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. Whether you’re contending for a title or rebuilding for the future, smart waiver pickups can shape your roster—or trophy case—for years to come.
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.
Miss last week’s pickups? Week 4 Waiver Wire | Don’t forget to check back for Mychal’s Week 5 Trade Advice dropping Wednesday morning!
Week 5 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Pickups (Quick-Guide)
| Week 5 Waiver Wire | Player | Team | Rostership % | FAAB Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB Pickup | Cooper Rush | Ravens | 10% | 15–20% |
| RB Pickup | Emari Demercado | Cardinals | 33% | 5–10% |
| RB Pickup | Antonio Gibson | Patriots | 37% | 2% |
| RB Pickup | Raheem Mostert | Raiders | 36% | 2% |
| RB Pickup | Zavier Scott | Vikings | 26% | 5% |
| WR Pickup | Greg Dortch | Cardinals | 17% | 1–2% |
| WR Pickup | Luke McCaffrey | Commanders | 49% | 2–4% |
| WR Pickup | Darius Slayton | Giants | 49% | 15–20% |
| WR Pickup | Olamide Zaccheaus | Bears | 29% | 2% |
| TE Pickup | Jake Tonges | 49ers | 41% | 3% |
| TE Pickup | Tommy Tremble | Panthers | 13% | 2% |
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets | Week 5 Fantasy Football
The top quarterback pickup for the Week 5 Waiver Wire is Cooper Rush. (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.
Check out our Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire on Tuesday mornings!
Week 5 Running Back Targets | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The Week 5 running backs you need include Emari Demercado, Antonio Gibson, Raheem Mostert, and Zavier Scott (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.
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. (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.
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, and Carson Wentz
✅ More Dynasty Fantasy Football Resources
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 due to Malik Nabers’ injury, giving him WR1 potential in New York.
Q2: How much FAAB should I spend on Cooper Rush in Week 5 Waivers?
A: In SuperFlex formats, spend 15–20% FAAB on Cooper Rush if Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury keeps him sidelined.
Q3: Which running backs are must-adds from the Week 5 Waiver Wire?
A: Emari Demercado and Zavier Scott are the top RB waiver wire stashes under 50% rostered.
Q4: Are there deep sleeper wide receivers on the Week 5 Waiver Wire?
A: Yes, Greg Dortch and Olamide Zaccheaus are deep sleeper WR adds with growing target shares.
Q5: What is the best dynasty strategy for Week 5 Waiver Wire pickups?
A: Dynasty managers should prioritize handcuff RBs and injury replacements who can gain value quickly, then capitalize on the trade market.
Q6: Should contenders and rebuilders approach Week 5 Waiver Wire moves differently?
A: Yes. Contenders should target immediate starters like Darius Slayton, while rebuilders should prioritize young players with long-term upside like Jake Tonges.
📲 Get the Dynasty Nerds App
Want to dominate your waiver wire? With the Dynasty Nerds App, you can see the best available pickups by syncing your leagues. Use tools like the Trade Browser, Player Shares, and League Availability to gain the ultimate edge in dynasty.
