Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 5 (Fantasy Football)
Ready or not, here comes Week 5. The matchups seem to be flying by, already over a quarter of the way through the fantasy season. Even if you are off to a slow start, there is still time to turn things around and make a playoff push. Maybe you feel like you botched your draft or injuries have wrecked your roster. Sitting at 1-3 or 0-4, it is easy to feel like the season is slipping away. But don’t give up just yet. The season is still young, and this week is all about redemption.
Your next waiver wire pickup could be the spark that ignites an epic comeback and jumpstarts a much-needed winning streak. So let’s get to it. Here are the top waiver wire pickups to have in your corner as you look to land a knockout punch in Week 5.
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Running Back Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
7
3
5
4
4
6
6
6
8
10
7
8
10
7
8
10
5
11
9
11
6
9
10
7
12
14
11
16
9
8
12
17
16
5
13
9
11
19
14
14
14
12
15
12
17
16
16
13
15
13
17
15
13
17
18
18
18
15
19
19
19
18
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans – There might be a snake in Woody’s boot in Toy Story, but in Houston, there’s a dawg in his cleats. Rookie Woody Marks broke out in Week 4, racking up 69 yards (nice) and a TD on 17 carries while adding four catches for 50 yards and another score. Playing 56.3% of snaps, he outpaced veteran Nick Chubb in opportunities (22 to 15) and helped deliver Houston its first win of the season.
Chubb still produced and continues to maintain a clear role in an offense searching for answers, but Marks’ burst and versatility stand out. He looks like the player who deserves more touches moving forward and has the juice to maximize them. Sitting atop the Week 5 waiver wire at RB, Marks now faces the Ravens, where his receiving chops could prove crucial in keeping Houston competitive.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Despite inconsistent usage this season, it is surprising that Rachaad White is rostered in fewer than half of leagues. He is the clear complementary back to Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay, and if the lead back were to miss time, White has the potential to deliver league-winning performances. Irving also underwent an MRI on Monday for an undisclosed injury, a development that should raise some concern.
In Week 4, he turned six carries into 17 yards while catching four of five targets for 29 yards. His pass-catching ability makes him especially valuable in negative game scripts when his team is trailing. While his ceiling is limited with Irving healthy, White is a solid bye-week filler in deeper leagues and one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Many managers are still reeling from Jaylen Warren’s surprise scratch in Dublin’s early Sunday kickoff, but those who pivoted to Kenneth Gainwell were rewarded. A frequent mention in our early-season coverage as Warren’s clear backup over rookie Kaleb Johnson, Gainwell finally got his shot as the starter and delivered in a big way. He piled up 19 carries for 99 yards and two TDs, while adding six catches on six targets for 35 yards in the win over Minnesota.
The bad news for anyone chasing that performance is that Warren is expected back next game, and there is no indication he will lose his starting role. The good news is that Gainwell has shown he can be a difference maker if pressed into action again. Even in a supporting role, he offers some weekly flex appeal and is worth stashing ahead of the team’s Week 5 bye.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders – To put it mildly, the Washington Commanders have yet to find a clear lead back since Austin Ekeler went down with an injury. Through two weeks, Chris Rodriguez Jr. has led the team in rushing attempts and showed flashes of explosiveness in Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, finishing with seven carries for 59 yards, including a 48-yard burst. The other six carries, however, went for just 11 yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt was also efficient with his touches, but neither back has clearly separated, creating a true split backfield.
Week 6 brings a tough matchup against the Chargers, and the expected return of Jayden Daniels could help clarify the pecking order. Until then, both RBs are worth stashing, but should only be started in fantasy lineups if you are desperate.
Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints – Kendre Miller entered the league as a highly regarded prospect with clear upside, but injuries have stalled his development. Now in his third season, he is working to finally stay on the field and carve out a consistent role. Sunday’s loss to the Bills was a step in the right direction, as he turned 11 carries into 65 yards and a TD. He was not involved in the passing game, and Alvin Kamara still edged him out with four more carries and five more rushing yards, but Miller’s usage was nonetheless encouraging.
With Kamara healthy, Miller’s ceiling remains limited, yet his growing involvement signals progress. Trade rumors surrounding Kamara could eventually create a path to a featured role, but for now, Miller will look to build on this momentum in a Week 5 matchup against the Giants.
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Not much went right for Baltimore’s offense in Week 4’s loss to the Chiefs, but Justice Hill was a bright spot. Flashing his electric speed, he turned three carries into 76 yards and a TD while catching five of six targets for 41 yards and another score. With the Ravens quickly falling behind and Lamar Jackson exiting early with a hamstring injury, the team opted to rest Derrick Henry, which opened the door for Hill’s expanded role.
Now sitting at 1-3, Baltimore is searching for answers. That likely means more work for Henry going forward, yet Hill has carved out a defined role as a receiving option and stands as the clear handcuff in this backfield. His usage in Week 5 against Houston will be worth monitoring, especially if Baltimore leans on him again in the passing game.
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers – While Chris Brooks had seemed to have the early edge as the complementary back to Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson appears to have claimed the role. In Week 4, Wilson saw more playing time than expected, rushing eight times for 44 yards and catching all three of his targets for 37 yards. Jacobs had been limited all week with a lingering ankle injury and gashed his knee late in the game, which opened the door for Wilson. Jacobs looked fantastic in this game, showing no signs of fatigue, but Wilson also made the most of his opportunities and looked sharp on Sunday night.
Wilson offers little fantasy value unless Jacobs misses time in the future, but he now stands out as the clear handcuff to roster. He will look to build on this performance in Week 6 against the Bengals following the team’s bye.
Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
4
3
1
2
2
2
4
3
1
1
6
4
3
5
2
5
6
6
5
6
8
4
7
7
9
7
3
8
7
10
10
9
11
9
9
10
10
8
12
11
5
13
13
12
13
12
8
13
12
11
11
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers – Already a frequent name in our waiver coverage this season, Romeo Doubs made a loud statement in Week 4. In Sunday night’s overtime tie with the Cowboys, he hauled in six of eight targets for 58 yards and three TDs, further cementing his case as Green Bay’s WR1. His chemistry with Jordan Love, particularly in the red zone, was on full display in prime time.
With Jayden Reed out for the year, Christian Watson still easing back from injury, and rookie Matthew Golden adjusting to the league, Doubs has been the steady presence this offense needs. Without TDs, his stat lines may look modest, but his locked-in role and scoring upside make him a must-roster in all formats. The Packers head into a Week 5 bye, but Doubs will aim to carry this momentum into Week 6 against the Bengals.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants – With Malik Nabers out for the season with a devastating knee injury, the Giants are searching for someone to step up at WR. Wan’Dale Robinson may not be a perfect solution, but he looks like the most likely option to fill the void. In Week 4’s thrilling win over the Chargers, Robinson managed only three catches for 14 yards on five targets, yet he opened the season strong with nearly 200 receiving yards across the first two games.
Now the challenge is to reestablish that early momentum and build chemistry with rookie QB Jaxson Dart. Robinson has a chance to emerge as Dart’s top target in this reworked offense, beginning with a Week 5 matchup against the Saints.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans – Almost nothing went right for the Titans in their Week 4 shutout loss to the Texans, but rookie Elic Ayomanor continued to solidify himself as the team’s WR1. He caught just two of seven targets for 44 yards, yet he has now seen at least five targets in every game this season. The downside is that many of those looks have been off target from rookie QB Cam Ward. The upside is that Tennessee is constantly playing from behind, which gives Ayomanor steady volume and the chance to pile up garbage-time production. That usage keeps him in the flex conversation heading into a Week 5 matchup with Arizona.
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants – If Wan’Dale Robinson is already rostered in your league, Darius Slayton looks like a solid consolation prize. Known for his ability to stretch the field, Slayton caught three of five targets for 44 yards in Sunday’s win over the Chargers and appeared to earn rookie QB Jaxson Dart’s trust. While his numbers were modest, he still led the Giants in both receptions and receiving yards in Dart’s first start.
With Malik Nabers out for the season, Slayton has a real opportunity to carve out a bigger role as the Giants search for answers in the passing game. Week 5’s matchup with the Saints should provide more clarity on who emerges as Dart’s go-to target in this evolving offense.
Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos – Outside of a lone Week 2 TD, Marvin Mims had been quiet heading into Monday night, but he made plenty of noise in Denver’s Week 4 blowout of the Bengals. He caught all six of his targets for 69 yards (nice) and added a creative 16-yard rushing score. Beyond Courtland Sutton, Denver’s receivers have been a weekly guessing game, with Mims and Troy Franklin likely to trade off splash plays throughout the season. Still, this was a statement performance that puts Mims firmly on the fantasy radar as a volatile boom-or-bust flex who is always one snap away from breaking loose. Just do not expect immediate production in a tough Week 6 matchup with the Eagles.
Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Malik Washington, WR, Miami Dolphins – Malik Washington was used sparingly in Miami’s Monday night win over the Jets, but he emerges as an intriguing pickup this week. He has yet to top 20 receiving yards in a game this season, though the season-ending loss of Tyreek Hill could open the door for a much larger role. Washington brings electric speed and playmaking ability, often featured on jet sweeps and screens, and now has a chance to grow into the WR2 role alongside Jaylen Waddle. His first real test comes in a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Panthers, where he carries flex appeal in deeper leagues.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys – After star WR CeeDee Lamb suffered a high ankle sprain, questions arose about how Dallas’ offense would respond. Week 4 offered a surprising answer. Facing one of the NFL’s top defenses, Dallas forced the Packers into a 40-40 overtime tie, with Dak Prescott dazzling and George Pickens making a strong case as a star in the making.
While Pickens and Prescott grabbed the headlines, Jalen Tolbert also made his presence felt, catching four of six targets for 61 yards, including several clutch receptions down the stretch. Tolbert has shown big-game ability over his four-year career and could emerge as the WR2 in this offense behind Pickens while Lamb is sidelined. With six targets in consecutive games, he will look to continue this momentum in Week 5 against the Jets.
Tight End Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
3
3
3
2
4
5
4
3
5
6
5
6
6
7
6
5
7
8
7
7
8
4
8
8
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles – Philadelphia’s receiving corps has been quiet this season, but veteran TE Dallas Goedert has provided a consistent spark. The team relies on its defense and running game, often favoring short passes over the middle, which suits Goedert perfectly. In Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay, he caught all four of his targets for 37 yards and two TDs. He now has three scores in the last two weeks and is clearly a reliable part of the offense.
While some of his value is TD dependent, his scoring frequency makes him a solid weekly starter to gamble on in fantasy. Goedert will look to continue his production in Week 5 against a tougher Denver Broncos defense.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins – It might have taken him a couple of weeks to get up to game speed, but what a debut it was for Darren Waller. After all, it makes perfect sense that the Walrus would fit right in with the Dolphins in Miami. The aquatic specimen capped Monday night’s win over the Jets with three catches on four targets for 27 yards and two TDs.
More importantly, he wasted no time becoming a go-to red zone option for Tua Tagovailoa, a welcome development after the team lost Tyreek Hill to a devastating knee injury. Waller now heads into a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Panthers, looking to keep his hot start afloat.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – Brenton Strange has been quietly productive in the early part of his sophomore campaign. In Sunday’s win over the 49ers, he led the team with six catches on seven targets for 45 yards. This was his second straight game with seven targets, and he has now reached 45 or more receiving yards in three of his four games this season.
While his ceiling is limited without a TD, Strange offers a solid floor, making him an intriguing option for those in need at the position. Week 5 brings a tough matchup against the Chiefs, which could cap his upside, but he remains a reliable piece of the passing game.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets – The Jets have been searching all season for someone to complement Garrett Wilson in the passing game, and despite falling to 0-4, they may have finally found an answer. Rookie TE Mason Taylor emerged with a featured role, hauling in five of seven targets for 65 yards. Whenever Justin Fields faced pressure, Taylor was his safety valve, consistently finding soft spots in the defense and making himself available. The promising rookie will look to build on that momentum in a Week 6 matchup against the Cowboys.
Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants – Theo Johnson finished Week 4 with just three catches on five targets for 17 yards, but a key TD on one of those receptions saved his fantasy day. This marked his first fantasy-relevant performance this season, coinciding with the debut of his rookie QB as a starter. With Malik Nabers sidelined, Johnson could see an expanded role in the offense, serving as a reliable safety blanket for his young QB. While his production has yet to fully match his potential, Johnson is an elite athlete capable of making big plays with the ball in his hands. He may be difficult to trust as a starter immediately, but he is a strong stash in deeper leagues as he looks to carry this momentum into a Week 5 matchup with New Orleans.
Quarterback Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
1
1
1
2
5
4
2
3
2
2
6
4
3
5
5
5
4
6
3
6
8
3
4
7
6
8
7
8
7
7
8
Check out Javier Manzanera’s weekly article on QB Streamers to Consider.
Team DST Waiver Rankings
Player
Rank
Andy
Jason
Mike
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
6
3
4
4
5
4
5
5
7
5
3
6
4
6
6
7
3
7
7
Catch the weekly Waivers episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Final Thoughts
Week 5 is a pivot point. The choices you make now can shift the course of your season. The waiver wire is your chance to find players with upside, exploitable matchups, or the spark to build momentum.
Not every move will work. Some calls are bound to backfire. What matters is staying active, making informed decisions, and taking calculated risks when the moment calls for it.
Even if your season feels like it is slipping away, there is still time to rally and make a run. Stay locked in, trust your process, and don’t hesitate to make bold moves when opportunity knocks.
Good luck in Week 5, and may these pickups help fuel your victory.