Welcome to Week 5 everyone. Believe it or not, but we are officially past the first quarter mark of the fantasy football season. Cherish it, folks! You'll start to see teams make trades as they get a grasp of their team's potential and handle bye weeks, so get ready for some weekday action. As for us, we've got a few backs and tight ends to consider, but it's relatively quiet FAAB week in comparison to weeks 1-4.

Once again, we have some injuries to report. Eric Decker (shoulder) sat out and may be out for even longer, while Cam Newton (concussion), Carson Palmer (concussion), Trevor Siemian (shoulder), Matt Forte (knee), Dwayne Washington (sprained ankle), and Kevin White (ankle) all left their respective games.

Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 5. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 5 options.

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs

Bilal Powell (NYJ, RB) - $13-20

45% owned in Fleaflicker

There were no major injuries in Week 4, but if there is one major development to keep an eye on it is Matt Forte. He was seen riding a cart for X-rays on his knee after the game in a contest where the Jets inexplicably aired it out. But even before the injury, it was apparent the Jets were focused on getting Bilal Powell involved in the offense.

Last week marked the second straight week in which Powell saw 10 touches, including six catches for 54 yards on Sunday. He simply looked like the better back and will continue to take touches from Forte, injury or not. Sorry Forte owners, but he isn't seeing the 400 touches he was projected for after Week 2. Powell is the top add of the week and becomes a top 15 back should Forte miss time and still will carry PPR value going forward.

James White (NE, RB) - $6-12

26% owned in Fleaflicker

Week 5 can also be known as the start of the Patriots offense. Tom Brady returns in a cupcake matchup versus the lowly Browns and will be airing it out early and often. While LeGarrette Blount has done a fantastic job leading the offense through four games, the Patriots have always incorporated a scat back to their offense. Dion Lewis will handle those duties come Week 9, but until then White carries PPR value.

Wendell Smallwood (PHI, RB) – FAAB Bid: $4-7

22% owned in Fleaflicker

Smallwood was highlighted here last week so I'm not going to regurgitate myself, but here's your friendly reminder to snag him if he went unowned through his bye. Ryan Mathews is injury-prone and Darren Sproles is the pass-back. Buy buy buy.

Also Consider: Kenneth Dixon (BAL, RB) - $4-7, Alfred Morris (DAL, RB) - $1-2, Dwayne Washington (OAK, RB) - $1-2

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers

We mentioned Steve Smith Sr. ($14-20) in Week 4 and he remains the No.1 target in leagues he's available. Cole Beasley ($10-15) would be our No. 2 target.

Michael Thomas (NO, WR) - FAAB Bid: $8-13

62% owned in Fleaflicker

It's not often you can find shares in the Saints offense this late into the season, but Thomas' rookie status combined with a Week 5 bye has made him available in too many leagues. Thomas led the team in targets (9) at San Diego and he caught four for 44 yards and a nice back-shoulder throw for a touchdown to spark the Saints comeback.

Teams are shadowing Brandin Cooks after his hot start to the year, and when combined with Coby Fleener's inconsistencies, there's a gap for production in the Saints offense. Make owners pay for dropping the rookie in his bye week (or the ultimate burn -- trade him back to his former team later in the season).

Eddie Royal (CHI, WR) - FAAB Bid: $7-12

24% owned in Fleaflicker

Last week I touted the Bears offense in this piece but left out the highest scoring player for Week 4. This is why I get paid the big bucks, people.

Royal caught all seven targets for 111 yards and a touchdown, including a 64-yard catch and run to jump start the second half. Royal has now scored in double digits for three of his four games and has solidified his role in the slot for the Bears offense. Throw in Kevin White (ankle) possibly missing up to four weeks and there is real PPR value here for Royal.

The Bears get the Colts soft secondary this week, a situation Brian Hoyer should be salivating over. Royal is a legit FLEX play in Week 5.

Sammie Coates (PIT, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7

33% owned in Fleaflicker

With the return of LeVeon Bell, the Steelers are comfortably the best fantasy offense in football. And while most shares of the Steelers offense have been scooped up, Coates remains available in 67% of leagues.

Coates saw eight targets on Sunday (2nd on team) and turned them into six catches for 79 yards. He failed to reach the endzone but the fact he is clearly ahead of Markus Wheaton is reason for optimism. Coates is an interesting FLEX play for Week 5 versus the Jets.

Also Consider: Kenny Stills (MIA, WR) - $2-4, Jeremy Kerley (SF, WR) - $1-2

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends

Zach Miller ($6-8) and Hunter Henry ($6-8) were our featured tight ends last week and they remain our first choices. Last week was the time to strike on tight ends in the FA market, but here's a few that may have been dumped.

Zach Ertz (PHI, TE) - FAAB Bid: $6-8

72% owned in Fleaflicker

Ertz (ribs) has not played since Week 1 when he posted an impressive six-for-58 line on seven targets, and owners may have cut bait due to the extended injury. Now is the time to make them pay. Ertz has been cleared to play and gets a cupcake matchup versus the Lions, who have allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this year. Coby Fleener and Jimmy Graham owners, look no further for your bye week replacement.

Martellus Bennett (NE, TE) - FAAB Bid: $5-7

77% owned in Fleaflicker

Another tight end that may have been cut loose by no fault of his own, Bennett welcomes back Tom Brady to a great matchup with the Browns. Bennett has been hot-cold to start the year (5 points in Weeks 1, 3 -- 25 points in Weeks 2, 4) but should see some consistency going forward. Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) is still playing hurt and with no clear No. 2 behind Julian Edelman, Bennett should be heavily involved in Week 5.

Also Consider: Jesse James (PIT, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks

If for some reason Carson Wentz ($8-12) is still sitting out there after his bye, this is your last chance.

Brian Hoyer (QB, CHC) - FAAB Bid: $1

7% owned in Fleaflicker

Quarterback is a dire situation currently so we're going back to the well with Hoyer. Hoyer rewarded us for our faith in Week 4 (302 yards, two touchdowns) and gets another great matchup with the Colts in Week 5. The Colts have allowed 382 passing yards per game (24th in NFL) and Hoyer should be in a shootout on Sunday.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, NYJ) - FAAB Bid: $1

58% owned in Fleaflicker

If you need an example of being a good quarterback and being a good fantasy quarterback, look no further. Fitzpatrick is by all means a game manager at his best, but he continues to act like a gun-slinger. He has thrown it 40+ times the past two weeks (to not much success) against some tough defenses (Chiefs, Seahawks). Throw in Eric Decker and Matt Forte being injured and you might be questioning this play.

That said, the Steelers have allowed 394 passing yards per game, which is 27th in the league. As Forte is questionable to play, Bilal Powell will carry the load and he excels in the pass game. I except Fitzpatrick to be throwing it early and often in what I expect to be a shootout.

Also Consider: Paxton Lynch - $1-2

 

FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense

Steelers D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3

Lost in the Steelers dominance on Sunday night was the play of their defense. The defense has now limited opposing teams to 16 points in three of their first four games, all with Ryan Shazier dinged up. While I anticipate a high-scoring game on Sunday, I also expect Fitzpatrick to commit 2+ turnovers, providing the Steelers with a safe floor in Week 5.

Packers D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3

The Packers are fresh off a bye and get a dysfunctional Giants offense at home that is without Rashad Jennings (ankle) and Odell Beckham Jr. (headcase). It's a short week for the Giants and the Packers will be plenty amped for a Sunday Night contest.

Bills D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3

Don't look now but the Bills defense is looking stout. Yes, they shut out rookie Jacoby Brisset, but the Bills 13 sacks are 2nd in the NFL and Marcell Darius has returned with a vengeance. Keep riding the bandwagon into Los Angeles versus Case Keenum, Bills Mafia.

 

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