When Monday Night Football ends, a new week begins. Whether you are 4-0 or 0-4, the season is not over yet, and there are moves that can be made to improve your roster. Who are the best fantasy football waiver wire targets heading into Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season?
Waiver Wire Targets for Week 5: Quarterbacks
Which QBs should you grab from the waiver wire?
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence is widely regarded as a can’t-miss NFL talent. The start of his career has been shaky, and last week he lost one of his top three receivers in DJ Chark. But in that same game, the very talented Laviska Shenault Jr. was featured more prominently, while the newly-acquired Dan Arnold gave Lawrence another much-needed veteran target.
In Week 5, Jacksonville will face a Tennessee defense that just made Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson look like, well, not a rookie. Lawrence will then face the Dolphins’ and Seahawks’ beatable defenses. Expect strong streaming potential these next three weeks for the Jags’ franchise quarterback. Target him on waivers if you don’t have a top-10 QB.
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Although Jimmy Garoppolo could return as soon as this weekend, don’t discount Lance the rest of the season. The high-flying rookie has the offensive weapons to be a weekly fantasy starter if Garoppolo misses any time. There are backup QBs, and then there are backup QBs who might be better than the starter.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has insisted Garoppolo is his starter when healthy. But that won’t necessarily be true come November — especially if a Garoppolo-led offense stumbles during an upcoming tough stretch against the Cardinals (twice), Bears, and Rams.
Waiver Wire Targets for Week 5: Running Backs
Whether due to injury or simply playing well in a backup role, these RBs are worthy of being on rosters.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
Perine could be in line for major work for the Bengals with bellcow Joe Mixon ailing. While it’s doubtful Perine can match Mixon’s solid RB2 production, he could give fantasy managers a high-volume option if they need to fill a gaping hole at the RB2 slot. Waiver wire pickups aren’t always about landing difference makers. Sometimes you simply need someone with a decent shot at 60 yards and a cheap score. Perine could be that guy.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
Darrel Williams — yes, Darrel, not Damien — is a largely ignored fantasy commodity. Serving as Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s backup, Williams has earned an increasing number of touches each game since Week 1. Kansas City is tied for second in the league in points scored. It is safe to say there will be more comfortable victories.
And when the game is out of hand, Williams will be called on for mop-up duty. Even in close games, Williams has been a valuable goal-line weapon. Target him on waivers for deep-league standalone value and long-term must-start value if Edwards-Helaire gets hurt.
Waiver Wire Targets for Week 5: Wide Receivers
Finding wide receiver talent can be difficult on the waiver wire, but here are a few options heading into Week 5.
Deonte Harris, New Orleans Saints
How deep is your league? If Harris is on someone’s team, it’s pretty deep. Harris led all Saints in targets last week (8), and it wasn’t particularly close. He’s also been startable as a WR3/4 twice this season, which isn’t bad for a preseason afterthought. Until Michael Thomas returns, New Orleans’ receiving corps will remain wide open. With Marquez Callaway operating as a boom-or-bust option, Harris could seize the short-term No. 1 role. Add him off waivers if you need some WR security.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
Crowder is one of the most intriguing fantasy assets that no one’s talking about. The Jets probably wouldn’t have upset the Titans if he’d still been sidelined in Week 4. Crowder is a veteran presence and reliable pass catcher in an offense aching for playmakers. He’s a nothing-to-lose pickup with top-40 upside.