Week 5 Waiver Wire: Panthers, Vikings, Jets, Dolphins are on a bye week

Posted By on Oct 6, 2015 | 0 comments


Week 5 is now underway, and four teams are on the bye. The waiver wire now becomes just as important as the draft. Big names like Adrian Peterson and Cam Newton are out, in addition to Chris Ivory, Greg Olsen, and Brandon Marshall.

This is the first week where I really don’t have anything for quarterback. If you own Cam Newton, you could probably roll the dice with Michael Vick (owned in 27.8% of ESPN leagues). If you don’t feel confident with that, I cannot blame you. He has a decent matchup against the Chargers and he does have Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown at his disposal, plus a returning Martavis Bryant. Vick didn’t look awful against the Ravens, but he didn’t shine either. He looked good running the ball, which is certainly an added bonus. The other QB is…Kirk Cousins (5.1%). I know, I know. But bare with me, with two seconds. He scored 21 against Philly on Sunday and he’s completed nearly 70% of his passes. If he doesn’t turn the ball over this week, there’s not much more you can ask out of your bye-week QB. You’re not asking Kirk to win you week 5, you’re just asking him to not lose it for you.

When it comes to running back, there’s a limit more out there. Duke Johnson (owned in 49.5%) and Ronnie Hillman (46.6%) headline running backs. I’m shocked these two aren’t owned in more leagues. Hillman is on the cusp of supplanting CJ Anderson as the starter in Denver, and Johnson scored his first career TD this week. Hillman is my top waiver priority this week. Dallas running backs Darren McFadden (48.6%) and Christine Michael (7.2%) are also worth a look with Lance Dunbar going down with a torn ACL. I’ve been a big fan of Michael since he was drafted. The Texas A&M alum has all of the tools, but has never produced. Granted, he hasn’t had many opportunities to do so, this could be his big break.

There are two wide receivers that in particular that standout to me on the waiver wire this week, and they are Atlanta’s Leonard Hankerson (13.6%) and Jacksonville’s Allen Hurns (11.3%). Hankerson is the number 2 guy in Atlanta’s passing game. No doubt about it now. That offense is legit. Hurns is the number 2 guy in a Jacksonville offense that’s showing signs of life. Tavon Austin (10.9%) of the Rams is interesting, but risky, due to his game-breaking speed. He can fly, but he either has MONSTER games or is nowhere to be seen. 

For tight ends at this point, you’re just looking for a fill-in for the bye week. Green Bay’s Richard Rogers (22.2%) plays with Aaron Rodgers. That’s not a bad thing to have going for you. Also, Cleveland’s Gary Barnridge (11. 0%) has scored in two straight games. 

As for defenses, there’s not many good streaming options this week. The Buccaneers (4.3%) and Jaguars (0.8%) play each other, and that’s as good as it really gets. The Falcons (3.6%) might be worth a roll of the dice if they can score a return a kick, punt, pick or fumble for a score against Washington.

Be on the look out for the 5th edition of Hate It or Love It later this week. Sound off on Twitter, if there’s anyone that you feel is worth a mention.

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