Welcome back, RotoBallers. This column will highlight some Week 5 waiver wire adds for wide receivers. If these players are free agents on your league's waiver wire, then you should consider targeting them this week.
The article is split into a few different sections. Depending on your league size, and whether it's PPR, the waiver wire recommendations range from high priority to lower priority ones. I also point out a few players that can be cut.
If you're not sure who you should add (or drop), or have a specific question about your league, find me on twitter @ChrisMangano and I will be more than happy to help you out.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Frontrunners for Week 5 - Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
This group consists of wide receivers that I would recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across fantasy leagues.
Will Fuller (WR, HOU) - 31% owned (10-15% FAAB)
Fuller returned from his injury and didn't miss a beat, hauling in four catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 100 air yards and a 16.2 aDot. With DeShaun Watson playing great, Fuller should continue to be an integral part of this passing game.
Jaron Brown (WR, ARI) - 5% owned (10-15% FAAB)
Brown now has three straight double-digit PPR scoring games and has seen double-digit targets in two of the last three games. Even with the return of John Brown in Week 4, Jaron led the team in targets, receptions, yards and air yards. He seems to have the trust of Carson Palmer and look's like he could be the team's number two going forward.
Devin Funchess (WR, CAR) - 24% owned (8-12% FAAB)
This is the third straight week we've suggested adding Funchess but obviously no one is listening. Funchess led the Panthers in targets with nine and caught seven passes with two touchdowns. He leads the team in targets and air yards and needs to be owned.
Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) - 43% owned (7-10% FAAB)
Kupp was dropped in a lot of leagues last week and is now available on most waivers again. Kupp led the Rams in targets and had five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. His extremely low aDot of 7.4 makes him an add in PPR formats only but he'll be a good start in the right matchups.
In The Running - Week 5 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
This group consists of wide receivers widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds, but could be worth stashing or streaming if the above options are already taken.
Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) - 42% owned (5-8% FAAB)
Lockett continues to look like the Seahawks number two receiver. He turned five targets into 4 catches for 67 yards and added 2 rushes for 24 yards. His role could continue to grow as his health improves.
John Brown (WR, ARI) - 39% owned (5-8% FAAB)
Brown returned from his week one quad injury and looked fully healthy, turning seven targets into three catches for 47 yards. Brown led the team in aDot and was second in air yards. The emergence of Jaron Brown will likely limit him, but this is a high passing attack that loves to throw deep and that will give him weekly upside.
Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ) - 39% owned (3-5% FAAB)
Kearse has had two disappointing weeks in tough matchups, but continues to see the targets. Kearse leads the team in targets and receptions. His low air yards (217) and aDot (9) make him an add in PPR formats only.
Ricardo Louis (WR, CLE) - 0% owned (1-2% FAAB)
Louis started along-side Kenny Britt in Week 4 and led the team in targets, catches, yards and air yards. Britt once again looked bad and Louis could take over the number one role sooner than later. He has 15 targets in his last two games and is worth a stash in case his role increases.
Dark Horses - Week 5 Wide Receivers Waiver Wire
This group consists of wide receivers who are more of a desperation play. They could serve as a bye week fill-in, short-term injury replacement or weekly lottery ticket.
Aldrick Robinson (WR, SF) - 0% owned (1% FAAB)
With Marquise Goodwin exiting the game with an eye injury in the first quarter, Robinson took over as the outside receiver. While he only caught three catches for 52 yards, he had 12 targets and had the third most air yards in the league for Week 4. If Goodwin misses time Robinson will have value as the 49ers deep threat.
Adam Humphries (WR, TAM) - 0% owned (2% FAAB)
Humphries has seen 10 and seven targets the last two weeks and has scored double-digit PPR points in each. Humphries is not someone you want to own in standard leagues as he sports a miniscule 1.6 aDot, but his usage and high catch rate make him a fine add in PPR formats. A date with the Patriots terrible pass defense in Week 5 doesn't hurt either.
Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) - 20% owned (2% FAAB)
Anderson is flying under the radar but has big breakout potential. He is now tied for the team lead in targets with Jermaine Kearse, and has 350 air yards which ranks 21st. Anderson is a great high-upside add to the end of your bench.
Juju Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT) - 1% owned (1% FAAB)
Smith-Schuster is now the Steelers slot receiver as Eli Rogers was a healthy scratch. Schuster only had four targets but turned them into three receptions and a touchdown. He now has a touchdown in each of the last two games. He isn't someone that can be started yet, but he is worth stashing in case his role in the offense continues to expand.
Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye
This group consists of wide receivers who don't need to be owned. They aren't necessarily must-drop players, but if you need the roster space for one of the above players, don't hesitate to cut bait in order to chase upside.
Kenny Britt (WR, CLE) - 43% owned
We gave Britt another week after his 10 target, one touchdown performance in Week 3 but he was a total dud in Week 4. Coach Hue Jackson was quoted as saying he would have benched Britt if the Browns didn't have so many injuries at the position. Yikes.
J.J. Nelson (WR, ARI) - 64% owned
Nelson was a nice fill-in while John Brown was out, but now that Smokey is healthy Nelson's value is rock bottom. Nelson saw just four targets and is likely now the fourth option on this offense.
Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI) - 36% owned
Since his "breakout" week one, Agholor has seen just 10 targets over the last three games. Zach Ertz has become Carson Wentz' go-to target underneath and Alshon Jeffery and Wentz are starting to develop chemistry. Agholor's value has taken a massive hit and has no signs of increasing.