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The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free-agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions.
Quarterback Upgrade
- QB Justin Herbert, LAC
- QB Trevor Lawrence, JAX (waiver wire: 7-15%)
- QB Carson Wentz, IND
- QB Teddy Bridgewater, DEN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS (waiver wire: 3-5% in 2QB/Superflex)
- QB Lamar Jackson, BAL
- QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (waiver wire: 3-5%)
- QB Geno Smith, SEA (waiver wire: 1%)
- QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (waiver wire: 1%)
- QB Mike Glennon, NYG (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
- QB Davis Mills, HOU (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
Quarterback Downgrade
- QB Russell Wilson, SEA
- QB Sam Darnold, CAR
- QB Taylor Heinicke, WAS
- QB Taysom Hill, NO
- QB Mac Jones, NE
- QB Zach Wilson, NYJ
- QB Justin Fields, CHI
- QB Daniel Jones, NYG
- QB Derek Carr, LV
- QB Kirk Cousins, MIN
Running Back Upgrade
- RB Myles Gaskin, MIA (waiver wire: 20-40%)
- RB Darrel Williams, KC (waiver wire: 15-30%)
- RB Michael Carter, NYJ (waiver wire: 12-25%)
- RB Alex Collins, SEA (waiver wire: 12-25%)
- RB Leonard Fournette, TB
- RB Elijah Mitchell, SF (waiver wire: 12-25%)
- RB James Robinson, JAX
- RB Jonathan Taylor, IND
- RB Alvin Kamara, NO
- RB DAndre Swift, DET
- RB Khalil Herbert, CHI (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- RB Chuba Hubbard, CAR (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- RB Josh Jacobs, LV
- RB Sony Michel, LAR (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- RB Samaje Perine, CIN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- RB Devontae Booker, NYG (waiver wire: 3-5%)
- RB A.J. Dillon, GB
- RB Marlon Mack, IND (waiver wire: 1%)
- RB Jerick McKinnon, KC (waiver wire: 1%)
Running Back Downgrade
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC
- RB Chris Carson, SEA
- RB Trey Sermon, SF
- RB Devin Singletary, BUF
- RB J.D. McKissic, WAS
- RB Saquon Barkley, NYG
Wide Receiver Upgrade
- WR Kadarius Toney, NYG (waiver wire: 50+%)
- WR Rondale Moore, ARI (waiver wire: 25-50%)
- WR Chase Claypool, PIT
- WR DeVonta Smith, PHI (waiver wire: 10-20%)
- WR Robert Woods, LAR
- WR Marquise Brown, BAL
- WR Antonio Brown, TB
- WR Mecole Hardman, KC (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- WR Tim Patrick, DEN (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- WR Courtland Sutton, DEN
- WR Rashod Bateman, BAL (waiver wire: 1%)
Wide Receiver Downgrade
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
- WR Odell Beckham, CLE
- WR Tyler Lockett, SEA
- WR Kenny Golladay, NYG
- WR Curtis Samuel, WAS
- WR Laviska Shenault, JAX
- WR Robby Anderson, CAR
- WR Cole Beasley, BUF
- WR Jamison Crowder, NYJ
- WR Marvin Jones, JAX
- WR Tyler Boyd, CIN
- WR Corey Davis, NYJ
- WR Adam Thielen, MIN
- WR Jaylen Waddle, MIA
Tight End Upgrade
- TE Dawson Knox, BUF
- TE Hunter Henry, NE (waiver wire: 10-20%)
- TE Zach Ertz, PHI (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- TE David Njoku, CLE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS (waiver wire: 5-10%)
- TE Dan Arnold, JAX (waiver wire: 3-5%)
- TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND (waiver wire: 1%)
Tight End Downgrade
- TE Maxx Williams, ARI
- TE Jared Cook, LAC
- TE Noah Fant, DEN
- TE Dallas Goedert, PHI
- TE Robert Tonyan, GB
- TE Darren Waller, LV
Quarterback Upgrade
QB Teddy Bridgewater, DEN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Bridgewater and the Broncos passing game woke up in the fourth quarter and almost tied up the contest late. Hopefully Pat Shurmur sees how tempo and more boldness passing downfield helped the team and he calls more shot plays for Bridgewater against the Raiders. Now that the concussion is behind him, Bridgewater is a solid QB2/Superflex and matchup QB1 again.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS - (waiver wire: 3-5% in 2QB/Superflex) - There's talk that Fitzpatrick will be ready as soon as Week 7, but it's not certain that he will be coming back to start. Either way, in 2QB/Superflex, it's time to add him and in 1QB he should be on your waiver wire watch list if you don't have a clear #1 for your team.
QB Mike Glennon, NYG - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Glennon was serviceable against the Cowboys, albeit in garbage time. He'll face the Rams this week if Daniel Jones doesn't clear concussion protocol.
QB Justin Herbert, LAC - Herbert had a massive fantasy game in the stirring comeback win over the Browns. The defense had enough flaws to give him a fantasy friendly game script and Herbert appears to be in tune with his wide range of weapons. He is the hottest quarterback this side of Josh Allen heading into a matchup with Baltimore.
QB Lamar Jackson, BAL - It's a beautiful thing to see Jackson's game mature as a passer. This offense is waking up and should only get better when Nick Boyle eventually returns to boost the running game. Jackson vs. Justin Herbert is must see TV this week.
QB Trevor Lawrence, JAX - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Lawrence is only improving incrementally as a passer, if at all, but he has been more aggressive as a runner, and used more at the goal line as a runner. The team is going to be garbage time game scripts all year, which should only help his fantasy value. The Dolphins are up next after Tom Brady ran them ragged in Week 5.
QB Baker Mayfield, CLE - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - It took his team scoring 42 points, but Mayfield had a good fantasy day, and against a defense that had held opponents to their lowest point total of the year in every game coming into Week 5. Mayfield still isn't on the same page as Odell Beckham, which could add some value if they can get that figured out against the Cardinals this week.
QB Davis Mills, HOU - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Mills wasn't a liability and actually posted a great fantasy line against Bill Belichick in the near upset even though Belichick is known for confounding rookie quarterbacks. Tyrod Taylor isn't ready to come off of injured reserve yet, so Mills has some value in 2QB/Superflex with the Colts up this week.
QB Geno Smith, SEA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Smith was surprisingly effective in relief of Russell Wilson against the Rams, and he could end up being startable in 2QB/Superflex leagues. He'll travel to Pittsburgh this week and then face the Saints and Jags at home before the team's Week 9 bye, after which the hope is Russell Wilson will return.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Tagovailoa is going to be available to come off of injured reserve this week and it was reported that he is expected to be ready for this week. Check your waiver wire for him in 2QB/Superflex and if you are desperate in 1QB leagues.
QB Carson Wentz, IND - Wentz is getting healthier and he lit up the Ravens pass offense. Only mismanagement by Frank Reich kept the Colts from getting a big road win. Wentz is more than streamable against the Texans this week.
Quarterback Downgrade
QB Derek Carr, LV - Give the Bears defense some credit, but know that Carr and the Raiders offense just doesn't look the same as it did to open the season. A trip to Denver and date with Vic Fangio's defense isn't exactly an elixir for what is ailing them.
QB Kirk Cousins, MIN - Cousins didn't play that poorly against the thin Lions defense, but the Vikings called a super conservative game plan that almost cost them the game. This tendency is going to lower his floor and ceiling in any game against middling or poor offensive teams. The Panthers are probably one, so Cousins isn't a great start in Week 6.
QB Sam Darnold, CAR - Darnold's value and reliability from week-to-week took a big fall against the Eagles. Maybe he could have done more if the team didn't lead for most of the game, but it is still troubling to see him struggle when he's not facing a weak defense or playing during garbage time. The Vikings defense isn't very good, but we can't trust Darnold as a QB1.
QB Justin Fields, CHI - If you were hoping that Fields being named the starter would open up opportunities for him, you were disappointed on Sunday. The Bears defense is good enough to keep most games low scoring and the team just wants Fields to not lose the game, which is terrible for his fantasy outlook. Maybe he'll be forced to do more to keep up with Aaron Rodgers this week.
QB Taylor Heinicke, WAS - Heinicke had two bad interceptions and the limitations of his game showed vs. the Saints more than it had in previous weeks. Some in the organization may stand by him as the starter when Ryan Fitzpatrick is ready to play, but this game will give ammo to anyone who wants him to go back to the bench, perhaps as early as Week 7.
QB Taysom Hill, NO - Hill left the game with a concussion and Jameis Winston had his best game since Week 1. The Taysom Hill watch at quarterback is off now, and he might not be worth a roster spot in 2QB/Superflex unless you don't have a third quarterback.
QB Daniel Jones, NYG - Jones left the Week 5 game with a concussion suffered on a goal line carry. He might miss Week 6 against the Rams and the team could be more conservative with him in those situations after seeing the uncomfortable scene of Jones needing help to get off of the field after the play.
QB Mac Jones, NE - If we can't trust Jones against the Texans, who can we trust him against in 2QB/Superflex leagues. He did lead a comeback win against the Texans and a Damien Harris goal line fumble that turned the game wasn't on him, but Jones has been underwhelming for fantasy heading into a matchup with Dallas.
QB Russell Wilson, SEA - Wilson is out for multiple weeks, likely until Week 10, after breaking a finger on his throwing hand and having it surgically repaired.
QB Zach Wilson, NYJ - Wilson, and really his whole offense, was terrible against the Falcons, who were considered one of the worst defenses in the league coming in. Despite some glimmers of hope against the Titans in Week 4, Wilson remains a desperation play in 2QB/Superflex leagues going into his bye.
Running Back Upgrade
RB Devontae Booker, NYG - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Booker will get one, or maybe two starts as Saquon Barkley recovers from a freak low ankle sprain. The Rams and Panthers matchups aren't promising, but Booker should at least be a desperation play.
RB Michael Carter, NYJ - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Carter scored and led the Jets backfield in touches for the second straight week heading into his bye. His weekly ceiling is low, but you never know when a 10-15 point at running back off of the bench might save your bacon. Check if he's still available in short bench leagues heading into his bye.
RB Alex Collins, SEA - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Collins wasn't impressive running the ball against the Rams, and he lost his starting quarterback, but he also was involved in the passing game more than expected. Chris Carson may or may not return from his neck injury this week, but the possibility of Collins getting more starts by the end of the year is still a good one, so he should be carried in most leagues.
RB A.J. Dillon, GB - Dillon showed up bigger in the box score with four receptions and a score even though he was still the #2 back behind Aaron Jones. This is an uptick in value because he finally came through as a desperation play if you used him.
RB Leonard Fournette, TB - Fournette's usage didn't really change in Week 5, but he got the short yardage score instead of Ronald Jones, so Fournette was a fantasy RB1 this week. He's an everyweek RB2 heading into a Thursday night game with the Eagles.
RB Myles Gaskin, MIA - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Gaskin was used by necessity as the Dolphins couldn't get much going in the downfield passing game after Jacoby Brissett hurt his hamstring. Hopefully, they don't put him back in the bottle. He's worth a flex play on momentum and the matchup against the Jaguars.
RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Herbert was surprisingly in a committee with Damien Williams and he arguably outplayed Williams even though Williams got the score. He has desperation play value against the Packers this week and until David Montgomery returns in 3-4 weeks.
RB Chuba Hubbard, CAR - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Hubbard is an upgrade even though Christian McCaffrey is due back this week. He was the clear lead back and got a huge workload when the Panthers led most of the game this week, as opposed to Week 4 when he was marginalized in the second half. The team also released Rodney Smith, who took a lot of his snaps during garbage time in that game. Hubbard's value as an essential injury upside hold has been solidified.
RB Josh Jacobs, LV - Jacobs played with increased power and energy in his second week back, and his fantasy value rose with his level of play. The Raiders offense is still struggling and Jacobs is only a low ceiling RB2, but he feels like a reliable play going into a matchup at Denver.
RB Alvin Kamara, NO - The Jameis Winston Experience peaked again in Week 5 helping Kamara look like a top five fantasy pick again heading into his bye. The offensive line and wide receiver group should only get healthier and aid Kamara's fantasy prospects.
RB Marlon Mack, IND - (waiver wire: 1%) - The Chiefs are interested in Mack, who looks fine a year removed from achilles surgery. That's enough to make him worth adding in deep leagues.
RB Jerick McKinnon, KC - (waiver wire: 1%) - McKinnon becomes the #2 back in Kansas City with the injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire, so he has rosterable value now in deep leagues.
RB Sony Michel, LAR - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Michel was pedestrian when he briefly replaced Darrell Henderson, but the bottom line is that Henderson got dinged again, and Michel was even able to score in the win over the Seahawks. He's an essential injury upside backup because of his experience and the offense he plays in.
RB Elijah Mitchell, SF - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Mitchell was the lead back for the 49ers, but didn't get many opportunities with Trey Lance running the show. He's just a what the heck flex until things get on track after this week's bye, but he should have at least 2-3 more weeks as the #1 until Jeff Wilson is ready to return.
RB Samaje Perine, CIN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Perine scored on a reception and got the first carry of the game despite reports that Joe Mixon would get close to his usual workload on Sunday. Mixon might have returned too early a la Dalvin Cook, but he looked better than Cook did in Week 4, and Perine complicated this situation by getting put on the covid list Monday. Perine is still an injury upside backup hold considering that Mixon isn't 100% right now, but there are some variables to watch right now.
RB James Robinson, JAX - Robinson is back to defying the fantasy value problems of playing for one of the worst teams in one of the worst offenses in the league. He's an autostart going forward.
RB DAndre Swift, DET - Swift reminded us that despite the split backfield and ho-hum offense, he can still put up a very good fantasy week with just a few effective drives at the end of a slow game for his team. He's worth the rollercoaster ride as your RB2.
RB Jonathan Taylor, IND - Taylor is still in more of a committee than we expected, but he is converting passing game opportunities into big plays and now his offense is coming together. He is going to end up being worth that high pick after all.
RB Darrel Williams, KC - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out for a few weeks with an MCL sprain. Williams should get goal line chances to himself for a few weeks now, and he is a functional back in all aspects of the game. Jerick McKinnon will play a role, but Williams is the Chiefs back you want while Edwards-Helaire is out.
Running Back Downgrade
RB Saquon Barkley, NYG - Barkley suffered a freak lower ankle sprain when he stepped on a Cowboy player's foot. He'll likely miss one or perhaps two weeks, but should be back soon.
RB Chris Carson, SEA - Carson missed Week 5 with a neck issue, and there's no telling whether he'll play in Week 6. Neck injuries can end seasons unexpectedly, so Carson's value is shaky going forward, but as long as he doesn't go on injured reserve, that means he's worth carrying in your fantasy league to see when he'll be ready to play again.
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC - Edwards-Helaire left with an MCL sprain. He's likely to miss a few weeks but may not end up on injured reserve.
RB J.D. McKissic, WAS - McKissic was barely used despite being on the field as much as he usually is in a game the Football Team trailed big in the second half. The up and down scoring profile makes it hard to trust him in a week against the Chiefs that sets him up for success. Don't drop him yet in PPR leagues unless it's for someone over 5-10% in recommended waiver bid value.
RB Trey Sermon, SF - Sermon went back to the bench with the return of Elijah Mitchell. Apparently his performance while Mitchell was out was not enough to carve out even a modest role in the backfield. He's not worth carrying except in deep redraft leagues.
RB Devin Singletary, BUF - Singletary only got 15 snaps in the win over the Chiefs in a sign that his only path to value now is a Zack Moss injury, even though he got off to a hot start this year. Moss has had trouble staying off of the injury report, so Singletary could be a hot waiver pickup again soon.
Wide Receiver Upgrade
WR Rashod Bateman, BAL - (waiver wire: 1%) - Bateman should be ready to return next week against the Chargers. The Ravens pass offense is low volume, but Lamar Jackson has been improved by leaps and bounds as a passer, so there's some potential worth stashing if your bench is long enough.
WR Antonio Brown, TB - Brown beat Xavien Howard for a couple of scores and showed that he is still one of the best wide receivers in the game. He has broken out with Rob Gronkowski sidelined, but should remain in lineups Thursday against the Eagles even if Gronkowski is back - which is unlikely.
WR Marquise Brown, BAL - Brown had his biggest game yet of the season to move into the WR1 ranks across formats. With Lamar Jackson peaking as a passer, Brown is a fantasy cornerstone going forward.
WR Chase Claypool, PIT - Claypool had a big game as the Steelers offensive line had one of its best performances of the year and Ben Roethlisberger was better throwing the ball downfield. Juju Smith-Schuster's injury should open up more chances for Claypool to play in the slot and free up targets to increase his value.
WR Mecole Hardman, KC - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Hardman bounced back with his highest volume game of the season, although it was in a losing game script that may not be reproduceable. The bigger boost to his value is the knee injury to Tyreek Hill, which is minor, but increases the potential value growth down the line if it becomes something more significant.
WR Rondale Moore, ARI - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - Moore had a very good fantasy day with his snaps and targets trending up and he gave the team no reason to go away from him. A 26-yard run was just short of a score, and he also had a long catch that has to be seen to be believed. This is exactly the kind of stuff that forces a team to increase a young player's role. The season-ending injury to Maxx Williams could also force the team to play more four wide sets and increase Moore's involvement in the offense.
WR Tim Patrick, DEN - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Patrick bounced back with the return of Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos opening up the pass offense in the fourth quarter in an attempt to come back. Jerry Jeudy could be back in a week or two, but for now Patrick still has startable value against the Raiders this week.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Peoples-Jones upstaged Odell Beckham while logging the second most snaps and most targets of any Browns wide receiver in the shootout loss to Chargers. He'll be worth a what the heck flex look against the Cardinals this week and could see his value grow with more big play opportunities.
WR DeVonta Smith, PHI - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Smith came through with a solid fantasy day on a miserable overall afternoon for the Eagles offense. That's two straight good games and this one came without the benefit of garbage time. He's a strong WR3/Flex against the Bucs on Thursday night.
WR Courtland Sutton, DEN - Sutton rolled his ankle in practice during the week, but you couldn't tell he had any ill effects from it against the Steelers. He had a long score and came alive in the fourth quarter in the futile comeback effort. He's a must play in Week 6 against the Raiders despite his up and down season to date.
WR Kadarius Toney, NYG - (waiver wire: 50+%) - Toney was sensational before and after Kenny Golladay and Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley went out before getting thrown out of the game for his role in an altercation. He should become the team's #1 receiver in short order on his play, not just because of the rash of injuries at the position. Toney did have a leg injury that necessitated X-rays, but they were negative. He could miss Week 6, but is still the waiver priority of the day.
WR Robert Woods, LAR - Sean McVay said he wanted to get Woods more opportunities in Week 5 and he followed through on that intention. Even though we have suffered through a few floor games from Woods, as long as his ceiling is as high as he showed in Week 5, we will keep him in our lineups.
Wide Receiver Downgrade
WR Robby Anderson, CAR - Anderson got seven targets one week after getting 11, but neither game resulted in anything we are pursuing in fantasy leagues. It won't be a shock to see him develop some value at some point, but it's understandable if you are impatient and ready to drop him.
WR Cole Beasley, BUF - Beasley's lack of involvement in the pass offense is becoming a trend now as the Bills are winning comfortably. He could still have a big game if Tennessee can keep up with the Bills offense, but it's just as likely that we can't predict when he will be fantasy relevant now that Dawson Knox has emerged at tight end.
WR Odell Beckham, CLE - Beckham looks healthy, but it just isn't clicking between him and Baker Mayfield. We are keeping him on our bench until he gives a reason to play him, but we might be waiting for the rest of the season if Beckham can't do anything of note in a 47-42 game.
WR Tyler Boyd, CIN - Boyd is important to the offense on key conversions, but with Tee Higgins back, he wasn't a core part of the pass offense against the Packers. He's a low ceiling PPR WR3/Flex at best against the Lions this week.
WR Jamison Crowder, NYJ - Crowder was disappointing in a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the league. He might not be worth carrying through the bye with the Jets progress from Week 4 evaporating.
WR Corey Davis, NYJ - Davis has been a boom bust play so far this year, but you expect more boom than bust when he is facing a bottom dweller defense like the Falcons. He's still worth rostering, but we might need to see sustained improvement from the Jets before trusting him in lineups again.
WR Kenny Golladay, NYG - Golladay left the Week 5 game with a knee injury. His Week 6 status is unknown.
WR Marvin Jones, JAX - Jones was set up for increased targets with the injury to DJ Chark, but instead the pass offense ran through Tavon Austin, Jamal Agnew, and Dan Arnold. Jones is just a what the heck flex/desperation play against Miami and if this continues, may end up being droppable.
WR Tyler Lockett, SEA - Lockett gets a big downgrade without Russell Wilson's ability to keep plays alive and throw downfield. He'll be a boom/bust WR3/Flex as long as Geno Smith is the quarterback, which is probably through Week 10.
WR Curtis Samuel, WAS - Samuel is back to being week-to-week with his groin injury. He might not be 100% this year.
WR Laviska Shenault, JAX - There was hope that Shenault would be a mainstay in the Jaguars pass offense after DJ Chark went out, but he was an afterthought in the loss to the Titans. He's only worth holding to see if the Jaguars can figure out how to use their most talented healthy receiver, but shouldn't be in lineups against Miami.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT - Smith-Schuster is out for the year after suffering a shoulder injury and having surgery. He may have played his last game as a Steeler.
WR Adam Thielen, MIN - We knew Thielen was touchdown dependent for ceiling games, but the Vikings going ultra-conservative against the poor Lions pass defense put Thielen at his floor in what should have been a smash spot. Thielen still belongs in lineups against the Panthers, but another result like this will erode confidence.
WR Jaylen Waddle, MIA - Waddle was in a good spot for volume with Will Fuller out against the Bucs defense that forces teams to go pass heavy, but then Jacoby Brissett got hurt and Myles Gaskin became the focus of the passing game. Waddle could get a boost when Tua Tagovailoa comes back, but right now his value is trending down.
Tight End Upgrade
TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND - (waiver wire: 1%) - Alie-Cox has taken over the #1 tight end role in the Colts offense and while his production was modest in a 400+ yard game from Carson Wentz, with Wentz getting better and lots of AFC South matchups on the schedule, he could end up being an answer at tight end.
TE Dan Arnold, JAX - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Arnold got a big bump up in snaps in his second game with the Jaguars and he led the team in targets with eight and catches with six. Who knows what the Jaguars offense will look like week to week, but you could do worse than Arnold for a streamer.
TE Zach Ertz, PHI - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Dallas Goedert was placed on the covid list, so he's unlikely to play in Week 6, which should set up Ertz for a huge target load against the Bucs.
TE Hunter Henry, NE - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - A relatively even split in targets between Henry and Jonnu Smith tilted greatly in Henry's face against the Texans. Henry has now scored in two straight weeks and had at least four catches and 32 receiving yards in three straight weeks heading into a matchup with the Cowboys.
TE Dawson Knox, BUF - Knox was the big play receiver for the Bills against the Chiefs, with a 53-yard touchdown and two other catches for 41 and 23 yards. He's a solid TE1 heading into a matchup with the creampuff Titans defense.
TE David Njoku, CLE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Njoku had more targets in Week 5 than he had in the three weeks combined. Some of that was a high scoring game script and some of that was just what was working. Perhaps the Browns will seek to use one of their most athletically gifted targets more often going forward, but they also saw a few glimpses of this in Week 1 and Njoku faded into background. He's worth a speculative pickup, but maybe not a start against Arizona until we see if this is the beginning of a trend.
TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Seals-Jones played almost every snap and got eight targets (including three end zone targets) in the loss to the Saints. He looks streamable against the Chiefs defense that just gave up a huge game to Dawson Knox.
Tight End Downgrade
TE Jared Cook, LAC - Cook had only three targets for the second week out of the last three, and it's not clear that he has more to offer than Donald Parham. After a strong start to the season, his value is trending down heading into a matchup with the Ravens.
TE Noah Fant, DEN - Fant had his second dud in the last three games. He doesn't seem to be riffing with Teddy Bridgewater so far and isn't a sure start in fantasy lineups against the Raiders this week.
TE Dallas Goedert, PHI - Goedert was placed on the covid list and is likely to miss Week 6
TE Robert Tonyan, GB - Tonyan had only two targets in the win over the Bengals. At this point, we have to wonder what we are waiting around for. He could still have an outburst one of these weeks because Aaron Rodgers, but Tonyan should probably be thrown back to the waiver wire.
TE Darren Waller, LV - Waller is still getting a good number of targets for a tight end and he hasn't truly been a bust in PPR leagues in any week, but Week 1 is clearly the aberration here as teams are forcing Derek Carr to throw elsewhere instead of letting Waller run free. The Broncos have had problems with Waller in the past, so if he doesn't go off this week, it might be time to accept that he's just a middling TE1, not the elite option he looked like in December 2020 and Week 1 2021.
TE Maxx Williams, ARI - Williams season is over after he suffered a severe knee injury against the 49ers.