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Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.
Here’s my best bets off the waiver wire for Week 5:
ADD
QB Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (ESPN: 8%; Yahoo: 12%): Head coach Dirk Koetter has anointed Winston the starter once the team returns from its Week 5 bye. I’m not sure if he’ll match Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first three games this season, but the potential of this passing game is too great to ignore.
WR Taylor Gabriel, Bears (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 6%): Gabriel has showcased his flex potential and upside in PPR leagues with at least seven targets in three straight games.
RB Nyheim Hines, Colts (ESPN: 16%; Yahoo: 16%): It’s obvious Indianapolis can’t run the football. Short passes are its best attempt at offensive balance. The rookie has already hauled in 22 receptions on 26 targets in four games, giving him significant value in most PPR formats.
TE Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (ESPN: 11%; Yahoo: 24%): Brate has scored in two straight games and now his No. 1 fan (Winston) returns with his biggest competition (O.J. Howard) out 2-4 weeks with an MCL sprain.
WR Keke Coutee, Texans (ESPN: 0.4%; Yahoo: 3%): The rookie missed the first three weeks with a hamstring issue. He was clearly Deshaun Watson’s safety blanket on third downs and earned a ridiculous 15 targets in his debut.
BONUS: WR Geronimo Allison, Packers (ESPN: 43%; Yahoo: 47%): How long do I have to beat this drum before people hear it? Allison has at least 64 yards receiving or a touchdown in every game this season. He suffered a concussion against the Bills, but it shouldn’t be a longterm issue.
BONUS: QB Andy Dalton, Bengals (ESPN: 53%; Yahoo: 62%): Dalton deserves starter consideration with multiple touchdown passes in every game — he’s on pace for 44 this season — and an average of almost 300 yards passing per game.
BONUS: Titans D/ST (ESPN: 39%; Yahoo: 17%): A solid streaming option this week against the Bills (they’ve given up the third most fantasy points to team defenses so far).
BONUS: WR Taywan Taylor, Titans (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 3%): Taylor performed solidly in his first game as the clear No. 2 wideout after Rishard Matthews was released. He’ll be a consistent flex option in PPR if he maintains averages anywhere close to the nine targets and seven receptions he had against the Eagles.
BONUS: TE Nick Vannett, Seahawks (ESPN: 0.4%; Yahoo: 0%): Vannett is clearly more talented than Will Dissly — likely out for the season with a torn patella tendon — and the tight end in this offense is capable of being a fantasy asset.
DROP
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buccaneers: FitzMagic appears to be finished. Personally, I believe Koetter is making a mistake, but Tampa Bay likely needs to see what it has in Winston before it offers a longterm contract extension.
WR Chris Hogan, Patriots: The two touchdowns against Jacksonville appear to be a fluke. Hogan has only eight receptions against 15 targets and 109 yards in four games. Going forward, Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon will push him even further down the rabbit hole.
RB Derrick Henry, Titans: This is hard to write. I’ve been a significant supporter of Henry’s potential and if you’re in a standard or touchdown-oriented league, I believe he’ll reward faith in him at some point. However, there’s no reason to roster him in PPR formats at this point.
RB Peyton Barber, Buccaneers: Rookie Ronald Jones out-touched Barber 11-to-8 against the Bears. Barber had his shot to lock this job down and he failed.
WR Marquise Goodwin, 49ers: Tight end George Kittle will likely be the only consistent contributor to this passing offense with C.J. Beathard under center.
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