“In the Scope” is a unique weekly article that won’t solely focus on giving readers the mainstream fantasy football waiver wire pickups. Instead, we aim to recommend the top free agents to acquire after waivers run. These players may be the top pickups next week, saving you Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) and waiver priority. So whether you’re trying to grab the leftover mainstream fantasy football waiver wire Week 5 pickups or the longer-ranged free agents, below are some options to consider.
Rostership percentages are based on ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Wednesday, Oct. 5.
Check Your Waivers: Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 5 Pickups
• Geno Smith (QB, Seattle Seahawks) | 24.5 percent
• Jared Goff (QB, Detroit Lions) | 59.7 percent
• Mike Boone (RB, Denver Broncos) | 19.3 percent
• Tyler Allgeier (RB, Atlanta Falcons) | 37.4 percent
• Caleb Huntley (RB, Atlanta Falcons) | 5.3 percent
• Rachaad White (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 17.5 percent
• Devin Duvernay (WR, Baltimore Ravens) | 20.4 percent
• Taysom Hill (TE, New Orleans Saints) | 10.3 percent
In the Scope Targets: Top Fantasy Football Free Agent Week 5 Finds
Hayden Hurst (Tight End, Cincinnati Bengals) | 22.5 Percent
The Bengals got their second straight win last week against the Miami Dolphins. Tight end Hayden Hurst was a big part of helping quarterback Joe Burrow get back on track. While only catching three balls for 27 yards and a touchdown, Hurst bailed out Burrow in the red zone.
Two of Cincinnati’s next four matchups are against defenses in the bottom half of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Hurst could become Burrow’s go-to check-down target when the pocket collapses, as it often has through the Bengals’ first four games. He might not be looking at many high-value targets or any uptick in red zone opportunities, but we all know how thin the tight-end position is for fantasy football.
There is upside to be had here, and if you need a tight end following the Week 5 waiver wire run, Hurst has solid value as a situational start moving forward. – Nate Polvogt
Skyy Moore (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) | 30.1 percent
In redraft formats, Skyy Moore has settled into the initial phase of post-hype that many rookies experience in fantasy football. It is relatively rare for rookie WRs to be fantasy-relevant right away, and Moore is no exception to that. Moore is not “In the Scope” as an add to start right away. Rather, he’s a prime stash candidate, still free in many leagues.
Moore saw his highest snap share (28 percent) and target total (four) in Week 4, while Mecole Hardman’s involvement has been ticking down. With only one plus WR matchup between now and the Chiefs’ Week 8 bye (Las Vegas in Week 5), adding and stashing Moore is a second-half-of-season move, with four consecutive plus WR opponents following the Week 8 bye. – Scott Rinear
Jameson Williams (WR, Detroit Lions) | 21.6 percent
Jared Goff is currently tied for the league lead in touchdowns (11) and top three in passing yards (281.5 per game). He also has the longest pass of the season (81 yards) and is the fantasy QB5. His efficiency isn’t through the roof, but he’s seeing the volume (37.8 passing attempts per game). That likely doesn’t change anytime soon. The Lions’ defense allows a league-high 35.2 points and 444.8 total yards per game.
Jameson Williams, the Lions’ 12-overall pick in this year’s draft, can begin practicing as early as this week. While we might not see Williams suit up for a game until the end of the month, he’s worth the stash if you’re league has Injured Reserve (IR) slots. Williams was a big play waiting to happen last year at the University of Alabama, averaging 19.9 Yards Per Reception (YPR). He totaled 1,572 yards and 15 TDs as a junior. He also ran a 4.3 40-yard dash (99th percentile), so his big-play ability should translate to the Lions’ offense. With the waiver wire in Week 5 having limited options at WR, pickup Williams, hoping for a second-half breakout. – Seth Woolcock
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