Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Damien Williams & Latavius Murray

Four weeks into the season, we are starting to get a clearer picture with regards to how teams want to deploy particular players within their offense. With that being said, more key injuries in Week 4 may have altered some of those plans. As you look to improve your fantasy football squad, here are some players to consider adding off the waiver wire who are still available in the majority of ESPN leagues. You can also use our Waiver Wire Pickups tool to help find viable options and determine how much of your FAAB you might need to use for each player.

Fantasy Football: Week 5 NFL Waiver Wire Pickups | ESPN

Damien Williams, Chicago Bears (90% available)

This one is tricky. Normally David Montgomery leads the Bears’ backfield and does not leave many carries for his backups. However, he went down with a knee injury Sunday that could sideline him moving forward. Williams could be in line for a significant workload, and against the Lions he rushed eight time for 55 yards and a touchdown. However, he also reportedly suffered a quad injury in the game, but the extent of the injury is not yet known. If he is cleared to play and Montgomery is out, Williams could immediately be a worthy RB2 in fantasy. Even if the extent of his injury is unknown by the time waivers runs, adding him could be worth the risk.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (10%-15% of FAAB budget)

Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens (66% available)

It is becoming clear that the Ravens want to use Murray as their feature back. Ty’Son Williams was not even active in Week 4, with Le’Veon Bell being activated from the practice squad. That helped Murray generate 18 carries, which he turned into 59 yards and a touchdown. He has scored a touchdown in three of four games and should continue to at least be a weekly threat in that regard given how potent the Ravens offense can be.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (10%-15% of FAAB budget)

Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills (55% available)

Even with the Bills running the ball a lot late while dismantling the Texans on Sunday, Sanders received six targets for the fourth straight game. He cashed them in for five catches and 74 yards. With teams having to put their best cornerback on Stefon Diggs and to account for Josh Allen’s ability to do damage with his legs, Sanders does not always generate a lot of attention. In this high-powered offense, he is a viable WR3 in fantasy on a weekly basis.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (3%-5% of FAAB budget)

Jamison Crowder, New York Jets (85% available)

Crowder missed the Jets’ first three games of the season, leaving them without one of their better weapons on offense. He finally made his return Sunday and made an immediate impact, catching seven of nine targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. He had 89 targets across just 12 games last season, which came on the heels of him receiving 122 targets in 2019. Although the Jets offense might not score a lot of points, Crowder should still receive enough targets to provide value, especially in PPR leagues.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (3% of FAAB budget)

Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions (99% available)

Raymond made this column last week and did not disappoint for those who added him. He received six targets against the Bears, turning them into three receptions for 46 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions’ next four games come against the Vikings, Bengals, Rams and Eagles, each of which can be a potent offensive team. That could leave the Lions needing to play catchup often in the second half, which might mean plenty of targets are coming Raymond’s way.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)

Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears (59% available)

Mooney had his best performance of the season in Week 4, posting five receptions for 125 yards against the Lions. That came on the heels of him catching one pass for 9 yards the previous week. His production has been inconsistent out of the gate, but the good news is that he has received at least seven targets in three of four games. That at least gives him the potential to provide value.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (1%-3% of FAAB budget)

Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (78% available)

After Blake Jarwin went down with a torn ACL in Week 1 last year, Schultz stepped up to be an important part of the Cowboys offense. Even with their unsettled quarterback situation, he finished with 63 catches, 615 yards and four touchdowns. Now with Dak Prescott healthy, Schultz has at least six receptions and received at least six targets in three of four games this year. He has three touchdowns over the last two games as well. With how shallow the tight end position is, it will be difficult to find a better option that Schultz on waivers.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (1% of FAAB budget)

Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (75% available)

The Eagles have been playing catchup the last two weeks after going down big against prolific offenses. That left Miles Sanders to receive a total of nine carries across those two games. Still, he is the clear top option for the Eagles. Behind him, though, is Gainwell, who has shown flashes when given the opportunity. He already has two touchdowns rushing for the season, and he caught six of eight targets for 58 yards in Week 4. Should anything happen to Sanders, adding Gainwell now could save from having to blow a significant amount of FAAB to add him then.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Priority: 8 (1% of FAAB budget)

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