Week 5 Takeaways
WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
This week’s waiver wire targets are listed by position, in order of priority.
LB D’Marco Jackson, Chicago Bears
With T.J. Edwards picking up a hamstring injury, Jackson replaced him as the green-dot linebacker, making him a top-priority option in most IDP formats for as long as Edwards misses time.
LB Jaden Dugger, San Francisco 49ers
On the chance that repeat offender Dre Greenlaw is suspended after being ejected from this week’s game, rookie Dugger should see a near every-down role and be considered a speculative add in non-shallow leagues until we know for sure what’s happening with Greenlaw.
LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Cleveland Browns
Quincy Williams will be the primary option here, but if Carson Schwesinger misses any time, Mascarenas-Arnold could be a deep-league option. It was Williams and Mascarenas-Arnold who were the starters at linebacker in the preseason when Schwesinger was out, and that could be the case again in Week 6 if Schwesinger misses time.
S Tony Adams, Tennessee Titans
Adams filled in for Amani Hooker’s box-heavy role this week, and with Kevin Winston also injured, he should be added in most IDP formats where you need safety help.
S Reed Blankenship, Houston Texans
With Jalen Pitre injured and potentially set to miss time, Blankenship should see a much steadier snap share. Blankenship has been an efficient IDP this season, though absorbing some of Pitre’s prime alignments in a more consistent role will make him more valuable for non-shallow formats.
S Jason Pinnock/Ar’Darius Washington, New York Giants
Tyler Nubin suffered a neck injury that could cause him to miss time. Pinnock missed this week with a concussion, though if Nubin is out, both Washington and Pinnock should play full-time safety roles, making them viable options in deeper leagues.
S Ifeatu Melifonwu, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Melifonwu is only an option in deeper leagues, and only as long as Antoine Winfield Jr. is out, but he is playing an every-down role, which carries value in those deeper formats.
S Devon Key, Denver Broncos
With Talanoa Hufanga out with an ankle injury, Key can be a deep-league option for as long as Hufanga is sidelined. Key will likely play mostly deep, though he’ll have value as a full-time safety.
CB Roger McCreary, Detroit Lions
The Lions are heading into their bye week, expecting to get Brian Branch back in time for Week 7, which could cause a shift in DB usage again; however, McCreary’s usage these past couple of weeks is encouraging enough to make him a speculative add in CB-required formats.
CB Kenny Moore II, Philadelphia Eagles
For deeper CB-required leagues, if both Marcus Epps and Michael Carter miss another game, Moore worked as a starting safety in their absence and could be a productive IDP option to plug into CB slots.
Be sure to check out last week’s IDP waiver targets listed in the report here.