Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season was headlined by some high-flying offenses and a few unbelievably-bad defenses. Close nail-biting matchups and game-winning field goals were a major theme of Sunday’s slate of contests. And, relatively speaking, many fantasy football superstars delivered on their expectations. This week was one that brought a sense of final understanding to many fantasy managers.
Lines have been drawn in the sand: you’re either competing, or you’re not. And if you’re not, change must occur swiftly and with decisiveness. If your fantasy football team is in dire need of a win, it’s time to make a serious move to put yourself in contention for your league championship.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is by adding a player who could fill a position of need from the waiver wire. For example, tight end has been one of the most volatile positions in the game this year in terms of statistical production. If you have a consistent tight end in fantasy football, which at this point is an oxymoron, it’s been a major help to have a dependable extra contributor in your weekly lineup.
Taking a chance on a player like tight end Tucker Kraft could pay off in the end. If he becomes a consistent part of the weekly gameplan in Green Bay, you could be looking at a consistent start at the tight end position, and you didn’t even have to use a draft selection on him at the start of the year. Anyways, let’s get to this week’s list of waiver wire targets. I hope you have a good tight end by next week.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins - ATL
Atlanta’s new quarterback turned in one of the best performances of his career on Thursday night against Tampa Bay in what was an early candidate for the best candidate of the 2024 NFL season. Cousins also made his mark as the first quarterback this season to throw for more than 500 passing yards. After a game like that, it’s looking more like this Falcons offense will run through the passing game.
In terms of fantasy production, Cousins produced an elite performance. In an era where scrambling quarterbacks seem to steal the limelight in fantasy football, Cousins reminded us that a traditional pocket-passer can provide real value if they’re given enough volume. And trust me, there was no shortage of volume for him on Thursday as he logged 58 passing attempts. If your roster is missing a consistent presence at the quarterback position, Cousins presents immediate volume and value.
Caleb Williams - CHI
Facing a poor Carolina defense, the first-overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft pieced together an extremely promising outing. Williams passed for over 300 yards and tacked on 34 more on the ground. He also tossed a pair of scores on his way to a 36-10 victory on Sunday. Chicago’s offense is beginning to use their weapons to their full potential, which is a great sign for fantasy managers, even if they’ve had some pretty favorable matchups over the last few weeks.
Williams will only get better, and it’s an exciting prospect that he’s begun to eclipse high-yardage marks while also putting his rushing ability to good use. As Williams becomes more comfortable in Chicago’s offense, he could continue to put up good fantasy performances. For now, it’s a good idea to stash Williams on your fantasy team in case he has a breakout game.
HM: Trevor Lawrence - JAX
Running Backs
Tank Bigsby - JAX
Bigsby was the true definition of a breakout running back in Week 5. It appears that the former Auburn Tiger has created a real competition for the starting role in Jacksonville. After averaging almost thirteen yards per carry in Week 4, Tank Bigsby produced over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while averaging over seven yards per carry. Bigsby has been extremely efficient in his sophomore season up to this point and the bruising runner could end up as the Jaguars’ starting back over the next few weeks. It seems as though Tank Bigsby is finally becoming the back that Jacksonville drafted him to be.
The second-year running back had a monster day on the ground against Indianapolis. This performance, when contrasted to his poor rookie campaign, shows us that he has improved drastically as a player. It should also be stated that Bigsby out-snapped fellow Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. It wasn’t by much, but nonetheless, this backfield could continue to split as the season progresses.
He is absolutely worth a waiver pickup. Think of this situation as similar to the backfield in Tampa Bay. Rookie Bucky Irving earned more snaps after showing good efficiency on the ground, something that fellow Tampa Bay running back Rachaad White has struggled with. If we’ve learned anything so far, it’s that the distribution of carries in an NFL backfield can change in the matter of weeks. Stash Tank Bigsby for the weeks ahead.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Tyrone Tracy Jr - NYG
After usual starter Devin Singletary was declared out, it seemed as though the Giants would be turning to running back Eric Gray to lead the charge out of the backfield during Sunday’s win over Seattle. However, after a goal-line fumble from Gray that was recovered for a Seattle touchdown, New York turned to rookie Tyrone Tracy in hopes of an offensive spark. It’s fair to say they received it after Tracy rumbled for 129 rushing yards off of 18 carries against a solid Seahawks defense.
This seems to be yet another case of a young running back showing tremendous efficiency, allowing their team to default to the hot hand in the backfield. Tracy proved to be too much for the defense and had a great day on the ground. In 2024, starter Devin Singletary has struggled with efficiency and fumbling. If Tracy continues to have solid outings, you may end up wishing you had added him to your fantasy team sooner rather than later.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
HM: Roschon Johnson - CHI
Wide Receivers
Alec Pierce - IND
Alec Pierce put together another breakout performance against Jacksonville on Sunday. He’s emerged as the top deep-threat on this Colts offense and is leading the league in yards per reception with a mark of 28.3. Pierce has been an integral part of the offense in Indianapolis since the start of the 2024 season, and it seems as though he’s capable of producing with both Joe Flacco and Anthony Richardson at quarterback.
This is already Alec Pierce’s second outing of 120+ receiving yards of 2024 and he just scored his third touchdown of the season. The young receiver is skilled at making big plays and is obviously able to produce some seriously elite fantasy football performances. As long as he remains a big-play threat, he’s worth rostering. It doesn’t seem like such a fluke anymore. He should become a more consistent piece of this offense, even after Anthony Richardson returns. Pierce has become one of the NFL’s premiere deep-ball receivers.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Tutu Atwell - LAR
Tutu Atwell continues to produce while the Rams’ top two wideouts are held out of games with injuries. He has obvious chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford and has been extremely consistent ever since his role increased after the injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. His targets have increased with each passing week this season, and at this point, he’s a viable option and waiver wire pickup until the Rams get their starters back.
Atwell has been dependable so far, and if your fantasy team is in a jam with bye weeks or injuries, he’s a solid option to move forward with. He’s already shown the ability to be a solid spot-start when given the chance. He’s worth rostering in this high-volume passing offense.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
HM: Ray-Ray McCloud - ATL
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin - NYJ
Tyler Conklin continues to be heavily involved in the New York passing game. This Sunday, he showed that he is still a good option at tight end even when wideouts Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard have solid production. Conklin has had 17 targets over the last two games and it’s obvious that he has a connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a world where consistent tight end production is hard to come by, Tyler Conklin presents undeniable upside as a starting tight end.
On Sunday, he posted season-highs in targets and receptions. His fantasy prospects continue to trend up as his involvement appears to be somewhat independent of the production of the rest of the offense. Conklin has top-15 positional upside and should be rostered in most fantasy football leagues.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Tucker Kraft - GB
Tucker Kraft put up his second straight phenomenal fantasy performance. He's drawn fourteen targets and scored three touchdowns over the last two weeks and it appears as though he won’t be facing much competition from fellow Packers tight end Luke Musgrave in the passing game.
Quarterback Jordan Love is a high-volume passer, and if Kraft has a real chance at being the second option in this Green Bay passing game, he immediately has elite upside at the tight end position. If Tucker Kraft wasn’t rostered before this week in your fantasy league, he certainly will be now. Put in a waiver claim for him while you have the chance.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
HM: Jonnu Smith - MIA