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

Knowing when to find the perfect waiver wire pickup or sleeper candidate is the difference between a successful fantasy manager and one who is, well, not.

Injuries and favorable match-ups have created several scenarios in Week 5 that should have managers scouring the waiver wire for potential breakout performers and hidden gems, including two veteran running backs likely to see the field due to injuries or poor performance, and a breakout wide receiver who could have a career day against a bad secondary.

Who are those players and what might their stat line look like by the time the final whistle blows Sunday?

Find out in this preview of the week's fantasy action.

The Rams secondary is bad. Real bad.

That means very good things for a Green Bay Packers team with young weapons, including wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks.

The second-year wideout found his stride in Week 4, catching five passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns against a solid Minnesota Vikings defense.

He could have a similarly prolific day Sunday against a Rams defense giving up 35.93 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. The team has allowed 40 receptions for 592 yards and seven touchdowns.

With Wicks establishing chemistry with Jordan Love last week, and the quarterback likely to have plenty of opportunities to feed him the ball, a big day in both FLEX and PPR leagues should be expected.

Projected Stat Line: 8 receptions on 12 targets, 100 yards, TD

What was old is new again in Kansas City as the Chiefs found out quickly in Week 4 that Kareem Hunt is a better option in the backfield than either Carson Steele or Samaje Perine.

The veteran back carried 14 times for 69 yards and caught two balls for 16 yards against the Chargers.

Look for that production to increase in Week 5 as he takes over starting duties and faces a Saints defense yielding 20.08 points to opposing running backs.

With Isaiah Pacheco sidelined due to injury, and an established relationship between head coach Andy Reid and Hunt dating back several years, expect the eighth-year man out of Toledo to get the nod and potentially make a difference for a Chiefs offense that has not performed up to snuff yet this season.

Projected Stats: 15 rushes, 75 yards, TD, 4 rec., 30 yards

The Indianapolis Colts ended the Pittsburgh Steelers' unbeaten streak at four games Sunday and did so without Jonathan Taylor in the backfield after the superstar running back suffered an ankle injury.

With Taylor's status uncertain for the Week 5 showdown in Jacksonville, Sermon is likely to get the nod.

The Jaguars are 26th in the league against opposing running backs, allowing over 27 points per game on 87 carries, 325 yards, and three touchdowns through four games. They have also allowed 24 receptions, 229 yards, and two touchdowns through the air.

Sermon will not blow anyone away with his stats but as the lead running back behind either Joe Flacco or Anthony Richardson in Week 5, the volume should be there and the Jags will more than likely give him plenty of opportunities to have a breakout fantasy game.

Start him this week, but do not get too comfortable with him in your lineup, especially with Taylor eventually coming back.

Projected Stats: 20 carries, 95 yards, TD, 3 rec., 20 yards

All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise noted