How to Prioritize Flex Players in Your Week 5 Waiver Wire: Jaleel McLaughlin, Michael Wilson, Calvin Austin, Braxton Berrios, Jonnu Smith, Jake Ferguson
The names atop the FantasySP predictive adds (which can be found inside the Fantasy Assistant tool) are pretty weak compared to what was available after the first couple games of the NFL season.
There’s only a handful of players that are available in most leagues, so it’s important to have your waiver wire priority list set up right. Let’s take a look at Denver Broncos’ Jaleel McLaughlin, Arizona Cardinals’ Michael Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Calvin Austin, Miami Dolphins’ Braxton Berrios, Atlanta Falcons’ Jonnu Smith and Dallas Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson and see how you should be lining your priority list up.
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Jaleel McLaughlin Fantasy Outlook
McLaughlin is a guy we’ve written about a lot this week. He isn’t the same kind of waiver wire add as Miami Dolphins’ De’Von Achane was a week ago, but he’s the top option at the running back position going into week 5.
McLaughlin has just 17 touches and 117 total yards to his name through four games, but 10 of the touches and 104 of the yards came in week 4. He got a lot of work when starting back Javonte Williams went down with an injury.
Williams isn’t expected to miss much time, if any, so McLaughlin might be the No. 3 back for Denver as he has been all year.
The Broncos take on the New York Jets in week 5. The team will face the Kansas City Chiefs twice and Green Bay Packers to round out October. The Packers are the worst team of the three against opposing running backs. New York is toward the middle of the league, while the Chiefs are one of the better ones.
Michael Wilson Fantasy Outlook
Wilson has played well and helped the Cardinale be competitive to this point of the season. He had his most productive week in week 4, going for 76 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.
Wilson has caught 14 of the 16 passes thrown his way this season, accumulating 237 yards total. His 175 offensive snaps ranks third on the team, so there’s room for even more production with more playing time.
Wilson will look to keep things going against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 5. Cincy ranks near the middle of the league in defending opposing wideouts.
Arizona’s other October games are against the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. You get a bit of everything with those matchups, as the Rams are one of the better defenses when it comes to slowing receivers, the Rams are average and the Seahawks have been one of the worst.
Calvin Austin Fantasy Outlook
Through four weeks, Austin is the second-most targeted pass catcher for a lackluster Steelers’ group. He’s caught 12 passes on 21 targets, going for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Austin has yet to be targeted in the red zone, and has played the third-most snaps on the team amongst pass catchers.
With tight end Pat Freiermuth doubtful for week 5, Austin could be an even bigger part of the team’s passing game. Speaking of which, quarterback Kenny Pickett was also injured in week 4, so Mitch Trubisky might be the one slinging the passes.
Austin has some tough matchups looming, playing the Ravens in week 5, Rams in week 7, Jacksonville Jaguars in week 8. Baltimore has been the worst in defending opposing wideouts, and they are right in the center of the league ranks.
Braxton Berrios Fantasy Outlook
Berrios got the most touches of the season in week 4, but it was only six. He’s been targeted 16 times in total, making 13 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown so far.
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle ahead of him in the wide receiver room, and with the stable of running backs the team has, Berrios is certainly not going to be amongst the team leaders for touches each week. He’ll have his games, but they’ll be few and far between.
The only way he'd step into a more prominent role is if Waddle or Hill missed time, and both appear to be healthy at this point. If you’re desperate for wideout help, he’s still an option this week though.
Miami will go up against a New York Giants’ defense in week 5 that’s ranked in the top half of the league so far in defending opposing wideouts. Berrios and the Phins will face the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots to round out the month. Carolina has been great against opposing wideouts so far, while New England has been average and Philly has been one of the worst.
Jonnu Smith Fantasy Outlook
Smith has quietly been a consistently-targeted tight end since week 1. He got six targets in weeks 2 and 4 and eight targets in week 3.
Smith has pulled down 15 catches on those 20 targets and accumulated 179 receiving yards. He hasn’t scored, but has been targeted three times in the red zone, making two grabs.
Despite being behind Kyle Pitts on the depth chart, he’s only played 17 less snaps so far. Smith has one less target, but four more catches and 58 more yards. In the Falcons’ run-first approach, Smith should be on the field a bunch going forward.
Smith and the Falcons will take on the Houston Texans in week 5, Washington Commanders in week 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 7 and Tennessee Titans in week 8. Only Houston of that group ranks in the bottom half of the league against opposing tight ends.
Jake Ferguson Fantasy Outlook
Ferguson currently looks like the Cowboys’ No. 2 option in the passing game. The tight end has the second-most targets (25) and receptions (17) on the team.
He’s turned those numbers into 147 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s been a favorite for quarterback Dak Prescott in the red zone, making six catches on 11 targets. The Cowboys have passed 28 times in the red zone in total.
Those numbers might even out as the season rolls along, but at a position lacking a ton of great options, those red zone stats should definitely pique your interest.
Ferguson and the Cowboys take on the San Francisco 49ers this coming weekend. San Fran’s defense ranks in the top 10 in the league in defending opposing tight ends.
Dallas also plays the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams in October. The Chargers have been average in slowing tight ends, while the Rams are in the bottom 10 in the league.
How to Prioritize Skill Players on the Waiver Wire
Like I did for my waiver wire priority story on quarterbacks, let’s break things down into groups: fantasy owners that are looking for the best streaming option in week 5 and owners who are looking for a potential long-term quarterback.
In terms of streaming, I think Wilson is the best option out of this group of players. He’s done the most and has a decent matchup awaiting.
After Wilson, it’s pretty much a toss up for most of the other guys. I’d put Austin second on my priority list, with Ferguson in third. Those two have been more involved than the other three and are near the top of the pecking order for touches. Smith I’d put fourth, with Berrios in fifth and McLaughlin sixth. Those three were solid in week 4, but aren’t regularly going to put up those numbers while serving reserve roles.
As for the long-term plays, I also like Wilson the best of the bunch. I like the Cardinals to keep getting the youngster involved as the season rolls along.
I’d go with Ferguson next. Dallas seems prepared to keep featuring him on offense, and with some of the other playmakers on that team, I like Ferguson’s chances of putting up good numbers.
Austin would be next on my list. Even when the team gets healthier, Austin should still be involved in some fashion. I’d roll with McLaughlin next. Even though he’s the No. 3 guy right now, an injury or more production in his limited role could elevate him on the depth chart and in the pecking order for touches.
I’d take a shot on Smith over Berrios. Smith has been more consistent so far and could see an expanded role going forward. I only see Berrios breaking out if Hill or Waddle go down, and would be fine if my waiver claim for him didn’t go through.
