Waiver Wire Week 5: Stat Projections for Top Fantasy Pickups and Sleepers
Injuries create opportunities in the NFL. When one player goes down hurt, another gets a chance to step in and fill that role for the time being. If they perform well while filling in, their time on the field could increase even when the injured player returns.
Through four weeks of the 2022 season, some notable players are dealing with injuries. That's a bad thing for the fantasy football managers who have them on their roster. And that's why it's important for those managers to try to find potential replacements on the waiver wire.
Because of these injuries, there are likely some solid fill-in players who may be on your league's waiver wire. If that's the case, they should be picked up, rostered and possibly even inserted into your lineup for Week 5.
Here's a look at several top waiver-wire targets who could fare well this week.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Miami Dolphins
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It isn't clear when Tua Tagovailoa will be back under center for the Dolphins, as the quarterback is sidelined with a concussion. But it won't be in Week 5, as he's already been ruled out for Miami's game against the New York Jets on Sunday.
In Tagovailoa's place will be veteran Teddy Bridgewater, who took over midway through the Dolphins' Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He had a solid showing, too, going 14-for-23 for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Bridgewater has had some strong performances over his eight-year NFL career. Now, he'll be throwing to a talented group of wide receivers that includes Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so Bridgewater should put up some good numbers for however long he's the starter.
Expect a capable performance from Bridgewater in Week 5, making him a start-worthy QB if you're in need of one.
Projection: 284 yards and three touchdowns
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Tyler Allgeier's NFL career got off to a slow start as he adjusted to the league. Through three weeks, the Falcons rookie running back had only 16 carries for 55 yards and one reception for five yards. So he wasn't a viable fantasy option while blocked on the depth chart by Cordarrelle Patterson.
But Patterson was dealing with a knee injury in Week 4. Allgeier helped fill in and had 104 total yards on only 11 touches. Now, Patterson has been placed on injured reserve, so Allgeier and Caleb Huntley will continue to get more opportunities in the interim.
Allgeier showed his upside last week, and he could build off that performance in the Falcons' Week 5 road contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a challenging matchup, but Allgeier could get enough volume that he'll be a decent flex play for fantasy managers.
At some point soon, Allgeier should get into the end zone for his first career touchdown. And if Atlanta can get some offensive momentum going on Sunday, it could come then.
Projection: 54 yards and a touchdown
Josh Reynolds, WR, Detroit Lions
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The Lions' receiving corps has been banged up of late, as they were without two of their top playmakers (Amon-Ra St. Brown and D.J. Chark Jr.) during their Week 4 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, Detroit is still leading the NFL in points (35) and total yards (436.8) per game.
Josh Reynolds has been a big contributor to that, particularly of late. In four games, he has 17 catches for 243 yards and two touchdowns, getting into the end zone in two of the past three weeks.
If St. Brown and/or Chark miss any more time, Reynolds will be a strong receiver to start in fantasy lineups. But even if they're all on the field, Reynolds could still be a viable option after proving he can put up solid numbers in the Lions' most recent contests.
So, pick up Reynolds now and then monitor Detroit's injury report throughout the week. It could be a move that pays dividends, given the Lions' high-powered offense may not slow down against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Projection: 64 yards and a touchdown
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