Week 4 of the NFL season has just about wrapped up. Whether winning or losing in Week 4, it’s time to make some moves to help your team reach the ultimate goal. In this article, we will talk about the key players worth picking up to help improve your roster. We will discuss what they have done and why they are important players to pick up on rosters. We will also talk about whether they are worth spending that number one waiver claim and how much FAAB percentage you should use on them.
The Week 5 waiver wire is starting to have some names that you will want to pick up to help your fantasy roster. There is a nice mix of players who all produced in Week 4 and should have value moving forward.
Josh Downs, WR – IND
The top waiver wire pick-up for Week 5 is Colts receiver Josh Downs. Downs is finally getting back into his groove after missing the first two games of the season due to an offseason injury. Since returning to the lineup, he has been tied for the most targets among Colts pass catchers. Downs has a vital role as the slot receiver underneath in the offense. You have some concerns since most of his production in Week 4 was with Joe Flacco, but do not worry. For one, we could see Flacco next week, and second, Downs was Anthony Richardson’s favorite target in training camp. Downs should be the short area underneath the receiver moving forward. He is someone that could end up having weekly FLEX value.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 19%
Justin Fields, QB – PIT
Justin Fields finished Week 4 with a big fantasy day. He finished with 31 fantasy points in a rare 300-yard passing game. We saw that the Steelers’ defense did not look as strong, allowing the Fields more chances to throw the ball with over 30 pass attempts in the last two games. Fields now gets a Dallas defense that is very banged up, and it could allow him to have another strong outing. Dallas has allowed mobile quarterbacks to produce, and Fields averages 36 rushing yards per game. The Steelers’ backfield has been ineffective, so they may lean on him to do more in games. Fields is a good pick-up if you are dealing with a Week 5 bye or need a change at quarterback.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 11%
Tucker Kraft, TE – GB
The return of Jordan Love will improve the Packers’ passing offense, and we saw that in Week 4. Tucker Kraft had his best game of the season with six receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. Now, the team was in a negative game script, but Love’s arm talent made this team better. The tight-end market is lousy in 2024, so we are trying to find a player to give some consistency. Kraft could be an option for fantasy managers looking for a different answer at tight end.
- Top Waiver Priority – No
- FAAB % – 5%
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR – NYG
We have another receiver in the New York Giants, Wan’Dale Robinson. The Giants slot receiver is a big pick-up in PPR leagues. He has 9.5 or more fantasy points in each game this season. He would finish with 11 receptions in Week 4. While everyone is on Malik Nabers, Robinson has been a consistent fantasy option. The Giants don’t have a ton of talent on the offense, so a healthy Robinson should be a target for you in Week 5. He could provide consistency during the upcoming bye week stretch.
- Top Waiver Priority – NO
- FAAB % – 7%
Tank Bigsby, RB – JAX
We have our first running back in Tank Bigsby. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clear-cut must-pick-up running back, but Bigsby is as close as can be. He showed that he deserves more work in the Jaguars offense when he is healthy. Travis Etienne was in and out with a shoulder injury in Week 4. It led to Bigsby having 90 yards rushing this past week. If Etienne’s shoulder injury lingers around, it may lean toward Bigsby seeing an expanded role. NFL running backs are dropping like flies, so it’s best to pick him up now.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 15%
Dontayvion Wicks, WR – GB
We have yet another receiver to pick up on waiver in Week 5. Green Bay Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks will receive a boost in value for the next month. Starting receiver Christian Watson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4. High ankle sprains usually lead to a four-to-six-week recovery time, with a possibility of Watson heading to the IR. Wicks showed up in Week 4 with a team-high 14 targets and a pair of touchdowns to go with it. As long as Watson is going to miss time and Love is on the field, then Wicks needs to be on rosters moving forward.
- Top Waiver Priority – Yes
- FAAB % – 17%
Xavier Legette, WR – CAR
Finally, the last waiver wire pick-up is rookie receiver Xavier Legette. Legette got extended playing time in the slot due to Adam Thielen heading to the IR after Week 3. Legette took full advantage of the situation with six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Andy Dalton has rejuvenated this Panthers passing offense. They are a team expected to be playing from behind, so Legette will get chances to produce. He is a sneaky good pick-up if you can’t get any of the top three receivers above.
- Top Waiver Priority – NO
- FAAB % – 8%