Week 5 Fantasy Football FAAB Waiver Bids: Justin Fields, Chase Brown, Tutu Atwell and More
Suggested bid numbers for some of Week 5's hottest waiver wire names.
It’s time again to look at some of the hottest names on the waiver wire. That’s one of the most important parts of each week of the fantasy football season, as the best free agents come off the board before the true “free” period commences.
Free agent auction bidding (FAAB) gives everyone the chance at every player rather than leaving destiny in the hands of the rolling waiver list. There’s much more strategy involved: do you want to use funds throughout the season to build a solid team, or do you want to save up for the big splash when the moment is right?
There’s risk no matter how you choose to play it, and the best we can do is analyze the options at hand and let you manage your fantasy team to the best of your ability. A few notes as we get started:
- Conservative bids are for players you would like to have on your team but wouldn’t be too upset to miss out on. These are guys you would consider for your lineup most weeks.
- High-end bids are for players you really want to add to your roster. These are guys you would hope to start at least half the time and/or consider every week.
- Desperation bids are for guys you want to come in and lock down a starting spot for a long stretch or maybe the rest of the season. This is someone you are willing to overpay for because of what he will mean to your fantasy team.
- Most owners bid $5, $10, $20, etc., so you can increase your chances of winning the auction on any player by increasing your bid by a dollar: $6, $11, $21, etc. You will see the numbers below listed accordingly.
- I’m basing things off a $100 budget, so adjust as needed.
Quarterback
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fields had a huge Week 4, throwing for 312 yards and a touchdown and adding 55 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. A lost fumble hurts a little, but Fields still had his best day of the season.
After holding each opponent to 10 points or less in the first three games, Pittsburgh’s game script changed in this one, and the team had to throw the ball to catch up while trailing for 57 of the 60 minutes. Fields isn’t going to top 30 fantasy points every week.
He’s proven to be a useful fantasy quarterback, though, with double-digit fantasy points in each week and now the top score in Week 4. Fields is worthy of being on a fantasy roster as a low-end starter/high-end backup type.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1
Desperation Bid: $2
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson hasn’t played very good real-life quarterback, but he is a feasible fantasy option because of the rushing production he adds each week. He’s averaging nearly 30 rushing yards per game and scored one touchdown on the ground, accounting for nearly 18 total fantasy points.
He’s not a player to count on as a consistent performer, but Watson can fill a slot for a week or two if your quarterback is on a bye, out with injury, or has a tough matchup. He had performed better than Fields from a fantasy perspective prior to Week 4.
Watson’s biggest appeal in Week 5 is the matchup with Washington. The Commanders played surprisingly well last week against the Cardinals, but Washington’s pass defense has been one of the worst in the league for the past year-plus.
I believe in those long-term stats more than just one game, and that means Watson is a good streaming player in Week 5. That’s not someone to spend a bunch of money on, but it’s OK to throw down $1 if you haven’t spent much of your budget yet.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1
Desperation Bid: $2
Running Back
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Some owners have been waiting for Bigsby to break out and maybe even begin usurping Travis Etienne, who generally looks like a good-not-great player. Bigsby had the biggest game of his career in Week 4, turning seven carries into 90 yards, including a big 58-yard dash.
Etienne has had between 11 and 13 carries in each game; he’s caught between one and four passes. It’s been a very consistently average start to 2024. That’s not necessarily good or bad, it just leaves Etienne as a middling fantasy back.
Bigsby hasn’t gotten the volume to match his veteran teammate. He had 12 carries in Week 1 but then no touches in Week 2 and just two carries in Week 3. It was encouraging to see him get seven totes last week, but Bigsby hasn’t caught any passes, limiting his chances to make an impact.
Bigsby is worthy of a roster spot, but it’s too risky to start him given the inconsistent work. If he keeps producing, he’ll naturally get more chances, but that’s a future play more than anything you can count on right now.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1
Desperation Bid: $2-3
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Like Bigsby, Brown is a second-year backup who some owners want to see get more work. Brown has increased his carries and rushing yards in each game, and he got into the end zone twice last week on carries inside the five-yard line.
After Zack Moss led the team in carries in each of the first three weeks, each back had 15 attempts in Week 4, and Brown outperformed Moss (80 yards to 51). Moss is the better receiver (12 receptions for 96 yards versus seven and 31 for Brown), and he will probably continue leading the charge.
Cincinnati had a two-score lead for much of the second half and probably felt better about spreading the extra carries between both backs. It’s encouraging to see Brown getting the high-value carries close to the end zone, but Moss has received more attempts at all levels of the red zone.
It seems more likely Moss will keep leading the way, but Brown is worthy of a roster spot given his latest production.
Conservative Bid: $0-1
High-end Bid: $2-3
Desperation Bid: $4-6
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Unlike the last two players, Dowdle looks like he’s the lead option on his team. That doesn’t mean he’s putting together high-level production, but opportunity is half the battle. Dowdle has out-carried Ezekiel Elliott in every game except for Week 1; same story with the snap counts.
He has also done more in the passing game, leaving Elliott without an area to really excel. The Cowboys are going to be more focused on the passing game, and for good reason. Someone has to take carries when they come, though, and Dowdle has been that guy.
He’s not worth blowing your budget, but Dowdle is worth a few dollars due to his status as a starting running back.
Conservative Bid: $4-6
High-end Bid: $7-9
Desperation Bid: $11-12
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
Hunt falls into the same category as Dowdle, but it’s probably a temporary role. Isiah Pacheco suffered an injury in Week 2 that projected him to miss six to eight weeks, and the team signed Hunt to the practice squad to add depth.
Carson Steele got the first chance at the starting job, gaining 72 yards on 17 carries in Week 3, but he lost a fumble early in Week 4 (his second of the season) and finished with just two carries for six yards. Hunt racked up 69 yards on 14 attempts and caught two passes for 16 yards.
It’s likely Hunt continues as the top guy, though Steele might get some looks, and Samaje Perine will take a few carries and work in passing situations. Volume is king, and Hunt looks set to touch the ball the most.
Playing with the Chiefs always means the chance to score touchdowns, and Hunt will be at least a flex player when he’s leading the backfield. It’s tough to give up major money for a guy who will probably lose his job in a few weeks, but Hunt is worth a bid as a guy who might fit into your lineup a few times between now and Pacheco’s return.
Conservative Bid: $3-4
High-end Bid: $6-7
Desperation Bid: $11
Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders
McNichols got an opportunity because Austin Ekeler missed Week 4 after suffering a concussion. McNichols took full advantage, turning his nine touches into 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Ekeler’s status for Week 5 is uncertain, so McNichols could be in line for touches again. The latter played just nine snaps over the first three weeks, so he’s likely only going to have any fantasy value for the short time Ekeler misses.
Week 4 was also a blowout victory for the Commanders. Brian Robinson received 21 carries, but the team didn’t have to force-feed him late in the game when it was out of hand, instead able to let McNichols handle some of the load.
McNichols will be a complementary player and probably return to the bench when Ekeler returns. That makes it tough to spend any real money on a player with a shelf-life, especially as he will be a backup even when involved.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1
Desperation Bid: $2-3
Wide Receiver
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Atwell had his second straight big game with both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp out with injury. He turned four catches into 93 yards in Week 3 and nearly matched that performance last week with four receptions for 82 yards.
There was a real question as to who would produce the most between Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson; though Atwell has been the guy through two weeks, that doesn’t mean he’ll continue to lead this group. We don’t have any other information to go off, though, so Atwell is the best fantasy option in Week 5.
Jordan Whittington must be mentioned as well, as he led the team with six receptions in Week 4, gaining 62 yards. He had two catches in Week 2 and three in Week 3, so it wasn’t exactly out of nowhere, but Whittington made a statement as a guy to know.
Adding anyone mentioned here isn’t a bad idea, but expectations must be tempered. They are WR3/4/flex guys, with Atwell maybe rising to a WR2 level if he keeps up this level of play. It’s hard to know where else to expect big production, though, and it will probably change week to week.
Conservative Bid: $1-2
High-end Bid: $4-6
Desperation Bid: $8-11
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Legette was OK in Weeks 1 and 3, combining for six receptions and 77 yards, but he was shut out in Week 2. With Adam Thielen suffering an injury in Week 3, Legette received an expanded role in Week 4, playing 87% of the team’s snaps (most among receivers) after not reaching 60% in any of the first three games.
That turned into production: 10 targets, six catches, 66 yards, and a touchdown. He even gained 10 rushing yards on two carries. Thielen was placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least three more games. Legette is in line for major reps during that time and might not give back his spot upon the veteran’s return.
Diontae Johnson will be the top guy, but this offense has looked workable with Andy Dalton under center, so Legette will see the ball. While it’s tough to expect consistent production, Legette will be a guy to consider depending on his matchup and the rest of your roster.
Conservative Bid: $1-2
High-end Bid: $3-4
Desperation Bid: $6
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson has been involved all season, receiving 12, four, eight, and 14 targets in the first four games and a carry in Week 1. Again, opportunity and volume are the most important things in fantasy football, and Robinson is getting the necessary looks.
Malik Nabers will be the top guy; Daniel Jones is a dangerous QB to trust on a weekly basis. Robinson is a highly drafted player in just his third season, though, and he’s having the best stretch of his career. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this as the beginning of his time as a good NFL receiver.
Conservative Bid: $3-4
High-end Bid: $6-8
Desperation Bid: $11-12
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s offense had a big day as they made a valiant comeback attempt against Minnesota, losing by just two points in a game they trailed 28-0. Jordan Love threw for almost 400 yards, Jayden Reed accounted for over 140 total yards, and Wicks turned five catches into 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Reed is the top guy, and Romeo Doubs has been on the field the most among receivers, but Wicks has played 28 more snaps than Christian Watson. Wicks’ target share is closer to Reed and Doubs than it is Watson, but his catches and yards fall more in line with the latter.
Wicks can reasonably be seen as Green Bay’s third receiver and a guy to consider as a WR3/4/flex type most weeks. That’s not worth a ton of big money, but it brings fantasy value in deeper leagues.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1-3
Desperation Bid: $4-6
Tight End
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Continuing with Green Bay’s passing prowess, Kraft had the best fantasy day of his career with six receptions on nine targets, gaining 53 yards and a touchdown. Even a lost fumble can’t damper the excitement brought on by Kraft’s performance.
More than the production, it’s about the snap share that Kraft is taking: He has played more than twice as many snaps as Luke Musgrave, the other Packers tight end drafted last season. Musgrave was thought to be the better fantasy asset, but Kraft’s 12 catches and 130 yards easily outpace Musgrave’s five and 22.
This was nice production, but Love threw the ball 54 times; that’s not going to happen often. Kraft has been a middling fantasy tight end or worse in his short career, a more likely reflection of his current value.
He’s a player to watch, but Kraft isn’t more than a backup fantasy player right now.
Conservative Bid: $0
High-end Bid: $1
Desperation Bid: $2
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Otton has had inconsistent production in his career, and the first month of the season shows that perfectly. He had just one catch for four yards in the first two weeks; Otton has 13 catches and 99 yards over the past two games.
It’s intriguing to think of his expanded usage as a sign of things to come, but fluctuation like this has happened throughout Otton’s two-plus year career. Most likely, he will have some games with one catch and others with six catches, making it hard to know which will come when.
