The Best Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 5

Another big week in the NFL and a waiver wire dominated by QBs this week. Sprinkling in a few WRs, and Nathan is trying to earn himself a suspension from GoingFor2 by including a kicker. Here we go…

Embed from Getty Images

QB Mitch Trubisky (CHI) 13% Rostered

If you are in a single QB league, you are most likely in a position where you can ignore this one – but for those in Superflex or 2 QB leagues, pay attention…I imagine there is going to be some chatter in the FF world saying that Trubisky is “inefficient,” has a “low ceiling,” or even the more data-driven takes of saying he “sucks” or “is trash.”

Here’s the thing, these folks are probably the same ones that told you that Geno Smith wasn’t worth a pickup last year (finished as a QB1), Josh Dobbs was a wasted pick (averaging over 20 points the last 3 weeks), Baker Mayfield was “washed” (double digit points every week and over 16 points 3 out of 4 so far) and Andy Dalton was the anti-Christ (over 20 points in a spot start in week 3). Now if you can’t use any of that on your roster, you are doing way better than me.

Anyway, currently, Kenny Pickett’s injury is reported as a bone bruise – which could easily keep him out this week (and through the Steelers’ week 6 BYE), but also – Pickett hasn’t exactly looked like the second coming of Terry Bradshaw so far this year, so a good outing in a spot start by Trubisky could easily nail ol’ Kenny Two Gloves to the bench for the foreseeable future even if he is healthy enough to play. At worst, Trubisky is a low-investment/high-reward play.

At best, he could end up filling a QB2 hole for you for multiple weeks and possibly longer OR give you a low-cost trade chip to tier up to a better QB or a draft pick down the road. Now, by no means am I telling you to break the bank, but this is definitely a spot for a “keep ’em honest” FAAB bid – even if you aren’t in dire QB straits, you don’t want any league mates who are down bad at QB filling that need on the cheap!

Jim “Doc” Ferretti, DO @TFSDoc

QB Josh Dobbs (ARI) 9%

The Cardinals have quietly been good. Not “winning games in the NFL” good, but “putting up big numbers in fantasy” good. He was the 6th best quarterback last week and is beating quarterbacks like Dak Prescot and Trevor Lawrence on the season.

A dud of a week 1 against the Commanders makes him look a lot worse than he is sitting at 15th overall. Pick him up before somebody else notices he’s coming on strong.

Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

WR Michael Wilson (ARI) 6%

This rookie is steadily increasing his points exponentially every week. He put up 10.6 on a solid Cowboys defense and caught two touchdowns against the Niners for an insane 26.6.

He’s not going to put up numbers like this consistently due to a lack of targets but he is catching the majority of balls that come his way. Spoiler alert: Michael Wilson may just be on my top 5 rookie list of the week.

Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

K Brett Maher (LAR) 9%

I know, I know, a kicker? In fantasy, you need to look for any edge you can find. Zig when everyone else zags, friends! The Rams are kicking a whole lot of field goals this year and Maher is the second-best kicker in fantasy.

Maher has had double-digit points every week this season. Believe me, I was shocked too. Don’t make him a priority pickup but put him on your list and dump whomever you currently roster.

Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

Embed from Getty Images

TE Jonnu Smith (ATL) 2%

This is a very specific suggestion to Kyle Pitts owners out there. Arthus Smith hates Kyle Pitts. I don’t know why. Maybe Pitts made fun of his mustache and Smith decided to never use him appropriately ever again.

After being catchless in Week one, Jonnu has gotten 8.8, 8.7, and 15.5 points in a standard PPR league. Dump Pitts for Jonnu immediately. Smith is beating fellow tight ends Kittle, Njoku, and (this one hurts…) Waller. That’s with a goose egg game folks. Maybe he’s not a bad stash for everyone after all.

Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN) 2%

My theme for the week has been redemption. Westbrook-Ikhine wasn’t even targeted in week 3. This week, without Treylong Burks, Westbrook-Ikihine caught 5/6 for 51 and a touchdown. Tennesee will always be a run-first team with Derrick Henry but as long as Burks is out Westbrook-Ikhine might be a decent safety valve. He’s also quielty only 2 points behind DeAndre Hopkins on the season.

Nathan Janasik @MeLlamoMoron

RB Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) 2%

The undrafted rookie RB out of Youngstown State stepped up after Javonte Williams left Week 4’s matchup with an injury. Regardless of Williams’ status going forward, Jaleel McLaughlin has earned a spot in Denver’s RB rotation as he offers an explosive element that is currently lacking.

McLaughlin eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage on ten total touches and added a receiving touchdown in Week 4. As injuries mount for fantasy managers, McLaughlin is a worthwhile waiver addition to build depth at a volatile position.

Chew Russell @FatherDynasty

Embed from Getty Images

QB C.J. Stroud (HOU) 54%

I’ve now talked about this offense for 2 weeks straight, but here’s the deal the Texans are a pass-first team. Stroud is throwing 30+ times a game this is a great ass if you’re qb2 is average in redraft leagues with bye weeks coming up. Stroud also throws to 2 WRs, Tank Dell and Nico Collins if you own either you should be adding him.

Jared Good @TheYetiExpress 

WR Jameson Williams (DET) 53%

With Williams’ suspension reduced, he is available to play as soon as this week. I don’t know if we will see him immediately, but let’s not forget the Lions took this kid in the first round despite his ACL tear. This kid is special, or at least he was pre-injury, if he can capture some of that magic from his college days, he could end up a steal off the waiver wire.

Geoff Lambert @geofflambert77

Other to Consider

• TE Jake Ferguson (DAL) 49%
• WR Romeo Doubs (GB) 60%
• WR Curtis Samuel (WAS) 13%
• WR Michael Gallup (DAL) 22%
• WR Terrace Marshall (CAR) 4%
• RB Chuba Hubbard (CAR) 32%

ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.