Waiver Favors: Early Week 5 Fantasy Football Pickups

By Ha Kung Wong  Fantasy Football Pickups

Twitter: @FBGarbageTime

Week 5 is almost over, so we’re back to help you keep your fantasy football team competitive!

As usual, all pickups are available in at least 50% of Yahoo standard fantasy football leagues as of Sunday evening.

Knile Davis & Charcandrick West

RB – Kansas City Chiefs – 13% & 6% Owned

In a huge blow to the Kansas City Chiefs, not only did they lose a game they were picked to win by 9.5 points to the lowly Chicago Bears, but they also potentially lost their star RB, Jamaal Charles, in the process:

The MRI is coming on Monday, but fantasy football owners can’t wait that long.  If you can pick up Knile Davis and Charcandrick West, do it NOW.  If not, make your waiver claims, in that order.  West is ahead of Davis on the Chiefs depth chart, and was used more in the game against the Bears once the Charles left, but that doesn’t mean he’ll take over as the every down back in Kansas City.  In fact, since they were rotating West with Charles, it appears to me that West is better used as a complimentary back.

Remember, Davis had a three game stretch in 2014 taking over for Charles where he totaled 318 yards on a whopping 70 carries and 3 TDs.  That’s a decent 4.54 yards per carry average where he effectively moved the chains and killed clock.  He’s only in his 3rd season in Kansas City after being drafted in the 3rd round.  He’s done it before, he could do it again.  The questions is how the Chiefs will decide to divide carries.  It’s likely a true RBBC, but in case it isn’t, both are worth speculative pickups in 10-team and deeper leagues.  Potential for 100 yards plus a TD per game?  Yes, please.

Josh Huff

WR – Philadelphia Eagles – 0% Owned

Josh Huff

Josh Huff

Nelson Agholor went out with what looked like a left ankle injury.  But later, Agholor stated it was just a left shin bruise.

Players, though, are often more optimistic about their injuries than doctors, so who knows what happens for next week.  Josh Huff managed to step up in Agholor’s absence with the most targets he’s had this season, catching 4 of 5 for 78 yards and a TD.  He won’t be an every week force, even if Agholor misses time, but if you need a WR4/5/Flex in 16-team leagues or deeper, you could do worse.

Jaelen Strong

WR – Houston Texans – 1% Owned

Jaelen Strong

Jaelen Strong

I loved Jaelen Strong in the draft and in the preseason, but not much developed as Strong couldn’t consistently hold on to the ball.  But I still think, given the chance, he could demonstrate his big play ability.

And that he did in Week 5 has he caught a Hail Mary jump ball from Brian Hoyer at the end of the first half and then found the endzone in the second half via a busted coverage.  If Cecil Shorts or Nate Washington return, Strong’s value dips to near 0, but if both are out in Week 6, he could be a decent bye week lottery ticket in 16-team and deeper leagues.

Theo Riddick

RB – Detroit Lions – 5% Owned

Theo Riddick

Theo Riddick

The Detroit Lions are a hot mess.  Benching Matt Stafford for Dan Orlovsky is NOT the answer.  And with Joique Bell out, NFL pundits believed that Ameer Abdullah would finally break free, but he’s been decidedly ineffective as well.  Turns out the one running back in Detroit that’s actually excelled this season is Theo Riddick.  So, now you say “but he’s only had two carries this year, right?”. And I say, “that’s absolutely right.  But did you know that he also has 30 receptions for 228 yards and 2 TDs?  That’s good for the most receptions of ANY RB in the NFL this season.” And now you say “Thanks, Ha Kung!  I’m in a 12-team or deeper PPR league and this is a great pick up!”. You’re welcome.

Dwayne Harris

WR – New York Giants – 2% Owned

Dwayne Harris - AP Photo

Dwayne Harris – AP Photo

Let’s face it.  It doesn’t look like Victor Cruz is coming back anytime soon.  And as long as he remains out, Rueben Randle will remain relevant catching passes behind OBJ.  But if you’re looking for a deep sleeper, look at the former Dallas Cowboy, Dwayne Harris.  He’s not going to be consistent week to week, and he’ll lose most of his low-end value once Cruz returns, but as long as he’s rolling, there’s at least some potential here.  He caught 5 of 6 for 51 yards and a TD against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 and did just as well in Week 5 with 6 of 8 for 72 yards (though he had two brutal drops, including one that should have gone for a first down).  Need a WR4/5/Flex in a 16-team league or deeper?  He’s worth a stash, particularly in light of injuries to OBJ and Rueben Randle.

BONUS PICKUP

Jacob Tamme

TE – Atlanta Falcons – 1% Owned

Jacob Tamme - AP Photo

Jacob Tamme – AP Photo

Now we’re talking total streamer city for those of you desperate with injured or bye week TEs, but Jacob Tamme has quietly had a few good games.  In Week 5, he collected 8 of 10 for 94 yards.  Of course, he was also only had one target for 8 yards in Week 3, so I wouldn’t expect this every week.  But both Julio Jones and Leonard Hankerson are nicked up and playing less that 100%, plus for some reason, the Falcons now hate Roddy White, so someone has to move the chains (other than Devonta Freeman).  Also, the Falcons play the Saints in Week 6, who have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing tight ends through Week 5.  Perhaps you won’t be able to rely on Tamme throughout the season, but if you need a fill in lottery ticket next week, here’s your guy.

And here are pickups from previous articles which I still recommend:

Bishop Sankey, James Jones, Tyrod Taylor, Percy Harvin, Terrance Williams, Chris Johnson, David Johnson, Donte Moncrief, Travis Benjamin, Matt Jones, Leonard Hankerson, Michael Vick, Ted Ginn Jr., Charles Clay, Gary Barnidge, Antonio Andrews, Allen Hurns, Kamar Aiken, Tavon Austin, Willie Snead  

Keep coming back for updates all week!

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