2022 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Best Pickups for Week 5
With another week of the NFL season in the books, it’s time to find which players you should be targeting on the waiver wire. This week we have a good crop of players that have a lot of potential. Some of these players are starting to break out and others will be moved up the depth chart due to injuries. Either way, they are worth adding off the waiver wire.
Mike Boone — 0.2%
Denver Broncos running back Mike Boone should be on top of your waiver wire priorities this week. The Broncos starting running back, Javonte Williams, tore his ACL and MCL which will result in him missing the remainder of the season. That leaves Melvin Gordon and Boone to man the Broncos backfield. At first thought, you would believe that means Gordon would become the lead back, but that does not seem to be the case. In Denver’s first four games, Gordon has fumbled four times. In their last game, Boone out-snapped Gordon, playing 36 percent of the offensive snaps to Gordon’s 19 percent. The biggest downside for Boone is that Gordon may get a larger portion of the goal-line work. At the same time, Boone will likely get most of the receiving work. As a result, Boone’s ceiling is far higher in full PPR formats.
George Pickens — 37.6%
It is honestly a shame that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is only rostered in 37% of fantasy football leagues. If you are in one of those leagues, wake up. There were reasons to like Pickens heading into the season and he should have been drafted in your league. Regardless, if he is still on your league’s waiver wire, it is time to pick him up. Heading into Week 4, Pickens was a strong breakout candidate. In Week 4 he was able to break out, recording six catches for 102 yards. This breakout was assisted by a spark from Kenny Pickett after he took over for Mitchell Trubisky. Pickens is slowly becoming more involved in the offense and Pickett should provide Pittsburgh with better quarterback play. That combo makes Pickens a great waiver wire pickup.
Brian Robinson — 37.6%
It is time to add Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. Heading into the 2022 NFL season, Robinson’s stock was high. However, just before the season began, he was shot multiple times. Fortunately, Robinson escaped the situation alive. Miraculously, it seems like Robinson will be ready to play in Week 5. If Robinson is healthy and, on the field, he will have a chance to produce for a fantasy team. It is better to add Robinson from the waiver wire now. In the next couple of weeks, Robinson will likely become a hot commodity. If you pick up Robinson now, you can beat your league mates to him.
Tyler Allgeier — 16.9%
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is set to see an increased workload in the upcoming weeks as Cordarrelle Patterson has been placed on IR. Allgeier is also coming off his best performance of the season. In Week 4, Allgeier finished with 10 carriers for 84 yards and a 20-yard reception. Do not put too much emphasis on adding Allgeier to your roster. The Falcons are bad and veteran Damien Williams will get some work out of the backfield. He is still a good pickup, but there are better options this week.
Robert Tonyan — 21.7%
Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan is one of the best waiver wire options at the tight end position. Tonyan got off to an underwhelming start in the first two weeks. In Week 3 and 4 though, he saw an increase in production. Tonyan is certainly not the perfect waiver wire addition, but the position is currently void of tight end talent. Tonyan is the clear No. 1 tight end in Green Bay. As Green Bay’s offense improves, Tonyan’s fantasy production should as well. If you need a tight end from the waiver wire, Tonyan looks like a good option.
