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In this Week 5 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups, we will break down waiver players that could make an immediate impact or become valuable assets down the stretch. This week has seen its share of injuries leaving question marks around key stars, and ripple effects felt across NFL teams. Teams depth will be tested as well as your dynasty teams. We’ll examine significant injuries from Week 4, and how your dynasty teams should handle these situations.
Updated Tuesday, September 30 at 8:00 AM
All rostership percentages will be based on 12-Team SuperFlex PPR dynasty leagues. Please note: At the time of this publication, all free agents were at or under 50% rostered in Sleeper dynasty leagues.
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Miss last week’s pickups? Week 4 Waiver Wire | See Mychal’s Week 5 Trade Advice for more lineup reinforcements!
Week 5 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups (Quick-Guide)
| Position | Player | Team | Rostership % | FAAB Bid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Cooper Rush | Ravens | 10% | 15–20% |
| QB | Mac Jones | 49ers | 47% | 15–20% |
| RB | Emari Demercado | Cardinals | 33% | 5–10% |
| RB | Antonio Gibson | Patriots | 37% | 2% |
| RB | Raheem Mostert | Raiders | 36% | 2% |
| RB | Zavier Scott | Vikings | 26% | 5% |
| RB | Isaiah Davis | Jets | 38% | 5% |
| RB | Emanuel Wilson | Packers | 40% | 5% |
| WR | Greg Dortch | Cardinals | 17% | 1–2% |
| WR | Luke McCaffrey | Commanders | 49% | 2–4% |
| WR | Darius Slayton | Giants | 49% | 15–20% |
| WR | Olamide Zaccheaus | Bears | 29% | 2% |
| WR | Kendrick Bourne | 49ers | 24% | 5–10% |
| WR | Demarcus Robinson | 49ers | 26% | 5–10% |
| WR | Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | Dolphins | 22% | 2% |
| TE | Jake Tonges | 49ers | 41% | 3% |
| TE | Tommy Tremble | Panthers | 13% | 2% |
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets | Week 5 Fantasy Football
The top quarterback pickups for the Week 5 Waiver Wire are Cooper Rush and Mac Jones. (tap to collapse)
Week 5 Quarterback Pickups | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Analysis
Cooper Rush | Baltimore Ravens | 10% Rostership | 15-20%FAAB
Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh declined to comment on the severity of Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury. This is a situation to monitor, but Cooper Rush may be the starting quarterback in Week 5 against the Houston Texans. Situations like this are why I emphasize the importance of securing the backup for your quarterbacks.
Mac Jones | San Francisco 49ers | 47% Rostership | 15-20% FAAB
Brock Purdy was listed as a non-participant on Monday’s injury report after dealing with toe soreness after the game. San Francisco faces a quick turn around as they play on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams. Hopefully, you took my advice from an earlier waiver wire article about securing the backup quaterback handcuffs and have already rostered Mac Jones.
Check out our Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire as well!
Week 5 Running Back Targets | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The Week 5 running backs you need include Emari Demercado, Antonio Gibson, Raheem Mostert, Zavier Scott, Emanuel Wilson, and Isaiah Davis. (expand for full analysis).
Top Week 5 Running Back Pickups | Waiver Wire Analysis
Emari Demercado | Arizona Cardinals | 33% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
While Trey Benson was the lead back for the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, Emari Demercado was the running back on the field during Arizona’s final drive. It was Demercado’s 7-yard touchdown catch that tied the game with 33 seconds left. If nothing else, Demercado showed that he is the handcuff to Benson in the running game.
Antonio Gibson | New England Patriots | 37% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Antonio Gibson is part of a three-headed backfield in New England. Gibson received 6 touches and did find the endzone in a blowout win against the Carolina Panthers. Gibson will be my lowest priority add among all running backs this week.
Raheem Mostert | Las Vegas Raiders | 36% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Raheem Mostert is just two seasons removed from being the RB2 overall. While he no longer holds that accolade, he still holds value as the handcuff to Ashton Jeanty. In Mostert’s first week active, he had 62 rushing yards and an astonishing 15.5 ypc. With Zamir White a healthy inactive, Mostert appears to be the handcuff to roster.
Zavier Scott | Minnesota Vikings | 26% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Zavier Scott doubled his rostership from last week but is still below the 50% threshold. Scott also doubled his fantasy points from Week 3 in Week 4, where he caught 6 receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. Scott has made a case that even with the eventual return of Aaron Jones, he deserves touches in this backfield.
Isaiah Davis | New York Jets | 38% Rostership | 5% FAAB
On Monday Night Football, Braelon Allen was injured on a kickoff return and was quickly ruled out with a knee injury. Its next man up in New York which means Isaiah Davis steps in as the handcuff to Breece Hall.
Emanuel Wilson | Green Bay Packers | 40% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Chris Brooks is no longer the handcuff running back to Josh Jacobs. Emanuel Wilson carried the ball 8 times for 44 yards and caught 3 passes for 37 yards while Chris Brooks only saw 8 offensive snaps. This situation may change with the eventual return of MarShawn Lloyd but right now Wilson is the RB2 in Green Bay.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets | Week 5 Fantasy Football
The top wide receivers for the Week 5 Waiver Wire include Greg Dortch, Luke McCaffrey, Darius Slayton, Olamide Zaccheaus, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. (click below for analysis)
Week 5 Wide Receiver Pickups | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Analysis
Greg Dortch | Arizona Cardinals | 17% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
On Thursday Night Football, Greg Dortch had more targets (5) than he had the rest of the 2025 season (4). While Dortch was only able to turn those five targets into four receptions and 35 yards, this type of usage warrants attention if it continues moving forward.
Luke McCaffrey | Washington Commanders | 49% Rostership | 2-4% FAAB
The second-year wideout found the end zone for a second straight week. While it is encouraging to see Luke McCaffrey‘s increased red zone usage, his production appears to correlate with Terry McLaurin‘s injury.
Darius Slayton | New York Giants | 49% Rostership | 15-20% FAAB
Hopefully, you listened to my previous advice and already have rostered Darius Slayton. However, if not Slayton will be my priority add of the week and significant FAAB should be spent to acquire him. Early reports are Malik Nabers suffered a torn ACL which means the #1 receiving option in New York is anyone’s for the taking.
Olamide Zaccheaus’ | Chicago Bears | 29% Rostership | 2% FAAB
Olamide Zaccheaus has had at least four targets in every game this season. While he is not a consistent option, his target usage cannot be ignored and should be considered for rostering. If an injury happens to anyone in the Bears receiving core, Zacchaeus value will continue to increase.
Kendrick Bourne | San Francisco 49ers | 24% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
While Kendrick Bourne’s statline was not impressive, the 49ers continue to battle injuries most recently to Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. Jennings and Pearsall did not practice Monday as they are set to travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams on Thursday Night Football. Bourne may be thrust into a starting role on Thursday night
Demarcus Robinson | San Francisco 49ers | 26% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
Demarcus Robinson signed with San Francisco on a two-year, $9.5 million deal. Robinson made his 49ers debut after serving a three game suspension. While his snap count was limited, much like Kendrick Bourne, Robinson may be thrust into a starting role on a short week.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | Miami Dolphins | 22% Rostership 2% FAAB
After a gruesome injury on Monday Night Football to Tyreek Hill, it is time for the next man up mentality in Miami. While the main beneficiaries from the Hill injury will be Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington, a name to monitor is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets | Week 5 Fantasy Football
Week 5 Waiver Wire tight end pickups include Jake Tonges and Tommy Tremble. (analysis below)
Top Tight End Pickups | Week 5 Waiver Wire Adds Player Analysis
Jake Tonges | San Francisco 49ers | 41% Rostership | 3% FAAB
Jake Tonges has been a mainstay name for this waiver wire article since the injury to George Kittle. Tonges has had at least two receptions in every game this season and will continue to be the top tight end in San Francisco until Kittle returns. Oh yeah, Tonges had a career high 14.8 fantasy points in Week 5 after a 3/58/1 performance.
Tommy Tremble | Carolina Panthers | 13% Rostership | 13% Rostership | 2% FAAB
In Week 4, Tommy Tremble filled in nicely for Ja’Tavion Sanders. Tremble finished second on the team in targets (8), turning them into 5 receptions, 42 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Due to numerous injuries, Carolina lacks receiving weapons outside of Tet McMillan. As long as Sanders is inactive, Tremble will continue to see work.
Over 50% Rostered Waiver Wire Players | Week 5 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: Isaiah Bond, Rico Dowdle, Oronde Gadsden, Kenneth Gainwell, Justice Hill, Theo Johnson, Woody Marks, Kendre Miller, Kyle Monangai, Chris Rodriguez, Devin Singletary, Dalton Schultz, Brashard Smith, Parker Washington, Darren Waller, Malik Washington, and Carson Wentz
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Optimized FAQ | Week 5 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups
Q1: Who is the best Week 5 Waiver Wire pickup in fantasy football?
A: Darius Slayton is the top Week 5 Waiver Wire pickup after Malik Nabers’ ACL injury, giving him WR1 potential in New York.
Q2: How much FAAB should I spend on Cooper Rush if Lamar Jackson is injured?
A: In SuperFlex formats, 15–20% FAAB is a fair bid for Cooper Rush if Lamar Jackson misses time with his hamstring injury.
Q3: Which Week 5 waiver wire running backs benefit most from injuries?
A: Emari Demercado (handcuff to Trey Benson), Isaiah Davis (next up after Braelon Allen’s knee injury), and Emanuel Wilson (backup behind Josh Jacobs) are the RBs most boosted by injuries.
Q4: Are there any wide receivers to add after Week 5 injuries?
A: Yes. Darius Slayton (Giants) benefits from Malik Nabers’ injury, while Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could see more work after Tyreek Hill’s injury.
Q5: What is the best dynasty strategy for Week 5 Waiver Wire pickups?
A: Dynasty managers should prioritize handcuff RBs and injury replacements who gain immediate value, then explore trading them at peak demand.
Q6: Should contenders and rebuilders approach Week 5 Waiver Wire differently?
A: Yes. Contenders should target starters who can score now, while rebuilders should stash younger players like Zavier Scott or Jake Tonges.
Q7: Is it better to save FAAB or spend aggressively on Week 5 Waiver Wire targets?
A: Early in the season, it’s worth spending aggressively on clear injury replacements. Depth RBs like Emari Demercado or Darius Slayton can swing matchups, while conservative bids risk missing out.
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