The Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire features several players whose roles are expanding at exactly the right time for fantasy owners. Injuries are creating opportunities in multiple backfields and receiving corps, while a few under-rostered quarterbacks and tight ends are emerging as legitimate weekly options.
This week’s waiver wire is particularly strong at running back and wide receiver, with several players capable of making an immediate fantasy impact. There are also quarterbacks available for streaming and tight ends who could provide a major boost at a difficult position.
Here are the top Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire targets to consider adding.
Week 5 Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets
Kirk Cousins (Raiders)
Cousins continues to be one of the most overlooked fantasy quarterbacks available on the waiver wire.
- Has scored 20-plus fantasy points in three straight games.
- Has thrown multiple touchdown passes in every game during that stretch.
- Operating effectively in Klint Kubiak’s offensive system.
- Offers a legitimate top-12 streaming ceiling.
- Consistent touchdown production gives him a solid weekly floor.
Fantasy recommendation: Cousins should be a priority quarterback waiver add for fantasy owners looking for a reliable weekly streamer.
Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals)
Brissett gets an appealing matchup that could provide a significant fantasy boost in Week 5.
- Offers a solid passing opportunity in a favorable matchup.
- Detroit’s secondary has allowed more than 21 fantasy points to every quarterback they’ve recently faced.
- Arizona could be forced into a pass-heavy game script.
- Has enough volume potential to become a viable one-week streamer.
Fantasy recommendation: Brissett is a worthwhile streaming option for fantasy owners who need a quarterback for Week 5.
Jameis Winston (Giants)
Winston remains the definition of a high-variance fantasy quarterback.
- Coming off a three-touchdown performance.
- Aggressive passer capable of producing big fantasy totals.
- Offers immediate upside when forced to throw.
- Particularly valuable in superflex formats.
- More appealing for fantasy owners needing a one-week replacement.
Fantasy recommendation: Winston is a boom-or-bust streaming option with enough touchdown upside to warrant a Week 5 waiver claim.
Week 5 Running Back Waiver Wire Targets
Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks)
Charbonnet is the top overall waiver wire priority if he is still available.
- Jadarian Price is on IR.
- Charbonnet has returned to practice.
- He’s not supposed to play in Week 5, so you’re buying him a week early.
- Seattle provides an efficient offensive environment.
- Has the potential for significant rushing and receiving work.
Fantasy recommendation: Charbonnet should be the No. 1 waiver priority for fantasy owners who need running back help and can afford the roster spot, and at least a one-week wait.
Will Shipley (Eagles)
Shipley could suddenly find himself in a starting role in Philadelphia.
- Saquon Barkley is dealing with a hamstring injury.
- Tank Bigsby has landed on IR.
- Opportunity for immediate starting touches.
- Could inherit valuable goal-line work.
- Philadelphia’s offense creates significant touchdown potential.
Fantasy recommendation: Shipley is a priority waiver add who could become an immediate RB2 if Barkley misses Week 5.
Emanuel Wilson (Seahawks)
Wilson has taken advantage of his opportunity while Charbonnet works his way back.
- Dominated Seattle’s backfield last week.
- Rushed 21 times for 81 yards.
- Added three receptions.
- Has immediate touch security while Charbonnet’s status remains uncertain.
- Could retain FLEX value even after Charbonnet returns.
Fantasy recommendation: Wilson is a strong short-term waiver addition and a useful FLEX play while the Seahawks’ backfield situation develops.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets
Keon Coleman (Bills)
Coleman is the premier wide receiver pickup of the Week 5 waiver wire.
- DJ Moore re-aggravated his shoulder injury.
- Coleman became Josh Allen’s primary target.
- Caught six of seven targets for 116 yards and a touchdown.
- Big-play ability gives him significant weekly upside.
- Increased opportunity could make him a consistent fantasy starter.
Fantasy recommendation: Coleman should be the top wide receiver waiver priority this week and is worth an aggressive claim in all formats.
KC Concepcion (Browns)
The rookie is beginning to show signs of becoming a major part of Cleveland’s passing game.
- Led Cleveland with 37 routes in his last game.
- Saw eight targets.
- Has received 17 targets over his last two contests.
- First-round draft capital supports his long-term upside.
- Increasing involvement suggests a breakout could be coming.
Fantasy recommendation: Concepcion is an excellent stash who could turn his recent volume into consistent WR3 production.
Malik Washington (Dolphins)
Washington continues to quietly establish himself as a dependable fantasy option.
- Has topped 40 receiving yards in every game.
- Role has continued to expand.
- Showing consistent involvement rather than relying on one big performance.
- Provides a stable weekly target floor.
- Fits well as a WR3 or FLEX option.
Fantasy recommendation: Washington is a strong depth addition for fantasy owners looking for a consistent FLEX option with room for additional upside.
Week 5 Tight End Waiver Wire Targets
Brenton Strange (Jaguars)
Strange is coming off a massive performance and should be one of the top tight end additions this week.
- Played 88.9% of Jacksonville’s routes.
- Commanded a massive 36.4% target share.
- Caught seven of eight targets.
- Finished with 95 receiving yards.
- Clearly being featured in the Jaguars’ passing game.
Fantasy recommendation: Strange is a priority tight end waiver add and could be a legitimate weekly starter if his route and target rates remain this high.
Mike Gesicki (Bengals)
Gesicki’s touchdown production is becoming difficult to ignore.
- Has scored a touchdown in three of four games.
- Cincinnati’s wide receiver corps is dealing with injuries.
- Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both exited Week 4.
- Additional targets could be available in the passing game.
- Touchdown upside gives him a strong streaming ceiling.
Fantasy recommendation: Gesicki is a worthwhile waiver addition who could see a significant increase in targets if Cincinnati’s receivers miss time.
T.J. Hockenson (Vikings)
Hockenson is an intriguing waiver wire option if he remains available in shallow or heavily rostered leagues.
- Coming off the injury protocol.
- Route participation suggests he is fully reintegrated.
- Remains a proven high-volume tight end.
- Minnesota’s passing game gives him plenty of opportunity.
- Offers immediate TE1 upside.
Fantasy recommendation: Hockenson should be a priority add wherever available and can immediately be inserted into fantasy lineups.
How to Approach the Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
The best Week 5 waiver wire targets are players whose opportunity is changing, not simply players who had one productive game.
At running back, Zach Charbonnet and Will Shipley have the potential to inherit significant workloads because of injuries, making them two of the most important additions this week. Emanuel Wilson also remains useful while Seattle’s backfield situation develops.
Wide receiver is arguably the deepest position on this week’s waiver wire. Keon Coleman stands out as the premier pickup after his breakout performance and increased role in Buffalo’s offense. KC Concepcion and Malik Washington are also appealing additions because their target volume and routes continue to trend upward.
At tight end, Brenton Strange has emerged as a legitimate weekly option, while Mike Gesicki could benefit from injuries to Cincinnati’s wide receivers. T.J. Hockenson is an especially important name to check for because his availability may be limited to leagues with smaller benches.
Fantasy owners should prioritize volume, route participation, target share and expected workload when deciding how aggressively to pursue these players.
Final Thoughts: Best Week 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Targets
The Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire offers several players who could make an immediate impact, but a few stand above the rest.
Zach Charbonnet is the top running back priority if he is ready to return to a lead role, while Will Shipley could become an instant starter if Saquon Barkley misses time. At wide receiver, Keon Coleman is the clear top target after taking advantage of increased opportunity in Buffalo.
At tight end, Brenton Strange deserves significant attention after commanding a massive target share, while T.J. Hockenson could immediately provide TE1 production if he is somehow still available.
The goal on the Week 5 waiver wire isn’t simply to chase last week’s box scores. The best fantasy football waiver additions are the players whose roles are growing and whose opportunity is likely to continue. Identifying those players before their production becomes obvious can give fantasy owners a major advantage for the rest of the season.
