Week 5 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

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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. If a downgrade player has a (waiver wire: DROP FOR X% OR HIGHER) notation, that means drop that player for any waiver wire addition with a recommended bid of X% or higher.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB C.J. Stroud, HOU (waiver wire: 15-30%)
2. QB Sam Howell, WAS (waiver wire: 10-20%)
3. QB Justin Fields, CHI
4. QB Matthew Stafford, LAR (waiver wire: 7-15%)
5. QB Anthony Richardson, IND
6. QB Lamar Jackson, BAL
7. QB Zach Wilson, NYJ (waiver wire: 3-5%)
8. QB Josh Allen, BUF
9. QB Joshua Dobbs, ARI (waiver wire: 1%)
10. QB Baker Mayfield, TB (waiver wire: 1%)
11. QB Taylor Heinicke, ATL (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
12. QB Mitch Trubisky, PIT (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Kenny Pickett, PIT (waiver wire: DROP)
2. QB Desmond Ridder, ATL (waiver wire: DROP)
3. QB Derek Carr, NO (waiver wire: DROP )
4. QB Daniel Jones, NYG (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
5. QB Joe Burrow, CIN (waiver wire: HOLD)
6. QB Deshaun Watson, CLE (waiver wire: HOLD)
7. QB Kirk Cousins, MIN
8. QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN (waiver wire: 20-40%)
2. RB Khalil Herbert, CHI
3. RB De'Von Achane, MIA
4. RB Josh Jacobs, LV
5. RB Alvin Kamara, NO
6. RB Derrick Henry, TEN
7. RB Chuba Hubbard, CAR (waiver wire: 5-10%)
8. RB David Montgomery, DET
9. RB Isiah Pacheco, KC
10. RB Dameon Pierce, HOU
11. RB Cam Akers, MIN (waiver wire: 3-5%)
12. RB Alexander Mattison, MIN
13. RB Ronnie Rivers, LAR (waiver wire: 3-5%)
14. RB D'Andre Swift, PHI
15. RB Jordan Mason, SF (waiver wire: 1%)
16. RB Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA (waiver wire: 1%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB Kendre Miller, NO (waiver wire: DROP)
2. RB Javonte Williams, DEN (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
3. RB Najee Harris, PIT (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
4. RB Miles Sanders, CAR
5. RB Jaylen Warren, PIT (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
6. RB Roschon Johnson, CHI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER)
7. RB Raheem Mostert, MIA
8. RB Jerick McKinnon, KC (waiver wire: HOLD)

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR Romeo Doubs, GB (waiver wire: 10-20%)
2. WR Chris Godwin, TB
3. WR Curtis Samuel, WAS (waiver wire: 7-15%)
4. WR Michael Wilson, ARI (waiver wire: 7-15%)
5. WR Nico Collins, HOU
6. WR DJ Moore, CHI
7. WR Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (waiver wire: 5-10%)
8. WR Jameson Williams, DET (waiver wire: 5-10%)
9. WR Marquise Brown, ARI
10. WR Allen Lazard, NYJ (waiver wire: 3-5%)
11. WR Terry McLaurin, WAS
12. WR Puka Nacua, LAR
13. WR Garrett Wilson, NYJ
14. WR Brandon Aiyuk, SF
15. WR Braxton Berrios, MIA (waiver wire: 1%)

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Nelson Agholor, BAL (waiver wire: DROP)
2. WR DJ Chark Jr., CAR (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER)
3. WR Tee Higgins, CIN
4. WR George Pickens, PIT (waiver wire: HOLD)
5. WR Mike Evans, TB
6. WR Quentin Johnston, LAC (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
7. WR Michael Pittman Jr., IND
8. WR Jordan Addison, MIN
9. WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN (waiver wire: HOLD)
10. WR Chris Olave, NO
11. WR Deebo Samuel, SF
12. WR Rashid Shaheed, NO (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE Cole Kmet, CHI (waiver wire: 10-20%)
2. TE Jake Ferguson, DAL (waiver wire: 5-10%)
3. TE Mark Andrews, BAL
4. TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ (waiver wire: 3-5%)
5. TE Tyler Higbee, LAR
6. TE Jonnu Smith, ATL (waiver wire: 1%)

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE Pat Freiermuth, PIT (waiver wire: DROP)
2. TE Dallas Goedert, PHI (waiver wire: HOLD)
3. TE Luke Musgrave, GB (waiver wire: DROP FOR 7-15% OR HIGHER)
4. TE Kyle Pitts, ATL (waiver wire: HOLD)
5. TE Darren Waller, NYG (waiver wire: HOLD)
6. TE T.J. Hockenson, MIN

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Josh Allen, BUF - Allen looks very comfortable leading the Bills offense, and he is clicking again with his #1 receiver, Stefon Diggs. He'll take the show across the Atlantic Ocean this week to face the Jaguars as a top 2 fantasy quarterback.

QB Joshua Dobbs, ARI - (waiver wire: 1%) - Dobbs has been a strong QB1 two of the last three weeks, and in Week 4 he did it against the strong 49ers defense. He'll face another good pass defense this week when the Bengals come to town, and then the Rams and Seahawks. It's not clear when Kyler Murray will come back, but for at least another 2-3 weeks Dobbs should be a fine bye/injury quarterback or fill-in for a struggling QB1.

QB Justin Fields, CHI - The Broncos defense is good for what ails you. Fields and the Bears couldn't hang onto a 28-7 lead, but they did finally have a good offensive day. The Commanders defense is up this week and they are in the bottom half of the league, so expect Fields momentum to continue and don't fear putting him in your lineup.

QB Taylor Heinicke, ATL - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - The Falcons might not be ready to give up on Desmond Ridder yet, but Ridder has to be a few steps out on the plank after a rough Sunday in London vs. the Jaguars. The Texans defense is coming on, so they could push Ridder closer to the edge. Heinicke has been a fantasy relevant quarterback in the past, and the Falcons offense has the skill players to make him relevant again if he gets a shot.

QB Sam Howell, WAS - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Howell (and Eric Bieniemy) bounced back after a beatdown from the Bills with a narrow overtime loss in a shootout with the Eagles. Howell and the Commanders offense have turned a corner with their first good game against a top defense as a reward, they get the Bears this week.

QB Lamar Jackson, BAL - Jackson is settling into the Todd Monken passing game, his top passcatcher (Mark Andrews) is looking healthier now, and the quarterback is taking matters into his own hands to finish drives as a runner. He's back to elite QB1 status, but the Steelers are up this week and they have given him trouble in the past.

QB Baker Mayfield, TB - (waiver wire: 1%) - Mayfield led the Bucs to a decisive win in the Superdome and has his team in first place going into their bye. After the bye, he'll get the resurgent Lions defense, then the underrated Falcons defense and the Bills, so he might not be a matchup QB1 again for a while, but consider Mayfield worthy of carrying through the bye if you need a bye/injury backup and he's the best out there.

QB Anthony Richardson, IND - The good news is that Richardson actually finished a game, and the better news is that he was the #3 quarterback on the week, posting an elite 30+ fantasy point game despite being cold as a passer in the first half and only completing 11 passes in the game. He's a strong QB1 against Tennessee and might level off as an elite QB1 in his rookie year.

QB Matthew Stafford, LAR - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Stafford led his team to an overtime road victory despite getting a little banged up during the game. He'll face an Eagles defense that just had trouble with Sam Howell, and Cooper Kupp should be returning to boost Stafford's value soon.

QB C.J. Stroud, HOU - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Stroud is unlikely to be out there in most leagues, but check just in case. He had no problems carving up the Steelers pass defense even though he is still playing behind a banged up offensive line. He is a high floor everyweek QB1 going forward with the Falcons up next.

QB Mitch Trubisky, PIT - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - It doesn't sound like Kenny Pickett's injury is season-ending, but Trubisky wouldn't have much more value if it was. He's only 2QB/Superflex bye/injury depth while Pickett heals with the Ravens defense up next following their best game of the year.

QB Zach Wilson, NYJ - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Wilson showed legitimate improvement in Week 4 against a tough Chiefs defense and played well enough for his team to have a chance to beat the defending Super Bowl champs. A game this week against the Broncos should only increase his confidence and fantasy value.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Joe Burrow, CIN - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Burrow wasn't on the injury report at the end of the week, but he still looked like the same injured quarterback we saw in the first three games. Tee Higgins is going to miss some time with a broken rib, so Burrow is probably only an emergency play until after the team's Week 7 bye.

QB Derek Carr, NO - (waiver wire: DROP ) - Carr rallied to play vs. Tampa after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 4, but maybe the team would have been better off if he didn't. The Patriots defense is up this week, but the Saints play three AFC South teams in a row after that. Carr is not an essential hold heading into Week 5.

QB Kirk Cousins, MIN - Cousins threw a 99-yard pick six in the first half and the Vikings still controlled the game enough for the team to only have 19 pass attempts. The running game is improving, so the team might not have to rely solely on Cousins like they had through the first three games. Cousins should still be in lineups against the Chiefs with a possible shootout in the offing.

QB Daniel Jones, NYG - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - Jones was very accurate, completing over 80% of his passes, and he added over 60 yards as a runner vs. Seattle. He was also sacked 10 times and turned the ball over three times, so it was still a terrible night for him in fantasy leagues. The matchup against Miami has a lot of fantasy promise, but until this offense gets it together and Jones takes better care of the ball, he should be on our benches, if not dropped for a priority waiver pickup.

QB Kenny Pickett, PIT - (waiver wire: DROP) - Pickett suffered a knee injury in Week 4 that will sideline him for some time, but not for the rest of the season. Not that there was much there for fantasy when he was healthy. Whether he's worth carrying in Superflex/2QB depends on what we hear about his injury and how big benches are in your league.

QB Desmond Ridder, ATL - (waiver wire: DROP) - Ridder recovered for a decent second half in London, but he threw interceptions on back-to-back plays in the first half, including a pick six, and just didn't give his team a chance to win. The Falcons have to be getting closer to playing Taylor Heinicke.

QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA - Tagovailoa has either been an elite fantasy quarterback or a disappointment through four games. He can win your week, but against familiar AFC East foes, he has been pedestrian. While that means you can play him in all but three weeks if you want to dodge the Patriots and Jets (the second Bills game is in Week 18), he's not looking quite as valuable as he did going into Week 4.

QB Deshaun Watson, CLE - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Watson missed Week 4 with a sore throwing shoulder after he took a hit on it as a runner in Week 3. He'll have his bye to get healthy, but it's fair to wonder if this injury could recur if he takes a hit on it again, or if the team will limit him as a runner to protect the shoulder. He's probably still worth carrying through the bye.

Running Back Upgrade

RB De'Von Achane, MIA - Achane was the lead back for the Dolphins and responded with his second huge game in a row despite his team getting blown out by 28 points. Jeff Wilson could be back soon to take goal line work, but Achane is scoring from farther out and he can't be put back in the bottle at this point. It might take three duds in a row before we bench him.

RB Cam Akers, MIN - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Akers looked good on his few opportunities and should be considered the backup ahead of Ty Chandler, who didn't have a snap in Week 4. He only has Alexander Mattison injury upside, but that's worth a roster spot if bench size allows.

RB Derrick Henry, TEN - Henry was in prime form in Week 4 against the Bengals, showing no ill effects from the toe injury that cost him some practice time in recent weeks. Henry had a breakaway touchdown run and a touchdown pass against a confused defense to fuel the big win. We won't hesitate to start him in Week 5 against the Colts.

RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - Despite reports that Roschon Johnson's role would grow, Herbert was the clear lead back in Week 4 and posted his best game of the season by a large margin, including a touchdown reception and over 100 yards rushing. He's worth an RB2/Flex start against Washington on Thursday.

RB Chuba Hubbard, CAR - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Miles Sanders has a groin issue that began in camp and Hubbard outsnapped him in Week 4, so the arrow is pointing up for Hubbard, but he is still in a bad offense and Sanders injury may be on he plays through until the team's Week 7 bye, when he can recover. Unless Sanders is out vs. Detroit, consider Hubbard a what the heck flex, but worth carrying since the starter ahead of him is hurting.

RB Josh Jacobs, LV - Having a rookie quarterback that likes checking down helped Jacobs to post his first elite fantasy game of the season. Jacobs also scored on the ground to complement his eight catches for 81 yards. It might actually be better for his fantasy value if Jimmy Garoppolo takes one more week off even though Aidan O'Connell had typical rookie struggles behind a suspect offensive line.

RB Alvin Kamara, NO - Kamara came back to dominate running back snaps and touches for the Saints and should be in lineups going forward. He had an absurd 13 catches to give PPR teams a steady diet of cheap points.

RB Jordan Mason, SF - (waiver wire: 1%) - Mason is worth an add in deeper leagues with Elijah Mitchell ailing. He's clearly ahead of Tyrion Davis-Price on the depth chart and it doesn't seem like Mitchell can stay healthy for long.

RB Alexander Mattison, MIN - Mattison had his second strong game in a row after a rough start to the season against the Bucs and Eagles. He's back to being a solid RB2, although the matchup against the Chiefs could be rough for his fantasy outlook this week if the Vikings fall behind early.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - It doesn't sound like Javonte Williams hip injury is serious and he might not miss more than a couple of weeks, but while he sat in Week 4, McLaughlin showed the Broncos what they have been missing with over 100 total yards and a score. He won't be startable against the Jets unless Williams is out and should cede some passing down and goal line work to Samaje Perine, but his role (per Sean Payton) and value will grow as the season goes on. Consider him as a flex play in Week 5.

RB David Montgomery, DET - Montgomery being ready to play in Week 4 was a small surprise, but his getting a three touchdown game shouldn't have been after the Lions fed Jamaal Williams at the goal line last year. Consider him an everyweek start if you didn't already.

RB Isiah Pacheco, KC - Pacheco had his best game of the season and matched the physicality of the Jets defense to give the Chiefs offense an edge on a night that they needed it to escape with a win. He could be a more prominent part of the offense going forward and shouldn't be on anyone's bench against the Vikings.

RB Dameon Pierce, HOU - Pierce still didn't find a lot of room to run against the Steelers, but he had a huge workload in a lopsided win, and a touchdown was wiped off of the board by a penalty. The Texans vast improvement as a team over the first four games has put Pierce back into our RB2 ranks.

RB Ronnie Rivers, LAR - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Rivers looked good in his small workload backing up Kyren Williams, and the Rams continue to ride Williams like there's no tomorrow. The Rams haven't made a move at running back since trading away Cam Akers, so it looks like Rivers is the injury upside stash behind an ordinary running back that his team has turned into a fantasy RB1.

RB D'Andre Swift, PHI - Swift had 63% of the snaps to show us what kind of workload he'll get in a competitive game after it was a 54-46 split with Kenneth Gainwell in an easier Week 3 win. Swift also had his highest receiving output of the year with four catches, so he's a safe RB2 with a high ceiling heading into a matchup with the Rams.

RB Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Wilson is probably a third string back now with De'Von Achane emerging, but he could be the goal line back on a high scoring team, and he still has some Raheem Mostert injury upside - that is when he returns. We're not 100% sure Wilson will be back right away, so he's not a high priority yet.

Running Back Downgrade

RB Najee Harris, PIT - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Kenny Pickett wasn't exactly powering the Steelers offense to success, but you still have to see Mitchell Trubisky as a downgrade. Harris isn't an essential mired in a committee in one of the league's worst offenses.

RB Roschon Johnson, CHI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - There were reports that the Bears planned on increasing Johnson's role, but instead he had his lowest snap count of the year. He's still an intriguing back with a different and more complete skillset than Khalil Herbert, and the Bears offense is finally out of hibernation, so Herbert is a hold unless there's somebody really compelling on the wire.

RB Jerick McKinnon, KC - (waiver wire: HOLD) - McKinnon's snap count was right around 1/3, as it has been all year, but he didn't get a reception and the Chiefs offense was not in top form against the tough Jets defense. You are carrying McKinnon for his contributions later in the season, so don't get impatient, assuming bench sizes allow holding him.

RB Kendre Miller, NO - (waiver wire: DROP) - With Alvin Kamara back, the rookie Miller was running behind Tony Jones. Usually we are patient with rookie running backs, but Jamaal Williams should be back in a few weeks, so it's not clear what outside of a Kamara injury could make us care about Miller in the short term.

RB Raheem Mostert, MIA - Mostert has fallen behind De'Von Achane and he could be joined by short yardage option Jeff Wilson soon, but he's still been a strong fantasy option and he's in a great offense and running game. Consider him a flex play against the Giants this week.

RB Miles Sanders, CAR - Sanders was clearly affected by the groin issue that has plagued him on and off since training camp. With the surging Lions defense up next, he should be on benches for Week 5. At least the Panthers have a Week 7 bye.

RB Jaylen Warren, PIT - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Warren is at least getting a steady diet of short targets - and that could continue with Mitchell Trubisky - but the team isn't backing off of Najee Harris as a primary running option, and the offense isn't getting any better.

RB Javonte Williams, DEN - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 15-30% OR HIGHER) - Williams left Week 4 with a hip flexor injury that has him day-to-day heading into a Week 5 matchup with the Jets. To make things worse, UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin had a big game and could cut into Williams workload. Maybe Williams will remain a flex play if McLaughlin mostly usurps Samaje Perine's snaps, but things are not looking up for Javonte.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Brandon Aiyuk, SF - Aiyuk's stat line probably benefited from Deebo Samuel being much less than 100%, but it's clear that his shoulder issue isn't affecting him anymore, and that Brock Purdy trusts him in the deep passing game. Aiyuk is an everyweek start and should be in lineups against the Trevon Diggs-less Cowboys defense.

WR Braxton Berrios, MIA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Berrios was in a larger role with Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft both out with injuries that will cause them to miss multiple weeks. He had his biggest fantasy output of the season and could be worth an emergency depth bench spot in deeper leagues.

WR Marquise Brown, ARI - Brown had yet another good game with Joshua Dobbs, this time against another tough defense - San Francisco. He'll get Kyler Murray back in the next month or two, which means another value boost is coming.

WR Nico Collins, HOU - The Nico Collins/Tank Dell situation in Houston is closer to AJ Brown/DeVonta Smith than anyone expected going into the season, and it will stay that way as long as CJ Stroud keeps playing like this. Absorb the down weeks to get the spike weeks, of which Collins has already had two in four games.

WR Romeo Doubs, GB - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Aaron Jones and Christian Watson were both back in Week 4, albeit on snap counts, and Doubs still dominated targets and catches, albeit in a lopsided loss that got away from the team in the first half. Still, you have to think he's the one with the chemistry with Jordan Love and should be used as a WR3/Flex against the Raiders.

WR Chris Godwin, TB - Godwin had his first strong game of the season in the same contest that Mike Evans left with a hamstring injury. Evans might not miss any time because the Bucs are on bye this week, but this game was good evidence that Godwin too can be valuable in fantasy leagues with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.

WR Allen Lazard, NYJ - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Lazard caught a long score from an improving Zach Wilson in the near upset of the Chiefs. He'll have a good matchup against the Broncos in Week 5 and might even deserve some what the heck flex consideration.

WR Terry McLaurin, WAS - McLaurin got a lot of volume and posted a strong PPR game against a tough Eagles defense. If your scoring system awards points for offensive fumble recovery touchdowns, he had an elite fantasy game. With Sam Howell and the offense bouncing back from a blowout Week 3 loss vs. Buffalo, McLaurin's outlook is getting brighter.

WR DJ Moore, CHI - Justin Fields finally had a good day throwing the ball and DJ Moore had his best day of the year on the stat sheet. It's basically that simple. With Washington up next, expect Moore to stay hot.

WR Puka Nacua, LAR - What more can we say about Nacua? He caught his first NFL touchdown and it was a walkoff game winner. No NFL receiver has ever had a better first four games than Nacua. He'll still be relevant for fantasy when Cooper Kupp returns, which could be as early as this week.

WR Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Robinson was the best thing in the Giants offense on a night to forget. He has been knocking off the rust and rounding into form for an offense that seems limited to the short passing game until the offensive gets healthier and improves. He has solid bench depth value in PPR leagues with room to grow.

WR Curtis Samuel, WAS - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Samuel scored on a jet sweep that had the Eagles defense in disarray and he was part of a passing game is back in growth mode after a tough Week 3. The Bears are up next, so Samuel is worth a WR3/Flex spot in your lineup.

WR Jameson Williams, DET - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Williams suspension was shortened by two games, so he's eligible to return this week. He won't be an impact player right away, but if he can shake off the uneven play that plagued his summer, Williams could at least be a high ceiling what the heck flex play.

WR Garrett Wilson, NYJ - Wilson is living on short targets and has been better in PPR leagues this year, but Zach Wilson is improving, so his fantasy stock is up even though he may see a lot of Patrick Surtain this week against the Broncos - a matchup that didn't both DJ Moore last week.

WR Michael Wilson, ARI - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - The rookie Wilson scored twice against the 49ers and put himself in the WR3/Flex conversation going forward. Rondale Moore is going to be a non-factor in this passing game, and Kyler Murray will return in the next month or two, so the arrow is pointing up for Wilson as long as he can stay healthy.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Jordan Addison, MIN - Addison had been putting together good weeks with either long scores or good volume in the passing game, and he got neither in Week 4 as Kirk Cousins only threw the ball 19 times. He's still worth a what the heck flex start against the Chiefs this week.

WR Nelson Agholor, BAL - (waiver wire: DROP) - Agholor was an afterthought in the Ravens passing game, which is staying in the same low volume neighborhood it lived in under previous offensive coordinator Greg Roman. He can be dropped even though Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman missed Week 4 and the Steelers are up next.

WR DJ Chark Jr., CAR - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER) - The return of Bryce Young doomed Chark back to fantasy obscurity. It's also probably not a great sign that the Panthers were reportedly looking to trade for a starting wide receiver going into Week 4. Chark is far from an essential hold despite being a starting receiver... for now.

WR Mike Evans, TB - Evans suffered a hamstring injury and left the Week 4 game, but at least it came right before the Bucs bye week. Hopefully he'll be back in Week 6 with full practices, but until then we'll hold our breath hope that this is minor, as was initially reported.

WR Tee Higgins, CIN - Higgins left Week 4 with a rib fracture. He says he won't miss extended time and could play in Week 5 depending on pain tolerance and soreness, but it's also possible that we won't see him until after the team's Week 7 bye. He's a very risky play against the Cardinals if he can go this week.

WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Jeudy is over his preseason hamstring injury now, but the Broncos passing game is too low volume and spread out for him to be in lineups right now. The best hope is to hold him and wait for a potential trade of Jeudy or Courtland Sutton to concentrate targets.

WR Quentin Johnston, LAC - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - Johnston was a bust in his first game as the Chargers #3 receiver. Joshua Palmer is running ahead of him and it will remain that way for at least a while longer after Palmer caught a long bomb to clinch the game. Johnston isn't an essential hold.

WR Chris Olave, NO - You can't bench a player as steady and explosive as Olave, but it is still disturbing to see him do so little with a banged up Derek Carr at quarterback. Olave faces New England this week, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he had another down week because the Patriots like to take away the opposition's best option.

WR George Pickens, PIT - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Pickens came alive when Kenny Pickett got in the lineup last year, so Pickett's knee injury is bad news for his fantasy value. His game is more well-rounded that it was when he was a rookie, so let's see what Pickens can do on our benches against the Ravens with Mitchell Trubisky before doing anything rash.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., IND - Pittman was under 11 targets for the first time this year - all the way down to five - and now his rock solid status for our lineups is a little shakier. The Titans gave Joe Burrow fits, but Anthony Richardson is an entirely different assignment, so keep Pittman in this week, but get worried if it's another dud.

WR Deebo Samuel, SF - Samuel was able to play through rib and knee injuries, but he didn't see a target against the Cardinals. If he doesn't practice again this week, it might be best to leave him on the bench against the Cowboys.

WR Rashid Shaheed, NO - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Shaheed actually got seven targets and caught three of them, but Chris Olave only got five targets and the team only threw once to a tight end, so until the deep passing game gets back on track, it's hard to see how the Week 1 star Shaheed can matter in fantasy leagues. He's a drop if there's a compelling option out there.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Mark Andrews, BAL - Andrews had his biggest game of the year and appears to be rounding into form and leaving the quad injury that kept out of Week 1 behind him. He should have another good game against the Steelers this week.

TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Conklin had a good game against the Chiefs and put himself back on the fantasy radar with an improved Zach Wilson throwing him the ball. 2022 third round pick Jeremy Ruckert is increasing his role and could turn this back into a messy situation for fantasy, but for now we should consider Conklin in Week 5 lineups against the Denver defense that just allowed two scores to Cole Kmet.

TE Jake Ferguson, DAL - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Ferguson caught all seven targets thrown his way in Week 4 and he's becoming one of Dak Prescott's most dependable targets just as teams are starting to devote resources to limiting CeeDee Lamb's impact. Consider him a streamable tight end against the 49ers with a chance to grow into a steady fantasy starter.

TE Tyler Higbee, LAR - Higbee came into Week 4 nursing an achilles injury, but still posted a strong game in the overtime win against the Colts. If Cooper Kupp returns this week, it could put a dent in Higbee's value, but for now he's a solid TE1 against the Eagles.

TE Cole Kmet, CHI - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - We saw Kmet come alive as Justin Fields favorite red zone target once the offense got jumpstarted last year, and Week 4 was a repeat of that as Kmet scored twice against the Broncos. With the Commanders up on Thursday night, Kmet should be in lineups.

TE Jonnu Smith, ATL - (waiver wire: 1%) - So it has come to this. Smith is outperforming Kyle Pitts in every way and Desmond Ridder is looking him a lot more often. You might even argue that Smith is a better fantasy play than Pitts, and that you might pick up Smith to play over Pitts as long as Ridder is starting - which might only be one more week.

Tight End Downgrade

TE Pat Freiermuth, PIT - (waiver wire: DROP) - Freiermuth suffered a hamstring injury that was more than a tweak and he lost his starting quarterback. He can be dropped.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Goedert has yet to score this year despite coming into the season with red zone specialist buzz, and now after back to back seven target weeks, he only got four in an overtime game. He's too good to drop at a thin position like tight end, but it's understandable if you want to bench him against the Rams for an option that has been outperforming him.

TE T.J. Hockenson, MIN - Hockenson, like everyone else not named Justin Jefferson, struggled to help fantasy teams as the Vikings only threw 19 times. He should bounce back against the Chiefs this week, but Week 4 introduced more variance in the Minnesota run/pass split than expected.

TE Luke Musgrave, GB - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 7-15% OR HIGHER) - Musgrave appeared to be on the cusp of a breakout against the Lions defense that has been soft against the tight end, but left the game early with a concussion. Now that the Packers offense will have all hands on deck in Week 5, it's hard to know what Musgrave will be worth. He's not an essential hold as we wait to see if he can play in Week 5 with three extra days to clear concussion protocol.

TE Kyle Pitts, ATL - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Another week, another excruciating disappointment from Kyle Pitts, and this time Jonnu Smith put up one of the best fantasy tight end stat lines of the week to add insult to fantasy injury. The good news is that if Desmond Ridder keeps playing this poorly, Pitts will get an upgrade at quarterback in Taylor Heinicke.

TE Darren Waller, NYG - (waiver wire: HOLD) - It's hard to say who is the most disappointing fantasy tight end this year, but Waller is definitely in the running. If it weren't for a few garbage time catches, he would have had only one catch on the night. Things aren't exactly looking up for the Giants offense right now, but tight end is a rough position to find production, so we'll probably stick with him in a matchup that could have a lot of garbage time against Miami.