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Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season is almost behind us. It was an exciting week of football, including three games in the early window going down to the wire. And hey, speaking of wires, here is our Week 5 wide receiver fantasy football waiver wire pickups list.
Below, you'll find some wide receivers that you should be targeting on the fantasy football waiver wire ahead of Week 5. Not all of these waiver wire options are the same. Some players may be better in PPR or deeper leagues, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all comparison. Use your best judgment when deciding which of these players is the right fit for your roster.
Be sure to also check out our Waiver Wire Adds for Week 5 for help at all the skill positions. All players on this list are around 50% rostered or below.
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
Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers - 56% rostered
With Joshua Palmer back from a one-game absence, it was actually Ladd McConkey who served as the team's best receiver in a 17-10 loss to Kansas City. The rookie was targeted seven times, catching five passes for 67 yards and a score.
There aren't many teams around the league where the No. 1 receiver role is still wide open, but the Chargers are one of those spots. McConkey is playing like someone who is about to reach out and claim that job.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders - 52% rostered
So, what do we think is going on in Vegas? Davante Adams missed this game with a hamstring injury and there's been plenty of will-they, won't-they chatter about an Adams trade.
Jakobi Meyers is the most underrated WR in the #NFL
— Zach Rosas (@ZachRosas2) September 29, 2024
I don't really think a trade ends up happening, but I do think the team will slow-play his return from this hamstring issue. On Sunday, his absence led to Jakobi Meyers stepping into the No. 1 receiver role. He was targeted 10 times, catching five passes for 49 yards.
That makes 19 targets over the past two games for Meyers. As long as Adams is sidelined, Meyers should have a high fantasy floor because of the number of targets that we'd expect to see go his direction.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers - 40% rostered
Early in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, Christian Watson was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury. It sounds like it's only a sprain so he won't be out forever, but he could certainly miss some time.
Jayden Reed would likely be the No. 1 guy if Watson misses time, but Doubs will compete with Dontayvion Wicks for the No. 2 role. This week, Doubs was targeted eight times, though he only managed four catches for 39 yards.
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns - 48% rostered
One of these days, Jerry Jeudy is going to rise above the 50% rostered mark. In Sunday's loss to the Raiders, Jeudy was targeted a season-high nine times, catching six passes for 72 yards. He has at least six targets in every game so far.
Deshaun Watson's struggles likely cap Jeudy's upside, but he's guaranteed to get the ball a handful of times each week and has shown some ability to bust off a big play at times.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers -13% rostered
As mentioned above, Christian Watson suffered an ankle injury this week. With Watson missing most of the game, Dontayvion Wicks stepped up. He was targeted a team-high 13 times, catching five passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a huge game, but he hadn't been targeted more than four times in any previous game this season so I'd be a little cautious here. I'm not throwing all my FAAB at him or anything like that, but he has three touchdowns in 2024 and has streaming appeal if Watson misses time.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants - 26% rostered
The Giants continued to pepper the duo of Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson with targets in Thursday's loss to the Cowboys, with Robinson setting season highs across the board with 14 targets, 11 receptions, and 71 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, Nabers suffered a concussion in the loss, putting his Week 5 status in doubt. That could lead to even more usage for Robinson in Week 5. He might have the highest floor of any receiver on the waiver wire in full PPR leagues.
Allen Lazard, New York Jets - 36% rostered
Allen Lazard had another strong game, catching five of his eight targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 10-9 loss to the Patriots. He now has either 50 yards or a touchdown in three of the four games this season.
With Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson barely touching the floor, Lazard is locked in as either the second or third receiver on this team with Mike Williams. I'm not sold on his floor being as high as it has been, but his familiarity and trust with Aaron Rodgers will continue to give him upside.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons - 47% rostered
The Falcons showed some passing chops this week against the Saints, with Darnell Mooney finishing the day as one of three Atlanta players with 50-plus receiving yards. Mooney was targeted six times, catching three passes for 56 yards.
You can fool yourself if you want to, but Darnell Mooney is the Falcons #1 wide out.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 29, 2024
That makes three games in a row that Mooney has gone over 50 yards. With 14 targets over the past two games, Mooney looks like he's becoming a solid floor play in fantasy.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts - 20% rostered
After a slow start in his Week 3 debut, Josh Downs exploded on Sunday against the Steelers. The second-year wideout was targeted nine times, pulling down eight of those for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Alec Pierce has played well this year, but he was really just keeping the No. 2 receiver role warm for Downs. QB uncertainty in Indy clouds his upside just a bit but he should continue to see plenty of targets no matter who is under center.
Deeper Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Pickups For Week 5
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers - 14% rostered
With Adam Thielen out, Diontae Johnson expectedly served as the team's No. 1 option as he was targeted 13 times. Xavier Legette was only one opportunity behind him, with 10 targets and two carries.
Xavier Legette's FIRST career TD!
📺: #CINvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/x8NFnvD1fY— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Legette caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown and also added 10 yards on the ground. The rookie was able to seamlessly step up for Carolina and make a major impact. Once Thielen eventually returns, this situation will get mucky again, but at least for now, Legette is a flex option.
Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams - 3% rostered
It's going to take repeat performances from anyone in this Rams offense for me to actually buy into their performance, but there were some encouraging signs from Jordan Whittington this week as he led the Rams with eight targets, catching six passes for 62 yards.
As long as Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp remain sidelined, there's value to be found with the Rams. That value might change weekly, but one or two players will have fantasy upside per week. Whittington feels most likely to be in that spot.
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams - 8% rostered
Tutu Atwell caught four of his six targets for 82 yards on Sunday, giving him back-to-back games with over 80 receiving yards. I have him slightly behind Whittington because I think Atwell is more volatile, but his past two games have been encouraging.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders - 9% rostered
With Davante Adams out, Tre Tucker played a key role for the Raiders and found the end zone for the second week in a row, scoring on a three-yard run. He also caught five of his six targets for 41 yards.
Week Four
Tre Tucker Rushing TD (1) pic.twitter.com/RkRdYDF7r1
— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDVids) September 29, 2024
Tucker's a talented player, but it's tough to get opportunities on this Raiders team. With Adams out, a path is open to Tucker getting touches, but that path likely slams shut once Adams is back on the field. However, Tucker is worth adding as an upside WR in 14-team leagues.
Ray-Ray McCloud III, Atlanta Falcons - 5% rostered
While Ray-Ray McCloud hasn't had the same target share or production as teammate Darnell Mooney, he's still off to a solid start. He tied his season high in targets on Sunday, catching 6-of-7 for 52 yards. He's starting to develop a decently high floor, though he's yet to have an explosive game that justifies starting him in fantasy.
Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots - 9% rostered
I mean, I'd largely like to ignore this offense, but it's probably worth taking note that Ja'Lynn Polk was targeted seven times this week. He's worth a speculative add in deep leagues just in case New England makes a quarterback change and rookie Drake Maye can put some gasoline in this offense.
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