Here's my top recommended waiver wire and streaming targets ahead of the coming week. Waiver Wire targets are designed to be multi-week roster-worthy options while streaming options are designed to be one-week lineup options based on matchup, injuries, and/or situation. To be eligible as a waiver wire or streaming option, the player must be available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Top Waiver Wire Targets of the Week:
Roschon Johnson (RB - Chicago Bears) - Both Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson exited the Bears' TNF game against Washington. Johnson's injury (concussion) leaves him likely to return in Week 6, especially with an extended week for recovery while Herbert's injury (ankle) will likely force him to "miss multiple weeks" per Tom Pelissero. The Bears haven't exactly been an exceptional fantasy source this season, but have ramped up production over the last two weeks. Johnson has shown what he can do when given the opportunity, averaging 4.9 YPC this season, and posting a 17.5-point performance in his lone week of exceeding the 10-touch threshold (Week 1). With Herbert missing time, Johnson could be a solid RB2 option for the better part of the middle of the season.
Tyjae Spears (RB - Tennessee Titans) - Spears continues to be the most effective RB in the Titans' backfield, even over Derrick Henry, averaging 5.8 YPC through five weeks, and now showing some standalone value for fantasy purposes with an 11-touch, 69-yard, 1-TD, 16.9-point game in Week 5. He's not someone that I would trust in my lineup on a weekly basis, but Spears appears a potential matchup-based FLEX option to fill in for injuries/bye weeks. Where he provides his most significant value is as a handcuff to Henry - should the Titans' lead back go down, Spears becomes a fringe-RB1 option. He's a worthwhile stash on the bench for his standalone value but factoring in the handcuff potential takes his value over the top.
Josh Downs (WR - Indianapolis Colts) - Downs has shown a promising role through the first five weeks of his career, drawing 5+ targets in four of his first five games, plus now going for 6+ catches, 50+ yards, and 13+ fantasy points in two of his last three games. That comes with a career-best 6 for 97 (15.7 points) in Week 5 with Gardner Minshew filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson, who exited Week 5 with an AC Joint injury that will likely cost him at least a week or two. Downs is quickly becoming a favorite of Gardner Minshew (14 catches, 18 targets in 2 games with Minshew) and the definitive number 2 to Michael Pittman in the Colts' passing game. He's a priority stash for me, especially with his significant involvement over the last few weeks.
Quentin Johnston (WR - Los Angeles Chargers) - It's 'beating a dead horse' with Johnston, but he remains available in over 50% of leagues after his Week 5 bye week. He wasn't significantly involved in the first game without Mike Williams (3 targets, 1 catch) due to a negative game script with the Chargers leading for over 50 minutes, but Johnston will be involved, especially as the season progresses. He's a potential long-term WR2 at least worth a stash on the bench.
Curtis Samuel (WR - Washington Commanders) - Samuel showed out with an 18.5-point performance on TNF in Week 5 (6-65-1), granted a large majority of that production came in 'garbage time' late, but that now makes twice this season he led Washington in catches, the third time he exceeded 11+ points, and every game this season where he has eclipsed the 6+ point threshold. That level of production (and consistent involvement) is not very common off the waiver wire at this point of the season. He may not offer the long-term upside a player like Downs or Johnston may offer but Samuel has shown he is more than a reliable depth WR and a potential FLEX/WR3 option on a bye week/injury-based basis.
Justice Hill (RB - Baltimore Ravens)
Jonnu Smith (TE - Atlanta Falcons)
Jonathan Mingo (WR - Carolina Panthers)
Josh Reynolds (WR - Detroit Lions)
Logan Thomas (TE - Washington Commanders)
Top Streaming Options of the Week:
Quarterbacks:
Baker Mayfield (vs Detroit Lions)
Desmond Ridder (vs Washington Commanders)
Sam Howell (at Atlanta Falcons)
Runningbacks:
Roschon Johnson (vs Minnesota Vikings)
Tyjae Spears (vs Baltimore Ravens)
Emari Demercado (at Los Angeles Rams)
Wide Receivers:
Curtis Samuel (at Atlanta Falcons)
Josh Downs (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Josh Reynolds (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tight Ends:
Jonnu Smith (vs Washington Commanders)
Logan Thomas (at Atlanta Falcons)
Gerald Everett (vs Dallas Cowboys)
Defense/Special Teams:
Houston Texans (vs New Orleans Saints)
Atlanta Falcons (vs Washington Commanders)
Minnesota Vikings (at Chicago Bears)
Kickers:
Greg Joseph (at Chicago Bears)
Brett Maher (vs Arizona Cardinals)
Ka'imi Fairbairn (vs New Orleans Saints)