More injuries to star running backs out of the weekend highlights my waiver wire focus. Fantasy football owners now must deal with Cleveland’s Nick Chubb and the Chargers’ Austin Ekeler missing multiple games due to injury.
All four of my picks from last Tuesday’s article who suited up outperformed their fantasy projections (especially Packers tight end Robert Tonyan). Below are my top waiver pickups at RB and other positions for Week 5.
As always, ask me any fantasy questions on Twitter @AndyMc81 using #AskAndy.
Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals
Yahoo! League Ownership: 36%
I really like Chase Edmonds as a sneaky play this Sunday versus the bottom-feeding Jets. Kenyan Drake is a non-factor in Arizona’s potent passing attack, and has been ineffective on the ground. Compare that to Edmonds’ five receptions for a touchdown to go along with four carries over the weekend.
We saw in 2019 how head coach Kliff Kingsbury wasn’t afraid to move away from a running back who didn’t perform. The third-year pro proved to Kingsbury last October that he can handle a full workload when he exploded for 126 rushing yards in a matchup with the Giants. I wonder if the coach will look his way even more in the coming weeks.
In any case, Edmonds holds immediate PPR value in plus matchups against the Jets, Cowboys and Seahawks. Scoop him up while you can.
Cole Beasley, WR, Bills
Yahoo! League Ownership: 25%
Since Buffalo is scheduled to face a Tennessee Titans team hit hard by COVID-19, I would wait until later in the week to make sure the game is actually being played before making any moves.
Assuming this matchup does take place, though, Cole Beasley is someone to think about if you need some wide receiver depth. Still only PPR relevant, Beasley’s averaged 13.4 fantasy points over the past three weeks, and has developed some nice chemistry with Josh Allen. The undrafted 31-year-old also remains at a bargain salary in DFS contests versus a Titans secondary that’s given up an average of 182 yards/game to WRs.
Last week, Cole Beasley said, "I'll put my body on the line for [Josh Allen] because I know he'll do the same."
This week:#BillsMafia https://t.co/1OS5A3Cbop pic.twitter.com/tczD7oXfZI
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) October 4, 2020
D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Browns
Yahoo! League Ownership: 3%
How the offensive play-calling incorporates D’Ernest Johnson remains to be seen, but the former fisherman looked dynamic in relief duty of the injured Nick Chubb. Amazingly, Johnson led the Browns in rushing (95 yards) and averaged an incredible 7.3 YPC on 13 handoffs in the victory over Dallas.
Kareem Hunt now takes on RB1 duties, while Johnson and third-string Dontrell Hilliard handle change-of-pace duties. Cleveland’s O-Line is playing at an all-world level, and head coach Kevin Stefanski should remain run-focused when the Colts roll into town. It’s a risky flex start on a small sample size, but there’s definitely a path for Johnson to be a productive fantasy contributor.
Arizona Cardinals, DST
Yahoo! League Ownership: 50%
If you’re streaming defences each week, a good strategy is to simply follow the New York Jets. Whoever they take on, see if their opponent’s defence is available on the waiver wire. The Jets are the worst team in football and allow even mediocre defences to feast. Denver’s D was as banged up as any last Thursday and they still collected six sacks.
Fantasy wise, the Cardinals DST is averaging just 5.0 FPTs per game, but taking on “Gang Green” is the recipe for a stats spike.
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Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers
Yahoo! League Ownership: 6%
The handcuff race is on to cover off Austin Ekeler’s extended absence. First of all, check if Joshua Kelley is available since he’s still owned in only 55% of fantasy leagues. If he’s not, then consider Justin Jackson as a consolation prize.
A Week 1 quad injury caused the Northwestern alum to lose his backup role to Kelley. Now that he’s healthy, we’ll see how the timeshare unfolds. The Chargers schedule is certainly a friendly one for the offence as they battle the Saints, Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars and Raiders before the bye.
If you have the roster flexibility to drop someone, I would get ahead of the curve by grabbing Jackson now and wait to see how he’s used on Sunday.
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