Five weeks in the books, and the good teams are starting to separate themselves from the bad teams — in both the NFL and in Fantasy. There are still some potential diamonds on the waivers to turn your season around or to help maintain your dominance, let’s get to it…
RB D’Onta Foreman (CHI) 14% Rostered
The former “forgotten man” in the Chicago Bears backfield has been forced back into our collective consciousness on the heels of injuries to his backfield mates Khalil Herbert (suspected high ankle sprain) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) as well as the resurgence of QB Justin Fields and the previously moribund Chicago offense. Herbert is expected to miss multiple weeks with his injury and Johnson is less than a 50/50 shot to get cleared for the Bears week 6 tilt vs Minnesota.
So worst case, Foreman is looking at a much bigger piece of the CHI RB pie in the short term, and he could end up with a majority of the touches if Johnson were to miss week 6 as well. While he won’t wow you with his pass-catching chops, there should still be plenty of chances for the 6’0” 235 Lb bruiser to mine for some yardage and TD gold between the tackles and on the goal line. He is worth a pickup for the 1-2 week value bump alone – and depending on how kind the injury gods are to the other Chicago RBs, there’s potential for a lot more.
- Dr. James “Doc” Ferretti @TFSDoc
WR Jonathan Mingo (CAR) 21%
Jonathan Mingo had 5 catches for 48 yards on 7 targets this past week. Bryce Young threw the ball 41 times giving Mingo a 17% target share. He is starting to see a lot of looks and getting more involved in this offense. Theilen is still the Panthers’ main wide receiver right now, but if he were to down with an injury, Mingo will see an increased role in this offense. He’ll be a great option as a flex player for our lineups with all the bye weeks and injuries happening around the league.
- Jamie Perog @JamiePerog
RB Roschon Johnson (CHI) 51%
Currently owned in 51 percent of redraft leagues, Johnson should be universally owned after this week’s waiver run. Bears’ starting running back Khalil Herbert suffered a high ankle sprain in Thursday night’s 40-20 win over the Commanders. Although Johnson was also forced to exit the game with a concussion, he will likely have time to recover for the week six game. Despite only having 25 carries on the season, Johnson has amassed 122 yards( 4.88 yards per carry).
He also showed ability out of the backfield in week one, hauling in six catches on seven targets for 35 yards. Although D’onta Foreman could draw the start in week six vs the Vikings if both Johnson and Herbert are forced to miss the game, I would gamble on Johnson’s upside. If Herbert misses multiple games, Johnson will have the opportunity to take control of the backfield.
- Brian Craighead @vandygrad92
WR Josh Downs (IND) 26%
Owned in only 26 percent of Sleeper redraft leagues, Downs continues to be heavily involved in the up-and-coming Colts’ offense. Despite news that Anthony Richardson will miss “some time” with an AC separation, replacement Gardner Minshew can maintain Downs’ current level of production.
In Sunday’s 23-16 home win vs the Titans, Downs had 6 catches(on 6 targets) for 97 yards receiving. Over the last three games, Downs now has 16 catches(on 21 targets) for 188 yards receiving and zero TDs. Although Downs has yet to haul in his first career TD, I would pick up Downs and consider him to have weekly WR3/flex appeal.
- Brian Craighead @vandygrad92
WR K.J. Osborn (MIN) 16%
We do not know how long the Vikings will be without Justin Jefferson. Given their 1-4 record, a more cautious approach is likely. When Jefferson was healthy, Osborn remained the snap leader between him and rookie Jordan Addison. Since Addison has an 88% rostership, Osborn becomes the more attainable waiver wire add at 16%. Osborn is averaging 8.3 fantasy points per game thus far.
If Jefferson were sidelined for an extended period, look for Osborn to increase his per-game fantasy output closer to double-digits. A worthy flex play as injuries mount and bye weeks pop up.
- Chew Russell @FatherDynasty
QB Matthew Stafford (LAR) 54%
Matt Stafford was an add for me last week. The Rams will find themselves in high total games all year long, he’s got 2 elite WRs in Puka and Kupp. The Rams throw a lot I think we can pencil Stafford in for 250+ and 2tds weekly at this point.
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- Jared Good @TheYetiExpress
QB Gardner Minshew (IND) 4%
Anthony Richardson is electric. He’s also only finished one game. The Indianapolis Colts have some legitimate weapons and Gardner has been known to put up fantasy points. Richardson may go to IR with a sprained AC joint. You could do a lot worse at quarterback with the bye weeks coming.
- Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron
RB Emari Demercado (ARI) 2%
James Connor went out with an injury in Week 5, and there’s no word on how long he will be out. Backup running back Keaontay Ingram missed his second straight game with a neck injury, which leaves Demercado as the de facto No. 1 running back. With the state of the running back position, Demercado becomes an interesting waiver-wire player that could have at least a couple of weeks of opportunity.
- Geoff Lambert @GeoffLambert77
Others to Consider
- TE Logan Thomas (WAS)
- RB Tyjae Spears (TEN)
- WR Trenton Irwin (CIN)
- WR Rashee Rice (KC)
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