Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 5

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who is trending up.

Roster percentages are based on Sleeper leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, Rams

Stafford was electric Sunday, throwing for 375 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-20 win over the Colts. He completed 29 of his 41 pass attempts in the win, both season highs. The 37-year-old has some great matchups coming up, but this one against the 49ers isn't ideal. You should feel more confident placing your waiver claim for Stafford if you have another quarterback for Week 5 (and the bench space for Stafford). That said, there's still a chance he'll be solid against San Francisco; the former No. 1 overall pick has averaged 252.8 yards, 1.4 touchdowns, and 0.7 interceptions in 11 games against the Niners, which is decent if unspectacular. After that, some big production could be in store.

The Rams' subsequent games are against the Ravens, Jaguars, and Saints. Jacksonville is closer to the league average in terms of fantasy points allowed to signal-callers, but the Ravens and Saints have allowed the fourth- and fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, respectively. Expect those future matchups to be fruitful.

Other QBs to pick up

• Jaxson Dart, Giants (34%): Although Dart's passing numbers were underwhelming in his first career start, he threw for a touchdown and scored another on one of his 10 carries. He could be a strong streaming option against the Saints this week, but we'll need to see a bit more before he's listed as the primary quarterback to target on waivers. Malik Nabers being out for the season is another relevant factor.

• Carson Wentz, Vikings (12%): Head coach Kevin O'Connell has gotten the most out of Wentz over the last two games. I wouldn't feel great about starting him against the Browns, and the Vikings have their bye in Week 6, so you can probably pass on making this claim if you don't absolutely need Wentz this week.

Running backs

Woody Marks, Texans

Marks had a breakout game against the Titans, finishing with 119 total yards and two touchdowns in the divisional win. The rookie could be in line for more work after head coach DeMeco Ryans said he was "excited" by Marks' performance against Tennessee and what he could do in the future, according to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. Marks will look to build on his strong outing against a Ravens team that's hemorrhaged fantasy points to running backs this season, ranking last in points allowed to the position.

The USC product is likely to have every chance to take control of the Houston backfield until Joe Mixon returns. There's been no significant update regarding Mixon's status in some time, so he's unlikely to return soon.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers

Gainwell filled in for Jaylen Warren against the Vikings, tallying 134 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 25 touches. However, the Steelers have their bye in Week 5, which could give Warren the necessary time to return to the starting lineup. Adding Gainwell is still worth a bit of FAB in case Warren can't go in Week 6 or he misses more time in the future.

Gainwell may see an increased workload regardless, but I would shy away from starting the 26-year-old once Warren is back. While he may be a bye-week bandage in a flex spot, I'm apprehensive about relying on him beyond that.

Other RBs to pick up

• Justice Hill, Ravens (10%): Fantasy managers are unlikely to get the kind of elite production that Hill had in Week 4 unless Baltimore is trailing big in games. The Ravens are unlikely to be in many contests that heavily rely on Hill's strengths as a receiver despite their struggles this season.

• Zavier Scott, Vikings (3%): Scott had a minor breakout in the Ireland game, hauling in six of his eight targets for 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. He only contributed 1 yard on two rushing attempts, though. Don't expect the former college receiver to take the lead job away from Jordan Mason, but he could see some more receiving work as the season progresses.

Wide receivers

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Doubs had an excellent three-touchdown game in the Packers' tie with the Cowboys on Sunday night. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson were both sidelined due to injury and will eventually return to the field, but Doubs has established himself as Jordan Love's go-to receiving choice.

The Packers have their bye in Week 5 before matchups with the Bengals, Cardinals, and Steelers. All three of those opponents rank in the bottom five of passing defense this season, allowing 272.3, 255.5, and 260.5 passing yards per game, respectively. Doubs should see plenty of opportunities against those soft defenses.

Darius Slayton, Giants

Slayton could become the Giants' top receiver with Nabers out for the season. He had 44 yards on three receptions Sunday and has played 90% of the team's offensive snaps. Wan'Dale Robinson (more on him later) should also see more usage, but Slayton's skills as a vertical threat are a natural fit with Dart's downfield passing strengths.

Slayton, 28, has averaged 15 yards per reception in 96 career games. He's shown that he has the ability to put up solid numbers in his career, recording more than 700 receiving yards in four seasons. However, I don't feel comfortable recommending a big FAB spend until we see more of the Dart-led, Nabers-less New York offense.

Other WRs to pick up

• Malik Washington, Dolphins (5%): Washington hasn't been a big part of the offense this season, but he could see an uptick in usage after Tyreek Hill's injury. Although Washington isn't the most talented playmaker, there isn't a ton of depth in the Dolphins' receiver room.

• Adonai Mitchell, Colts (4%): Mitchell will need to bounce back after fumbling before the goal line this week. That blunder was devastating for the Colts, but the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder showcased the skills that got him selected in the second round of the 2024 draft in his 96-yard outing.

• Luke McCaffrey, Commanders (3%): I wouldn't spend any FAB on McCaffrey, but he's worth a shot if you have an open bench spot. He's scored touchdowns in each of the last two weeks while playing under 40% of the Commanders' offensive snaps.

Tight ends

Darren Waller, Dolphins

On Monday night, Waller looked like he hadn't missed any time due to injury or retirement. The 33-year-old finished his 2025 debut with three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns on four targets. The touchdowns are obviously great, but the relatively low target volume suggests his production is likely to be erratic.

That said, Waller could become a bigger part of the offense after showing he can still threaten defenses. That feels even more likely after Tyreek Hill reportedly tore multiple knee ligaments, including his ACL, in Monday's win.

Other TEs to pick up

• Brenton Strange, Jaguars (33%): Strange has been targeted seven times in each of the last two games, and he's finished with six catches and at least 45 yards in each of those two contests. That kind of production is solid by tight end standards, but it's not enough to warrant spending a ton of FAB on him right now.

• Tommy Tremble, Panthers (0%): Tremble saw eight targets in Week 4, hauling in five of them for 42 yards and a touchdown. The Notre Dame product could continue to see plenty of opportunities with Ja'Tavion Sanders dealing with an ankle injury.

Check if these players are available

WR Jordan Addison, Vikings (84%): All three of these players are well over the 50% rostered threshold, but it's worth checking to see if they're available in your league. Addison returned from his suspension this week and posted 4/114/0 with Wentz under center.

WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (78%): Godwin returned from injured reserve and finished with three catches and 26 yards. Enticingly, though, he had 10 targets. The 29-year-old should round back into form over the next couple of games, allowing him to capitalize on that target share.

WR Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (65%): Robinson erupted in Week 2, but he was pretty pedestrian in New York's three other games this season. Like Slayton, he should see an uptick in usage after Nabers' injury. Robinson is significantly more appealing in PPR leagues, as he's likely to see plenty of underneath targets.