Week 5 Post Waiver Panic. Waivers have cleared, and Week 5 is here, but the injuries keep coming. Players like Evan Engram, Malik Nabers, Devin Singletary, Anthony Richardson, and Jonathan Taylor are sidelined or questionable, leaving fantasy managers scrambling for replacements. In this article, we cover some of the best last-minute panic pickups to save your Week 5 lineup.
The percentages given here are taken from ESPN at the time of writing
These players could provide valuable points this weekend and prevent a zero at their respective positions:
Week 5 Post Waiver Panic: Plug-and-Play QB (Less than 40% rostered)
- Trevor Lawrence (QB, JAX – 32.7% Rostered): Lawrence hasn’t lived up to his billing as one of the highest-paid QBs in the league so far. However, he’s faced tough matchups in the first four weeks. This week, Lawrence gets a much easier test against Indianapolis, whose defense is allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. He’s poised for a bounce-back game.
Week 5 Post Waiver Panic: Deeper Plug-and-Play (Less than 15% rostered)
- Joe Flacco (QB, IND – 2.2% Rostered): With Anthony Richardson expected to miss Week 5, Flacco could be a solid fill-in against a Jaguars defense that’s allowing the most fantasy points to QBs this year. If you’re in need of an emergency streamer, Flacco provides a safe floor.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, NYG – 12.9% Rostered): With Devin Singletary doubtful for Week 5, Tracy finds himself as the lead back for the Giants. Seattle’s defense has allowed the 14th-most points to running backs, and 4 out of the 7 backs they’ve faced this year have scored double-digit fantasy points. Tracy is a sneaky option to find the end zone this week.
- Tre Tucker (WR, LV – 16.3% Rostered): While Tucker faces a tough Broncos defense this week, he’s a valuable stash with Devante Adams out. In the first game without Adams, Tucker recorded 5 receptions on 6 targets and even added a rushing touchdown. He’s a high-upside player with targets vacated in Vegas.
- Jordan Whittington (WR, LAR – 9.8% Rostered): Injuries in the Rams’ receiving corps have created an opportunity for Whittington. He played 97% of the snaps in Week 4 and hauled in 6 receptions for 62 yards. If he finds the end zone this week, you’ll be thrilled with his production as a flex option.
- Eric All Jr. (TE, CIN – 2.2% Rostered): Flying under the radar, All Jr. has emerged in one of the league’s elite offenses. He’s seen his snap count increase from 24% in Week 1 to over 60% in Week 4 and is consistently seeing around 4 targets per game. This week, he faces Baltimore’s pass-funnel defense, which has allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. All Jr. is a great streaming option if you need a TE this week.
Honorable Mentions
- Roschon Johnson (RB, CHI – 11.4% Rostered): Facing Carolina who’s allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs
- Dare Ogunbowale (RB, HOU – 1.5% Rostered): Seeing most of the red zone and passing down work for Houston.
- Jalen Tolbert (WR, DAL – 6.9% Rostered): Not the best matchup for wide receivers, but with Brandin Cooks out on IR, Tolbert should be an increase in snap percentage going forward on a high powered offense.
- Juwan Johnson (TE, NO – 7.9% Rostered): Taysom Hill out for this week, should see a ton of snaps and targets in the red zone.
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