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

Hail Mary

Drew Stanton, ARI – It's not looking good for Carson Palmer to suit up this week as the Cardinals take on San Francisco. That should mean Stanton will be under center Thursday night against the NaVorro Bowman-less 49ers. Stanton will benefit from getting snaps with the first string this week in practice, though the short week doesn't help. He's been with the Cardinals for a while so he's familiar with the offense. The matchup is good, as well, with the 49ers giving up 107 points in their last three games. FAAB: $1-$2

Derek Anderson, CAR – Ron Rivera said Monday he had no idea if Cam Newton will be ready for next Monday night's game. Anderson didn't play poorly from a fantasy standpoint in relief Sunday, throwing for 165 yards and a score in less than a half. The Panthers have a decent receiving corps for Anderson, who should find holes in the Tampa Bay defense this week. Just realize Cam hasn't been ruled out yet. FAAB: FCFS or $1

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Terrance West, BAL – West is going to be the buzzy add this week coming off a game with 134 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. However, he did little before this game, though his 21 carries were easily a season high. Kenneth Dixon should be back in the mix this week, as well, while John Harbaugh wouldn't anoint West the starter Monday. It appears West should receive the lion's share of carries out of the backfield, for time being. FAAB: $15-$25

Secondary Targets

James White, NE – White is off to a slow start playing with backup quarterbacks and making a minimal fantasy impact. That should change this week with Tom Brady, who has utilized his pass-catching running back throughout his career, back calling plays at quarterback. It's a great matchup against the Browns this week, and as long as Dion Lewis is sidelined White will have solid value in full-point PPR formats. FAAB: $4-$8

Zach Zenner, DET – Dwayne Washington suffered a foot and ankle sprain that cut his day short Sunday, and it appears Zenner could move into his role this week. The Lions aren't going to give Theo Riddick a ton of carries (he hasn't had more than 11 this season), so as the next man up Zenner could be in line for double-digit rushes. A bigger back than Riddick, Zenner should get the runs between the tackles, as well as the goal-line work. FAAB: $2-$4

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Quincy Enunwa, NYJ – Eric Decker's injury makes Enunwa a repeat offender in this column after being mentioned earlier this season. A six-catch, 60-yard performance Sunday is nothing spectacular, but that was against a good Seattle pass defense. The Decker injury seems to be pretty serious, leaving Enunwa as the second receiving option on a team with limited receiving options. Look for Enunwa to build on his eight targets per game average with Decker out while finding easier sledding this week against the Steelers. FAAB: $6-$10

Secondary Targets

Robert Woods, BUF – Sammy Watkins could be out for the season, but at minimum he won't be on the field the next six weeks. Woods will assume the role of the No.1 wide receiver for the Bills and has had 13 catches for 140 yards in his last two games. More important, he has 18 targets over that span, as well. The Bills have been able to establish the run (the return of Cordy Glenn helps tremendously), allowing Woods to work against a softer defense lining up to stop LeSean McCoy. Woods isn't a big-play receiver; the attraction is the volume he should get. FAAB: $4-$8

Dontrelle Inman, SD – Inman ended up being the most valuable receiver for the Bolts on Sunday in a game where owners were expecting big things from Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams. Inman finished with seven catches for 120 yards and a score, developing a rapport with Philip Rivers along the way. The problem is it's difficult to determine which of the three wide receivers to use on a weekly basis as none has shown consistency to this point. Also telling is that Inman had more targets Sunday (11) than he had the first three games (10). Still, this game may have given Rivers more faith in Inman, and the Chargers have a good matchup this week against the Raiders. FAAB: $3-$6

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Hunter Henry, SD – Henry was discussed in the comments section last week but his second productive week in a row earns him a highlight. The heir apparent to Antonio Gates, Henry was considered by most the top rookie tight end in this season's draft. He projects to be a much better receiver than a blocker, and his last two games he has a 9-133-1 line. The Chargers haven't given a timeline on when Gates' return, putting Henry in play as a starter on a weekly basis while Gates is out. Given the injury to Keenan Allen, the Chargers could elect to use both tight ends on the field at the same time even after Gates returns. FAAB: $6-$10