Week 5 Waiver Wire: Top Adds and Drops

Is it me or does it seem like a lot of the first round picks this season are either already hurt, suspended, or disappointing thus far? We have injuries to Calvin Johnson and Jamaal Charles (until week 4), the suspension of Viking running back Adrian Peterson and the ineffectiveness of Lesean McCoy.  While others we counted on to produce on a weekly basis, like Tom Brady, Eddie Lacy and A.J. Green, have underperformed expectations through the first quarter of the season. Well, I wouldn't recommend sitting any of these players, but you may want to plan for upcoming bye weeks, and we are here to help with the Week 5 Waiver Wire.

Week 5 of the NFL season brings us the first of many bye weeks, and here is a list of teams who will have a week off this week:

Oakland

Miami

Last week, we had six teams on their bye week, and this week we have the two teams that played in London in Week 4 - Miami and Oakland - on their bye week. More than likely, the Week 5 bye does not impact many fantasy owners in a big way.

So let's take a look at who you should consider adding off your league waiver wire this week with an eye toward the Week 6 bye (Kansas City and New Orleans), where fantasy owners may need to replace the likes of Jamaal Charles, Drew Brees, Travis Kelce, Marques Colston, and Jimmy Graham.

Quarterbacks

Eli Manning, Giants

As the weeks go by, it appears Manning is getting more comfortable running the new offense under OC Ben McAdoo. Last week, Manning three for 300 yards and 4 touchdown passes in the Giants 45-14 rout in Washington. After throwing 3 TDs and 4 interceptions in the first two weeks of the season, Manning has thrown 6 TDs and just one interception in the last two weeks, with the Giants scoring 75 points. Manning faces the Falcons at home in Week 5 and the Eagles in Week 6.

Blake Bortles, Jaguars

It will take Bortles more than a few games to get comfortable with his receiving core in game action, so he will have his good games and bad games. He has thrown for three touchdowns and four interceptions in his two games thus far, and he faces the Steelers in Week 5 and the Titans in Week 6, so his fortunes could improve with a few more games under his belt.

Running Backs

Knile Davis, Chiefs

Yeah, he may be available in just 20% of leagues, but I think he should be rostered in all leagues, as even though Jamaal Charles had a huge game on Monday Night Football, Davis still received his share of touches, rushing for 107 yards on 16 carries, while Charles rushed for 92 yards on 18 carries. Is there a running back by committee in Kansas City?

Jerick McKinnon, Vikings

McKinnon enjoyed a breakout game in Week 4, rushing for 135 yards on 18 carries, including a 55 yard run. The schedule gets easier in Week 5 as the Vikings take on the Packers on Thursday Night Football. The Packers are giving up an average of 25 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season.

Justin Forsett, Ravens

The Ravens have a RBBC right now, but Forsett was used in the running and passing game in Week 4, rushing for 66 yards and a score on 14 carries, and catching 3 balls for 31 yards as well. He is averaging almost 6 yards per carry, so his touches could increase in the weeks ahead. Over the next three weeks, the Ravens face the Colts, Buccaneers and Falcons. The Falcons have given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs through the first four weeks.

Wide Receivers

James Jones, Raiders

The Raiders have a young QB in Derek Carr, and Jones has been one of his favorite targets through the first four games. Last week he caught all six of his targets for 83 yards in the Raiders loss to the Dolphins. The Raiders have a bye in Week 5 but face the Chargers in Week 6

Andrew Hawkins, Browns

The Browns were on a bye in Week 4, so Hawkins could be available in your league this week. Hawkins has seen 10+ targets in each of the Browns three games this season, catching 21 of his 33 targets for 244 yards, but has yet to reach the end zone.

Brian Quick, Rams

Quick has caught 16 of his 22 targets for 235 yards and a touchdown through the first three weeks of the season, and on Sunday, Quick faces the Eagles defense that is giving up almost 20 points per game to opposing wide receivers. The Rams face a tough 49ers defense in Week 6 and the Seahawks in Week 7, but their schedule gets easier from there.

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