Week 5 Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

A very interesting Week 4 in the NFL. We saw plenty of points scored, both in real life and in fantasy football. With a number of the top defenses on bye last week, I can’t say that I was shocked. Next week we only have two teams on bye (the Dolphins and Raiders), neither of which is loaded with fantasy talent. So with plenty of other wide receiver talent still out there, let’s take a look at some wide receivers who can give your lineup a shot in the arm.

Below I will take a look at some Week 5 wide receiver waiver wire pickups and sleepers, based on their current ownership numbers and fantasy outlooks. For each week of the fantasy football season, I’ll also give you a bonus player to avoid (usually someone who might be a popular pickup that I disagree with). Good luck in Week 5 RotoBallers!

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR)

Eddie Royal (SD) - Owned in 30% of Fleaflicker leagues

With Danny Woodhead out for the season, Royal has reaped the benefits. All of those short yardage tosses that Woodhead excelled at are being given to Royal, and he has made the absolute best out of them. I expect the trend to continue, as Philip Rivers knows how to find him and is looking his way consistently. Keenan Allen is still enough of a threat that defenses have to pay attention to him, leaving Royal in single coverage more often than not. I genuinely believe that Royal is a must-own in all PPR leagues, and should at least be rostered off the Week 5 waiver wire in all leagues. The Chargers offense looks great, and even with Donald Brown and Antonio Gates in the mix getting touches, Royal will still get his fair share of targets.

Baller Move: Add in All Leagues

Andrew Hawkins (CLE) - Owned in 48% of Fleaflicker leagues

The Browns have stated that Brian Hoyer will remain their starting quarterback following their Week 4 bye, and for good reason. While they were only 1-2 in his first three starts, it certainly has nothing to do with Hoyer. He’s been consistently serviceable from a fantasy football standpoint, and Hawkins has been a beneficiary. While he hasn’t found the endzone yet, he’s had at least six catches for 70 yards in each game, and that sort of production should continue. He’s the top passing option after Jordan Cameron, and with defenses keying in on Cameron, it’s Hawkins’ time to shine. Even with other offensive options like Miles Austin, Ben Tate, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell in the mix, Hawkins will still be a major focal point for the Browns week to week. If he's still available on your Week 5 waiver wire, strongly consider adding him to your team.

Baller Move: Add in all PPR Leagues / Deeper Standard Leagues

Allen Robinson (JAC) - Owned in 14% of Fleaflicker leagues

Oh look at that, Cecil Shorts aggravated an injury. This makes Robinson the number one wide receiver in Jacksonville, and while that’s like saying he’s the smartest kid in summer school, he’s still a top wide receiver and will get passing targets. The Jacksonville passing game should be much better the rest of the way with Bortles under center, and Robinson should directly benefit. While there are other wide receivers in the mix, Allen Hurns looks more like a boom-or-bust deep threat, and Marqise Lee can’t seem to stay healthy. As a steady pair of hands in an offense that will be playing from behind 90-130% of the time, Robinson is a legit WR3/FLEX option in deeper PPR leagues. Garbage time is a fantasy owner’s best friend, so go grab him off the Week 5 waiver wire!

Baller Move: Add in Deeper PPR Leagues / Very Deep Standard Leagues

Louis Murphy (TB) - Owned in 0% of Fleaflicker leagues

Okay, this one is a bit of a desperation play, but hear me out. Mike Evans injured a groin on Sunday, and should be out at least two or three weeks, leaving the door open for Murphy. He led the team with six catches on 11 targets for 99 yards in Week 4, and has significant chemistry with Mike Glennon, who he worked with extensively in the preseason. The TB offense looked much better with Glennon, and with teams still forced to mind Vincent Jackson, Murphy could get some quality playing time and see plenty of looks in the middle of the field. You’re not dropping anyone of value for Murphy, but if you’ve got some room on the roster, snag him off the Week 5 waiver wire and see how things shake out next week.

Baller Move: Add in Deeper Leagues (if you have dead weight)

Wide Receiver To Avoid (Bonus)

Andre Holmes (OAK) - Owned in 3% of Fleaflicker leagues

Holmes had a pretty big game in the absence of Rod Streater and Denarius Moore in London, tallying five catches for 74 yards and a score. However, the Raiders lost Derek Carr to a sprained MCL and high ankle sprain, so the Raiders will be trotting out either Matt McGloin or Matt Schaub in Week 5. I don’t trust either to bring any form of success to the train wreck that is the Oakland Raiders, and I have very little hope for any of their receivers. James Jones is still the top receiving option there, regardless of what you might read to the contrary, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Vincent Brown and Brice Butler start to see more looks as the team tinkers with the offense. Sunday’s numbers were an outlier, not the trend. Don't go rushing to the waiver wire to grab Holmes.

I’ll be your wide receiver authority for the 2014 season, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me @Roto_Dubs with any questions whenever.