Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 5

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Fantasy Podcast: Week 4 takeaways, early look at waiver wire

QuarterbackDylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyJameis Winston, Buccaneers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
Bye	11%	$5

It was fun while it lasted, but the expiration date finally came for Ryan Fitzpatrick during a tough matchup against the Bears' defense. Winston has been announced as the starter when the team returns from its Week 5 bye, and he's capable of being an instant fantasy star while throwing to one of the most talented receiving corps in the NFL. Over the final five games last season, Winston posted more fantasy points than any other quarterback.

Mitch Trubisky, Bears

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
Bye	15%	$4

The bidding on Trubisky is likely to be over the top this week after his six-touchdown performance against the Bucs. It was an impressive step forward for the young passer, but the issues he dealt with while struggling over the first three games shouldn't be forgotten. If you're interested in Trubisky's upside, pick him up heading into his bye and see how he looks over the next month with matchups against all four AFC East teams. Just don't overpay for one big game.

Marcus Mariota, Titans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at BUF	33%	$1

Like Trubisky, Mariota looked like a much different quarterback in Week 4, throwing for 344 yards and a pair of scores, and adding 46 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. With Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor emerging, QB-needy owners may want to gamble on Mariota and use him as a streamer who has a fresh spark of long-term upside.

Other options: Alex Smith at NO (55 percent owned), Blake Bortles at KC (33 percent owned), Ryan Tannehill at CIN (23 percent owned), Joe Flacco at CLE (25 percent owned)

Running BackJeff Zelevansky / Getty Images Sport / GettyT.J. Yeldon, Jaguars

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at KC	50%	$29

Leonard Fournette can't stay healthy. In his return from a two-game absence, he suffered a setback that could force him to the sideline for a few weeks. That means a heavy dose of Yeldon is coming in Jacksonville. He's already averaging 82.5 yards from scrimmage per game and has scored three touchdowns. Consider Yeldon a solid RB2 until Fournette comes back. Owners in deep leagues can also give Corey Grant (two percent owned) another chance as a stash-and-see option.

Nick Chubb, Browns

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. BAL	19%	$8

There are several teams around the league with young running backs poised for breakouts, and a lack of volume is the only thing holding them back. Chubb has been on that list dating back to the preseason, and he announced his presence on Sunday with 105 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries. Chubb is clearly a second-tier player in the Browns' offense at the moment, but an injury to Carlos Hyde would thrust him into a starring role, and he'd become a key fantasy asset. Don't let him linger on the waiver wire. Owners in PPR leagues can also grab Duke Johnson (42 percent owned) after he saw his targets rise during Baker Mayfield's first start.

Ronald Jones III, Buccaneers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
Bye	24%	$6

Even though I don't believe Jones will be an impact player in the NFL, he needs to be owned in all leagues given the state of the Buccaneers' backfield. Peyton Barber has failed to deliver through four games, opening the door for Jones' usage to rise after the team's Week 5 bye. Jones led Tampa in carries during his debut on Sunday, rushing 10 times for 29 yards.

Nyheim Hines, Colts

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at NE	15%	$4

The Colts appear to be content with using a running back committee, which limits the fantasy ceiling of any back they deploy. To make matters worse, Marlon Mack (29 percent owned) should return from injury soon and Robert Turbin (0 percent owned) comes off his early-season suspension this week. However, Hines has had a bankable role as a pass-catcher with five-plus receptions in three of his first four outings of 2018. He's worth considering as a PPR option.

Mike Davis, Seahawks

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at LAR	2%	$2

When Chris Carson's hip injury prevented him from being active on Sunday, it was Davis and not rookie Rashaad Penny (45 percent owned) who led the Seahawks' backfield. Davis finished with 101 yards on 21 carries, and he found the end zone twice. He also recorded 23 yards on four receptions. Penny rushed nine times for 49 yards, but it's clear the Seahawks don't trust him with a significant workload yet. On Monday, Pete Carroll said Davis would remain in the rotation regardless of Carson's health. There's also the possibility that Carson misses another game, making Davis a sneaky add this week.

D'Onta Foreman, Texans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
Week 7	5%	$2

Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue haven't been able to kickstart the Texans' rushing attack, largely because of subpar blocking. Foreman is available in most leagues and will be coming off the PUP list in Week 7. There are no guarantees he'll be able to regain his pre-Achilles tear form, but it's worth stashing him to find out.

Other options: C.J. Anderson vs. NYG (27 percent owned), Ty Montgomery at DET (18 percent owned), Samaje Perine at NO (one percent owned),

*Austin Ekeler, Javorius Allen, and Tarik Cohen are all just over 60 percent owned and therefore do not qualify for this list. If they are available, they should be picked up in that order.

Wide ReceiversJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyTaylor Gabriel, Bears

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
Bye	6%	$12

With the Bears' offense showing signs of life in Week 4, Gabriel took full advantage of his opportunities en route to two touchdowns and a career single-game high 104 receiving yards. Targets haven't been an issue for the speedy wideout who's seen at least seven passes thrown his way in each of the Bears' last three contests. With rookie Anthony Miller sidelined, Gabriel becomes an intriguing flex option.

Geronimo Allison, Packers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at DET	47%	$12

Seeing an injured player so high on this list is odd, but that's how good Allison has been in 2018. Despite being week-to-week with a concussion, Allison deserves to be rostered in all leagues because he's Aaron Rodgers' second-best receiving threat. With Randall Cobb and Jimmy Graham not offering reliable production, Allison has recorded 64-plus yards in all four games this year, and he's scored in two of them. Allison has one of the highest ceilings among this week's waiver wire pickups, as long as you don't need immediate help.

Taywan Taylor, Titans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at BUF	3%	$8

In their first game since parting ways with Rishard Matthews, the Titans found their groove through the air with Taylor and Corey Davis repeatedly making catches against the Eagles' secondary. Taylor saw nine targets, hauling in seven of them for 77 yards. His receptions have increased every game this season, and with Delanie Walker out for the year, Taylor has a clear path to consistent production in Tennessee.

Dede Westbrook, Jaguars

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at KC	17%	$5

Westbrook recorded 130 receiving yards on Sunday, and he has another enticing matchup in Week 5 against a burnable Chiefs pass defense. If Bortles is forced into a boat race against Patrick Mahomes, Westbrook and teammate Donte Moncrief (six percent owned), who also topped the 100-yard mark last week, will be streaming candidates.

Keke Coutee, Texans

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. DAL	3%	$5

It will be hard for Coutee to earn weekly fantasy starter status unless DeAndre Hopkins or Will Fuller go down with an injury. When the latter missed the second half against the Colts, Coutee went off with 11 catches for 109 yards in his NFL debut. Fuller may be held out for Week 5, catapulting Coutee into fantasy lineups as a flex play.

Ryan Grant, Colts

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at NE	4%	$5

T.Y. Hilton has already been ruled out for the Colts' Thursday night battle against the Patriots. Andrew Luck showed he can still get it done with his four-touchdown game, so there will be value to mine in Indy's passing attack. Grant has the red-zone edge, but Chester Rogers (0 percent owned) caught eight balls for 85 yards in Week 4. Both offer value as short-term flex options.

Other options: Antonio Callaway vs. BAL (38 percent owned), Christian Kirk at SF (12 percent owned), Mohamed Sanu at PIT (14 percent owned), Cameron Meredith vs. WAS (10 percent owned)

Tight EndsBrett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyVance McDonald, Steelers

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
vs. ATL	43%	$7

After an injury kept him out early in the season, McDonald is making up for lost time. He's posted 174 yards and a touchdown over his last two games and is becoming a much needed third receiving option for the Steelers behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. With so many tight ends missing time this year, McDonald is a plug-and-play low-end TE1 moving forward.

Hayden Hurst, Ravens

Next Up	Ownership	FAAB bid
at CLE	3%	$2

Hurst wasn't healthy enough to play this week, but the Ravens said he was close. The first rounder was expected to be a big part of Baltimore's offense before getting hurt in the preseason, and with the fantasy tight-end landscape devastated due to season-ending injuries, he'll have a high ceiling because the Ravens throw to the position often. Stash him now before he returns and sees a big target share.

Other options: Cameron Brate on bye (24 percent owned), Nick Vannett vs. LAR (0 percent owned), Tyler Kroft/C.J. Uzomah vs. MIA (1 percent owned/0 percent owned)

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