Week 11 NFL Moneyline Underdogs
Mike Randle
The bye weeks have arrived around the NFL, which is even more difficult to handle when you consider how many key injuries there have been so far during the fantasy football season.
At FTN Fantasy, we have a Waiver Wire Tool that ranks the top waiver adds of the week, while also recommending the amount of FAAB you should use on each player. And every Tuesday, I’ll break down the top five players listed in the tool, giving you the best case for each highly ranked player. With all of the key injuries impacting fantasy rosters, being able to add key players off waivers is as crucial as ever.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5
1. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Yahoo 61%, ESPN 55%
Hopefully you didn’t drop him, but because Zack Moss had been operating as the clear lead running back for the Bengals through Weeks 1-3, I understand if people were impatient and dropped Chase Brown. After slowly getting more and more work each week, Brown finally cut into Moss’ role this past Sunday, carrying the ball 15 times for 80 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of which came from the goal line. Brown logged season-highs in snap share (40%) and touches (17) and appears to be set to make this, at worst, a 50/50 split in Cincinnati. There was always a chance Brown emerged as the RB1 due to the fact that he’s much more explosive than Moss, who also has an injury history.
2. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
Yahoo! 14%, ESPN 10%
A popular sleeper entering the year, Wicks didn’t do much until this past weekend. Christian Watson left with a high-ankle sprain and Wicks stepped up, hauling in 5-of-13 targets for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In eight career games with Watson sidelined, Wicks is averaging just under 11 PPR points per game. And if you look at the four career games where he’s logged at least 65% of the snaps, Wicks is averaging 5.2 receptions, 70.2 receiving yards, one touchdown and 18.2 PPR points per contest.
3. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yahoo! 52%, ESPN 52%
Somehow, Irving is still out there in almost half of leagues. He once again cut into Rachaad White’s workload Sunday, tying him in carries (10) and playing a season-high 42% of the snaps. Last week, the Bucs told us that the rookie would get more opportunities going forward and he’s done nothing to change that, even scoring a short-yardage touchdown against the Eagles. White will still have a clear role in the passing game but there’s no debate who has been the more efficient running back in Tampa Bay.
4. Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Yahoo! 55%, ESPN 44%
We’re now four weeks into the season, and Darnold is probably the MVP favorite. He’s top five in the league in EPA/dropback and comfortably leads the NFL in touchdown passes (11). With Jalen Hurts and Jared Goff on bye this week, Darnold is the logical choice off waivers, especially after getting Jordan Addison back last week.
5. Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Yahoo! 31%, ESPN 34%
With the Steelers finally forced to throw last week, Fields showcased that immense fantasy upside, throwing for 312 yards and a touchdown, adding 55 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. He’s playing well this season and should continue to provide a very strong weekly floor.
Check the FTN Waiver Wire Tool for the full Week 5 waiver wire advice.
