I hope everyone had a great weekend and that every one of your fantasy teams came away with a victory. Another weekend of football is in the books. Some teams like my Panthers have fans circling the drain wondering if life will ever be good again while others like the Chiefs and Vikings are on top of the world as the only 2 remaining undefeated teams.
Speaking of the Chiefs, they took care of the Saints on Monday Night Football. With Taylor Swift in attendance was there ever a doubt? The Chiefs won 26-13 mostly due to the Saints being unable to get anything going on offense and to no one’s surprise, star wide receiver Rashee Rice JuJu Smith Schuster put up 130 yards. It was pretty clear how this game was going to go once Derek Carr chucked up a prayer to Rashid Shaheed on one of his very first throws that resulted in an interception. Carr would leave the game in the second half due to an oblique injury.
Big news this morning, Robert Saleh has been fired as the head coach of the New York Jets. After 4 seasons, Saleh has a career record of 20-36. Saleh has seemed to butt heads with star QB Aaron Rodgers at times and the Jets have been off to a slow start at 2-3. I have no idea why the Jets decided to do this now and not in the off season. But hey, the Jets are going to Jet if you know what I mean.
Don’t be like the Jets, make smart choices this week when attacking the waiver wire. Here are my top waiver wire targets heading into week 6.
Notable Injuries:
- Nico Collins (Hamstring)
- Xavier Legette (Shoulder)
- Devon Achane (Concussion)
- Jaylen Warren (Knee)
- Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle)
- Zack Moss (Ankle)
- David Njoku (Knee)
- Aaron Rodgers (Ankle)
- Derek Carr (Oblique)
- Jake Moody (High ankle sprain)
Teams on a BYE week:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Rams
- Miami Dolphins
- Minnesota Vikings
Waiver Wire Targets:
Tank Bigsby (Rostered in 9.5% of ESPN leagues)
I have not spent many Sundays watching the Dolphins. However, I have been watching Tank Bigsby start to eat into Travis Etienne’s workload. Besides having an awesome name, Bigsby has had 2 great back-to-back games. In week 4 Bigsby rushed 7 times for 90 yards and in week 5 he rushed 13 times for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. While Bigsby doesn’t see any passing work (1 catch all year so far), he has seen usage at the goal line. 3 of 4 attempts inside the 5 in the last 2 games. Etienne still has the edge usage wise but keep an eye out for Bigsby. I like him as an elite handcuff and even potential injury fill in if needed.
Wandale Robinson (Rostered in 63.2% of ESPN leagues)
Robinson is above my 50% rostered threshold but the fact that he is still available in a fair number of leagues is astounding. He has been a target machine both with and without Malik Nabers on the field. Robinson has accumulated double digit fantasy outings in 4 out of 5 games this year. He is also averaging 9.4 targets a game. This offense throws a lot and Daniel Jones looks this guy’s way often. With injuries to many key wide receivers, Robinson is an excellent flex play and could even be started if needed.
Jalen Tolbert (Rostered in 7.6% of ESPN leagues) Genius Pick of the Week
Tolbert is emerging as the clear WR2 with Brandon Cooks placed on Injured reserve. In Sunday’s late win against the Steelers, Tolbert had 7 catches on 10 targets, 87 yards and a touchdown. With Ceedee Lamb likely drawing the coverage of a team’s top cornerback, Tolbert should be able to thrive. The Cowboys are also very pass happy which always bodes well. Also worth noting he has about a 15% target share. Rostership is quite low which is surprising but don’t miss out on picking this guy up.
Ray-Ray McCloud III (Rostered in 7% of ESPN leagues)
While not as involved in the end zone as Jalen Tolbert, Ray-Ray McCloud falls into the same “I’m the clear #2 WR who sees a lot of targets” kind of status. McCloud has averaged 8 targets in the last 2 games and has seen double digit fantasy points both times. Kirk is clearly looking this guy’s way often. McCloud is more of a pickup in deeper leagues.
Tyler Conklin (Rostered in 37.1% of ESPN leagues)
Conklin turned in a 9 target day into 6 catches and 55 yards good for 11.5 points on the day. Things may go from bad to worse for the Jets now that Saleh is out as head coach, but I like the amount of targets Conklin gets and it shows a report with Aaron Rodgers.
Cade Otton (Rostered in 16.6% of ESPN leagues)
Otton has had a fairly productive last 3 weeks with fantasy point finishes of 9.7, 11.2 and 7.4. He is also averaging 7 targets a game. You can’t go wrong with a tight end that gets a lot of targets. Otton could have a productive day against New Orleans who ranks middle of the pack in yards allowed to tight ends.
Caleb Williams (Rostered in 44.6% of ESPN leagues)
I’m not a Caleb Williams truther, much in the same vein of how I feel about Trevor Lawrence. That doesn’t mean I can’t put aside my opinion when it comes to fantasy football. Williams had his first real meaningful fantasy outing on Sunday against my Carolina Panthers. In what I dubbed “my Super Bowl”, Williams torched my team for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Panthers suck and I still don’t think this guy is a starter every week, but the Jaguars lead the league in allowed passing yards. An inviting matchup makes Williams worth a look in week 6.
Kirk Cousins (Rostered in 45.2% of ESPN leagues)
Kirk Cousins plays the Panthers this week…. that’s it. Enough said.
*Panthers are in the top 10 for fantasy points allowed by a QB.
Joe Flaco (Rostered in 5.5% of ESPN leagues)
What a game from old man Flaco! He threw for 359 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Jaguars on Sunday. He even got a little busy on the ground rushing for 22 yards. A lone fumble ruined what could have been a 30+ point fantasy outing. If Anthony Richardson continues to miss time, Flaco could be your guy at QB. Just keep an eye on the injury report heading into this week’s matchup against the Titans.
*Point totals mentioned assume full point PPR scoring
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