Fantasy football waiver wire: Titans' A.J. Brown among Week 5 targets

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If you can believe it, we already are almost 25 percent of the way through the NFL season. Several teams already have been decimated by injuries, while others have been a pleasant surprise.

After a "Monday Night Football" game that was about as entertaining as mowing your lawn, Week 5 is upon us.

If your team also has been bitten by the injury bug or simply failed to live up to expectations, the waiver wire can be your fantasy savior. 

Let’s take a look at four non-quarterbacks who could help your team bounce back as we jump into October, and are owned in less than 30 percent of Yahoo and ESPN fantasy football leagues.

A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans WR

6 percent owned in ESPN leagues, 10 percent owned in Yahoo leagues

You may accuse me of simply overreacting to one great week, but hear me out. Brown caught two touchdown passes in the first half Sunday from Marcus Mariota. While his targets haven’t been on par with a typical WR1 or WR2, he’s absolutely made the most of his opportunities.

The rookie has caught over 50 percent of his targets in three out of four games this season, and should continue to receive plenty of looks from Mariota, especially after he caught a slant and took it 55 yards to the house. Brown has quite an upside, and plays a favorable schedule over the next few weeks, making him a potential fantasy gem.

Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills WR

20 percent owned in ESPN leagues, 12 percent in Yahoo leagues

Some of you might have just learned that Beasley no is longer with the Cowboys, but the eight-year veteran has put together a solid season with the Bills so far in 2019. He was targeted a season-high 13 times in Week 4, ending up with seven catches for 75 yards against arguably the NFL’s best defense in the New England Patriots.

Overall, Beasley has caught more than 50 percent of his targets in every game this season, and is working with second-year quarterback Josh Allen who continues to improve. While he’s yet to find the endzone, it’s just a matter of time given his number of targets.

If you play in a PPR league, Beasley might just get you back in the win column next week.

Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers RB

19 percent owned in ESPN leagues, 29 percent owned in Yahoo leagues

As I mentioned, Monday night’s game between the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals was an absolute snoozefest. However, one potential fantasy sleeper did emerge. Samuels made plays in a variety of ways, even getting some snaps as a quarterback in a “wildcat” formation.

He had 10 carries, caught eight passes, and had three completions as well. You can’t ask for a much more versatile set of opportunities. While teams likely will solve that “wildcat” formation in the coming weeks, Samuels clearly has become a weapon for Mike Tomlin’s offense and should continue to get the football.

Samuels also is a valuable handcuff for James Conner, who has been somewhat banged up already this season.

[RELATED: 49ers, Raiders rise in NFL Power Rankings]

Chris Herndon, New York Jets TE

8 percent owned in ESPN leagues, 16 percent in Yahoo leagues

Herndon has yet to play in 2019, but put together a solid 2018, amassing over 500 receiving yards and four touchdowns on an abysmal Jets offense. The rookie closed the season with a championship performance, catching six balls for 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 16, which may have propelled a few fantasy players to league titles.

There’s no sugarcoating the Jets quarterback situation this year, Sam Darnold doesn’t seem to be coming back anytime soon and Luke Falk hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.

But Herndon should be the starter once he returns from his suspension in Week 6, so now would be the time to snag him before other players come flooding in next week.

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