Waiver Wire Week 5: Top Pickups, Drops and Expert Analysis

With four weeks behind us, you've likely made changes to both your personal depth chart and starting lineup, which means you could be scouring the waiver wire for more than just an injury replacement.

The running back position won't provide you with many options this week, but it will offer arguably the best player with the most long-term value in Duke Johnson of the Cleveland Browns.

If you're looking for a quarterback, you may cringe at the idea of picking up Chicago Bear Jay Cutler, but you may be intrigued at the bounce-back performance of Philadelphia Eagle Sam Bradford. Streaming quarterbacks shouldn't be a major concern this week with the New England Patriots' Tom Brady and the Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota back from their byes.

The tight end position has cooled off after a strong start, so if you're struggling to find a solid starter for Week 5, look to the Denver Broncos' Owen Daniels, who has the best matchup a tight end can possibly have this season.

Other than Johnson, you likely won't find many game-changing options out there this week, so tread carefully and wisely in this look through the waiver wire.

Quarterbacks

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Sam Bradford, Philadelphia

Percent Owned: ESPN – 50.1, Yahoo – 63

If you gave up on Bradford after just three weeks, you missed out on his best game as a Philadelphia Eagle, albeit in a loss to the Washington Redskins. It took him a half to get going, but Bradford ended up throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover and added 14 yards on his only carry.

Downfield passing has been an issue for Bradford and the Eagles, but he ended up with completions of at least 30 yards to four different players, although it would have been better if the three touchdowns he threw went to fantasy-relevant players instead of wide receiver Riley Cooper, wide receiver Miles Austin and tight end Brent Celek.

The Eagles take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. New Orleans held the Buccaneers and Cowboys under 250 passing yards in Weeks 2 and 4 but allowed 300-plus yards to the Cardinals and Panthers in Weeks 1 and 3. This is an average matchup for Bradford, so he should have a chance to build on his solid Week 4 performance.

Week 5 Projection: 255-265 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns

Jay Cutler, Chicago 

Percent Owned: ESPN – 12.5, Yahoo – 25

Are you surprised to see Cutler's name as a prospective addition to your fantasy team? I would be too, and I'd also understand if you're moving right onto the next player since Cutler has burned so many fantasy players in the past. However, if you need help at quarterback, he's worth looking into this week.

Cutler wasn't even expected to play heading into last weekend, but the hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 3 wasn't bad enough to keep him out for a second game and wasn't a factor in his play. He threw for 281 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a comeback win over the Oakland Raiders.

He'll have a chance at another good outing against the porous Kansas City Chiefs pass defense in Week 5. The Chiefs have allowed quarterbacks to throw for 320-plus yards in three games and 11 touchdowns on the season. While they've faced stiff competition most of the way, the Bears won't make it easy, especially if wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returns from the hamstring injury that's kept him out for the last three games.

Week 5 Projection: 250-260 yards, 2 touchdowns

Alex Smith, Kansas City

Percent Owned: ESPN – 26.3, Yahoo – 25

If you're a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, you have plenty to gripe about when it comes to both the offense and defense, but it's the latter that's given a boost to Smith's fantasy value. Because the Chiefs have had trouble stopping opposing offenses through the air, Smith has been tasked with throwing more and has done so with some success.

Over the last two games, Smith has completed 55 of 95 attempts for 676 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He's also run for at least 15 yards in each game this season, including 58 total yards in his last two games. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin has been a helpful addition, and even though he hasn't been involved enough, tight end Travis Kelce is still a matchup nightmare.

Smith and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears in Week 5. Chicago has kept three of its four opponents under 200 passing yards but has allowed 10 passing touchdowns. It's not a scary matchup, and with the way Kansas City's defense has played, Smith might need another big week through the air.

Week 5 Projection: 255-265 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns; 25 rushing yards

Droppable Players: Ryan Tannehill

Running Backs

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Duke Johnson, Cleveland

Percent Owned: ESPN – 49.5, Yahoo – 31

The only running back in Cleveland I felt had legit, long-term fantasy value was Johnson, but a slow start to the season had many abandoning the hype train, as evidenced by Johnson's ownership numbers after Week 4. Those numbers will be on the rise following his breakout performance against the San Diego Chargers.

He hauled in nine of 10 targets for 85 yards and his first career touchdown in the loss to San Diego. After not registering a single target in the first two weeks, Johnson has 15 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets in the last two games. His rushing numbers haven't been strong (31 carries, 99 yards), but if his involvement as a receiver continues, he'll have enough value to be a solid RB3/flex option going forward.

Adding Johnson is more than just a short-term move, but if you're looking at his possible numbers for this week's game, it's an average matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. They have given up nearly five receptions a game to running backs, which certainly works in Johnson's favor. Be happy if you snag him off the waiver wire because I guarantee you won't be throwing him back anytime soon.

Week 5 Projection: 7 carries, 24 yards; 5 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown

Antonio Andrews, Tennessee

Percent Owned: ESPN – 6.7, Yahoo – 9

There's a good chance Andrews is still available heading into Week 5 coming off a bye in Week 4. His ownership percentages have risen slightly, but because he wasn't a hot name and didn't play last week, you could have another chance to scoop him up.

In Week 3, Andrews was on the field for 28 percent of the snaps, which was less than running back Dexter McCluster (44 percent) but more than Bishop Sankey (22 percent). Has Sankey fallen out of favor already? It certainly looks like it. Andrews ran for 49 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and added a reception for 12 yards on two targets.

A hamstring injury kept Andrews out of action for the first two weeks, but his importance to the team was on full display in Week 3. He's a prime candidate to lead this team on the ground going forward and will get another chance at home against the Buffalo Bills this week. As up-and-down as the Bills have been, they've held opposing running backs under 100 rushing yards in three of four games. 

Week 5 Projection: 15 carries, 62 yards; 1 reception, 8 yards

Christine Michael, Dallas

Percent Owned: ESPN - 7.2, Yahoo - 9

Michael was active for the Dallas Cowboys for the first time in Week 4, but he saw his only snap and only carry go for minus-one yard in a key play late in game.

His role is expected to become more important after the team lost running back Lance Dunbar for the season to a knee injury. Executive vice president Stephen Jones is looking for Michael to "step up" and "play a role," per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

Michael is likely still behind running backs Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden, but he could start cutting into their touches and snaps as early as this week against the New England Patriots. Still, he shouldn't be going into fantasy lineups with confidence just yet.

Week 5 Projection: 5 carries, 18 yards

Droppable Players: Lance Dunbar, Knile Davis, Joique Bell, Bilal Powell

Wide Receivers

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Leonard Hankerson, Atlanta

Percent Owned: ESPN – 13.6, Yahoo – 19

When talking about the Atlanta Falcons' receiving corps, the majority of attention goes to Julio Jones, and rightfully so. But if you're looking to get another piece of this passing game, the name you want is Hankerson, not veteran Roddy White.

For the season, Hankerson has racked up 17 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 28 targets. In Week 4, he led the way with six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown on eight targets and outsnapped White 68 percent to 65 percent. White has just six receptions for 92 yards on 13 targets for the season.

An increased role in the offense for Hankerson could make sense, even if it's coming at the expense of White. Speaking of the Redskins, Hankerson faces his old team at the Georgia Dome in Week 5. The Redskins gave up 10 receptions, 237 yards and two touchdowns to the Philadelphia Eagles' wide receivers last week.

Week 5 Projection: 5 receptions, 73 yards

Rueben Randle, NYG

Percent Owned: ESPN – 36.8, Yahoo – 38

Randle failed to come through with significant fantasy numbers in the first two games of the season but has rebounded to get back on the radar heading into Week 5. Following seven receptions, 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 facing against the Washington Redskins, Randle posted three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.

Opposing defenses will always pay more attention to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., so Randle should get more chances to contribute, and the team needs that, especially after running back Shane Vereen failed to post a reception in the last two games. 

The Giants host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5, so Randle won't have a tough matchup against their defense. The 49ers held Green Bay Packers wide receivers to just 13 receptions, 157 yards and no touchdowns in a loss. As the second option in the passing game of an offense with a shaky rushing attack, Randle should remain moderately busy, including this week.

Week 5 Projection: 4 receptions, 51 yards

Allen Hurns, Jacksonville

Percent Owned: ESPN – 11.3, Yahoo – 19

It's hard to get too excited about Hurns as a fantasy prospect, but I can't deny his production to start the season. He's had double-digit fantasy points in points-per-reception formats for each of his first four games and at least 60 yards in each matchup. 

Hurns had a massive game against the Indianapolis Colts in a loss Sunday. With wide receiver Allen Robinson tied up with cornerback Vontae Davis for most of the game, Hurns took advantage of the rest of the beatable Colts defense by catching 11 of 15 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Because I'm having trouble trusting quarterback Blake Bortles and because Robinson is the more talented player, I'm not rushing to put Hurns in my lineup every week, but I am thinking about using him against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. The Bucs have been mediocre against wide receivers so far, so there's no concern with the matchup.

Week 5 Projection: 5 receptions, 69 yards

Kamar Aiken, Baltimore

Percent Owned: ESPN – 0.7, Yahoo – 2

When you look at those ownership numbers, it probably makes you wonder why Aiken is worth an addition on a team that's 1-3 and looking like it's on life support heading into Week 5.

Aiken gets the bump because veteran wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. reportedly suffered broken ribs in the Week 4 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. In that game, Aiken led the team with five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. For the season, he has just 11 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets, so you can see what Smith's injury did for Aiken's increased role in the offense.

Because Smith is already out for Week 5 and the team is not sure if it will have tight end Crockett Gillmore (calf) back, Aiken becomes that much more important to the passing game. The Ravens are as weak as it gets in the receiving corps, but you'd much rather add Aiken than Chris Givens, who Baltimore acquired from the St. Louis Rams following its Week 4 matchup.

The Ravens host the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, and Aiken could get a break if top cornerback Joe Haden (finger/ribs) has to sit out once again. The Browns have allowed six touchdowns to wide receivers this season and have given up 200-plus yards to receivers in each of their last two games.

Week 5 Projection: 6 receptions, 72 yards, 1 touchdown

Droppable Players: Charles Johnson, Roddy White, Andre Johnson, Brandon Coleman, Marques Colston, Markus Wheaton

Tight Ends

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Owen Daniels, Denver

Percent Owned: ESPN – 44.8, Yahoo – 54

If you haven't learned it by now, starting a tight end against the Oakland Raiders will pay off with solid-to-strong fantasy production. The Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Eifert had nine receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, and the Baltimore Ravens' Crockett Gillmore followed that with five receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. 

Week 3 was a great test of the theory and may have been the performance to prove just how bad the Raiders are against tight ends. The Cleveland Browns' Gary Barnidge, who never had more than 13 receptions, 242 yards or two touchdowns in a season, posted six receptions for 105 yards and touchdown. The Chicago Bears' Martellus Bennett got them for 11 receptions, 83 yards and a score Sunday.

That brings us to Daniels. He has just 12 catches for 61 yards on the season, but he's found the end zone in each of his last two games. You know Daniels and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning have already discussed exploiting a defense that's the absolute worst against tight ends, so Daniels looks like a legitimate starting option for Week 5.

Week 5 Projection: 4 receptions, 35 yards, 1 touchdown

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis

Percent Owned: ESPN – 16.4, Yahoo – 23

When Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is out with an injury, there's less competition for Fleener to get targets, and that's been the case the last two weeks. Fleener has 13 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets without Allen available. In his first two games with Allen, Fleener had just one reception for five yards on his only target. Are we sensing a pattern?

The Colts hope to have quarterback Andrew Luck back from a shoulder injury that kept him out of Week 4 but will have to decide quickly since they meet the Houston Texans on Thursday night to kick off Week 5.

Houston gave up 12 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns facing Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen in the first two weeks but hasn't faced much competition from the position against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons the last two weeks. With or without Luck, Fleener should still have a chance at another productive game if Allen's ankle injury keeps him out for a third straight week.

Week 5 Projection: 5 receptions, 55 yards

Droppable Players: Vernon Davis, Heath Miller

Defenses

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars

Percent Owned: ESPN – 0.8, Yahoo – 1

With the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meeting in Week 5, the Jaguars could be an under-the-radar fantasy defense to grab off the waiver wire.

Besides running into the juggernaut that is the New England Patriots and giving up 51 points in Week 3, the Jaguars have held their other three opponents to a total of 56 points, which is actually 50 points since the Panthers scored a defensive touchdown in Week 1. On the season, they've racked up nine sacks, including three Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Buccaneers have given up nine sacks, and Jameis Winston has already thrown seven interceptions, including four last week, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Not only is the matchup in Jacksonville's favor, but the Jaguars are also a decent unit that can get to the quarterback.

Week 5 Projection: 2 interceptions, 3 sacks, 18-22 points allowed

Kickers

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona

Percent Owned: ESPN – 32.8, Yahoo – 21 

Catanzaro came into Week 4 with just two field goals but 16 extra points. He added just one more extra point in Week 4 but hit all five of his field-goal attempts as the only real source of points for the Cardinals in their loss to the Rams.

Look for them to bounce back when they head to Detroit to face the winless Lions in Week 5. Arizona's scoring should pick back up, but if the offense stalls, Catanzaro shouldn't have much trouble kicking inside Ford Field.

Cairo Santos, Kansas City

Percent Owned: ESPN – 2.9, Yahoo – 3

In Week 4, Santos came up one short of the NFL record for most field goals in a game, as he converted all seven of his attempts in a loss for the Kansas City Chiefs to the Bengals in Cincinnati. He provided the only points for a Kansas City team that's had a lot of trouble finishing drives with scores. 

Of course, having a good but not great offense isn't a bad thing for a kicker, and you can expect more of the same in Week 5 when the Chiefs host the Chicago Bears. Santos may not make another run at the NFL record, but with the way Kansas City's offense has looked, the field-goal opportunities will be there.

Robbie Gould, Chicago

Percent Owned: ESPN – 25.9, Yahoo – 18

Not only did Gould bounce back from getting blanked in Week 3, but he was also able to hit the game-winning field goal to beat the Oakland Raiders in Week 4. He now has three games with three field goals and is one of just four kickers who are still perfect with at least nine field-goal attempts.

Chicago's offense got a boost from the return of quarterback Jay Cutler last week and could get wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) back this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have been terrible at defending the pass and couldn't keep the Cincinnati Bengals running backs out of the end zone (four touchdowns) Sunday.

Gould is a reliable kicker on a team that's given him plenty of chances early in the season, and that's really all you can ask for, especially if you're plucking him off the waiver wire.

Fantasy leaders provided by NFL.com. Targets provided by ESPN.com. Snap counts provided by ProFootballFocus.com.