- Woody Marks remains the top running back target: Marks has been the top running back waiver-wire add for three straight weeks. This will likely be his last week where he qualifies, after seeing 21 touches for 119 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4.
- Darius Slayton is the next man up: Slayton was a focal point of the New York Giants‘ passing game when Malik Nabers was injured last season. With Nabers reportedly out for the year, Slayton has a chance to step up.
Another week of the 2025 NFL season is just about in the books. Here are the players you should be targeting in your fantasy football leagues, including options for smaller leagues and deeper leagues, as well as players to avoid.
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QB | RB | WR | TE
QUARTERBACKS
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (Rostered in 20.9% of leagues on ESPN)
- League Size: 10, 12
- Time Frame: Week 5, Long Term
Dart didn’t do much through the air in his first NFL start, completing 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. The Giants also lost their top wide receiver, Malik Nabers, further thinning their depth at the position. But Dart made an impact on the ground, running 10 times for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Over the last two seasons, the only other quarterbacks with 10 or more carries (excluding kneel-downs) for 50-plus yards and at least one touchdown in a game are Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields. Those players include the top four fantasy quarterbacks, and Fields has historically been a top-10 option when healthy.
While there are safer waiver-wire options, Dart offers top-10 upside due to his rushing ability alone. The Giants also have a volatile schedule, with multiple matchups against both top-10 and bottom-10 defenses. That makes Dart a matchup-dependent option who will rotate between your fantasy bench and starting lineup. This week, he draws a favorable matchup against the New Orleans Saints and can be used as a strong bye-week fill-in or a potential long-term option.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (7.0%)
- League Size: 10, 12
- Time Frame: Week 5
Browning struggled in his first start of 2025, completing 19-of-27 passes for 140 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense. The turnovers weren’t ideal, but not all of the blame falls on Browning. Five Bengals players fumbled, with three resulting in turnovers, and Cincinnati also went three-and-out several times.
Still, the reasons to be optimistic about Browning haven’t changed. The Bengals’ defense has underperformed, which should lead to negative game scripts and plenty of passing volume. And with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal, Browning’s fantasy outlook remains promising.
While Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos isn’t an ideal matchup, the Bengals’ remaining schedule is extremely favorable for fantasy quarterbacks. That stretch begins in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions, who allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks over the first three weeks. After that, Cincinnati faces five teams ranked in the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, including two during the fantasy playoffs. Outside of Denver and a Week 6 meeting with the Green Bay Packers, the rest of the slate sets up nicely.
Browning isn’t just a strong Week 5 option — he’s shaping up as one of the top quarterback adds for the rest of the season.
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