Week 5 Waivers
Injuries are reshaping depth charts across the league, and someone has to pick up the touches. Here are five players worth a waiver claim this week.
Yo! Real quick, before we get to the picks →
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Now, on to the picks…
TE: Brenton Strange (JAC)
16.7% rostered on ESPN leagues
Strange was the focal point of Jacksonville's passing attack in Week 4, and he showed what he can do when Trevor Lawrence looks his way.
Caught 7 of 8 targets for 95 yards against a Bengals defense that has struggled with tight ends
Rarely came off the field (53 snaps) and did most of his damage on intermediate throws over the middle
His 2025 efficiency backs it up: 6th among TEs in yards per target (9.0), 8th in yards per route run (1.81), and at least 9.2 PPR points in 6 of the 7 games where he drew 4+ targets
The Eagles are a tougher tight end matchup in London, so treat him as a high-end TE2 streamer, but on days when Lawrence's receivers go quiet, Strange is the one who produces.
QB: Kirk Cousins (LV)
16.9% rostered in ESPN leagues
The Raiders' offense is running far more smoothly with Cousins under center, and he has climbed to QB6 through four weeks… better than Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and many others drafted above him.
11 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, with multiple TD passes in every game this season
Threw for 365 yards and two scores on 52 attempts in a 30-27 shootout with the Chiefs
His connection with Brock Bowers is real: 10 catches between them in Week 3, then a 20-yard fourth-quarter TD in Week 4
With Las Vegas at 3-1 and the Patriots up next, Cousins is a strong QB2 and one of the best Superflex adds available.
WR: Dohnte Meyers (CIN)
0.2% rostered in ESPN leagues
The former CFL receiver who earned a roster spot with his camp performance just led Bengals wideouts in snaps, and the depth chart ahead of him keeps getting thinner.
Caught 7 of 9 targets for 82 yards, on both designed screens and downfield shots, mostly working as the No. 2 receiver
Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) left early, Tee Higgins (adductor) got hurt late, and Andrei Iosivas and Colbie Young were already out
The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. called him a "roster lock" in August, and WR coach Troy Walters says he can play all three receiver spots
Keep an eye on the Chase and Higgins injury reports, but Meyers is the best WR add for a potential FLEX play against the Dolphins.
WR: Keon Coleman (BUF)
4.2% rostered in ESPN leagues
Coleman finally gave us the breakout game his flashes have been hinting at.
Caught 6 of 7 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots, including two highlight-reel sideline grabs
Played 46 of 59 snaps and ran a route on 31 of 40 dropbacks
DJ Moore left with a shoulder injury after weeks of battling minor injuries
The Rams are next, and they've been one of the 10 most generous defenses to wide receivers. If Week 4 was the start of something, you want Coleman on your roster before it happens again.
RB: Emanuel Wilson (SEA)
50% rostered in ESPN leagues
He was scooped up by a lot of managers heading into Week 4, but Wilson is the rarest waiver find of all: a true bellcow running back.
Rushed 21 times for 81 yards and a TD, plus 3 catches for 39 yards and a receiving TD on a Sam Darnold screen, in the win over the Chargers
George Holani got just 7 carries for 18 yards and one catch, so this backfield belongs to Wilson
He's built for the job: 17th in the NFL in yards created per touch (3.45) last season, and Seattle has the third-easiest projected RB schedule this year
As long as Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price stay sidelined, Wilson is a volume-driven RB2 against the Broncos and the top priority on this list.
That’s the list. 5 guys to add if you have a need at these positions.
-Joe
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