Fantasy Football 2026: Waiver wire, Week 5 edition

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 5.

Injuries continue to be a major menace for fantasy managers in 2026, and Week 4 continued that trend as a number of fantasy starters were either inactive or left games with injuries during the Week 4 games. It's starting to feel like a war of attrition out there.

In addition to that annoyance, we've got Bye weeks to contend with. The waiver wire can offer some assistance although this isn't a great week for free agent adds. Still, help is there for those who need it, and that includes some intriguing stashes who might be difference-makers later in the season.

The Process : Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool's gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during bye weeks).

Some players discussed won't be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn't "one size fits all." By way of example, I won't list Bryce Young, Kyle Monangai, Braelon Allen , Kendre Miller , Woody Marks, Khalil Shakir, or Juwan Johnson this week, among others who probably aren't available in any of your leagues.

If you need a second QB in a Superflex format, or a temporary starter in a one-QB format, I'll list the same three graybeards who I named last week: Kirk Cousins , Aaron Rodgers, and Geno Smith . Cousins is playing very well and has put up multiple TDs in every game, and at least 20 fantasy points in three straight weeks. The Jets offense couldn't get on the field last week, but Geno has been decent. Rodgers is having a mini-resurgence, and has a very favorable upcoming schedule (Colts, Bucs, Saints, Browns, Bengals).

Need a Week 5 streamer at QB? I'll give you three matchup-based names to consider.

Jacoby Brissett gets the Lions this week. I'll say that again to make sure you didn't miss it. Arizona plays Detroit this week. Did you see the Lions' defense on Sunday night? Well, nobody did, because they don't actually play any defense. That performance wasn't an anomaly. They're that bad against the pass. Brissett is a solid streamer in Week 5, and for that matter so are C.J. Stroud (@TEN), who is a different QB when Nico Collins is in the lineup, and Jameis Winston (@WAS), who gave fans the full Jameis experience last Sunday (3 TDs, 2 INTs) and who also faces another of the league's worst secondaries this week.

I guess I have to say something about Deshaun Watson . He's playing well and while it hasn't been outstanding for fantasy, he should be rostered in two-QB leagues. His matchup this week (NYJ) is just so-so, as teams have been running all over them.

Finally, Jalon Daniels is going to struggle and turn the ball over. He's also going to run, and he should get a little better at the whole passing the football thing with more starts. Add him at your own risk – but if you need help, it looks like he'll get a bunch more starts while Baker Mayfield's thumb heals.

Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby both left Sunday's game with injuries, and Bigsby is headed to IR. Will Shipley is definitely in for significantly more work and could actually be the lead back if Barkley, who has been in and out of the lineup the last few weeks, misses time. The Eagles' offense is a mess, but volume is volume. Shipley is my top add this week.

Let's talk about the Seahawks, who just put Jadarian Price on IR.

Zach Charbonnet's practice window opened, meaning he could be nearing a return. He's rostered in more than 50% of leagues but is worth stashing if he's available.

If you need more immediate help, Emanuel Wilson is coming off an excellent performance (24 touches, 120 total yards, two total TDs) and looks like the Seahawks' back to roster for the near-term. He could have value for the duration of the season, but this is a very hard backfield to handicap longer-term, and especially with the team signing Joe Mixon to the practice squad (I don't expect much from him, but it muddies the waters).

A few other names to think about, if you're in need and/or want some depth that could pop: Keaton Mitchell (15 touches this past week), Austin Ekeler , Tyler Allgeier , Tyler Goodson , Brian Robinson, Jr., and Mike Washington, Jr.

Tyreek Hill got scooped up in a lot of leagues over the last two weeks, and now there's a report that the Chiefs, who lost both Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton to injuries on Sunday, have reached out to his agent. Hill is at least a month away from potentially playing, so this is speculative in multiple ways. But if you've got the space, why not?

Both Denzel Boston and K.C. Concepcion should be rostered. It's true: Watson is playing well, and the two rookies look good and are getting plenty of chances to make plays.

I think Darius Cooper (who came out of nowhere to score two TDs Sunday, on just three catches) is probably fool's gold, and I really don't like how the Eagles' offense looks. I'd pass on him for other names, but I get it if you want to chase that performance while Philly is missing so many weapons. I prefer Dontayvion Wicks there.

As for players who can help you right now, Keon Coleman is coming off a big game but he has fooled us before. Still, with D.J. Moore re-aggravating his shoulder, Coleman is worth considering.

The Romeo Doubs breakout game finally happened – and I bet almost nobody started him. Some people dropped him already, so he could be on waiver wires and especially in shallower leagues. It's hard to trust, but if Drake Maye is out of his funk, Doubs could be serviceable, at least until A.J. Brown returns.

Jordyn Tyson could be back as early as Week 7, but with the Saints having a Bye in Week 8, I think Week 9 is a more likely target. He's worth stashing and especially if you can keep him in an IR spot.

Need receiver depth? I'll repeat a bunch of names I've listed in recent weeks, together with some new ones: Roman Wilson , Malik Washington, Tre Harris, Khalif Raymond , Chris Bell , Antonio Williams , and Tre Harris .

Cyrus Allen had a lot of preseason hype. He's worth stashing given Kansas City's receiver injuries, and with the 4-0 Chiefs on a Bye this week he should be easy to nab.

Have you heard of Dohnte Meyers ? Well, you might not hear about him, if Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and/or Tee Higgins (abductor strain) are able to play this week. But if either or both aren't, he's an attractive streamer (@MIA) for this week and possibly longer (CIN has a Bye in week 6). Someone has to catch passes from Joe Burrow. Speaking of which…

Mike Gesicki is a great option with the two starting receivers ailing. Even when both are healthy, he has value catching passes from Burrow, although like most tight ends outside of the elite options his production isn't consistent week-to-week.

Others to consider if you need help: Michael Mayer (Brock Bowers is a WR; Mayer is playing a ton of snaps and you see the production), Darren Waller (who is on a Bye this week), Brenton Strange , and Tyler Higbee .

That's all I've got. Good luck with your waiver claims!

***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***