NFL Waiver Wire: Week 5 Pickups

Another crazy week in the NFL and it might be time to push the panic buttons if you're 0-4 or 1-3. Don't hold back on your FAAB, you don't get to keep it and roll it over until next season. Let's look at who might make an immediate impact for you team. This week starts a two-week stint for four teams in London and then Week 6 sees the start of byes for some teams. Plan accordingly.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

QUARTERBACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Trey Lance, SF - Has the Trey Lance era started in San Francisco? It's a bit of a gamble at this point, but many thought Lance would take over the starting spot either Week 3 or Week 4. He missed some open receivers, but his numbers in relief Sunday were solid thanks to Deebo Samuel. Lance is extremely athletic for the position and will get some added fantasy points using his legs to run (seven carries, 41 yards). Just keep in mind that Jimmy Garoppolo could be back under center this week. FAAB: $5-$10 (go more in two-QB leagues)

HAIL MARY

Drew Lock, DEN - Teddy Bridgewater left Sunday's game with a concussion and must go through the league's protocol before returning. Lock could start this week as the Broncos head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Lock should get regular snaps with the first team in practice and has a nice set of receivers (including tight ends) to target. Watch the reports this week to see if Bridgewater is out. FAAB: $2-$4

RUNNING BACK

PRIMARY TARGETS

Damien Williams, CHI - Here's your big add of the week, considering it looks like David Montgomery is going to be out a while with his knee injury. While the initial diagnosis has ruled out an ACL tear, Montgomery could miss 4-5 weeks with a sprain. Williams is a solid candidate to be a three-down back and mobile Justin Fields should help open up holes for him. Williams is also a proved pass-catcher who averaged 4.5 and 5.1 yards per carry in his two years with the Chiefs. He suffered a minor though bruise in Sunday's victory, so for deeper leagues Khalil Herbert is the next man up if both Montgomery and Williams are out. Be aggressive in bidding if you need running back help; teams with a losing record and David Montgomery owners should bid big. FAAB: $25-$50

Secondary Targets

Alex Collins, SEA - In my big hometown league I have Chris Carson, and while he's not the sexiest play, he's been consistent for Seattle. Yet, he took a backseat late in Sunday's game to Collins, who out-pointed him from a fantasy standpoint. Carson is still the lead running back, but Collins appears to working himself into more a timeshare for the Seahawks. FAAB: $4-$8

Samaje Perine, CIN - It's tough to get excited about Perine, who seems to have a limited upside, even if starting. Joe Mixon suffered an ankle sprain and could miss time, labeled "week-to-week." If Mixon does miss time, Perine would be the frontrunner for the lead running back spot. He is capable of catching passes out of the backfield (22 catches, 182 yards his rookie season), so there's the possibility he's a three-down back with volume if Mixon is out. FAAB: $4-$8

WIDE RECEIVER

SECONDARY TARGETS

Jamison Crowder, NYJ - Crowder returned to the field in a big way Sunday, finishing with 9-7-61-1  in the Jets' first win of the season and the first win under coach Robert Saleh. Crowder isn't a big red-zone target, but he's one of the more effective slot receivers in the league. There's clearly a rapport between him and Zach Wilson, and they've got a nice matchup this week against the Falcons in  London. FAAB: $4-$8

A.J. Green, ARI - I don't have Green on any of my rosters but after games of 13.4, 16.2 and 17.7 fantasy points (full point PPR) in his last three games it's time to mention him. Can this last? There are plenty of mouths to feed in the Arizona offense, and it's tough to start him outside of full-point PPR leagues. FAAB: $3-$6

HAIL MARY

Rashod Bateman, BAL - Bateman traveled with the team last week, indicating he's close to returning. Starting the season on IR was obviously not ideal for the rookie but the Ravens are doing well enough that they don't have to rush him back. Baltimore's offense is mainly focused on the running game but Bateman is talented enough to make an immediate impact. A first-round pick out of Minnesota, it shouldn't take long for Bateman to overtake Devin Duvernay as the team's third wide receiver. FAAB: $1-$2

Randall Cobb, GB - Cobb and Aaron Rodgers' bromance could be the plot of a novel. With Marquez Valdes-Scantling on IR, Cobb will play a more prominent role in this offense, and Rodgers has a lot of faith in him. Cobb should work nicely out of the slot and runs quick routes that make for safe throws in the red zone or when short yardage calls for it. FAAB: $1-$2

TIGHT END

PRIMARY TARGETS

Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard, TB - Multiple hairline fractures does not sound good for Rob Gronkowski and if Tampa Bay continues to win there's no reason to rush him back. That will open  targets for Brate and Howard with former being the preferred target. Brate got six targets Sunday night to Howard's one. Tight end has been an unpredictable landscape this season, so Brate is a good player to go after while Gronk is out.  FAAB: Brate $6-$12; Howard $1-$2