We’ll keep this one tighter than usual. Not an especially exciting week of waivers, conviction is low, but we’re still hunting incremental edges and better bench depth. Roster rates below are from Sleeper.
First, scan your wire for these higher-priority options
If any of these are out there, grab them before moving to the “Targets” list.
Darren Waller (TE, MIA) — 68% rostered
Waller looked like a weekly TE1 again, posting 5/78/1 in Week 5 and showing clear chemistry in Miami’s red-zone concepts. SI+1
Rashid Shaheed (WR, NO) — 66%
Field-tilter. Torched the Giants for an 87-yard TD and finished 4/114/1; his weekly ceiling is matchup-proof because of role and speed. Giants+1
Rico Dowdle (RB, CAR) — 71%
Carolina’s offense just ran through Dowdle: 234 total yards and 2 scores in a statement game. Even with regression, that kind of usage is impossible to leave on waivers. ESPN.com
Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR)
Still dealing. Hung 389 yards and 3 TDs on the 49ers in Week 5. If you’re streaming, Stafford’s volume and weapons keep him viable. ESPN.com+1
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, NE) — 70%
Looked spry in a win over Buffalo (18-68-1 rushing, 5-42-1 receiving). He’s a set-and-forget RB2 while the workload holds.
Calvin Ridley (WR, TEN) — 71%
Showed WR1 juice again with 5/131 in Week 5. Volume plus explosive plays keeps him in every-week starter territory.
Romeo Doubs (WR, GB) — 62%
If someone got bored during the bye, pounce. He erupted for 3 TDs in Week 4 and the Packers returned from a Week 5 bye to face Cincinnati. Yahoo Sports+1
Michael Carter (RB, ARI) — 58%
Week 5 workhorse usage (18-51-1 on the ground; 5-22 as a receiver). He’s a usable RB2/flex while the volume sticks.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (WR, KC) — 57%
Eight targets in Week 5 (4/48) with weekly access to shootouts. The role is bankable. NFL.com
Kareem Hunt (RB, KC) — 52%
Goal-line hammer for KC and it showed: 7-49-2 rushing in Week 5. If you need TD equity, Hunt fits. ESPN.com
Week 6 Waiver Targets (FAAB guide: try not to go beyond ~5% on any single player)
1) Hassan Haskins (RB, LAC) — 2%
Why add: Omarion Hampton is heading to IR. Haskins projects to be the next man up.
Week 5 recap: Logged change-of-pace work (5 carries, 13 yards) as the Chargers nursed a negative script. With Hampton out he should handle the bulk of the work. ESPN.com
2) Kendre Miller (RB, NO) — 27%
Why add: Carved out consistent touches behind Kamara; usable during bye weeks with upside if the Saints lean run-heavy.
Week 5 recap: 10 carries for 41 yards vs. the Giants, plus light receiving usage — steady involvement that travels week-to-week. ESPN.com
3) Mason Taylor (TE, NYJ) — 20%
Why add: Rookie TE with a sticky target share on a team that needs easy throws.
Week 5 recap: Career-high 9 catches for 67 yards; also nabbed a 2-point conversion late. Volume is king at TE — and he has it. New York Jets+1
4) Ryan Flournoy (WR, DAL) — 0%
Why add: Athletic boundary WR who flashed as injuries opened snaps.
Week 5 recap: Exploded for 6/114 on 9 targets against the Jets, winning vertically and after the catch. If Dallas’ room stays banged up, he’s an immediate flex. ESPN.com
5) Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC) — 0%
Why add: Early-down grinder with goal-line potential behind a strong OL. Hampton is heading to IR.
Week 5 recap: 4 carries for 18 yards, He could possibly be the next man up for the chargers. At worst he will have a role alongside Haskins.
6) Theo Johnson (TE, NYG) — 10%
Why add: Red-zone role is real.
Week 5 recap: Scored twice (6/33/2) vs. New Orleans while the Giants leaned on tight ends in scoring areas. Touchdown-streamer with staying power. ESPN.com
7) Kendrick Bourne (WR, SF) — 15%
Why add: Vacuum for targets with SF’s WR room nicked up; Bourne has earned trust on money downs.
Week 5 recap: Monster game vs. the Rams — 10 receptions, 142 yards on 11 targets — commanding WR1 volume. ESPN.com
Cut Candidates (it’s OK to be early)
Joe Mixon (RB, HOU) — 64%
Week 5 status: Still hasn’t played this season and the GM just said there’s no timetable for a return from his foot/ankle issue. In shallow benches, you can move on. ESPN.com
Jerry Jeudy (WR, CLE) — 85%
Week 5 recap: 2 catches for 15 yards on 5 targets in London. With the Browns funneling to Njoku and the rookies, Jeudy’s weekly ceiling is thin. ESPN.com
Zach Ertz (TE, WAS) — 72%
Week 5 recap: 0 catches (1 target) as Washington rolled the Chargers. Routes and snaps dipped; he’s more name than usage right now. CBSSports.com+1
Darius Slayton (WR, NYG) — 59%
Week 5 recap: 3/31 with a costly fumble. With TE usage climbing and target competition tight, it’s tough to find a reason to keep waiting. ESPN.com
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, SF) — 58%
Week 5 recap: 5 carries for 12 yards while McCaffrey dominated touches. Since the trade to SF he’s been a rotational piece — hard to flex during bye weeks. ESPN.com+1
Quick notes on context for your adds
- Saints pieces (Shaheed, Kendre): New Orleans is scheming easy explosives and using both the deep ball and motion to create YAC lanes — that sustains fantasy value even in low-volume games. ESPN.com
- 49ers pass catchers (Bourne): Injuries opened targets and Bourne took full advantage. If SF’s WR room remains thin, the role sticks. ESPN.com
- Cowboys depth (Flournoy): Week 5 showed he can step in and command real targets; monitor injuries for staying power. Dallas Cowboys
Closing Thoughts
Not a heavy-spend week. Sprinkle FAAB (≤5%) on bets with a path to fantasy relevance — backs with growing roles (Haskins, Vidal), touchdown-chasing tight ends (Johnson, Taylor), and target earners in injury-thinned rooms (Bourne, Flournoy). Also keep an eye on panic drops after waivers; savvy managers often find their best upgrades there. Let’s keep nudging the roster forward and set ourselves up for the bye-week grind.
Good luck in Week 6.