Waiver Wire Watch: Week 5

Oct 03, 2016

Editor's Note: We're happy to have Brandon Niles on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He'll work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile the weekly list of pickups and generate recommended prices for FAAB leagues.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 5. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB). Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles ($6)

Fresh off a bye week, Wentz looks like he should be a solid streaming option this week against the Lions. He’s also a high-upside backup QB on your roster and should be added in most 12 team leagues and larger if you carry more than one QB. Detroit gave up 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Brian Hoyer on Sunday and should be a great matchup for a rested Philadelphia offense. If you’ve got bye week or injury woes, Wentz could do very well for you.

Next up: @ Lions, @ Redskins, Vikings

Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears ($3)

Hoyer had a great game against the Lions, leading Chicago to a narrow victory, and throwing for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the process. He’s a short-term rental, which limits his value, but he might be worth throwing a few dollars at if you need a one-week streaming option against the Colts in Week 5. Assuming Cutler doesn’t come back next week – still very iffy – Hoyer should be in for another sneaky good start against a struggling Indianapolis defense.

Next up: @ Colts, Jaguars, @ Packers

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens ($3)

Flacco had a nice game against the Raiders on Sunday, throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown, and adding in a goal line TD run. He also didn’t throw any interceptions, although the Ravens couldn’t pull off the victory. Flacco remains a nice bye week and injury-filler option for fantasy owners looking for some guaranteed points. He has Washington next week and remains a solid (albeit unspectacular) option for desperate owners.

Next up: Redskins, @ Giants, @ Jets