NFL Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups

I'm not going to lie, the waiver wire is pretty thin for most leagues this week. The first three weeks it was a piece of cake to write 1,000-plus words on the wire; this week, not so much. If there's anyone I've left off and you'd like any guidance on them, as always hit up the comments section.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

SECONDARY TARGETS

Teddy Bridgewater, CAR - The Falcons are terrible on defense and suffered more injuries to defensive players Monday night. Bridgewater and the Panthers travel to Atlanta this week, making Teddy a good option if you own Jimmy Garoppolo or Cam Newton. Bridgewater has scored at least 17 fantasy points in every game this season and appears to have a great connection with wide receiver Robby Anderson. He's a top-10 option at the position this week and that might be a conservative view. FAAB: $2-$4

Philip Rivers, IND - The Browns, who entertain the Colts this week, have a solid pass rush but their secondary has been questionable through the first four games of the season. They've given up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and Rivers should be in line for a big game. Even better for Rivers, the Browns have allowed just 7.7 fantasy points on the ground to quarterbacks, meaning the damage has come through the air. FAAB: $2-$4

Running Back

PRIMARY TARGETS

Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson, SD - It appears the Chargers will be without the services of Austin Ekeler for the next 4-6 weeks, bringing an even larger workload to Kelley's plate. It's also likely that Justin Jackson takes on a bigger role after two carries Sunday. Kelley is owned in 55 percent of  Yahoo leagues, so he likely isn't available in your league. Sunday was Jackson's first game back, and he's only five percent owned. FAAB: Kelley $20-$30; Jackson $4-$8

Damien Harris, NE - Sony Michel was placed on IR on Monday, meaning he'll miss at least the next three games. Harris leapfrogged J.J. Taylor and Rex Burkhead and was given a full workload Monday, finishing with 17 carries for 100 yards (5.9 YPC). He should be the top option in the New England backfield while Sony Michel is sidelined. Unfortunately, Rex Burkhead will still get some touches and the New England backfield has been difficult to predict the last few seasons. FAAB: $15-$25

SECONDARY TARGETS

D'Ernest Johnson, CLE - The Nick Chubb injury is a huge gut punch — yet another first-round fantasy running back on IR (likely out six weeks). While Kareem Hunt obviously will benefit, Johnson may benefit even more after getting one carry for five yards through the first three weeks of the season. He finished Sunday's game with 13 carries for 95 yards but wasn't targeted in the passing game. In deep leagues, fantasy managers will want to throw a few bucks at Dontrell Hilliard as well, but Johnson should be the main target. Pencil him in for about 10 touches per week without Chubb; just realize he won't get the Cowboys every week and average 7.3 yards per carry. FAAB: $4-$8

HAIL MARY

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, TB - Injuries to Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy opened the door for Vaughn to get his first five NFL touches. The Buccaneers have a short week playing the Bears on  Thursday night, so there's a good chance Vaughn will back up Ronald Jones. Still, looking long-term he's the fourth guy in the pecking order and is only getting some work due to injuries. Oh, and this is significant for his fantasy value: 

FAAB: $1-$2

Wide Receiver

SECONDARY TARGETS

Tre'Quan Smith, NO - The circle of trust between Smith and Drew Brees has grown, as Smith scored two red-zone touchdowns Sunday. The return of Michael Thomas won't help Smith's value, but he does have 17 targets the last three weeks. Bump up the FAAB bid on Smith if it's clear Thomas will be out again this week. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Tim Patrick, DEN - It's always easy to forget Thursday Night Football, but Patrick had an excellent game with six catches for 113 yards and a touchdowns. The Courtland Sutton injury pushed him up the depth chart, though I don't think he'll be an option you'll be confident in on a weekly basis. He's had 21 targets through the first four games but scoring 2.4 and 2.9 fantasy points the first two weeks demonstrates his floor. FAAB: $1-$2

Jeff Smith, NYJ - Sticking with last week's TNF game, Jeff Smith had a nice coming out party finishing with seven catches for 81 yards. Breshad Perriman's return could limit Smith's fantasy value, but Perriman hasn't shown any rapport with Sam Darnold as of yet. Smith appears to be the second receiving option to Jamison Crowder and should see softer coverage this week against the Cardinals with Patrick Peterson likely shadowing Crowder. FAAB: $1-$2

Tight End

PRIMARY TARGET

Robert Tonyan, GB - Tonyan will be one of the hotter waiver wire adds this week after his big performance Monday night. Jace Sternberger got some preseason buzz, but it's Tonyan who's producing. Allen Lazard will be out multiple weeks, and even when he and Davante Adams return Tonyan will still have a significant role in the passing game. FAAB: $10-$15