Week 5 Waiver Wire: Stat Projections for Top Fantasy Pickups and Sleepers

There is still so much sorting to do in fantasy football, even with one month of NFL action already in the books and the fall season settling in. Fantasy football rosters and lineups change far more often than the color of the leaves do. Whether you’re at the top of the heap in your league or doing whatever you can to not get accustomed to life at the bottom of the barrel, there’s always that pressure to unearth the right player to make your squad blossom. As it stands, it’s always a good idea to check out which players fantasy football owners are flocking to. The hive mind won’t get every player right, but it’s a fine way to check against your own hunches and research as you plan a waiver-wire strategy for the week ahead.Here are the top fantasy pickups on ESPN and Yahoo Sports heading into Week 5. To account for the larger fantasy leagues, only players owned in less than 50 percent of leagues on either site are included in the list. 

Stat Projections for Top Pickups and Sleepers

Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Week 5 stat projections (via NFL.com): 273 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; 13 RSH YDS

After hoping that some would forget about him during his bye in Week 4, fantasy owners are pouncing on Philadelphia Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who has made the great leap from North Dakota State in the FCS to the NFL look way too easy.In three games, Wentz has amassed 769 passing yards and five touchdowns without a turnover of any sort. The Bismarck, North Dakota, native truly looks ready for prime time, and fantasy owners are ready to get him on the roster, whether it’s to stash or start. 

Those waiting for Wentz to take his rookie lumps may have to wait another week. The Eagles play the Detroit Lions in Week 5. The Lions have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, per Yahoo Sports. Chicago Bears signal-caller Brian Hoyer is nobody’s idea of a light-’em-up quarterback, but even he managed 302 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions in Week 4.With a deep stable of running backs, a solid wide receiver corps and the potential return of a fine tight end in Zach Ertz, Wentz should have everything he needs at his disposal to continue what’s turning out to be a brilliant rookie campaign.

For fantasy owners, this is the week to throw him into the starting lineup and hope for the best.

Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Week 5 stat projections: 32 RSH YDS, 4 REC YDS, 1 TD

The Baltimore Ravens backfield has been difficult to decipher this season, at least as far as fantasy football is concerned. Justin Forsett and Terrance West spent the first three weeks of the season splitting carries, with neither player able to gain much traction or deliver the kind of performance to keep fantasy owners happy. 

In Week 4, Forsett was a healthy scratch, which paved the way for West to have a breakthrough game with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. As Pro Football Focus’ Scott Barrett noted, the Ravens can trust West to make something out of every touch: 

RBs w/ highest % of carries for positive yards:Terrance WestFrank GoreLatavius Murray

— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 3, 2016

The issues with trusting West are twofold. There’s …

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