With injuries piling up, highly drafted players disappointing, and bye weeks just around the corner, the waiver wire and/or FAAB acquisitions are more important than ever. Here are some week 5 nuggets that may just keep your team’s head above water for another week.
QBs:
Sam Darnold, Panthers vs. Eagles: Darnold should be owned as a QB2, but if he’s not, grab him off the waiver wire because he’s got a nice schedule coming up with cupcakes like the Eagles, Vikings, Giants, and Falcons.
Zach Wilson, Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are giving up 32 points per game. Surely Zach Wilson can move the ball against them, right?
Trey Lance, 49ers vs. Cardinals: If he’s not owned in your league after having only seven snaps over the first three and a half games, grab Lance off the wire. In one half on Sunday Lance put up 24 fantasy points. This weekend he’s going to be playing catch-up all game against the Cardinals. He’ll make some mistakes, throw some picks, and get sacked a fair amount, which is why I’m also recommending playing the Cardinals defense where you can, but when he gets some blocking he’ll put up big points with his arm and his legs.
Kickers:
Chase McLaughlin, Cleveland Browns: The Browns are going to be in a shootout with the Chargers this weekend and McLaughlin is already 11th in the league in kicker points. With the projected game point total at 51, there are going to be points to be had from the kickers.
Tristan Vizcaino, Los Angeles Chargers: With a 51 total and up against a solid Browns defense the Chargers may have to settle for more field goals than usual and Vizcaino has made every kick except one FG attempt over 50 yards this year.
Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are playing the Detroit Lions. Regardless of the Lions coach wanting his players to bite everyone’s knees, they’re really not doing that. What they are doing is giving up points to the opposition. This week that happens to be the Vikings who will grind out some long drives late in the game to run the clock and they’ll finish with field goals.
Defenses:
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Chicago Bears: As I said about Trey Lance, Justin Fields will make some great plays, but he’ll also make some bad ones and the Raiders will be there to pick up the pieces.
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, in his first start, is not likely to be perfect. The Cardinals defense should be owned in season-long leagues, but if they’re not, put them in your lineup this week. If you can’t pick up the Cardinals in your season-long leagues, put either them or the Raiders in your DFS lineups this week.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants: Remember last year when we played anybody we could get against the Cowboys because their defense was defenseless? That was last year’s Cowboys. The ‘Boys are second in the league in defensive turnovers and first in the league and they get to play Danny Dimes this week. Ball security is not his strength.
