The 2022 fantasy football season continues to give us curveballs left and right with injuries and breakout performers. Right when we saw Cordarrelle Patterson emerge as a workhorse, the Atlanta Falcons had to pivot to rookie Tyler Allgeier as Patterson suffered a knee injury. Hopefully, you’re in a prime position to win a Week 5 waiver wire claim.
We’re paying close attention to the top names on the waiver wire all season long. Allgeier has become a surprising fantasy option for managers, and his backup Caleb Huntley could also be an option. We’ll dive into Allgeier’s and Huntley’s Week 5 waiver wire value against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Should You Add Tyler Allgeier From the Waiver Wire for Week 5?
Available in 81% of Yahoo leagues and 83% of ESPN leagues, Allgeier is still a possible sleeping giant within the fantasy community. The fifth-round pick has seen luck break his way, as Damien Williams is on injured reserve with a rib injury, and Patterson suffered a knee injury that’ll keep him out at least a month. Allgeier has the second-most carries among backs on the roster and has performed impressively in relief of Patterson.
The Falcons have suddenly turned into a powerful running team with Marcus Mariota at quarterback in 2022. Poor Matt Ryan left a team unable to run for years in Atlanta to join the Colts where he inherited Jonathan Taylor. And yet, it’s the Falcons utterly dominant on the ground while the Colts are stuck in the mud.
Atlanta flexed hard on the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, rushing for 202 yards and two scores on 35 attempts. They beat Cleveland at their own game despite being without Patterson for two-plus quarters and Williams.
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Allgeier and Huntley tied each other with 10 carries, with Allgeier leading the team with 84 yards and one reception for 20 yards. Huntley, meanwhile, logged his first career rushing touchdown along with 56 yards. We don’t yet know exactly how this rotation will play out, but Allgeier was getting early-down carries.
As the RB55 and No. 204 overall player for Week 5 in our PFN expert PPR fantasy rankings, Allgeier is not considered a preferred starter against the powerful Buccaneers defense. It’s true that Kansas City found success against the unit in Week 4, but Tampa Bay has allowed the second-fewest amount of fantasy points to backs thanks to their stingy front seven.
The Chiefs overcame that thanks to Patrick Mahomes’ ability to spread the field, whereas Mariota can’t demand the same respect as a passer or playmaker. Allgeier will get touches, but can we confidently believe he’ll outperform other backs on your roster this week? It’s a tough sell.
I certainly recommend picking Allgeier off the waiver wire. He’s a viable Flex play or RB2 in the right matchups. There should be some concern he’ll lose playing time to Williams upon his return, though, so don’t mortgage too much in order to secure Allgeier on your roster.
Should You Add Caleb Huntley From the Waiver Wire for Week 5?
While it’s not a guarantee Allgeier will own the lion’s share of snaps for the Falcons until Williams and Patterson get back, Huntley should be more of the RB2 than RB1B in this backfield. Huntley fills the role as the short-yardage back who thumps through contact with his 5-foot-10, 229-pound frame.
With only 22% of snaps played in Week 4 and the fact he had one carry in three snaps from Weeks 1-3, it’s safe to say Huntley is a long shot to be fantasy-relevant unless he becomes a touchdown vulture. Barring this offense becoming more high-volume or trading Patterson and benching Williams, Huntley simply won’t see enough touches to be on your roster anytime soon.
Upcoming matchups against San Francisco and Cincinnati after facing Tampa Bay influence that analysis. I don’t expect Atlanta to continue being the No. 4 rushing offense after facing that run of effective run-stopping units.
