The Big Lead

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 5: Duke Johnson, Antonio Andrews, and Allen Hurns Highlight Options

By Jason Lisk

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Week 5 is here. While there isn’t any major injury news this week that affects where you should go, there are plenty of quality receivers to consider if you have a roster spot, and some speculative running back adds.

Duke Johnson (50%) highlights the additions to consider. He’ll be a flex option at the outset, but after starting the year with a concussion that limited him at the end of preseason, here are Johnson’s percentage of touches (rushes + receptions) in the first four weeks, compared to Isaiah Crowell: 33%, 44%, 50%, 53%. He’s been the preferred back in passing situations, and since the Browns project as a team that will trail more than not, Johnson can carve out a bigger role still.

Don’t forget about Antonio Andrews (15%), who was on a bye week last week with the Titans. The matchup isn’t great this week against Buffalo, but he’s a speculative stash. While the Titans used all three backs in their last game in week 3, Andrews got far more rushing attempts and is the likely goal line back. For cheap, take a chance that he is more than a one-week wonder in terms of usage and gets a bigger role against better matchups after this week.

Allen Hurns (28%) was targeted 15 times last week. Allen Robinson draws attention, and the Jaguars are going to be trailing and throwing. Hurns is the clear 2nd option in the Jacksonville passing game, with a chance to turn in better numbers than Robinson.

As always, I try to list the top options in a variety of leagues, as I include the percentage of ownership in CBS Sports Leagues entering this week. Shallow Leagues include players owned in 50-70% of leagues. Average Leagues is for players available 25-49% of the time. Deep Leagues include players owned less than 25% of the time.

QUARTERBACKS

Average and Shallow Leagues: Jay Cutler (45%) is back at KC, a team that has been torched in the secondary by Rodgers and Dalton the last two weeks. He’s a borderline QB1 this week with the matchup, especially if Alshon Jeffery can make it back.

Alex Smith (44%) in the same matchup is in a favorable situation against the Chicago defense. Blake Bortles (33%) at TB feels like one of those games that could see some wild and wackiness, and is a mid-QB2 this week and a bye week fill-in option.

Deep Leagues: Josh McCown (10%) played well last week and draws a Baltimore team that has been beaten deep on a few occasions.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: If Ronnie Hillman (66%) is still available, go get him. He continues to get as many touches as C.J. Anderson, he had another big run, and could carve out a bigger role. Thomas Rawls (62%) wasn’t particularly impressive replacing Lynch but could still get another chance, keep an eye on injury reports. Charles Sims (52%) is close to surpassing Doug Martin in Tampa Bay.

Average Leagues:  Andre Williams (31%) continues to get an equal amount of touches and goal line looks, and San Francisco has struggled. Flex matchup option.

Deep Leagues: See Antonio Andrews above as the choice. Anthony Dixon (6%) could be pressed into action; Karlos Williams had a concussion on Sunday and McCoy of course missed the last game; the team signed Dan Herron today which could signify concern about their depth for this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow Leagues: Michael Crabtree (67%) is in the top 15 in targets, the Raiders are a better passing team and he hasn’t had a huge game yet. Should be added.

Average Leagues: Have highlighted Leonard Hankerson (32%) over the last two weeks, and he is clearly the #2 WR option in Atlanta. Gets to start against his old team in Washington this week. WR3 for rest of year.

Rueben Randle (43%) continues to be a good option with Victor Cruz’ status in doubt, and draws San Francisco.

Deep Leagues: Kamar Aiken (1%) becomes more desirable as there is concern about Perriman’s status this year. A matchup against Cleveland this week makes him a top 36 starting option.

Willie Snead (1%) vs PHI has seen his role expand each week and was Brees’ preferred target Sunday night.

Tavon Austin (22%) has quietly been having a much better sophomore campaign and expect more openings with Gurley getting healthy and ramping up.

Jamison Crowder (1%) could see an expanded role in Washington due to injuries–DeSean still out and Jordan Reed hurt.

TIGHT ENDS

Shallow Leagues: Delanie Walker (64%) might be relatively forgotten because the team had a bye and he missed a week; the tight end has been a big part of the offense with Mariota.

Coby Fleener (56%) is an option on a short week if Dwayne Allen isn’t back again.

Average and Deep Leagues: Gary Barnidge (19%) scored a TD for second week, and appears to be clicking with McCown.

OVERALL

Immediate Impact:

  1. Michael Crabtree
  2. Delanie Walker
  3. Allen Hurns
  4. Duke Johnson
  5. Ronnie Hillman
  6. Antonio Andrews
  7. Leonard Hankerson
  8. Kamar Aiken
  9. Anthony Dixon
  10. Jay Cutler
  11. Willie Snead
  12. Rueben Randle
  13. Coby Fleener

Longterm Impact:

  1. Michael Crabtree
  2. Delanie Walker
  3. Allen Hurns
  4. Duke Johnson
  5. Ronnie Hillman
  6. Leonard Hankerson
  7. Jay Cutler
  8. Antonio Andrews
  9. Kamar Aiken
  10. Willie Snead
  11. Rueben Randle
  12. Andre Williams
  13. Tavon Austin

[photo via USA Today Sports Images]