in every game this season. He has a good matchup with the Chiefs as this should be a game where Brissett has to throw more playing from behind to keep pace with Kansas City. FAAB: $3-$6

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Ronald Jones, TB - Jones has clearly emerged as the better running back for Tampa Bay and his fantasy prowess was on display against a supposedly good Rams defense Sunday. While coach Bruce Arians said he will go with the hot hand, it was Jones who got 19 carries to Peyton Barber's nine. It was telling that late in the fourth quarter with the lead it was Jones who was primarily used, and his upside was shown on a 24-yard run where he alluded multiple defenders. He should have more touches than Barber this week. FAAB: $10-$15

Rashaad Penny, SEA - OK, Penny is 58 percent owned in Yahoo leagues, so he's probably not out there in most formats despite missing the last two games. Chris Carson has the starting job but could easily be in the doghouse if he puts the ball on the ground again. Penny has one of the higher upsides playing with a running quarterback, and if the Carson fumble or injury happens he could be among the top-10 running backs the rest of the way. FAAB: $5-$10

Secondary Targets

Jaylen Samuels, PIT - It seems he clearly has a role in this offense after getting 10 carries (26 yards but a touchdown) and went 8-8-57 in the receiving role. He went 3-for-3 in the passing department; coming out of North Carolina State he was known as a player who could do everything. When he scored his touchdown it was on an obvious fake to James Conner, and Conner was the first one to congratulate him in the end zone. This guy clearly has a role in the Pittsburgh offense. FAAB: $4-$8

Jordan Wilkins, IND - I was all set to write up Wilkins as a Wayne Gallman-lite this week, but it seems like Marlon Mack's ankle injury isn't as serious as it first seemed. Mack sat out the fourth quarter and finished the day with a 11-39 stat line while Wilkins finished with five touches for 28 yards. Nyheim Hines had the biggest fantasy day with three rushes for six yards and six catches for 39 yards. Hines' production was largely a result of the game script as the Colts played from behind the whole game. If Mack misses time, Wilkins would step into the role of the early down/goal-line back while Hines would get more snaps as the third-down/change-of-pace guy. This is purely based on speculation as it sounds like Mack may not miss any time. FAAB: Wilkins - $3-$6; Hines - $2-$4 (bump him up in PPR formats)

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

A.J. Brown, TEN - Brown exploded for two touchdowns and 94 receiving yards Sunday and will be the buzzy player on the waiver wire considering that performance. However, there are a few red flags. First, he caught all three of his targets and hasn't gotten more than five targets in a game this season. He had a nice first game of the season (4-3-100) but followed that with four and 0.9 fantasy points in .5 PPR formats the next two games. The immediate schedule isn't kind with his next two games (BUF and at DEN), not good matchups for a passing game. Still, he's shown the ability to make a big play and teams tend to crowd the line trying to slow down Derrick Henry. FAAB: $5-$10

TIGHT END

Secondary Targets

Dawson Knox, BUF - As a Bills fan I had to resist writing about him last week, but after a circus catch on an important drive the bias is out. He's a solid player, the likes of which the Bills haven't had since Pete Metzelaars. This kid wears awesome T-shirts and, more important, is clearly the pass-catching tight end for the Bills no matter  the quarterback. FAAB: $3-$6

Hail Mary

Logan Thomas, DET - T.J. Hockenson fortunately escaped a serious injury but is in the concussion protocol. It's undetermined how much time he'll miss with the Lions on bye this week. However, whoever the tight end is has a big role in Darrell Bevell's offense with Hockenson posting two good games this season before being injured. Don't be surprised if Hockenson is back after this week, and take a flier on Thomas in any leagues that start two tight ends. FAAB: $1 or FCFS