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Fantasy Football 2018: Waiver wire targets for Week 5

By Donnie Druin

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers after a complete pass and short run into the end zone for a touch down in the second quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers after a complete pass and short run into the end zone for a touch down in the second quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

2018 stat-line: 1,197 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT
ESPN Ownership: 52.9 percent

Dalton now finds himself ranked as a top-10 fantasy quarterback after another stellar performance in Atlanta. Dalton has now passed for over 300 yards in back-to-back games with multiple touchdowns on both occasions as well.

In the four-game sample size we have of him, Dalton’s worst passing performance came in week one in which he only churned 243 yards through the air. Dalton was still able to throw multiple touchdowns in that contest, a feat he’s done all season.

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His worst fantasy performance came at the hands of a Carolina secondary that intercepted him four times. The good news? Dalton was still able to score 19 fantasy points that day. The better news? He has just one game where four interceptions were laid on the table.

This week, Dalton faces a Miami secondary that ranks in the bottom quarter of the league in total passing yards, giving up 285 per game. The Dolphins are no easy out, but Dalton is worth a stream moving forward.

Alex Smith, Washington Redskins 

2018 stat-line: 767 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
ESPN Ownership: 64.4 percent

I’m hesitant to sip the Mitch Trubisky Kool-Aid, and many of the options left that are within a low ownership in leagues are either awful (Josh Allen, anybody?) and guys that have already been suggested (Baker Mayfield, anybody?), thus leaving us Alex Smith. Smith hasn’t put up pretty numbers by any means thanks to a powerful rushing attack. However, Smith has managed to hit 20 fantasy points in 2-of-3 contests he’s played thus far.

However, Smith is coming off a bye week and visiting a New Orleans defense that has been suspect all season long. Given the nature of the Saints, this should be another high-scoring affair. Smith should essentially be a last-resort, but if you’re creeping through the waiver wire and simply can’t find another quarterback you like, look to Smith in a potentially high-scoring affair in New Orleans.

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