Waivering: Week 5

Tue Sep 30 12:10am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Slayton should get more targets

So when players get hurt on the field, that gives others an opportunity to play. That means the waiver wire has more options to pick from. And with all the players getting hurt last week, this list is the longest it has been all season. That isn’t great to deal with all the injuries but at least you have some more options to pick from if you need some help the coming weeks.

QUARTERBACK

Carson Wentz, Vikings (19.9% owned). Wentz had another solid game starting for the Vikings last week. He scored 26.7 fantasy points, going 30-of-46 for 350 yards and two touchdowns. He is going to keep starting for now and as long as that is happening, he has some spot start appeal for fantasy owners in this offense.

Jaxson Dart, Giants (55.2% owned). Dart threw for just 111 yards in his debut as the starter. Despite that low number, he still scored 20.95 fantasy points because of his rushing upside. He is going to have a good fantasy floor because of that rushing potential on a weekly basis. Dart is an exciting fantasy player going forward. This might be the last week to grab him in leagues.

RUNNING BACK

Emari Demercado, Cardinals (10.3% owned). Demercado got just four touches last week but played at crucial points of the game in passing situations. He should continue to fill that role going forward, giving him a little potential in deeper formats. He should get a few weekly touches, mainly receptions.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (39.2% owned). Gainwell was a surprise starter last week with most expecting Jaylen Warren to be able to play. He sat, though, and Gainwell shined. He ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns, and caught six passes for 35 yards. He even has a little standalone value when Warren gets back in the lineup. Gainwell has at least eight touches three of four games.

Woody Marks, Texans (66.1% owned). Marks is quickly emerging as the go-to back for the Texans. He had a breakout game last week, rushing 17 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Marks is another player that likely will not be available in leagues after this week. He could be the starter going forward for the Texans, especially with Nick Chubb showing little at this stage of his career.

Zavier Scott, Vikings (3.3% owned). Scott is now the top backup for the Vikings with Aaron Jones out. He has at least eight touches each of his last two games. He had six receptions for 43 yards and a score last week. Scott could be worth a look for fantasy owners that are in PPR formats. He is going to get some weekly touches while Jones is out.

Kendre Miller, Saints (21.7% owned). Miller had a season-high 11 carries last week, rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown. This was after getting seven carries the previous game. His workload is increasing and Miller is taking advantage. He has run well with his chances. And there is always a possibility of Alvin Kamara getting moved at some point this year, which would make Miller the full-time starter in this offense.

Emmanuel Wilson, Packers (6.0% owned). Josh Jacobs is still the clear lead back for the Packers but Wilson is starting to get a few more weekly chances. He had 11 touches last week for 81 total yards. He got six carries the previous game. Wilson might be worth a speculative add for fantasy owners.

WIDE RECEIVER

Luke McCaffrey, Commanders (3.5% owned). McCaffrey has found the end zone his last two games. He has gotten more playing time with Terry McClaurin banged up. He still is a bit of a risk because he has few receptions but the touchdown potential is there. McCaffrey has a knack for the end zone, doing well because of his size.

Isaiah Bond, Browns (3.7% owned). Bond got his most work of the season last week, catching three passes for 58 yards on six targets. The Browns are looking for someone to step up opposite Jerry Jeudy, especially with Cedric Tillman hurt. Bond could be getting more chances going forward. He is a decent speculative pickup for fantasy owners.

Darius Slayton, Giants (6.1% owned). With Malik Nabers done for the season, Slayton should be playing a bigger role in the Giants offense. He has multiple receptions three straight games and been targeted four times each of his last two games. Slayton could make some big plays as a starter in this offense.

Adonai Mitchell, Colts (4.4% owned). Mitchell got some more playing at receiver because of injury and had season-best totals, catching three passes for 96 yards. He did have a terrible fumble at the goal line but you can’t ignore his production before that. Mitchell could make some big plays in this offense when given the chance.

Malik Washington, Dolphins (8.8% owned). The injury to Tyreek Hill opens the door for Washington to play an even bigger role in the Dolphins offense. He has 16 touches in four games and made some plays with those chances, so he has some potential in an even more expanded role. He is a playmaker.

TIGHT END

Tommy Tremble, Panthers (0.3% owned). Tremble started last week with Ja’Tavion Sanders hurt. He had a good game, catching five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. He was targeted eight times. Tremble has some spot start appeal while Sanders is sidelined.

A.J. Barner, Seahawks (2.0% owned). Barner is a touchdown-dependent tight end but has found the end zone two of three games. He has yet to top 50 yards in a game but the scores make him worth a boom or bust play for fantasy owners. He gets some looks in the red zone.

Theo Johnson, Giants (4.2% owned). Johnson scored his first touchdown of the season last week. He tied a season high in targets with five. Maybe the addition of Jaxson Dart into the lineup gives Johnson some fantasy appeal going forward. Johnson could be worth grabbing for tight-end needy teams.

Darren Waller, Dolphins (7.5% owned). Waller made his season debut last week and found the end zone twice. He had three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. If he can stay healthy, he could get his targets in this offense, especially with Hill getting hurt. He might be worth grabbing for any team looking for a tight end spark.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Waivering: Week 5

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