Waiver Wire Angle - Week 5

Week 5 is here, and the waiver wire is starting to look exactly how we expected it to after a month of football: thinner, messier, and much more dependent on injuries.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t useful players available. In fact, Week 4 created several situations that could have a real fantasy impact moving forward. Saquon Barkley’s hamstring injury has completely reshaped the Eagles backfield, Seattle may have uncovered a temporary starting RB, several young receivers are starting to earn more work, and injuries at quarterback and wide receiver have opened up some intriguing short-term paths to relevance.

For this week’s Waiver Wire, I went through several different analyst breakdowns and pulled together a consensus Top 10, along with deeper stashes, players I would avoid chasing, and the best quarterback options for both 1-QB and Superflex formats.

As always, the goal isn’t just to chase whoever scored the most fantasy points on Sunday. We want to identify sticky opportunity - carries, targets, snaps, routes run, and roles that can actually carry over into Week 5 and beyond.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Consensus Priority Adds

1. Will Shipley - RB, Eagles

💰 15-25% FAAB
👥 Ownership: ~1%

Shipley jumped to the top once the Tank Bigsby news broke that he's going on IR. He was already viewed as a major add even with Bigsby available, and he now has the possibility of 15-20+ touches if he has the backfield mostly to himself. He brings legitimate receiving ability, which could be useful against a Jacksonville defense that has been difficult to run against.

The downside is important: Philadelphia’s offensive line, and perhaps more correctly the offense as a whole, have struggled, and Saquon Barkley may only miss a short window. But at roughly 1% rostered, you’re getting a potential starting RB essentially everywhere.

I’d push into the 20-25% range if desperate at RB.

2. Emanuel Wilson - RB, Seahawks

💰 20-25% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 45-50% across major platforms

Wilson handled 21 carries for 81 yards, brought in 3 receptions for 39 yards, and accounted for 2 total TDs, while George Holani had only eight touches. Ownership across major sites is 50% on ESPN, 48% on Yahoo, and around 60% on Sleeper.

The only reason he isn’t No. 1 on this list is because of the presence of Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet has returned to practice and could eventually reclaim a significant role, so Wilson’s runway isn’t indefinite. In addition, the Seahawks are planning to add Joe Mixon to their practice squad after his medical exam.

If he’s available, he’s still one of the best adds of the week.

3. Keon Coleman - WR, Bills

💰 10-15% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 4-6%

Coleman finally gave us a legit game: 7 targets, 6 catches, 116 yards and a TD. More importantly, DJ Moore re-aggravated his shoulder injury, and Coleman played a major role after Moore departed.

Be careful assuming that the 7 targets suddenly becomes his permanent floor. He entered Week 4 with only nine targets through three games, but this gave us an important new data point. He can win downfield, he has Josh Allen throwing to him, and the opportunity could expand quickly if Moore misses time.

Probably my favorite WR add when balancing upside, cost and immediate opportunity.

4. Keaton Mitchell - RB, Chargers

💰 8-12% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 25-35%

In Week 4, Mitchell actually led the Chargers’ RBs in snaps with 26, one more than the 25 that both Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal played, while also leading the backfield with 16 opportunities - 10 carries plus 6 targets.

The appeal with Mitchell is in how Los Angeles is using him. They are scheming him receiving work, using him in the short-yardage/goal-line area, and designing opportunities around his explosiveness. The problem is obvious: it’s still a three-way committee in a struggling offense.

I wouldn’t go the 20-30% some people are suggesting, but 8-12% feels right for an explosive RB.

5. T.J. Hockenson - TE, Vikings

💰 8-12% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 40-55% depending on platform

With Justin Jefferson unavailable, Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards and nearly scored before going down at the 1-yard line. There is an obvious caveat: Jefferson’s return will change the target distribution, and he's likely back this week. Don't count on 13 targets every week.

The thing to keep in mind, however, is Kyler Murray has historically been willing to live underneath with his TE, and Hockenson may have established himself as the safety blanket in this version of Minnesota’s offense.

If you’re TE-needy, I’m comfortable being aggressive.

6. Tre' Harris - WR, Chargers

💰 5-8% FAAB
👥 Ownership: ~15%

Harris may quietly be the most reliable Chargers receiver right now. He caught 3 of 5 targets for a team-high 60 yards in Week 4 and has now led the team in receiving yardage for three straight games.

Ladd McConkey left the game again, this time with a foot injury, while Quentin Johnston continues struggling with efficiency and consistency. The matchup against Denver isn’t ideal on paper, but injuries in the Broncos' secondary, specifically Patrick Surtain, could soften it considerably.

I prefer Harris to many of the flashier WR dart throws because there’s a believable path to both targets and playing time.

7. Malik Washington - WR, Dolphins

💰 5-8% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 30-50% depending on platform

Washington continues to look like Miami’s safest receiver. He caught all 5 targets for 67 yards in Week 4 and added two rushing attempts. He's now reached at least 40 receiving yards in all four games.

The ceiling probably isn’t enormous because Miami’s passing volume is limited, but he keeps earning manufactured touches. FantasyPros also has him sitting on a team-high 27.2% target share.

If you need steady PPR points rather than a lottery-ticket, Washington is one of my favorite adds.

8. Brenton Strange - TE, Jaguars

💰 5-8% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 40-42%

Strange just posted 7 catches for 95 yards on 8 targets, and his target totals have been trending upward.

Week 4 probably won't be the new normal, especially because the Bengals have been very friendly to tight ends. However, Jacksonville does continue to involve him while their WR target distribution remains inconsistent.

A strong TE fallback if you miss out on Hockenson. In TE-premium, I’d bump the bid.

9. KC Concepcion - WR, Browns

💰 5-8% FAAB
👥 Ownership varies heavily - roughly 50%+ in sharper formats

Concepcion played 60 snaps to Jerry Jeudy’s 24, ran the same number of routes as Denzel Boston, actually out-targeted Boston, and finished with 5 catches for 64 yards.

NFL.com has him at roughly 51% on ESPN, while other platforms are much higher.

If he’s still available, I want him rostered.

10. Kendre Miller - RB, Saints

💰 3-5% FAAB
👥 Ownership: roughly 5-17%

Miller is still worth a speculative stash, but Monday night gave us a pretty clear reminder of what his limitations may be. The Saints were forced into a pass-heavy game script, so this wasn’t an ideal game to evaluate the backfield. Miller still handled 6 carries compared with 7 for Alvin Kamara, which suggests New Orleans is willing to split some of the early-down rushing work.

The concern is that Kamara still dominated the valuable touches. He scored both of New Orleans’ rushing touchdowns and also handled far more of the passing-game work, catching 5 of 7 targets for 35 yards compared with Miller’s 2 catches for 10 yards on 3 targets.

I still want him on the bench in deeper leagues because the carry split was encouraging.

Premium Stashes / Next Men Up

• Tyreek Hill - 10-15% FAAB: This is a pure ceiling stash. His agent says a signing could happen within days, with the Chiefs among the teams involved. The Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton injuries make that landing spot particularly fascinating, but Kansas City isn't guaranteed. Keep that in mind.
• Jaylen Wright - 3-6%: Ollie Gordon clearly outplayed him Sunday, but the Miami RB hierarchy could still be fluid. Wright started the game, and remains a worthwhile season-long contingency.
• Zach Charbonnet - 5-10% if available: He has returned to practice, and he could eventually retake a large piece of Seattle’s backfield. NFL.com has him around 58% rostered, so check your league.
• Joe Mixon - 3-7% FAAB
  Seattle plans to sign Mixon to the practice squad once he clears his medical exam. This is not an immediate plug-and-play situation, especially with Emanuel Wilson just seizing the lead role. Zach Charbonnet is also working toward a return, but keep in mind that Mixon is only one year removed from a 1,000-yard season and could quickly become relevant if he still has something left.
• Roman Wilson - 3-5%: Exactly 6 targets in four straight games with TDs in back-to-back weeks. I wouldn’t chase the TDs, but the target consistency is more interesting than it looks.
• Antonio Williams - 2-5%: Terry McLaurin’s injury could open more work, and Williams had a potential TD erased by penalty. Keep in mind that McLaurin could be back this week.
• Mike Gesicki - 3-5%: 3 TDs through four games and Cincinnati could be without Chase and/or Higgins. He becomes a much more attractive Week 5 streamer if both sit.
• Michael Mayer - 1-3%: 8/82 on 10 targets was incredible, but Brock Bowers remains the TE1 and centerpiece. Don't overreact, but he is worth a stash if you're TE needy.
• Efton Chism - 1-3%: Mack Hollins’ calf injury opened the door, and Chism responded with 4/42/1. Deep leagues only.
• Dohnte Meyers - 1-3%: Pure injury contingency if Cincinnati is missing both Chase and Higgins.
• Darnell Washington - 1-2%: Touchdown-dependent, but legitimately involved around the scoring area.

Players I Would Not Chase / Overpay For

Tank Bigsby - He’s headed to IR following core-muscle surgery. Do not burn FAAB.

Darius Cooper - Don't be the guy that chases the 3/38/2 line. Seven targets were interesting, but two touchdowns are the real reason he hit, and DeVonta Smith’s eventual return crushes his path to any real work.

Packers RBs - MarShawn Lloyd / Kaleb Johnson / Chris Brooks - Johnson flashed but fumbled, Lloyd has struggled with efficiency and ball security, and Brooks remains involved enough to frustrate us completely. I’m fine with a $1 stash if you're desperate, but I couldn't tell you who to throw it on.

Kimani Vidal - He found the end zone, but Mitchell appears to be the Chargers back getting the more fantasy-friendly touches. With Hampton also involved, I don’t want the third member of this mess of a committee.

QB Waiver Wire

1QB - Best Streamers

1. Kirk Cousins - 💰 5-8%
Roughly 17% rostered on ESPN. Cousins has topped 20 fantasy points in three straight games, already has 11 TD passes,and most importantly, he's the QB6 in Fantasy (6pts per passing TD). The Raiders are throwing enough for him to be more than a one-week desperation stream.

2. C.J. Stroud - 💰 5-8% if available
Nico Collins’ return immediately boosted this passing offense: 347 yards and 2 TDs, and Stroud has yet to throw an interception this season. Houston remains extremely pass-heavy.

3. Jacoby Brissett - 💰 2-4%
Available in roughly 10% ESPN / 16% Yahoo leagues. The Week 4 performance was ugly, but the reason to stream him is Detroit. Every QB facing that secondary has put up major fantasy production, and the game script could force heavy passing volume.

4. Aaron Rodgers - 💰 1-3%
He's coming off 299 yards and 3 TDs and now gets Indianapolis. The ceiling is limited by his legs, but the recent passing volume makes him a reasonable bye-week fill-in.

Superflex / 2QB - Priority Adds

1. Jalon Daniels - 💰 15-25%
Jalon's passing was rough. He had 148 yards passing, but he's got that fantasy cheat code with the rushing ability: 8 carries for 55 yards. He gets Dallas next and should continue starting while Baker Mayfield is out.

2. Tyler Huntley - 💰 10-20%
Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury and could miss time. Huntley’s mobility gives him usable fantasy upside immediately if he starts, and in Superflex, any starting QB with rushing ability needs to be rostered.

3. Tyson Bagent - 💰 5-10%
He threw for 268 yards in Week 4 and gets Green Bay next. Caleb Williams could return soon, so this is a short-term play, but Bagent is usable as long as he remains the starter.

The biggest takeaway this week is that there really isn’t one universal waiver strategy. With bye weeks starting and injuries continuing to pile up, roster depth is becoming more valuable by the week. Don’t be afraid to spend FAAB when the opportunity is real, but don’t burn your budget chasing one-game touchdown production either.

Follow the opportunities first. The fantasy points usually follow.

Be sure to check back with us throughout the week on AngleRanks.com for updated rankings, start/sit advice, injury fallout, daily NFL news and everything else you need to get your lineup ready for Week 5.