Riding the Waive + Matchups to Exploit and Avoid in Week 5
It’s Week 5, and bye weeks are starting to hit harder than Von Miller. The Jaguars, Saints, Seahawks and Chiefs will all be spectators this week. That’s a lot of Fantasy money on the bench. To make matters worse, it’s time to punt on quarterback Marcus Mariota (seriously, drop him like you just picked up a hot slice of pizza).
This week let’s take a look at some waiver targets who can serve as a replacement to some of your bye week stars, or some of your disappointments. I’ll also include some matchups to exploit and avoid in Week 5.
Brian Hoyer
Last night I grabbed Marcus Mariota off my rosters, put him in the palm of my hand, and released him into the Waiver Wild. I’ve never felt more free.
Five weeks into the season, I don’t have any time to wonder why Mariota couldn’t break 10 Fantasy points against the Oakland Raiders. Have the same problem? Don’t want to make a trade for a new quarterback? The Chicago Bears’ Brian Hoyer has thrown for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns since Jay Cutler went down. That’s two games of consistently delivering against favorable matchups. This week Hoyer will face a Colts’ defense that just gave up more than 200 yards and two touchdowns to Blake Bortles. Hoyer is currently owned in 11% of Yahoo leagues and 0.7% of NFL leagues.
Robert Woods
It’s really tough to find a receiver on the waivers who’s targeted enough to trust during a heavy bye week. At this point I find myself saying “just get me more than one point” before throwing in a player to sub for one of my stars. Well, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods was targeted 10 times last week, and put up 89 yards against the New England Patriots. That’s more than one Fantasy point! With Sammy Watkins on IR with his usual foot injury, Woods is in for a WR1 role with the Bills. This is one of those prime waiver opportunities that I’m always gushing about (think Mike Wallace). Grab Woods off the waivers and start him against a L.A. Rams defense that gave wideout John Brown his groove back in Week 4. Woods is owned in 20% of Yahoo leagues and 1.7% of NFL leagues.
Cameron Brate
It is slim pickings on the tight end front! This week big money tight ends Jimmy Graham, Travis Kelce, and Julius Thomas will all hit the bench for their bye weeks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate should be grabbed off the waivers and placed in your lineups as the Bucs will face a Carolina Panthers defense that resembles a green light for quarterbacks since the departure of Josh Norman. The Panthers have given up a touchdown to tight ends in three out of four weeks. Again, this is a grab and start. Brate has already scored two touchdowns this season and is the Bucs’ number one pass catching tight end. Brate is currently owned in 22% of Yahoo leagues and 7.7% of NFL leagues.
Matchups to Exploit in Week 5
Philip Rivers (QB), Melvin Gordon (RB), Travis Benjamin (WR), Tyrell Williams (WR), Hunter Henry (TE) vs. Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders allow the most yards through the air to opposing offenses. They are also allowing the most yards per carry, 5.1, to opposing running backs. Long story short, start everyone against the Raiders.
Derek Carr (QB), Michael Crabtree (WR) vs. San Diego Chargers
Look for Carr and Crabtree to add to the 1,230 passing yards the Chargers have already given up on the season.
Kelvin Benjamin (WR) and Greg Olsen (TE) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If Cam Newton plays or not against the Bucs on Monday Night Football, Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen should be able to exploit a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed nine receiving touchdowns this season.
Emmanual Sanders (WR), Demaryius Thomas (WR), CJ Anderson (RB), Broncos Defense vs. Atlanta Falcons
Receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas both made it to the end zone in back to back weeks. This trend should continue against a Falcons defense that has allowed 13 receiving touchdowns this season. C.J. Anderson should earn double digit Fantasy points as one of the most featured running backs in the league especially if QB Trevor Siemian misses the game with his shoulder injury.
Matchups to Avoid in Week 5
Brock Osweiler (QB), Will Fuller (WR), DeAndre Washington (WR) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Like I mentioned last week, the Vikings defense is where Fantasy points go to die. In Week 4, Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Eli Manning combined for about 15 Fantasy points.
Matthew Stafford (QB), Marvin Jones (WR) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are quietly killing it on defense this season. They have yet to allow a receiving touchdown.
You’ve Been Warned
Matt Ryan (QB), Julio Jones (WR) vs. Denver Broncos
This is a tough one. Who in their right mind would bench Julio Jones after a 300-yard performance, and Matt Ryan after a 500-yard performance?! The Broncos have only given up two receiving touchdowns this season and they lead the league in sacks. Devonta Freeman has the best matchup on the Falcons heading into this game as the Broncos have given up five rushing touchdowns already this season.
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