Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire must-adds

There were plenty of letdowns and injuries to go around in Week 4 of the NFL season. Every Tuesday, we will dive into a handful of the top fantasy football pickups available that week and why they could be of value for fantasy owners looking to give their teams an extra boost.

Here are the top waiver-wire adds for Week 5:

1. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions (rostered in 9% of fantasy leagues)

While Williams will likely be on a snap count in his first week back from his gambling-related suspension, he’s worth snatching up now before he starts to get on a roll and everyone starts putting in waiver claims for him. Williams is a playmaker with blazing speed who’s a true deep threat, something the Lions’ passing game has been missing.

Detroit ranks 22nd in pass attempts per game, but Jared Goff hasn’t had much of a supporting cast to throw to outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (Josh Reynolds has played admirably, but he’s not on Williams’ level). As Williams works into the mix and becomes more comfortable, don’t be surprised if Goff starts going off and the Lions have a top-five passing offense.

2. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (rostered in 37% of fantasy leagues)
Even when Tee Higgins was healthy, Boyd had more receptions (17 to 12) and nearly as many targets (27 to 32) and yards (127 to 129) as Cincy’s No. 2 receiver. Now that Higgins will miss some time with rib fractures, Boyd should see an even bigger spike in production.

The Bengals throw the ball 70% of the time, and Boyd’s had seven or more targets and four or more receptions in each of the last three games. There’s no reason to believe those numbers won’t go up if Ja’Marr Chase sees more double teams with Higgins out of the lineup.

3. Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers (rostered in 24% of fantasy leagues)

Doubs has flown under the radar a bit this year, but he ranks in the top 15 of the league in targets (33) and he’s tied for the second-most touchdown catches (three). He’s also nearly halfway to his reception and yardage totals from last season in nine fewer games.

The 23-year-old wideout leads the Packers in all receiving categories and he’s been Jordan Love’s go-to target in every game this year. With Christian Watson working his way back from an injury that kept him out the first three weeks, Doubs should still see the lion’s share of targets for at least a few more games.

4. Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (rostered in 57% of fantasy leagues)

As bad as Wilson was last year under Nathaniel Hackett, that’s how good he’s been this year under Sean Payton. He ranks second in touchdowns (nine), third in passer rating (106.7) and ninth in passing yards (1,014), including two games with 300 or more yards and two with three or more touchdowns.

Wilson is averaging 253 yards passing per game, nearly 20 yards more per game than what he averaged last year, and he’s got one of the best WR trios in the league to throw to in Jerry Jeudy (11 receptions, 158 yards), Courtland Sutton (20 receptions, 216 yards, three touchdowns) and Marvin Mims (nine receptions, 242 yards, one touchdown).

5. Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (rostered in 30% of fantasy leagues)

Rice is quietly the most-targeted receiver on the Chiefs roster (19), and he’s second in targets on the team behind tight end Travis Kelce (26). He has 140 yards receiving, 75 of which came after the catch, and eight of his receptions have gone for first downs.

The 23-year-old rookie has seen five or more targets in three of four games, and he’s really picked up the slack with Kadarius Toney not living up to expectations as Kansas City’s No. 1 WR.

6. Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys (rostered in 25% of fantasy leagues)

Ferguson is the second-most targeted pass catcher (25) on the Cowboys behind CeeDee Lamb (30), and he’s clearly Dallas’ unquestioned No. 1 TE. He only has one touchdown but he’s caught 12 passes and totaled 125 receiving yards over the last two weeks.

The Cowboys throw the ball nearly 35 times per game, so there’s a good chance as long as he’s healthy Ferguson will continue being a focal point of the team’s passing attack.

Honorable mention

Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears: Herbert finally had the kind of game last week the Bears have been waiting for (103 yards, receiving touchdown), and he could have a repeat performance this week against the Commanders, who rank 21st against the run.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers: With Miles Sanders battling a groin issue, Hubbard could be worth adding as an insurance policy in case Sanders misses any time.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Wilson has been more involved in Arizona’s offense each week and he’s coming off a career-high seven-reception, two-touchdown game.