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Waiver Wire Pickups Week 5: Did You Wait Too Long to Grab Woody Marks?

• Priority Target
• Immediate Help
• Deep-League Flex Plays
• Upside Stashes
• Injuries to Note
• Top RB Handcuffs
• Top Streaming Defense
• Top Streaming Kicker
• Drop Candidates

Priority Target of the Week

Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 50-70%

What Changed?

Marks had seen his role expand each week, going from a 12% snap rate in Week 1 to 20%, and then 49% in Week 3. But Week 4 presented a breakout performance. 

Marks out-snapped Nick Chubb 40-30, playing 58% of Houston’s snaps and scoring 27.9 PPR points.

What’s the Outlook?

The rookie outplayed Chubb in every capacity. Treat him as Houston’s top RB moving forward, with weekly top-20 upside. And there’s still no signal that Joe Mixon will return anytime soon.

We’ve been proactively adding Marks previously, but if he’s still available, be prepared to bid aggressively. 

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 15-20%

What Changed?

Jaylen Warren missed the Week 4 win in Ireland with a knee injury. Gainwell feasted in his place, playing 77% of the snaps and racking up 134 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs. 

Warren opened the day questionable but went through pre-game warmups, so his absence was a bit surprising. 

We’ll see about Warren’s status for Week 6 (after the bye), but Gainwell’s huge performance warrants attention on the waiver wire. 

What’s the Outlook?

Gainwell has now been in on 50% of Pittsburgh’s snaps this season, so there is a path to him providing weekly flex value even when Warren returns. 

Gainwell has topped double-digit opportunities in three of four games. And if Warren misses more time, Gainwell has shown he’s a viable RB2 across formats.

Need Help Now?

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

Russell Wilson just got benched after two erratic showings, and Brian Daboll named Jaxson Dart as the starter for the rest of the season. 

The rookie delivered Sunday, completing 65% of his passes for 1 TD, running for 54 yards and a score, and securing the Giants’ first win over the previously undefeated Chargers. 

What’s the Outlook?

Dart delivered the 10th-best fantasy score of the week (depending on your format), with reasons both for optimism and hesitation.

We loved his rushing upside as a prospect, and that was present right away. But Dart also averaged just 5.55 yards per pass attempt. And more importantly, he lost WR Malik Nabers for the season to an ACL tear.

That hurts the passing upside. But Dart should still have enough between his rushing and the remaining Giants wideouts to offer streaming-level fantasy value. A Week 5 visit to New Orleans adds upside.

At the least, Dart needs to be on a roster in all superflex leagues.

Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

After a rough opener, Darnold has posted three consecutive quality outings. Seattle ranks 13th in passing yards, averaging 221.5 per game against a favorable schedule. 

That continues in Week 5 as the Seahawks return home to host a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs so far. 

What’s the Outlook?

Tampa Bay has allowed QBs to post top-10 weekly fantasy finishes in three of their four weeks. This includes Michael Penix Jr. and Tyrod Taylor. 

Darnold is (arguably?) the best passer the Bucs have faced this season, setting him up as a strong streaming option this week.

Darnold might also be an option for a Week 6 visit to Jacksonville, which has been the 10th-best QB scoring matchup so far by our adjusted fantasy points allowed and just lost Edge Travon Walker to a wrist injury.

Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants

Blind Bid Recommendation: 6-10%

What Changed?

The worst-case scenario for New York’s offense happened. WR Malik Nabers tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of 2025. 

Nabers ran 76% of his routes from the perimeter, which points to Slayton (83%) as likely the most direct beneficiary. Wan’Dale Robinson played more in two-WR sets after Nabers went down and figures to spend a bit more time outside now vs. his 79% slot rate to date. But he’ll remain primarily a shorter-range option.

Jalin Hyatt ran third among Giants WRs against the Chargers but has yet to see a target this season and caught just eight passes in his second season. He’ll need to prove he’s relevant before we believe it.

What’s the Outlook?

It’s a tiny sample played with different QBs, but when Nabers missed two games last year, Slayton posted these receiving lines:

• 8-122-1
• 6-57

He drew 11 targets in both contests. Slayton reached seven just one other time all year and finished 10 of his 16 games with four targets or fewer.

We should see a large boost in fantasy value, though he’ll also play with a brand-new rookie QB. So Slayton’s worth a look, but don’t go crazy with your bidding.

Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blind Bid Recommendation: 6-8%

What Changed?

Strange has now commanded seven targets in back-to-back games. His 82% snap share, 77% route rate, and 17% target share rank second among Jaguars. Among all NFL TEs, Strange ranks ninth in targets (23) and tied for fifth with 19 grabs. 

What’s the Outlook?

Injuries and underperformance have decimated the TE position. Strange’s consistency makes him a quality option that is still widely available.

Continued lagging play for the Jacksonville WR corps only helps Strange’s chances of continuing to deliver reliable PPR numbers.

Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins

Blind Bid Recommendation:6-8%

What Changed?

After missing most of training camp and the first three regular-season games, Waller was active for the first time in Week 4. He made his Miami debut count, scoring a pair of TDs. 

What’s the Outlook?

HC Mike McDaniel has barely incorporated TEs into his lineup after heavily featuring Jonnu Smith last season. That made Waller’s immediate impact all the more encouraging. But let’s zoom out a little.

Waller made just 3 catches on four targets. His 10 routes trailed TE Julian Hill and ranked just sixth among Dolphins WRs and TEs. But it was also his first game after three off for a hip injury and a year away from football.

We’re betting that usage will ramp up, especially after Miami lost Tyreek Hill for the season. But treat Waller as a matchup-based TE2, with the potential to become a quality starting option. 

Deep-League Flex Plays

Malik Washington, WR, Miami Dolphins

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

Tyreek Hill suffered a gruesome leg injury in the third quarter of Miami’s Week 4 game against the Jets. Washington, who was the Dolphins' No. 3 WR, will now be in line for an increased role. 

What’s the Outlook?

Washington earned five targets in Weeks 1 and 3 but has little to show for it. He’s averaging just 2.0 receptions per week and hasn’t topped 20 receiving yards in a game this season. 

The second-year WR has averaged just 7.9 yards per catch for his young career on a 5.1-yard average depth of target (according to PFF). 

He won’t come close to replicating Hill’s downfield role. But Washington will see more targets in an offense with plenty of questions still to answer. View him as a low-cost bye-week replacement. 

Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

Horton has received multiple targets in three consecutive games. He has primarily been used as a deep threat (16.7 ADOT), but Horton has surpassed a 35% slot rate in two of his last three games. 

WR Cooper Kupp has been held under 32 receiving yards in three of Seattle’s four games, leaving room for Horton to challenge his role. 

What’s the Outlook?

Seattle hosts Tampa Bay in Week 5. The Buccaneers bring a pass-funnel defense that has struggled against QBs.

The Seahawks are projected to score 23.75 points this week, 11th-highest for the week. 

Horton is an ascending talent who is worth considering as a proactive add. 

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

The Giants benched an ineffective and inconsistent Russell Wilson. Rookie Jaxson Dart wasn’t perfect, but he sparked the Giants’ offense to an upset win. The rookie’s arm talent (and mobility) supplies a clear upgrade on Wilson.

What’s the Outlook?

Johnson scored on a goal-line shovel pass, and that type of red-zone usage could continue with Malik Nabers out for the year.

At the least, Nabers’ absence frees up 29% of the team’s targets (by the first three weeks’ numbers). Johnson projects to capture some of those looks, boosting his TE2 profile. 

Next comes a solid scoring matchup vs. a Saints squad allowing 30.25 points per game.

Tommy Tremble, TE, Carolina Panthers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

What Changed?

Tremble's usage rose in Week 4, leading to season highs in route rate (68%), target share (23%), catches (5), and yards (42). Tremble also added his first score of the season.

What’s the Outlook?

Don’t expect reliable TE1 numbers from Tremble, given the struggles we’ve seen from Bryce Young. 

But Ja'Tavion Sanders will miss several weeks with a high-ankle sprain. That’ll allow Tremble to enter the deep-league radar for upcoming matchups with the Dolphins and Cowboys.

Upside Stashes

Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

Opportunity. Miller played 11 snaps in each of the Saints’ first two games, but that grew to 20 in Week 3 and 21 last week. Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara has seen his snap share dip in three consecutive weeks:

• Week 2: 61 snaps (86%)
• Week 3: 54 snaps (74%) 
• Week 4: 49 snaps (73%)

What’s the Outlook?

It’s a small sample size, but Miller’s ascending usage looks encouraging. He also outscored Kamara for the first time in Week 4. 

Kamara is averaging 3.9 yards per carry and is on pace to see the fewest targets of his career. View Miller as a high-end handcuff who just might play his way into a fantasy-relevant role. 

Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

Smith just played a season-high 18 snaps in Week 4 and got four carries. But his passing-game usage really stood out. Smith got targeted on four of his 10 routes, catching all four for 27 yards. 

After the game, HC Andy Reid said OC Matt Nagy “is trying to increase Smith’s reps every week and put him in a position where he can do some things.” 

What’s the Outlook?

Smith’s stock is on the rise, and it was encouraging to see him involved in a game where everything was clicking for QB Patrick Mahomes.

Kareem Hunt is plodding his way along at 3.2 yards per carry, and the coaching staff still doesn’t seem to trust Isiah Pacheco to play an expanded role. 

Smith’s increasing usage makes him an intriguing stash. 

Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

Miles Sanders exited Week 4 with an ankle injury. On Monday, HC Brian Schottenheimer indicated that Sanders wasn’t seriously hurt and is looking good for Week 5. 

However, Sanders's absence would likely mean Blue's activation.

What’s the Outlook?

Schottenheimer also said that Blue was “very close” to debuting. 

The rookie ran a 4.38-second 40 time ahead of the draft and has a big-play element that has been missing from the Cowboys’ offense. There’s also room for Blue to climb the depth chart even when Sanders is healthy.

Target Blue with a minimal bid if you have a free roster spot and are looking to stash players with upside.

Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

Bucky Irving (knee) underwent an MRI on Monday. HC Todd Bowles indicated concern for Irving’s status. 

Rachaad White would be the next man up for Tampa, but Tucker would likely factor into the replacement plan as well.

What’s the Outlook?

Tucker has only logged one carry this season. But he showed last year that the ceiling climbs high when he gets chances.

Tucker averaged 6.2 yards per carry for the season and had a breakthrough 136-yard outing in New Orleans. 

Use a minimal bid on Tucker as insurance for Irving, or as proactive backfield depth. If Irving is cleared to play his usual role, Tucker has little value. 

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-4%

What Changed?

The Panthers could open Coker’s 21-day window to return from IR any time. However, HC Dave Canales indicated that the second-year WR is still “week-to-week” with a quad injury. When he does return, Coker should take over slot duties for a Panthers’ offense that is desperately in need of playmakers.

What’s the Outlook?

You’ll need patience. 

Coker showed promise down the stretch last season and created some buzz in training camp before injuring his quad. But we’ll also need to see him produce this year before pushing him into lineups.

Consider Coker a proactive add, but be prepared for him to miss a few more games. If you have a free IR spot, Coker is an intriguing stash. 

Injuries to Note

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

Nabers suffered an ACL tear in Week 4. He should be back in time for Week 1 of 2026.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

Hill was carted off on Monday night with an ugly leg injury. 

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens 

Jackson is uncertain for Week 5 after leaving the Chiefs' game with a hamstring injury. Cooper Rush entered late in the loss and would start if Jackson misses Sunday’s matchup vs. Houston.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Irving played deep into the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to Philly, but had an MRI for an undisclosed injury. Stay tuned.

Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy reported toe soreness after returning from a two-week absence for turf toe. We’ll track his practice participation, but playing Thursday night won’t help. Consider stashing Mac Jones if Purdy’s your No. 1.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

McLaurin missed Week 4 with a quad injury. HC Dan Quinn gave a fairly positive update on Sunday, but we’ll see if McLaurin’s able to practice this week.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Pearsall will manage a PCL (knee) injury this week. Consider him questionable for Week 5.

Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Mooney sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s win over Washington. He’s expected to return after a Week 5 bye.

Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets

Allen was quickly ruled out with a knee injury on Monday night. Expect him to miss time, putting Isaiah Davis into the No. 2 RB role.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns

Tillman will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. 

Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren was a surprise inactive on Sunday morning. The good news? He’ll have a chance to rest his knee injury during a Week 5 bye.

Miles Sanders, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Sanders departed Sunday’s game vs. Green Bay with an ankle injury. HC Brian Schottenheimer downplayed the severity of the injury on Monday.

Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Pierce missed Week 4 with a concussion. He’ll likely return for Week 5, but we’ll track his progress through the concussion protocol. His status most affects the playing time for WR Adonai Mitchell.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

Spears could be activated from IR as soon as this week. We wouldn’t use him in his first game back, but Spears’ eventual return should eat into Tony Pollard’s touches.

Taysom Hill, Multi-tool, New Orleans Saints

Hill’s scheduled to return to practice this week, per HC Kellen Moore. The TE(ish) projects for a limited role when healthy, especially given the hot start from Juwan Johnson. Of course, he has never played under Moore, so we’ll see what this year’s role looks like.

RB Handcuff Top 10

1. Zach Charbonnet
2. Bhayshul Tuten
3. Tyler Allgeier
4. Kenneth Gainwell
5. Rachaad White
6. R.J. Harvey
7. Blake Corum 
8. Kareem Hunt
9. Justice Hill
10. Tyjae Spears

The Seahawks continue to use both Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III interchangeably. Walker out-snapped Charbonnet in Week 4 33-31 but Charbonnet got the TD. Both backs are weekly RB2 options, but if Walker were to miss time, Charbonnet would have league-winning upside. 

Keep an eye on Tampa Bay’s backfield. Bucky Irving is one of several Buccanners scheduled to undergo an MRI. If Irving were sidelined, Rachaad White would have RB2 value. Even if Irving is cleared, White’s 31% snap share in a potent Tampa offense keeps him on the weekly flex radar.

The Titans opened the 21-day window for Tyjae Spears to return to practice. Tony Pollard leads all RBs with an 89% snap share. However, last season, Spears was in on 38% of Tennessee’s snaps. Spears is also a good receiver who should command 8-10 touches per week once he’s activated. 

Top Streaming Defense

Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings

(in London)

The Browns boast the league’s top run defense (70.3 yards per game) and an elite pass rush. 

DE Myles Garrett and DT Maliek Collins can also get after the opposing passer. The Browns have accumulated 11 sacks and are going to be problematic for a Minnesota O-line that has allowed an NFL-worst 18 sacks – including 6 in Week 4. 

This game, in London, also features this slate’s lowest projected total at just 37.5 points. Expect the Browns to shut down the run and force QB Carson Wentz into hurried throws. That’s the perfect scenario for a streaming defense. 

Check out our other Week 5 streaming defense picks. 

Top Streaming Kickers

1. Spencer Shrader, Colts
2. Jason Myers, Seahawks
3. Matt Prater, Bills

Drop Candidates

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Of all QBs who have started four games, only Joe Flacco has fewer fantasy points than Trevor Lawrence. He has one weekly finish at QB12 and three outside the top 20. There is no reason to keep holding him in 1-QB formats. 

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns

This is Quinshon Judkins’ backfield now. Sampson has two carries, one target, and 0 yards in Cleveland’s last two games. 

Jeremy McNichols, RB, Washington Commanders

Washington is using all three backs, but McNichols is getting the fewest touches. In Week 4, McNichols’ three touches totaled 3 yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez each logged seven carries. 

Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans

Ridley was one of the most popular mid-round value picks, but his return on investment has been nonexistent. He has topped 30 yards once all season and only played 27 of 50 snaps in Week 4. At this point, it’s hard to justify holding Ridley in shallow leagues. 

Josh Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills 

Palmer’s snap counts have declined every week, bottoming out at only 15 snaps (25%) in Week 4. He’ll occasionally produce a pop play, but Palmer enters Week 5 outside of the top 70 WRs in PPR scoring.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

That 6-catch, 103-yard effort in Week 1 is a distant memory. Since then, Boutte has totaled 4 receptions for 62 yards. 

Hunter Refrow, WR, Carolina Panthers

Renfrow has played less than half of Carolina’s snaps in back-to-back games. Additionally, Jalen Coker is nearing a return and is expected to move into the slot full-time. Renfrow’s already waning playing time will erode even more. 

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Thornton is earning plenty of playing time but doing nothing with the snaps. Since catching two passes for 45 yards in Week 1, Thornton has 3 catches for 49 yards in three games. 

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta used a lot of three-wide sets last season, but that hasn’t been the case in 2025. In his last three games, McCloud has caught three balls for 13 yards. He enters Week 5 outside of the top 100 WRs in PPR leagues. 

Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Even with Mike Evans sidelined, Otton couldn’t make an impact in Week 4. He caught three of his four targets but accumulated just 9 yards. The TE position has been a disaster this season, but Otton enters Week 5 with fewer PPR points than John Fitzpatrick and Elijah Higgins. (If you don’t even know who they are … that’s kinda the point.)

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Friermuth has played fewer snaps and run fewer routes than Jonnu Smith. Week 3 also found Darnell Washington out-snapping Friermuth 48-15. 

Next Up

Streaming Defense Week 5: Grab Browns' Elite Pass Rush

Next Article  

Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.