Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 5: Zach Charbonnet, Will Shipley, Michael Mayer, and More

The first month of the fantasy football season is behind us, and keeping a starting lineup intact is becoming a job of its own. Injuries have created new opportunities just as bye weeks begin thinning our options.

Our Week 5 waiver wire column identifies potential starters, useful bench additions, and performances that deserve a little skepticism. Let’s figure out who can help and how aggressively to pursue them.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Rostered: 16%

Jacoby Brissett threw for just 166 yards and two touchdowns against the New York Giants, adding three interceptions for good measure. Not exactly his finest work. Nevertheless, he attempted 35 passes in a back-and-forth game, keeping the volume part of the equation intact.

Brissett still has 30-point upside when the game environment cooperates. A potential home shootout against the Detroit Lions next week could provide exactly that.

We aren’t adding Brissett because we suddenly trust him to play mistake-free football. We’re betting on enough passing volume and scoring opportunities to make the mistakes tolerable. He remains a viable Week 5 streamer.

Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0

Jameis Winston, QB, New York Giants

Rostered: 4%

Jameis Winston threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. That’s a much more familiar Winston experience, complete with a collection of throws that probably had his coaches watching through their fingers.

I’m not particularly interested in buying this performance. Winston looked pretty much as bad as he did the week before, even if the fantasy results were considerably better.

The Washington Commanders’ defense encourages opponents to attack through the air, giving Winston a favorable Week 5 matchup. That puts him on the streaming radar, but this is pure desperation. Exhaust your other options before deciding you want the full Winston experience in your lineup.

Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0

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Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Rostered: 61%

Zach Charbonnet is well above our usual roster threshold, but he needs to be rostered in 100% of leagues. He returned to practice last week and is on track to be activated within the next three weeks. Week 6 looks like a realistic target.

Emanuel Wilson played well, but that shouldn’t scare anyone away from Charbonnet. If Charbonnet is healthy, I expect it to be only a matter of time before he gets his job back as the Seattle Seahawks’ lead runner.

This is the kind of stash that can pay off quickly. We’re no longer talking about holding a player for half the season while hoping he eventually helps. If Charbonnet is available, make adding him a priority.

Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0

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Will Shipley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Rostered: 1%

Saquon Barkley suffered a hamstring strain, and Tank Bigsby picked up an injury late in the game. That leaves Will Shipley as the Philadelphia Eagles’ only healthy running back at the moment.

I would be surprised if either Barkley or Bigsby plays in Week 5. If both are out, Shipley projects to start and would lead this backfield for as long as they remain sidelined.

We shouldn’t expect Shipley to suddenly become Barkley. Nevertheless, a starting running back with an available workload is worth pursuing, especially with injuries creating holes in fantasy lineups across the league.

Based on what we know right now, Shipley is this week’s top pickup for immediate help. Bigsby’s health could change that, but Shipley is the player to prioritize if neither of the backs ahead of him can go.

Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0

Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Rostered: 28%

Tank Bigsby’s inclusion comes with a significant condition: He needs to be healthy. After leaving with a late-game injury, that’s very much in question.

If we get unexpectedly positive news, Bigsby would start ahead of Will Shipley while Saquon Barkley is sidelined. That would make him the Philadelphia Eagles’ running back to pursue aggressively.

I’m keeping Bigsby here so he doesn’t slip anyone’s mind as the injury reports develop. If he’s also going to miss time, though, there’s no need to add him. The recommendation hinges entirely on his availability.

Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0 (if healthy)

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Emanuel Wilson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Rostered: 48%

With Jadarian Price out, Emanuel Wilson took over as the Seattle Seahawks’ lead back. This wasn’t a timeshare with George Holani. Wilson dominated the touches, finishing with 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

That’s the kind of workload we’re looking for when an injury creates an opportunity. We don’t have to spend the week guessing which member of a committee will get enough work to help us.

Zach Charbonnet’s return is imminent, so Wilson’s window may be short. Nevertheless, I expect at least one more week before Charbonnet is back, making Wilson a viable RB2 in the interim. If you need immediate help, don’t pass on a potential starter simply because the opportunity might not last.

Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Rostered: 36%

Tyler Allgeier was dropped in plenty of leagues after Jeremiyah Love seemingly took over the Arizona Cardinals’ backfield last week. Although Love started again in Week 4, Allgeier had a larger role and, most notably, handled the goal-line work.

Allgeier will still need a touchdown to deliver useful fantasy production while Love is healthy. That makes him an unappealing lineup option, even with a path to those valuable short-yardage scores.

Nevertheless, his handcuff value remains intact. If Love misses time, Allgeier would have the workload to be a volume-based RB2. He’s worth picking back up wherever he was dropped, even if you plan to leave him on your bench.

Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0

Keaton Mitchell, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Rostered: 35%

Keaton Mitchell handled 10 carries and earned six targets against the Seattle Seahawks. That’s the usage of a player who is becoming more than an occasional change of pace, and it’s enough to make him relevant to fantasy managers.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive incompetence isn’t helping. Nevertheless, Mitchell’s involvement as both a runner and receiver gives him multiple ways to contribute, even when this offense makes moving the ball look like an unreasonable request.

This workload also came against Seattle. Easier matchups are ahead, and we don’t need Mitchell to take over the entire backfield to find value in this role. He needs to be on more rosters.

Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0

Najee Harris, RB, New York Giants

Rostered: 6%

Najee Harris carried the ball nine times for 30 yards. Nothing about that performance should send fantasy managers sprinting to the waiver wire, but his place in the New York Giants’ backfield still matters.

Harris is the clear RB2 behind Cam Skattebo. If Skattebo misses time, Harris would lead the backfield ahead of Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.

There’s no standalone value to chase here. However, Harris is worth a spot at the end of your bench if you have room for a handcuff who would become usable with an injury ahead of him.

Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0

Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints

Rostered: 51%

Jordyn Tyson is eligible to return now, but eligibility and readiness are two different things. He won’t be back in Week 5, and I would be very surprised if he plays the first week he returns to practice.

Nevertheless, Tyson was spotted running this week and appears to be recovering well. Week 9 looks like a realistic target, which is closer than it sounds when you’re trying to get ahead of the waiver wire.

If you have room to stash him, start thinking about it now. Tyson won’t solve an immediate lineup problem, but waiting until his return is imminent will make him much harder to acquire. Managers who can afford to be patient should consider adding him before that happens.

Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

Rostered: 4%

We’ve done this before with Keon Coleman, which is why I’m always hesitant to buy in. Nevertheless, six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown on seven targets would make leaving him out of this column a dereliction of duty.

DJ Moore aggravated his shoulder injury, potentially opening the door for Coleman to serve as the Buffalo Bills’ top wide receiver in Week 5. That’s an opportunity we have to take seriously.

Before getting too excited, remember that Coleman already has two games this season with exactly one catch. The ceiling is appealing, but the disappearing acts haven’t gone anywhere. He’s worth a speculative add while we monitor Moore, with expectations kept firmly in check.

Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0

Dohnte Meyers, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Rostered: 0%

Dohnte Meyers caught seven of nine targets for 82 yards as the Cincinnati Bengals dealt with injuries to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He looks like the clear WR3, which could suddenly become a much more valuable role.

The logic is the same as it is for Mike Gesicki. If Chase and Higgins miss Week 5, there will be targets available, and Meyers just gave us a reason to believe he can do something with them.

This is a short-term opportunity dependent on the injury news. However, with key players dropping throughout Week 4 and bye weeks beginning, short-term help is exactly what some managers need. Meyers is worth considering if Cincinnati remains shorthanded.

Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0

Malik Washington, WR, Miami Dolphins

Rostered: 31%

Malik Washington managed 12.0 fantasy points against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense. He only saw five targets, but caught all of them for 67 yards.

Washington also received two carries, another indication that the Miami Dolphins want to get the ball in his hands. We would prefer more targets, but the effort to involve him in multiple ways is encouraging.

The Cincinnati Bengals present a much more favorable matchup next week. Washington remains worth considering for managers short on receiving options, especially with injuries and bye weeks making it harder to fill out a lineup.

Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0

Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills

Rostered: 42%

Khalil Shakir caught seven passes on eight targets in his best usage of the season. I’m still inclined to view this as a fluky spike, so I wouldn’t chase the performance on its own.

However, DJ Moore aggravated his shoulder injury and could miss Week 5. That would give Shakir a better chance to maintain elevated involvement in the Buffalo Bills’ passing game.

Shakir is worth a look if you’re desperate for a receiver and Moore remains out. Just keep the expectations modest. One encouraging target total doesn’t erase the reasons he was available in the first place.

Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0

Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Rostered: 7%

Brock Bowers is listed as a tight end, but he’s really the Las Vegas Raiders’ WR1. That leaves Michael Mayer as the primary tight end and, with this team lacking quality wide receivers, essentially the second option in the passing game.

Mayer caught eight of nine targets for 82 yards, delivering his best performance of the season in his toughest matchup. That’s a pretty compelling reason to pay attention.

We no longer need Bowers to be sidelined for Mayer to help fantasy managers. He can produce alongside him while retaining the upside of a larger role if Bowers misses time. Mayer needs to be rostered.

Aggressiveness Rating: 4.5

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

Rostered: 7%

Mike Gesicki has caught a touchdown in consecutive games, but that isn’t why he’s here. Three catches for 40 yards on five targets wouldn’t ordinarily make him a priority.

The concern is what happened to the Cincinnati Bengals’ top receivers. Ja’Marr Chase left with a concussion, while Tee Higgins tweaked his groin late, tried to return, and couldn’t continue. There’s a realistic chance neither plays in Week 5.

Gesicki has historically stepped up when one of those two receivers is unavailable. If both are out, the opportunity becomes even more appealing. He’ll be a viable streaming option while Cincinnati is missing its top weapons, making him worth adding as we await the injury updates.

Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Rostered: 29%

This was a strange game for the Minnesota Vikings’ offense. With Justin Jefferson unavailable and the Miami Dolphins’ defense playing surprisingly well, Kyler Murray leaned heavily on T.J. Hockenson. The tight end caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards.

That is highly unlikely to happen again. We can appreciate the performance without suddenly expecting Hockenson to vacuum up every pass thrown in his general direction each week.

The Vikings face the New Orleans Saints next, followed by their bye. I’m probably not holding Hockenson through the week off, but he could provide immediate help for managers dealing with injuries. In a pinch, the receiving volume even puts him in the Flex conversation, especially if Jefferson remains out. This is still a desperation option, though, rather than a reason to spend aggressively.

Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0

Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Rostered: 27%

Brenton Strange was a recommended streamer in Week 4, and he delivered with seven catches for 95 yards on eight targets. The Cincinnati Bengals’ inability to defend tight ends made this a matchup worth targeting.

Naturally, that performance will get Strange noticed on waivers. Before chasing it, remember that he totaled just 72 receiving yards over the first three weeks combined.

This was a matchup play, and the matchup changes considerably against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. Strange helped us when the circumstances were right, but that doesn’t make him a weekly starter. I wouldn’t add him to use against Philadelphia.

Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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