RosterWatch Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet: Week 5

Byron BylineWinning fantasy football means being active on the weekly waiver wire. You have to be, as the season morphs before our very eyes from week to week in dramatic fashion. It’s nearly impossible to go coast to coast in any competitive league with the team you drafted. What this means is, every week you need to identify the unproductive garbage at the bottom of your roster – and exchange those players for the hottest new pickups of the week. Often times these free agent acquisitions end up being valuable commodities that can change the course of your season.

The RosterWatch Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet is a weekly tool that will help you easily navigate this process, with expert results guaranteed. Researching free agent pickups can be mind-numbing and time-consuming, so we’ve done all the work for you with this simple one-page document. Use it exactly like the Draft Cheat Sheet- start at the top and work your way to the bottom.

All players in the tool are less than 50% owned across all major fantasy sites. Many of them may even be had for free on Wednesday morning after waivers run. Please post any questions about the player rankings within this tool in the comments section below.

DOWNLOAD THE WEEK 5 WAIVER WIRE CHEAT SHEET

43 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By The Jackal

    Non-PPR league. Who would be the best RB pickup if available…T. Richardson, M. Asiata, J. McKinnon, I. Crowel?
    Also, do you the QB change in Buffalo will impact the Spiller / F. Jax thing?
    One last thing…Is it time to bench Shady McCoy? Thanks.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      The Jackal-

      -We’ll go Richardson there
      -If anything the change to Orton could help skill players in Buffalo, there could be a rough week or two during the transition
      -No, do not bench Shady.

      Good Luck

  2. ↓ Post By elliott.sanchez@gmail.com

    PPR League- I have a trade offer of receiving Andre Ellington for Sammy Watkins. I’m stacked at the WR position and Sammy is my flex. My other RBs are Murray, Vereen, K Robinson.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      elliott.sanchez@gmail.com–

      We would do the deal and take Ellington. Nice work. Good luck

  3. ↓ Post By Nikkicurligirl

    Is it time to sit Pierre Garcon….at least until Cousins gets it together? If Cousins sux, so does Garcon unfortunately. I’ve been using him as my WR2, but I could bump up other roster spots: Kelvin B to 2 and use Golden Tate or Eric Decker as my 3. Thoughts?

  4. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

    Nikkicurligirl-

    Garcon is definitely not a “must start” , at this point, however he is still a decent weekly option. Cousins is up and down, but he’s still slinging it around. We still like him on the season more than Tate or Decker. There are some weeks it could be close, depending on the matchup. Any week that Calvin Johnson is out Tate gets a big bump. Check our rankings every weekend before your lineup goes final, and whoever we have ranked higher is who we would start. If Kelvin Benjamin is your #2- you are kicking ass. Assuming you may have used our Draft Cheat Sheet, everyone who did has Benjamin. Good luck.

  5. ↓ Post By GhostLikeSwayze

    I’m looking to trade J. Thomas and L. Miller. I’m wondering what type of players I should be going after? I was offered Smith Sr. and F. Jackson for those two as well. I’m in need of both WR and RB. I have Lacy, Gerhart, Starks at RB and A. Brown, Patterson, K. Allen, D. Adams and Hurns at WR. Also have Reed as backup TE. Thanks for your help!

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      GhostLikeSwayze-

      I believe we may have answered this question on Twitter. Would not do the deal for SR / FJAX. You are pretty solid at WR. Maybe you could take Keenan Allen / Patterson and Julius to move in on Calvin Johnson- but we still think that is too much. Really, it’s RB where you are hurting. We would do Julius + Gerhart for somebody like Shady. Good luck.

  6. ↓ Post By UCLA3234

    I got offered Arian Foster and Wes Welker for AJ Green. Standard league ESPN. I have Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Wallace already at WR. I have Rashard Jennings, CJ Spiller, Eddie Lacy, Terrence West and Joique Bell at RB. Do I trust that Foster can stay healthy long term? What would the experts do? Thanks!

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      UCLA3234-

      My god, this is a nutty team that you have. It’s not a bad deal, and def worth considering. We have a few problems here, though first:

      1. If Lacy every shows up, you don’t need Foster that badly- he’s a big risk- esp giving up a stud like AJ
      2. Welker may end up being a bench player for you
      3. We’d rather see you first try to move Wallace or Patterson for Foster. If you can keep Dez, Julio, AJ that’s a lethal combo.
      4. Could you do Wallace for Foster straight up? Could you do Patterson + West or Joique for Arian straight up?

      Good luck

  7. ↓ Post By The Jackal

    Scoring Only League. Would you drop Lamar Miller for McKinnon or K. Robinson?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      The Jackal-

      We have no idea how you sick scoring only players do it to yourselves. What torment!?!? I guess it’s why we love it, though. No we keep Miller. Good luck.

  8. ↓ Post By statesman06

    10 team PPR league two QB league.

    I trade Rivers, Ball, and R White I get DeMarco Murray and TY Hilton.

    My QB’s are P Manning and T Bridgewater. I can also pick up Palmer for the WW.

    Do the trade or not?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      statesman06-

      No- keep Rivers for sure. We like Roddy more than TY, and Ball only has one direction he can go and that’s up. DeMarco looks amazing this year, but you would be buying him at his all time career high price- we prefer buying low. Good luck.

  9. ↓ Post By renourka

    Embarrassed to say I got handed my first loss by a team who didn’t set their lineup and left 2 players on bye … Tell me not to worry with this squad:

    QB: Bortles (gonna drop for either Flacco or Dalton)
    RB: Lynch, R. Jennings (T-Rich, D. Brown)
    WR: J. Jones, Garcon (Patterson, Gordon, Evans)
    TE: J. Thomas
    FLEX: Gronk
    DEF: Miami (streaming)
    K: Parkey

    1. Been trying to trade for a better QB with no success so hopefully Dalton or Flacco can solve that problem but question is which one should I go with? (also available: A. Smith, Fitzpatrick, Tannehill)
    2. I’ll probably drop my DEF and Kicker to stash some players til Sunday morning and I’m looking at picking up some of following: RB: K. Davis, Forsett, McKinnon, Taliaferro, Crowell, A. Blue, Andre Williams (handcuff) and for WRs: T. Smith, D. Bowe, J. Jones (bye), Hawkins, Royal, etc.. so who would you target based on my team and when it comes down to it, who will be the most expendable by Sunday morning when I’ll need to drop 2 for a DEF and K again? Would you hold any of those FAs over maybe D. Brown or Evans given his injury? Sorry for the length but appreciate your advice!

    1. ↓ Post By renourka

      EDIT to question 1: Well Flacco got scooped up so I ended up dropping Bortles for Palmer… good move? If Stanton gets the start this Sunday, would he be worth a start over anyone above? Forgot to mention Glennon is available who has a good matchup according to your awesome tool!

      1. ↓ Post By renourka

        EDIT #2*: Dalton was never available! I meant Palmer* from the start… Not sure what I was thinking when I was asking that question originally! Oh also Torrey Smith and Knile Davis got scooped up today but someone did drop Terrance West so is he worth an add over anyone on my current roster?

    2. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      renourka-

      We like your team. Losing, with Lynch on a bye is somewhat understandable. We’d go Flacco, and maybe also Alex Smith. I drop K and DEFs all the time to stash players. It’s a good move. Please refer to the WK5 Waiver Wire Cheat Sheet to see our preference for FA pickups (linked in article above). You should own Andre Williams as a Jennings owner. We’d consider Forsett, McKinnon, and Crowell. Your biggest area of need is WR2/3 help until Gordon and Evans are available. Bowe might be worth a short-term hold just to see (even though we usually hate him, let’s see if that offense stays on track)- prob like James Jones the most, Hawkins worth a look too. Good luck

  10. ↓ Post By rul8agn

    We have 2 flex spots in a 10 team ppr. Have Forte and Ellington starting. Would it be crazy to put both Asiata and McKinnon in my flex spots tonight? Would have been money last week….
    Other flex options are D Martin, Patterson, Sproles

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      rul8agn-

      It’s a reasonable question, we like the matchup and we like McKinnon this week. However, it’s typically limits your upside to some degree by doing this. You are best off to pick the right MIN RB and pair them with Doug Martin in a fantastic matchup. Right now, we lean slightly to Asiata based on his goal line opportunities- but it is very very close- make sure and check our RB rankings before the game tomorrow. Good luck.

  11. ↓ Post By jaksteel

    Guys – Is Larry Fitzgerld worth holding onto or dropping for an up and coming guy on the waiver wire?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      jaksteel-

      Sucks it comes to this, but unless you have amazing waiver wire options you prob need to hold Larry. We still think long-term he has a large role in the redzone in this offense. There are better days ahead, although we are clearly dealing with a declining fantasy commodity. Good luck.

  12. ↓ Post By nmarino028

    Would you put Ryan Matthews above all these rbs? I just snagged him up before he gets back in a week or 2 and dropped Donald “2 ypc” Brown!! Only problem is this week I’m strapped at rb. I have Jennings and FJax (against my Leo’s ahh).. I need a flex besides justin hunter. Should I drop mike Evans, since he’s hurt, and pick up Andre Holmes, hurns, Allen Robinson, or forsett to put in the flex for this week? Full ppr btw.

    1. ↓ Post By nmarino028

      My bad I meant jerick McKinnon, not forsett. I mixed up leagues

    2. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      nmarino028-

      You should drop Hunter, NOT Evans. All of those guys are worth a look- Forsett and McKinnon are our favorites for your flex play. Good luck.

      1. ↓ Post By nmarino028

        Okay thanks! I was thinking that, but I know how high you guys were on hunter before the year.

  13. ↓ Post By willywill325

    Wr question I have andre johnson, cordelle patterson, marvin jones, justin hunter, and stevie johnson. Who should I start? I have 3 wr slots.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      willywill325-

      It’s time to drop Hunter and pick up guys on the waiver wire cheat sheet linked in the body of the article above. Same may go for Marvin Jones. Right now we say AJ, CP, Stevie. Check our rankings later in the week for any changes. Good luck.

  14. ↓ Post By grh1988

    Thoughts on Marvin Jones? I don’t seem him on the cheat sheet. Do you think this would be a good week to grab him or just wait and see?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      grh1988-

      Marvin Jones is on the cheat sheet. Go back and look at the bottom tier of WR. Depending on your roster space and/or who is available on your wire- yes Jones could be a decent add and hold. Good luck. We would def drop some trash of the bottom of our bench for a speculative hold.

  15. ↓ Post By Elbenino

    Debating on starting the Texans D vs Dallas or Rolling with the Packers at home against my Vikings

    The D’s available on waivers are Buffalo, NYG, JEts, Falcons or Vikings

    My gut says stick with JJ Watt, but if Bridgewater doesn’t play that leaves Ponder to play

    Decisions Decisions…

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Elbenino-

      Prob rolling with Packers here if Ponder gets the start. Good luck

  16. ↓ Post By willywill325

    I was offered a trade today reggie wayne and rashad Jennings for justin hunter and levonn bell.

    I currently own Patterson, Johnson, Marvin jones, hunter, stevie smith. My rbs are McCoy, Bell, Ellington, and Khiry Robinson. Is this a good offer? I’m in a standard leauge.

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      willywill325-

      Yes, this is a good offer. Is that stevie johnson and andre johnson, or is that Steve Johnson and Steve Smith? Either, way you could use the WR help- we would probably do it. We do not see Jennings has much of a downgrade if any form LeVeon + you already have McCoy who is bound to bounce back- you will have two high end RB1 no matter what. Wayne is a huge upgrade over Hunter. Good luck.

  17. ↓ Post By imbubba

    should I drop Fitzgerald and add t. williams (already have benjamin,juliojones, goldent tate) just having a hard time thinking fitz is going to get going here but I know AZ has an easy upcoming schedule for WR
    (1 point per 10yds, 6pts per td)

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      imbubba-

      Very close- I think we hold Fitz just in case- your WR are already pretty damn good. Good luck.

  18. ↓ Post By serpent_89

    I’m in a 12 team standard league holding a 2-2 record. I need 2 RBs of these 4.
    Rashad Jennings
    Doug Martin
    Darren Sproles
    Shane Vereen
    Jeremy Hill
    Currently planning on Jennings and Martin, but was thinking Sproles might have the better matchup. What do you think?

    Also, I have C. Patterson, P. Harvin and K. Benjamin for my starting WRs. Hester, John Brown, Steve Johnson and Wheaton are on the waiver wire. Would you consider dropping Hill or Vereen for one of those?

  19. ↓ Post By Downtown

    In a 10-team, non PPR, would you pick up Branden Oliver, Denard Robinson or Antone Smith as an RB6 or RB7 for Leg Blount or Shonn Greene?

    Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      I’d pick up Robinson for Blount.

  20. ↓ Post By lutherball

    Guys,

    Im holding MJD — where would you rank him on your WW cheat sheet?

    THX

  21. ↓ Post By bethany2377

    Hi Guys,

    Someone in my league dropped Knowshon Moreno this week. Should I drop Bernard Pierce for him? Pierce doesn’t have a nice schedule for the next four weeks, but I don’t know if I’m being premature in grabbing Moreno. I could also drop Knile Davis (I also have Jamaal Charles). Thoughts?

    1. ↓ Post By Dorian Colbert

      Pierce is droppable for Moreno. I definitely don’t feel comfortable starting him.

      1. ↓ Post By bethany2377

        Thanks!

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