Week 5 Waiver Wire: This Week's Fantasy Football Pickups

After not getting any carries in the first three games of the season, Torain had 19 carries for 135 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in Week 4.

That kind of performance means he has re-entered the mix in the Redskins’ backfield, and the fact he is a favorite of head coach Mike Shanahan going back to their days together in Denver makes him an intriguing fantasy option going forward.

Washington has a bye in Week 5, but Torain is well worth adding in all leagues and is likely to be widely available due to his invisibility at the start of the season.

Consider Adding In: 10-team, 12-team and 14-team leagues

Stevan Ridley (New England Patriots)

Ridley had 10 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown along with one catch for three yards against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. He has led the Patriots in rushing yards (139 total) in each of the last two games.

The Patriots are likely to continue to use a dreaded committee approach in the backfield, but the rookie has earned a role going forward and stands to be hard to keep off the field if given the opportunity to play.

As bye weeks become a big factor over the next six weeks or so, Ridley will be worth stashing as a speculative free-agent addition with some upside potential.

Consider Adding In: 12-team and 14-team leagues

Eric Decker (Denver Broncos)

Decker had five catches (on 10 targets) for 56 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 and now has 20 receptions (on 37 targets) through four games.

He clearly has a role opposite Brandon Lloyd. The Broncos’ bad defense is likely to make a pass-happy offense a virtual necessity.

Week 5 against the San Diego Chargers stands to again mean a potential big game for Decker, as the Chargers have allowed at least 12 receptions to opposing wide receivers in each of the last three games.

We have recommended him in this space before, but Decker is still available in nearly one-third of Fleaflicker leagues right now.

Consider Adding In: 12-team and 14-team leagues

Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Brown had five receptions for 67 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 4, as he was also targeted 10 times in the game. He now has 13 catches for 209 yards over the last three games and has emerged as the Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver—ahead of Hines Ward and Emmanuel Sanders.

Brown could have another good performance in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed 20 receptions to the Cleveland Browns wide receivers in Week 4 and 33 receptions to the position over the past two weeks.

The fact that Brown has yet to find the end zone this season is cause for some concern, but that is not enough to significantly dampen his upward-trending fantasy value. Owners in need of a bye-week replacement over the next few weeks would do well to give him a look.

Consider Adding In: 12-team and 14-team leagues

Week 5 Quarterback Rankings

Week 5 Waiver Wire - 20 Guys Worth A Roster Spot