2024 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5

2024 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5

The fantasy football waiver wire is always crucial to success. Bye weeks begin Week 5 of the NFL Season. That changes how you should attack the waiver wire. Previously, we have repeatedly looked for high-upside swings. That is still important, but it is also important to field competent teams while you have players on a bye week.

The waiver wire has been hot to start the 2024 NFL Season. Here are the players mentioned in previous weeks that should be on your radar if they are still available.

Week 2 targets: Jordan Mason, Bucky Irving, Isaiah Likely, Justin Fields, Tank Bigsby

Week 3 targets: Braelon Allen, Jauan Jennings, Jalen Tolbert

Week 4 targets: Andrei Iosivas, Rico Dowdle, Emanuel Wilson

Dontayvion Wicks– 9.5%

The top waiver wire priority is Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. The Packer’s second-year receiver is coming off a game where he finished with 13 targets for five receptions, 78 yards, and two touchdowns.

The Packers have a lot of offensive weapons. That comes with positives and negatives. The downside is that the team will always have competition for touches. Although, the Packers have consistently spread the offensive load. That provides optimism that several pass catchers can be fantasy productive. It also helps that the team is not afraid to let Jordan Love sling the rock which creates a lot of chances for the team’s weapons.

The Packers’ log-jammed receiving core did get some clarity in Week 4. Christian Watson suffered an ankle injury and has already been ruled out for a game. It is not the best way to get a clearer picture of an offensive, but it’s effective.

Watson’s injury will likely compress the team’s touches to its top playmakers. I doubt anyone will fill Watson’s place. Instead, we will likely see a handful of players get an extra target or two. That includes Wicks.

At the end of the day, Wicks is getting targets in a productive offensive. That offense is also spreading the ball around, which ensures he should get steady targets every week. That makes Wicks one of the top-waiver wire targets heading into Week 5 of the NFL Season.

Tucker Kraft– 4.5%

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is another strong fantasy football waiver wire target. Kraft is coming off a nine-target game where he finished with six receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.

The logic behind adding Kraft from the waiver wire is very similar to Wicks. The offense is good and the ball gets spread around. The biggest difference is that Kraft is a tight end which significantly lowers the requirements for him to become a viable fantasy option.

It should also be noted that Kraft has emerged as the team’s top receiving option at tight end. Luke Musgrave, the team’s other notable tight end, currently has seven targets for five receptions and 22 yards on the season.

In a year where the tight end position is a barren wasteland, I will gladly add the Packers’ starting tight end off the waiver wire. At this point in the season, that appears to be Kraft.

Kareem Hunt– 21.4%

The Kansas City Chiefs running back position has been a mess since Isaiah Pacheco went down with an injury. Although, it looks like we finally have some clarity. Kareem Hunt is the player to be adding off waivers.

In the Week 2 fantasy football waiver wire post, I debated between adding Hunt or Carson Steele. Ultimately, I like the idea of adding Steele for an immediate impact while Hunt was a better long-term play. Well, Hunt quickly earned the lion’s share of the carries. That obviously makes him the Kansas City running back you want.

Hunt had 14 carries for 69 yards in week five. That came while also adding two catches for 16 yards. Meanwhile, Samaje Perine had five touches while Steele had three. Perine did snipe the team’s only rushing touchdown, but I would not expect that to be a consistent issue.

On top of getting more touches, Hunt also looked like the team’s best running back. I would be surprised if the team did not continue to feature him.

It appears the Chiefs will also be without receiver Rashee Rice as it is believed he tore his ACL. That should result in Kansas City leaning further into the run game.

The mystery of the Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield is solved. Hunt is the back you want to be adding off the fantasy football waiver wire.

Josh Downs 8.8%

The next receiver available on the fantasy football waiver wire is Indianapolis Colts pass catcher Josh Downs. In Week 4, he finished with nine targets for eight receptions, 82 yards, and a touchdown.

Downs was hurt to start the season. In his first game back, he did not do much, but he had a solid game in his second outing.

Downs’ has been a solid receiver since entering the league. That has come during a time when the Colts have had Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor miss time. Regardless of the situation, Downs has demanded targets and produced. This is not a player to overthink. Downs should begin to produce now that he is healthy again. As far as fantasy football waiver wire targets go, Downs is on the safe side.

Xavier Legette– 25.0%

The final fantasy football waiver wire target heading into Week 5 of the NFL Season is Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette. This is the biggest upside swing of the post. With that, it comes with the most risk.

The Carolina Panthers offense has been much more productive since benching Bryce Young for Andy Dalton. In two games, they have put up a combined 60 points. It is not going to be the best offense in the league, but it looks like it can provide some fantasy points. Plus, picking up a Panther from the fantasy football waiver wire comes with little cost.

Legette is the player available on the waiver wire that I would target from this offense. In four games, Legette has been given opportunities. The rookie has been given 20 targets and two carries. It is evident they want him involved. Plus, he is coming off his best game yet. In Week 4, Legette finished with ten targets for six receptions, 66 yards, and a touchdown.

The Panthers’ offense has improved, but the team still needs playmakers to step up. That is even more true with Adam Thielen sidelined with a hamstring injury. It appears like Legette will be given every possible opportunity be the player that works himself into a big role.

I would not break the bank to add Legette off the fantasy football waiver wire. That said, he is at least worth consideration.

***

CLICK HERE for more of our Fantasy Football content

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube