Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire pickups
See which players are worth adding to your fantasy football roster ahead of Week 5's action.
With four weeks down, the fantasy football landscape is shifting fast. With season-ending injuries to stud receivers Malik Nabers (ACL) and Tyreek Hill (knee), and the status of Lamar Jackson (hamstring) up in the air, there are gaping holes to fill.
Throw in the start of the bye weeks, and Week 5 offers no shortage of reasons to be active on the waiver wire. Competition will be fierce for rookies like Jaxson Dart and Woody Marks, as well as veterans poised to step up, such as Darius Slayton.
Whether you need immediate replacements or a stash for later, here are the best options to consider heading into Week 5.
Current ownership percentage based on Yahoo fantasy football leagues at the time of publishing.
Week 5 waiver wire cheatsheet
Week 5 waiver wire quarterbacks
Bye-week QBs: Caleb Williams (CHI), Jordan Love (GB), Michael Penix Jr. (ATL), Aaron Rodgers (PIT)
Injured QBs: Lamar Jackson (BAL), Brock Purdy (SF), Jayden Daniels (WAS), Joe Burrow (CIN), J.J. McCarthy (IND)
Jaxson Dart (NYG), 23% rostered — Streamer
Dart’s first start has given Giants fans a rare reason for hope, even if his stat line didn’t exactly make headlines: 111 passing yards and a score, plus 54 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 10 carries. However, it is the rookie’s legs that should make fantasy managers take notice, and even without Malik Nabers, he managed to produce QB1 numbers in Week 4. A soft matchup against the Saints’ defense keeps him firmly in the streaming conversation. Suggested FAAB: up to 5%
Others to stream: Matthew Stafford (LAR), Sam Darnold (MIN)
Others to stash: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL), Aaron Rodgers (PIT)
Week 5 waiver wire running backs
Bye-week RBs: Bijan Robinson (ATL), Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Josh Jacobs (GB), D’Andre Swift (CHI), Jaylen Warren (PIT), Kenneth Gainwell (PHI)
Injured RBs: Jaylen Warren (PIT), Braelon Allen (NYJ), Aaron Jones (GB), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG), Joe Mixon (HOU), Tyjae Spears (TEN), Miles Sanders (CAR)
Woody Marks (HOU), 32% rostered — Top Priority
The rookie broke out in Week 4, handling 21 touches for 119 yards and two touchdowns. His snap share has risen each week, and he looks poised to take over Houston’s backfield, especially with Joe Mixon sidelined. Marks is producing in both phases and now gets a Ravens defense that’s been one of the softest against running backs. He’s the top add of the week and could settle in as a fantasy RB2. Suggested FAAB: 25%
Kendre Miller (NO), 5% rostered — Upside Stash
Miller remains behind Alvin Kamara but showed burst in Week 4 with 65 rushing yards and a touchdown. His role is expanding, and if Kamara were to be traded or miss time, Miller would vault into the RB2 conversation. For now, he’s a stash with weekly flex appeal in deeper formats. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Chris Rodriguez (WAS), Kareem Hunt (KC)
Others to stash: Kenneth Gainwell (PHI), Kaleb Johnson (PIT), Tyler Allgeier (ATL)
Week 5 waiver wire wide receivers
Bye-week WRs: Drake London (ATL), Darnell Mooney (CHI), Rome Odunze (CHI), DJ Moore (CHI), Romeo Doubs (GB), DK Metcalf (PIT)
Injured WRs: Malik Nabers (NYG), Tyreek Hill (MIA), Ricky Pearsall (SF), Jauan Jennings (SF), Cedric Tillman (CLE), CeeDee Lamb (DAL), Mike Evans (TB), Terry McLaurin (WAS), Brandon Aiyuk (SF)
Darius Slayton (NYG), 3% rostered — Top Priority
With Nabers out for the season, Slayton becomes the de facto WR1 for New York. He’s thrived in this role before, averaging nearly 90 yards per game in Nabers’ past absences. Jaxson Dart will need a steady target, and Slayton’s veteran presence gives him WR3/flex value right away. Suggested FAAB: 15%
Romeo Doubs (GB), 40% rostered — Upside Stash
Doubs is on bye this week, but he’s coming off a monster game (6-58-3) and now looks like Jordan Love’s go-to option with Jayden Reed sidelined. Expect volatile production, but the touchdown upside is real. Add him now and stash through the bye.
Suggested FAAB: 15%
Jalen Coker (CAR), 9% rostered — Upside Stash
Eligible to return from IR, Coker could slot in immediately as Bryce Young’s WR2 opposite Tetairoa McMillan. With a favorable upcoming schedule (Miami, Dallas, Jets), he’s worth stashing before he gets back on the field. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG), Elic Ayomanor (LAC), Troy Franklin (DEN), Christian Kirk (HOU)
Others to stash: Luther Burden (CHI), Jayden Higgins (HOU)
Week 5 waiver wire tight ends
Bye-week TEs: Kyle Pitts (ATL), Tucker Kraft (GB), Darren Waller (MIA), Jonnu Smith (MIA), Colston Loveland (CHI), Cole Kmet (CHI)
Injured TEs: George Kittle (SF), Ja’Tavion Sanders (CAR)
Brenton Strange (JAX), 28% — Streamer
Strange has quietly (and, dare I say, strangely?) been one of the most reliable streaming options at tight end, posting back-to-back top-15 finishes and catching 12 passes on 14 targets over the last two weeks. He hasn’t found the end zone yet, but the usage suggests it’s coming. With TE production scarce, Strange is worth a small FAAB bid if you’re hunting stability. Suggested FAAB: 5%
Others to stream: Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE), Chig Okonkwo (TEN)
Others to stash: Jonnu Smith (MIA), Darren Waller (MIA)
Week 5 waiver wire defense/special teams
Bye-week D/STs: Falcons (ATL), Bears (CHI), Packers (GB), Steelers (PIT)
Cardinals (ARI), 19% rostered — Streamer
The Titans’ offense is a gift for fantasy defenses, and Arizona gets them in Week 5. Every defense to face Tennessee so far has scored at least eight fantasy points, and nothing about Cam Ward’s offense suggests that will change. The Cardinals are a safe bet for sacks and turnovers in a week where many fantasy managers will be streaming. Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Colts (IND), Giants (NYG)
Week 5 waiver wire kickers
Bye-week Ks: Younghoe Koo (ATL), Cairo Santos (CHI), Anders Carlson (GB), Chris Boswell (PIT)
Spencer Shrader (IND), 42% — Streamer
Shrader has been the most consistent kicker in fantasy, scoring double digits every week and leading the league in field goal attempts. The Colts’ offense is efficient enough to move the ball, but inconsistent enough in the red zone to create regular opportunities for Shrader. Against a Raiders team giving up the third-most points to kickers, he’s a must-start and worth rostering rest-of-season. Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Joshua Karty (CAR), Matt Gay (LAR)