Waiver Wire Targets: Week 5

The difference in your week one game may have been changed based on one injury or one player putting up a dud. In order to prevent that from happening next week and each week following, here are a couple guys at each position who are owned in 50% of leagues or less according to NFL.com:

Quarterback:

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers – Owned in 35% of leagues

If you were one of the people who were tricked into believing Fitzmagic is real, welcome to the club. With Koetter naming Winston the starter after the Bucs’ bye this week, he is the QB to own in Tampa. Winston did not look to great last week against a tough Bears defense, but the offense he is a part of has enough talent between their WRs and TEs that it will be hard for Winston to not have similar success to Fitzpatrick in the first three weeks.

Marcus Mariota, Titans – Owned in 10.5% of leagues

Mariota had a very rough start to the season. After coming back from injury, it looks like the Titans offense may finally be finding their way. Mariota threw for 344 yards and two TDs in addition to 46 yards and another TD with his legs. While he needs to have a larger sample size before I suggest making him a starter, he could be a good stash on the bench and play when he has a good matchup.

Mitchell Trubisky, Bears – Owned in 4% of leagues

Trubisky had what may end up being one of the best games of his entire career this past Sunday. He ripped apart an injured and disappointing Buccaneers defense for 354 yards and six TDs. This is the first time all year Trubisky has shown he is capable of putting up those types of numbers. He should be picked up by anyone in need of a backup to play for favorable matchups.

Running Back:

Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers – Owned in 47.8% of leagues

Ronald Jones was active for the first time all year. While that may not seem like a huge deal, this clearly shows that the Bucs are not happy with the production they have gotten out of starter Peyton Barber. Jones is very talented and if he can start showing it on the field, there is no reason why he couldn’t take over the starting role by midway through the year.

Nyheim Hines, Colts – Owned in 0.8% of leagues

With Marlon Mack still missing time, Hines has embraced the role of third down pass-catching RB. Wilkins has not lived up to the Colts’ expectations in recent weeks. Given the lack of WR depth in Indianapolis, Hines should also stand to benefit significantly if TY misses time. Hines is the most valuable RB for the Colts right now until Mack can prove he is healthy.

Mike Davis, Seahawks – Owned in 0.1% of leagues

With Chris Carson out last week, Mike Davis was the starter over first round pick Rashaad Penny. He was given a full load carrying the ball 21 times for 101 yards and two TDs. It is not yet known when Carson will return from injury, but we have seen Carroll switch starting RBs mid-season when someone has the hot hand. If Davis is given increased opportunities moving forward, he will be a great bench stash.

Nick Chubb, Browns – Owned in 34.7% of leagues

Nick Chubb did something this week that has never been done before in the history of the NFL. He was able to get +100 rushing yards and two TDs despite only getting three carries. He has been productive and Jackson has even said they need to get Chubb more carries. While he may not pass Hyde on the depth chart, it may be possible for the two of them to coexist in Cleveland.

Austin Ekeler, Chargers – Owned in 44.2% of leagues

Ekeler has been one of the best non-starting RB in fantasy this season. He has done everything necessary to prove that he should be not only owned in most fantasy leagues, but he should be starting in most leagues. Ekeler has clearly carved out his own role and that offense and he is involved enough to be fantasy relevant even with Gordon in the lineup.

Wide Receiver:

Dede Westbrook, Jaguars – Owned in 2.1% of leagues

The Jaguars have struggled to find consistency on offense this season with injuries already affecting star RB Leonard Fournette and Marquis Lee. Westbrook has had a mini breakout in these first four weeks. He has gained at least 50 yards receiving in three of the first four weeks as well as double digit fantasy points in two of the last three weeks. Don’t be surprised if he is the most productive Jaguars WR for the rest of the season.

Tyler Boyd, Bengals – Owned in 38.7% of leagues

Tyler Boyd has officially convinced me he is no longer a fluke. Coming off his third straight double digit performance, Boyd has clearly become Dalton’s second option behind A.J. Green. This was also his second week in a row with at least 100 yards receiving. With Eifert out for the rest of the season, some of his redzone targets will be spread between Green, Boyd, and C.J. Uzomah. Expect Boyd to have another strong week against the Dolphins defense that was just shredded by the Patriots in week 4.

Chester Rogers, Colts – Owned in 0.1% of leagues

Chester Rogers did not show anything before this week as to why he should be rostered. However, after TY left the game on Sunday, Rogers took over as one of Luck’s favorite targets. With a short turn around, it is very unlikely that Hilton will be healthy enough to go. Rogers is the receiver to own as he was targeted 11 times and finished eight receptions.

Taylor Gabriel, Bears – Owned in 0.6% of leagues

Taylor Gabriel was very efficient last week catching all seven of his targets for 104 yards and two TDs. The Bears have really not had a lot of production from Allen Robinson after his fourth straight week of single digit fantasy points. If Trubisky can replicate that production in future weeks, Gabriel will stand to have a strong chance of becoming a primary contributor. He will have his good and bad weeks, but Gabriel has earned a roster spot in most leagues.

John Brown, Ravens – Owned in 22.4% of leagues

If you are lucky enough to be in one of the leagues where John Brown is still on waivers, he should be a top priority. It is clear that Joe Flacco trusts Brown and he has been a must-own receiver scoring double digit fantasy points in three of the first four weeks. He is a threat to score a deep TD on any play and he is worth starter consideration in most leagues.

Tight End:

Cameron Brate, Buccaneers – Owned in 5.7% of leagues

After a couple weeks of production from his teammate O.J. Howard, it will now be Brate’s time to shine. Howard should be out for two to four weeks with an MCL sprain. With Winston coming back and their chemistry in previous seasons, Brate should be starting after his bye this week with the tight end group being as thin as it is this season.

C.J. Uzomah, Bengals – Owned in 0.1% of leagues

Uzomah is on this less because of his own doing and more because of the injury to Tyler Eifert. Dalton has always been fond of targeting his tight ends, especially in the redzone. With Kroft expected to be used primarily as a blocker, Uzomah will take over the receiving role. He will not be the most consistent player on your team, but he can fill in for a couple of weeks and put up around five points a week with an occasional TD.

Antonio Gates, Chargers – Owned in 2.2% of leagues

Antonio Gates is another not super flashy tight end that has been around forever. Like Watson, Gates will probably not blow you out of the water with his production, but his connection and trust with Rivers is undeniable. He can definitely be worth a roster spot given all the injuries to tight ends this season. He still poses as a redzone threat to opposing defenses due to his size and knowledge of the game.