2014 Fantasy Football: Predicting Week 5 Waiver-Wire Breakouts

Looking to stay ahead of the curve and scout potential Week 5 waiver-wire breakouts in your fantasy football league before they happen?

The players listed in this slideshow could prove to be a good primer.

The following players are unowned in many leagues but face favorable matchups this week.

While there is some inherent risk with a few of these individuals (they are unowned in so many leagues for a reason), they also have many things going in their favor.

Here are the five players, ranked in order of fantasy relevance, who may break out in Week 5.

5. Clay Harbor, Jacksonville Jaguars

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If you're in a pinch at tight end, you may want to try on Clay Harbor for size.

While not immensely talented, Harbor is a guy new quarterback Blake Bortles is learning to lean on, especially with Marcedes Lewis out last week (and out for a while more, per Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union).

Bortles targeted Harbor eight times, and the tight end hauled in all of those targets en route to recording 70 yards.

Not too shabby.

Bortles is just beginning to grasp the nuances and intricacies of the NFL, and he will likely rely on Harbor as a security blanket.

This week, the Jaguars will be up against a vulnerable Pittsburgh Steelers defense,, which has allowed three scores to tight ends this year. As such, Harbor could get loose for a few big plays and could be a guy Bortles looks to in the red zone.

Keep him on your radar. 

4. Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

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After rushing for 25 yards on nine carries and registering three catches for seven receiving yards last week against the San Diego Chargers, Denard Robinson could be forcing his way into more playing time in Jacksonville.

Granted, those numbers are not exactly inspiring. However, if given a platform to showcase his skills, Robinson could start to draw the attention of fantasy players. Given how bad Toby Gerhart has struggled this year, averaging a measly 2.6 yards per carry, the Jaguars may be more inclined to see what Robinson can do.

The former Michigan quarterback is great in open spaces, so look for Jacksonville to get him more involved in the offense going forward.

Robinson is particularly valuable in points-per-reception leagues, and his matchup vs. Pittsburgh this week is not exactly daunting, especially considering the troubles the Steelers have had on defense.

He could be a wanted man come Monday. 

3. Branden Oliver, San Diego Chargers

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Like in the case of Robinson with the Jaguars, the Chargers could also be looking to mix it up at running back given the struggles of Donald Brown, who is averaging a pathetic 2.0 yards per carry.

Enter Branden Oliver.

Oliver did not blow up by any means last week against the Jaguars, recording just 23 yards on nine carries while catching four passes for 43 yards. However, his change-of-pace style could be preferred by the Chargers this week against a stout New York Jets rush defense.

Look for the Chargers to get him the ball in open spaces, while limiting Brown against this tough front seven.

While he won't wow you, Oliver could be the back the Chargers lean on for the foreseeable future—at least until they get back the services of Ryan Mathews.

You shouldn't expect a huge game from Oliver against the Jets, but he very well could be the back with the best numbers after Sunday's game.

2. Darrin Reaves, Carolina Panthers

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Almost entirely by default, Darrin Reaves is now the de facto No. 1 back for the Carolina Panthers.

With injuries to DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart (who is questionable for Sunday's game) and Mike Tolbert, Reaves looks like he'll be the guy to get the bulk of the carries against the Chicago Bears this Sunday.

Like other running backs on this list, Reaves isn't exactly making the most of his carries at the moment.

Last week against the Baltimore Ravens, he had just 26 yards rushing on 12 carries. However, that was against a tough Baltimore run defense.

This week, Reaves will be up against a mediocre Bears rush defense, which is currently allowing 122.5 rushing yards per game. That ranks 22nd in the NFL.

If Reaves has a breakout performance, he'll most definitely be a hot name off the waiver wire next week. 

1. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

It looks like all systems go for Odell Beckham Jr.'s debut when the New York Giants take on the Atlanta Falcons this week.

According to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, Tom Coughlin and the Giants are all set for Beckham to be thrown into the fire.

With him set to make his debut, this may be the time to stay ahead of the curve and pick him up. The No. 12 pick in last April's NFL draft, Beckham has speed to burn. With Eli Manning now fully grasping the new offense being implemented by offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, the rookie wideout could be in line for a few targets come Sunday.

The Falcons rank 30th in the league in receiving yards (1,131) allowed, and with most of their attention going toward Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and new tight end sensation Larry Donnell, Beckham could conceivably make an instant impact in single coverage.

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