Welcome to the Week 5 edition of Waiver Wired for the 2019 season. With so many Injuries and, in turn, hot waiver adds occurring in bunches to start the year, Week 5 leaves us digging for gold among the rest of the ignored scraps. Odds are a few of Sunday’s breakout players have been rostered all season, but those names have been noted atop each position just in case. We’ll also discuss what to do in place of Damien Williams (knee), Kenny Stills (hamstring), Christian Kirk (ankle), and a few other names worth getting ahead of. With Matthew Stafford, Kerryon Johnson, Kenny Golladay, and Marvin Jones (among others) all hitting their bye this week, streaming will continue to play a crucial part in this column moving forward. Suggested bids have also increased since the quality of available players is getting lower.

As a reminder, the drop list consists of players who are no longer must-roster assets, recommended adds are available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, the watch list contains in-depth notes on players who are worthy of roster spots if possible, and deep cuts includes player notes on those rostered in five percent or fewer of Yahoo leagues.

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The Drop List

QB: Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins, Mitchell Trubisky

RB: Duke Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Latavius Murray

WR: John Ross, Nelson Agholor, Antonio Brown

TE: O.J. Howard, Jared Cook, Kyle Rudolph

Duke Johnson's 45 snaps (65%) against the Panthers show promise, but his 56 rushing yards mask the fact he's still getting out-carried and out-targeted by Carlos Hyde weekly. Johnson's untapped ceiling is the only reason to keep him rostered (as I'm personally doing in deeper leagues) since this situation is one Bill O'Brien will continue to muck up. As mentioned last week, Nelson Agholor was strictly a one-week flier without DeSean Jackson (abdominal) against the Packers. The speedy veteran hasn't been cleared for Week 5 just yet, but even Dallas Goedert's full health removes a share of Agholor's targets moving forward. Currently the TE30 on the year, O.J. Howard can be shed for serviceable streamers after collecting 33 yards in a game Jameis Winston tossed for 385 and four scores. Yes, it hurts.

Overall Top 5

1. Darrel Williams

2. Jaylen Samuels

3. Ronald Jones

4. Golden Tate

5. Auden Tate

For those simply looking to roster the best player available regardless of position, the rankings above take into account every factor from the positional lists minus the actual positions. These are listed in the precise order I’d prioritize waiver claims in Week 5.

Handcuff Top 5

1. Alexander Mattison

2. Tony Pollard

3. Jaylen Samuels

4. Giovani Bernard

5. Chase Edmonds

For those refusing to stand pat and itching for an end-of-roster stash, the above list was carefully assembled to highlight league-winners in the event the player ahead of them misses any time. Presumed snaps, carries, targets, and the play-calling each are tied to have been factored in. This list could adjust weekly based on current situations.

Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston rostered in 68 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Andy Dalton

2. Jacoby Brissett

3. Sam Darnold

Running Backs

Jordan Howard rostered in 56 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Darrel Williams

2. Jaylen Samuels

3. Ronald Jones

4. Rex Burkhead

5. Raheem Mostert

Wide Receivers

Courtland Sutton rostered in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. Golden Tate

2. Auden Tate

3. Keke Coutee

4. Jamison Crowder

5. Diontae Johnson

6. A.J. Brown

7. Dante Pettis

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham

2. Chris Herndon

3. Dawson Knox

Defense/Special Teams

Buffalo Bills rostered in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues. No. 1 add if available.

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Atlanta Falcons

Kickers

1. Matt Gay

2. Robbie Gould

QUARTERBACKS

1. Andy Dalton, Bengals – Rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 6% FAAB Bid)

Dalton’s miserable 171-yard performance on Monday night isn’t the most exciting endeavor to chase, but the Cardinals have shown no resistance in healing all wounds to date, allowing 27.6 > 30.8 > 24.3 > 14.3 fantasy points in their last four games. Even this o-line should be able to counteract the Cardinals’ trenches, which has compiled a median rate of sacks (11) and quarterback hits (20) all the while allowing 8.5 yards per attempt through the air. Arizona’s fourth-highest opponent play volume allows Dalton more opportunities to thrive in a fantasy friendly environment.

2. Jacoby Brissett, Colts — Rostered in 35 percent of Yahoo league (5%)

Even on a day where Eric Ebron left three chain-moving grabs on the turf, Brissett managed three scores with Chester Rogers, Deon Cain, Zach Pascal, and Parris Campbell as his primary wideouts. As long as T.Y. Hilton’s (quad) back, this Colts Offense should at the very least punch back against Kansas City’s defense in what’s currently being projected with Week 5’s highest total (57). Marlon Mack’s (ankle) pending status only enhances Brissett’s ceiling since explosive second-year runner Nyheim Hines would be involved underneath outside of his usual two-minute role.

3. Sam Darnold, Jets – Rostered in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues (5%)

There’s no guarantee Darnold’s back this week, but he walks into a cinch high-upside matchup against Philly’s No. 22 pass defense DVOA if he’s cleared in time. It’s not the worst idea to stash him in 2-QB leagues and deeper rosters since the Jets are gifted the league’s easiest passing schedule from Week 9 on once the team escapes their hellacious upcoming slate against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Jaguars.

Watch List: Now’s the time to sell on Marcus Mariota rather than pick him up following his three-score performance against the Falcons. There’s no opportunity to stream him against the Bills, Broncos, and Chargers over the next month, making him a complete dud even in 2-QB and SuperFlex formats…Last night’s showing didn’t instill much promise, but Mason Rudolph has a cush streaming opportunity against a Ravens Defense that’s been scorched for 340-plus passing yards in three consecutive games. He’s a suitable one-week replacement for Matthew Stafford this week.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Darrel Williams, Chiefs – Rostered in 52 percent of Yahoo leagues (Suggested 22% FAAB Bid)

Williams was the lede in last week’s Waiver Wire column but remains criminally under-rostered in just 52 percent of Yahoo leagues given his RB15 ranking (and RB9 in Week 4 specifically) the past two games. As mentioned at the time, Wayne Gallman’s direct path to double-digit touches was the priority if dealing with multiple absences in your backfield, but there’s an incentive to manufacturing victories in the short term, and Williams’ extended role on the most explosive offense in the league allows for that as long as Damien Williams (knee) remains shelved. Even with LeSean McCoy fully cleared from Kansas City’s injury report following two full practices on Thursday and Friday, Williams notably out-snapped Shady 34-32 and ran 23 routes to McCoy’s 18 against the Lions. Roster and start Darrel with utmost confidence and worry about Damien’s return whenever that time comes.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 10-team leagues

2. Jaylen Samuels, Steelers – Rostered in 29 percent of Yahoo leagues (20%)

Samuels rocketed up this list and became more than just a handcuff the moment Pittsburgh’s offensive vision under Mason Rudolph became clear. Not only would his all-around usage (10 carries, eight targets) from Monday night eventually unlock multi-position eligibility if it were to continue, his three “completions” on sweeps increases his touchdown upside substantially since it could now pile in a number of ways. His floor is still concerning, but Samuels needs to be universally owned (as first suggested prior to Week 3).

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

3. Ronald Jones, Bucs – Rostered in 43 percent of Yahoo leagues (20%)

In the past two weeks alone, Jones has out-carried Peyton Barber 33-22 all the while being unleashed for a season-high 48.6 percent snap rate on Sunday. It’s no longer a matter of ‘if’ Jones takes over, but ‘when’ as even his standout 19/70/1 rushing against the Rams doesn’t detail his two negated carries for a combined 79 yards. This is undoubtedly the last week Jones is rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Feel free to increase your bid in non-PPR leagues as Jones’ secluded up-the-middle role doesn’t matter in that particular format, but does rank him below Samuels for that very reason.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

4. Rex Burkhead, Patriots – Rostered in 43 percent of Yahoo leagues (15%)

Coach Bill Belichick scripted 13 targets to James White on the road in Buffalo last year, so it’s no surprise Burkhead, who came into Sunday hobbled, took a backseat on a season-low rate of snaps (18.5%). New England’s next three matchups in Washington, against the Giants, and at the Jets project for much better game script for Sony Michel and Burkhead alike.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

5. Raheem Mostert, 49ers – Rostered in 33 percent of Yahoo leagues (12%)

Heading into San Francisco’s Week 4 bye, Mostert was fantasy’s RB21 on the back of 4/68/1 receiving and 34/202 rushing. There’s no guarantee Tevin Coleman’s (ankle) ready by Sunday, and even if he is, there’s no guarantee he works ahead of Matt Breida and Mostert (and Jeff Wilson, for that matter). Re-aggravation or getting healthy-scratched remains in Coleman’s range of outcomes, and Mostert is an easy FLEX option until we know for sure.

Recommendation: Should be rostered in 12-team leagues

Watch List: Despite his entrenched role as Todd Gurley’s handcuff, Malcolm Brown can’t even get lunch meat in return if he’s not getting goal line work (which he hasn’t in Los Angeles’ last two games). He has no standalone value at this time…Nyheim Hines is the name to monitor ahead of Jordan Wilkins if Marlon Mack (ankle) can’t go on Sunday. Reminder Hines averaged 8.5 targets in the four games Mack missed last year. His pass-catching role is much more valuable in an up-tempo matchup in Arrowhead than Wilks’ plodding early-down work…It sounds as if Jamaal Williams (concussion) could be back as early as Sunday despite getting carted off against the Eagles. Rookie Dexter Williams would be the next man up if Williams misses any time…Kalen Ballage ducked his final target on Sunday, (finally) ceding Miami’s backup role to Mark Walton (6/23). The latter’s the dynasty stash you're targeting if crossing your fingers Kenyan Drake is traded…Ito Smith only got two carries against the Titans, but both came inside Tennessee's five-yard line ahead of Devonta Freeman…Mike Davis is dust on Chicago’s offense right now, hitting rock-bottom with an outright healthy scratch against the Vikings this past week. Having said that, it’s not out of the question he’s handed a role sans Mitchell Trubisky in London, or is simply activated in the near future to generate any amount of rushing offense if David Montgomery continues to falter.

Deep Leagues: The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reported Jeff Wilson is his pick to get healthy scratched Sunday, ceding all goal line reps to Tevin Coleman (ankle) assuming he plays…Jay Ajayi was a hot claim in high-stakes leagues following the announcement he’s finally been cleared to return. He’s merely a stash at this point but likely the first back on the phone if anymore big names go down…As previously mentioned, Jordan Wilkins would handle the majority of Mack’s carries and goal line work if the latter’s unable to play Sunday...Dontrell Hilliard’s surplus snap rate (36.4%) against the Ravens was enhanced due to game script, but he still had three targets and 13 routes as the team’s third-down back before Nick Chubb (20/165/3) rattled off an 88-yard score in the fourth quarter to send it home…C.J. Prosise is set to lose out as Chris Carson’s backup assuming Rashaad Penny (hamstring) returns Thursday. Prosise punched it in from the five-yard line Sunday, but only got that opportunity because Carson was huffing and puffing after singlehandedly carrying the Seahawks into enemy territory.

