Despite flying under the radar in 2022, Corey Davis is an intriguing waiver wire target for fantasy football managers in Week 5. Coming into the week, Davis is rostered in just 6.9 percent of ESPN leagues. However, after a solid start to the season, is Davis a player fantasy managers should be targeting on the waiver wire in Week 5, and how should they prioritize him compared to other available options?
Is Corey Davis an Intriguing Waiver Wire Target in Week 5?
The usage for Davis through the first four weeks has been intriguing. He has seen 26 targets at an average of 6.5 per week. He is averaging 3.75 receptions and 65.3 receiving yards per game. Additionally, he has found the end zone in two of the past three weeks. All of that has resulted in him averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game in half-PPR, which ranks 32nd at the WR position.
Davis has been intriguingly consistent in terms of his per-game yardage totals. In three of the four games, he has finished with between 74 and 83 receiving yards. That has given him a solid floor each week, while the two touchdowns have helped him to cross double digits in terms of fantasy points across the three scoring formats.
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The way the Jets use Davis is promising. His 16.2 average targeted air yards is tied for the sixth-highest number through the first four weeks. That has resulted in Davis averaging 14.3 yards before the catch per reception. Additionally, he is outperforming expectations after the catch. Per Next Gen Stats, Davis is outperforming his expected yards after the catch (2.4) by 50 percent (3.6 average yards after the catch).
The other promising aspect for Davis? In Zach Wilson’s first week as the starting QB, he led the team in targets with seven. While his target and opportunity numbers are not the most eye-opening (WR45), his deep-ball usage means he can score fantasy points on a limited opportunity share. He is somewhat boom or bust, but he makes for an intriguing weekly flex option on a Jets team that should often be chasing the game.
How Should Fantasy Managers Prioritize Davis in Week 5?
Week 5 is an intriguing one for waiver wire WRs. Four standout names could all be in consideration. Michael Gallup returned to the field from his knee injury with a touchdown and 24 yards on three targets. His role in the Cowboys’ offense should continue to grow, and he is arguably the long-term priority on the waiver wire this week. Additionally, Steelers WR George Pickens has seen 15 targets in the past two weeks, so he is right there alongside Gallup as a high-priority long-term waiver wire target.
Josh Reynolds has seen 18 targets in the past two weeks and has 177 receiving yards and a touchdown from 13 receptions. With Amon-Ra St. Brown struggling with injury, Reynolds has a chance to be the Lions’ No. 1 receiver in the next couple of weeks. His performances in the past two weeks could also see him surpass DJ Chark as the WR2 on a Lions offense that has proven to be high-octane in the first few weeks. He is the short-term priority if you need a WR option for Week 5.
That is where Davis slots in. He is the current WR4 on my waiver wire priority list this week. His short-term upside is arguably slightly higher than that of Gallup, but over the long haul, Gallup should have the edge. However, Davis does have a slightly better long-term outlook than Reynolds, with uncertainty over how the Lions’ receiving group will look when St. Brown and Chark are back healthy.