Top Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups for 2021 NFL Week 5
Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season wasn’t short of amazing matchups across the league, and the same could be said about the number of surprise talents that emerged as fantasy options heading into Week 5. These players are all well worth a look in waiver wires across the nation as the fantasy football campaign rolls along and with managers getting a better feel for their teams with a quarter of the season in the books.
NitroBetting is here to bring not only the latest NFL betting news and previews but also tips and updates from the realm of fantasy football. Let’s take a closer look at the top waiver wire pickups heading into Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season. Learn more about the breakout players from Week 5 who are available in most fantasy leagues, as well as the latest NFL odds with regards to several of the teams featured below.
NitroBetting is here to bring not only the latest NFL betting news and previews but also tips and updates from the realm of fantasy football. Let’s take a closer look at the top waiver wire pickups heading into Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season. Learn more about the breakout players from Week 4 who are available in most fantasy leagues, as well as the latest NFL odds with regards to several of the teams featured below.
Top 2021 NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Picks
Let's get ahead of the waiver wire
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 4, 2021
? Damien Williams
? Samaje Perine
? Darnell Mooney@AndrewErickson_ breaks down the top waiver wire adds for this week https://t.co/KDh5l0hIWi
READ MORE: 2021 NFL Week 5 Preview, Odds and Picks
Quarterback
Trey Lance – San Francisco 49ers
- Pct. Owned: 19%
This past Sunday, rookie prospect Trey Lance immediately became the top prize on the QB waiver wire in Week 5. The third-overall pick from this year’s draft made an immediate impact in just one half of action against Seattle, throwing for 157 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns while also rushing for 41 yards on seven carries, which is good enough for 20 fantasy points.
Lance does have a tough opponent ahead in what should be his first official start in the NFL in Week 5 against the undefeated Cardinals, with the Niners currently pegged as (+4.5) road underdogs. However, it’s evident that the 21-year-old from North Dakota State has huge upside as a dual-threat QB with a decent floor of fantasy production moving forward thanks to his stellar running ability.
Running Back
Damien Williams – Chicago Bears
- Pct. Owned: 10.4%
Speaking of injuries, Chicago backup running back Damien Williams will also be a hot commodity on the free-agent market this week considering the knee injury that starter David Montgomery suffered on Sunday. The former Chiefs RB got significant action on the field since his decent showing in Week 1, finishing with 70 all-purpose yards along with a trip to the end zone against the Lions.
Chicago is hoping that Montgomery’s injury isn’t as serious as it appeared in real-time, with this week’s MRI results determining his fate in the short run. Nevertheless, Williams is a must-add as insurance for all Montgomery owners and should also be considered as a nice stash regardless in the event that the Bears’ backfield faces even more health concerns.
Darrel Williams – Kansas City Chiefs
- Pct. Owned: 5.9%
Another D-Will made his presence felt in Week 5, as Kansas City’s Darrel Williams also had his best outing of the young season. The LSU product vultured a rushing TD from Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the game against the Eagles, finishing with 13 fantasy points in full-PPR formats.
Although there are plenty of mouths to feed in the Chiefs offense, Williams just proved that points can come from any and all of KC’s available weapons. Edwards-Helaire has already shown some wear and tear early on in his NFL career as well, making Williams all the more valuable as an available handcuff in most waiver wires this week as well as a possible low-end flex play in deeper leagues in what should be a high-scoring affair in Week 5 against Buffalo.
Wide Receiver
Jamison Crowder – New York Jets
- Pct. Owned: 14.2%
Managers who drafted and held off on dumping injured Jamison Crowder until this point in the season were ultimately rewarded with the dependable slot receiver’s season debut this week. Crowder led all Jets receivers in targets and receptions during Sunday’s overtime win over the Titans, converting those nine targets into seven catches for 61 yards and a score.
Despite being (+3.5) underdogs in their upcoming Week 5 game in London against the Falcons, the Jets will still consider this as a favorable matchup following their first win of the season and with Atlanta coming off a brutal loss. When healthy, Crowder is a points magnet in PPR leagues that should not be looked over, especially with New York’s offense starting to heat up.
Quintez Cephus – Detroit Lions
- Pct. Owned: 7.4%
Not even a lackluster showing by the Lions on Sunday was enough to limit Quintez Cephus’ fantasy numbers. Detroit’s fifth-round pick from 2020 set a new career-high with his 83 receiving yards whilst also tying his season-best mark of four receptions.
Cephus now has three double-digit fantasy performances in PPR leagues through four weeks of action. Only T.J. Hockeson poses as the only real threat for the majority of targets in the Lions’ passing attack, making Cephus a solid stash on the bench and a decent WR3/flex start with the bye weeks approaching. Detroit also has favorable matchups in the next couple of weeks versus Minnesota and Cincinnati to further boost Cephus’ starting potential for fantasy purposes in the near future.
Tight End
Dawson Knox – Buffalo Bills
- Pct. Owned: 19.3%
Just about everyone on the Bills’ potent passing attack deserves a slot on fantasy rosters, including oft-forgotten tight end Dawson Knox. The 6-foot-4 24-year-old from Ole Miss secured his third and fourth TD catches of the season in Week 4, finishing second on his team during Buffalo’s win over the Texans with five catches on eight targets for 37 receiving yards.
Tight end remains a boom-or-bust position in fantasy this season, and one would be hard-pressed to find a player like Knox who’s highly likely to still be available on the open market this week. Knox has found the end zone in three consecutive games and should be in line for another big afternoon in the upcoming Week 5 clash and long-awaited AFC Championship Game rematch against the Chiefs.
Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.
*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.
