Week 5 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups & FAAB Bids

Week 4 hit the Eagles hardest. Saquon Barkley left early in the first quarter against the Rams with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week, though the injury is not viewed as long-term. Backup Tank Bigsby needs core muscle surgery and is headed to injured reserve. That leaves Will Shipley as the only healthy running back on Philadelphia's active roster before Sunday's game against Jacksonville in London (per NFL.com and ESPN). The Eagles were already without DeVonta Smith, whose right hamstring could cost him two to three games (per the Philadelphia Inquirer). In Baltimore, Lamar Jackson hurt his left ankle late in the first half against Tennessee, sat out the second half, and left the stadium in a walking boot. Coach Jesse Minter said Monday he doesn't "know the chances yet" for Sunday night in Atlanta, and Tyler Huntley would start if Jackson can't (per BaltimoreRavens.com and ESPN). Ja'Marr Chase is in the concussion protocol and Tee Higgins (adductor) is day-to-day; Cincinnati will reevaluate both Wednesday (per the Cincinnati Enquirer and FOX19).

More changes: Washington's Marcus Mariota sprained the MCL in his right knee in London with no timetable, and the team's goal is for Jayden Daniels (elbow) to practice fully and start against the Giants (per Commanders.com). Rookie WR Jaylin Lane is out for the year with a fractured and dislocated ankle (per Commanders.com). Kansas City's Tyquan Thornton dislocated his left ankle after a 55-yard catch and is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks after surgery (per ESPN and NFL Network). Justin Jefferson (ankle) missed Week 4, and Minnesota hopes he's ready for New Orleans (per NFL.com). The Chargers' Ladd McConkey aggravated his foot injury and is week-to-week (per Chargers.com and CBS Sports). Buffalo's DJ Moore aggravated a shoulder injury that isn't considered long-term (per ESPN). Seattle won't activate Zach Charbonnet from the PUP list this week (per The News Tribune), and Kansas City and Carolina are on bye.

Everything below is Homefield's own read of the usage: who's on the field, who's getting targets and air yards, and who gets the ball near the goal. The ranges are FAAB bids as a percentage of your season budget. Every skill-position add on this list is rostered in about 60% or fewer of ESPN leagues (stashes much lower), and every DST and K streamer in 20% or fewer, so they should actually be on your wire. Treat the bids as a starting point, then adjust for your league.

Data note: Weeks 1–4 player stats, including Monday night's Falcons at Saints (final: ATL 45, NO 24), come from the nflverse weekly player-stats file for 2026 (stats_player_week_2026), which also supplies target share, air yards share, and WOPR. Snap shares come from nflverse snap counts (sourced from Pro Football Reference). Red-zone opportunities (carries and targets inside the opponent's 20) and the sack and turnover totals used for DST streamers come from nflverse 2026 play-by-play. Route data is not in these files, so route share is not cited. Rostered percentages come from ESPN's public fantasy API (percentOwned, default league settings), pulled Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 8:17 a.m. CT. DST and K streamers are limited to options rostered in 20% or fewer of ESPN leagues, and QB, RB, WR, and TE adds to about 60% or fewer (stashes lower), as of that pull. Jaguars D/ST (28.4%), at home against a Philadelphia offense missing Barkley and Smith, is excluded under the DST gate.

Quarterbacks

### C.J. Stroud, HOU (rostered in 37.2% of ESPN leagues) Week 4 was the most efficient passing game of his season: 21 of 31 for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, 11.2 yards per attempt, and only 2 sacks in a 34–30 shootout with Dallas. Through four games he has 0 interceptions on 151 attempts and 7.6 yards per attempt, but only 5 passing touchdowns (a 3.3% TD rate). He adds a little on the ground (9 carries, 66 yards) and has no red-zone rushes. Week 5 is at Tennessee, which is allowing 20.8 points per game and has only 2 takeaways.

• FAAB bid: 3–6% in 1QB leagues, 12–18% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex and 2QB first. In 1QB leagues he's a bye-week fill-in for Mahomes managers this week.

### Kirk Cousins, LV (16.9%) He leads this group in touchdowns: 11 passing TDs in four games (3, 3, 3, 2), a 7.6% TD rate. Week 4 brought volume too: 52 attempts, 31 completions, 365 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and no sacks against Kansas City. He doesn't run (minus-2 rushing yards on 12 carries), so his value is passing volume and touchdowns. Las Vegas is scoring 28.8 points per game. Week 5 at New England is tougher: the Patriots allow 19.3 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 1–3% in 1QB leagues, 8–12% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex starters. Six-point passing TD leagues value him more.

### Aaron Rodgers, PIT (6.5%) — superflex first Back-to-back 3-touchdown games: 292 yards against Cincinnati and 22 of 40 for 299 yards against Cleveland. The cost is turnovers and pressure. He has 4 interceptions on 153 attempts and took 5 sacks in Week 4 (13 on the season). His 6.5 yards per attempt is middling, so the floor comes from 40-attempt volume. Week 5 is at home against Indianapolis, which is allowing 26.0 points per game and has only 2 takeaways.

• FAAB bid: 1–2% in 1QB leagues, 5–8% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex managers who need a Week 5 starter.

### Jameis Winston, NYG (2.8%) — superflex streamer only Week 4 was his best game: 18 of 29 for 250 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions (8.6 yards per attempt) in a 36–24 win over Arizona. Before that he was at 229 yards and no touchdowns across Weeks 2–3, and he has taken 9 sacks. Expect volatility. The draw is the matchup: Washington has allowed 30.5 points per game, among the most in the league.

• FAAB bid: 0–1% in 1QB, 3–6% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex only.

Running Backs

### Will Shipley, PHI (0.7%) — top priority This is the biggest role change of the week. Barkley is week-to-week, Bigsby is headed to IR, and Shipley is the only running back left on the Eagles' active roster (per NFL.com). His usage so far has been part-time: 18% → 51% → 26% → 48% of snaps, 15 carries for 51 yards, and 4 catches on 6 targets. The red-zone work is the encouraging part: 7 of his 15 carries came inside the 20 (4 in Week 2, 3 in Week 4). In Week 4, with Barkley out after two carries, Bigsby took 14 carries to Shipley's 6, so Philadelphia hasn't shown it trusts Shipley as a 20-carry back, and the Eagles could add another back this week. Week 5 is a tough matchup against Jacksonville, which is allowing 13.3 points per game. But the opportunity is real, and it could last more than one week if Barkley's hamstring lingers.

• FAAB bid: 20–35%. Barkley managers should treat him as a must-add and go to the top of the range.
• Fits: Every format. Bid a little more in standard leagues, where red-zone carries matter most.

### Emanuel Wilson, SEA (50.1%) With Jadarian Price on IR and Charbonnet still on PUP for Week 5, Wilson took over in Week 4: a season-high 60% snap share, 21 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, and 3 catches for 39 yards and another score. He has also been Seattle's go-to back near the goal: 12 carries inside the 20 this season, including 6 inside the 5 in Weeks 2–3. George Holani (37% of snaps, 7 carries) is still involved, and Charbonnet is taking team reps this week, so this is a two- to three-week window, not a season-long role. Week 5 vs. San Francisco.

• FAAB bid: 12–20%
• Fits: Standard and half-PPR first, because his value is carries and touchdowns. He's a flex in full PPR.

### Brian Robinson Jr., ATL (26.9%) Monday night: 14 carries for 62 yards and 3 touchdowns (from 4, 8, and 11 yards) on 42% of snaps in the 45–24 win at New Orleans. Bijan Robinson is still the lead back (19 carries, 145 yards, 6 red-zone carries), so this is a complementary role. Brian has 44 carries in four games (9, 11, 10, 14) and 5 red-zone carries, all in Weeks 3–4. Three touchdowns won't repeat often, but 9–14 carries a week in an offense that just scored 45 gives him a standalone floor. He's also the clear handcuff to one of the most valuable backs in fantasy.

• FAAB bid: 4–8%
• Fits: Standard leagues and Bijan managers. He's a weaker fit in PPR (3 targets all season).

### Keaton Mitchell, LAC (18.1%) His receiving role is growing: targets 0 → 1 → 3 → 6, with 5 catches on 6 targets and 10 carries in Week 4 (a 19% target share). His snap share sits at 37%, about even with Omarion Hampton (35%) in Week 4, while Kimani Vidal also played 35%. The Chargers lost both starting tackles in Seattle: Rashawn Slater has a high ankle sprain, and Joe Alt hurt his neck (per Chargers.com). That could push Justin Herbert toward more quick throws to his backs. Week 5 vs. Denver.

• FAAB bid: 3–6%
• Fits: PPR first. He's a deep-league flex in standard.

Wide Receivers

### Keon Coleman, BUF (4.2%) — top priority at WR Week 4 was his best game yet: 6 catches on 7 targets for 116 yards and a touchdown, with 90 air yards (a 32% air yards share) and a season-high 78% snap share. His targets have been uneven (1, 6, 2, 7), but when he plays three-quarters of the snaps, he's been a real part of the passing game (a 0.57 WOPR in Week 4). DJ Moore aggravated his shoulder Sunday. It isn't considered long-term (per ESPN), but if Moore sits, Coleman's role should grow from there. Week 5 is at the Rams on Monday night.

• FAAB bid: 8–14%
• Fits: Every format. He's a flex in 12-team leagues and higher if Moore is ruled out.

### Romeo Doubs, NE (58.4%) Week 4 was his biggest role of the season: 9 targets (a 25% share), 120 air yards, 3 red-zone targets, and 2 touchdowns in the 29–26 win at Buffalo. He has seen at least 51 air yards every week (322 total), so he's been the Patriots' downfield option all season. More targets may be coming: Mack Hollins left Sunday with a calf injury, and coach Mike Vrabel said Hollins may not practice "for a couple days" (per NBC Sports Boston). The cap is A.J. Brown, who is on IR and can't start practicing until Week 6 (per ESPN). Week 5 vs. Las Vegas.

• FAAB bid: 6–10%
• Fits: PPR and half-PPR flex. Standard formats reward the touchdowns and deep targets.

### Dohnte Meyers, CIN (0.3%) Watch the snap count. Meyers went from 16–18% of snaps to 56% and then 89%, and drew 9 targets (7 catches, 82 yards) on Sunday, when Chase left in the second quarter. That's 14 targets in two weeks. If Chase stays in the protocol and Higgins' adductor lingers, that 89% snap share makes Meyers a starter for Joe Burrow, who just threw 54 times. If both stars play Sunday at Miami, his value drops to a deep-league stash, so set your bid knowing that.

• FAAB bid: 5–10%. Go higher if Chase is still in the protocol when your claims run.
• Fits: PPR first, and every format if both Chase and Higgins sit.

### Tre Harris, LAC (5.7%) Harris played 93% of snaps in Week 4 and drew 5 targets for 3 catches and 60 yards. Those targets carried 91 air yards, a 41% air yards share. He has 21 targets in four games and a WOPR of 0.45 or higher in three of them. McConkey is week-to-week with the same foot injury that limited him to 24 snaps Sunday, which would make Harris a starter-level receiver for Justin Herbert. The patched-together offensive front is the risk. Week 5 vs. Denver.

• FAAB bid: 3–6%
• Fits: PPR flex in 12-team leagues, and higher if McConkey is ruled out.

### Darius Cooper, PHI (0.2%) With Smith out, Cooper played 90% of snaps, drew 7 targets (a 28% share), and caught 2 touchdowns. He also had 98 air yards (45% of the team's) and 3 red-zone targets. The efficiency was low (3 catches, 33 yards) in a game where Jalen Hurts threw for 93 yards in the rain. Smith's hamstring could keep him out another game or two, so Cooper has a short-term starting role. Week 5 is at Jacksonville in London.

• FAAB bid: 2–4%
• Fits: Deep leagues and standard formats, where the red-zone targets matter more.

### Isaac TeSlaa, DET (2.0%) TeSlaa played 82% of snaps in Week 4 and turned 8 targets into 4 catches for 95 yards on 107 air yards in the loss at Carolina. He has 218 air yards and 3 red-zone targets in four games. Week 5 at Arizona sets up as a high-scoring game: Detroit is scoring 29.8 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 1–3%
• Fits: 14-team and deeper PPR leagues.

Tight Ends

### T.J. Hockenson, MIN (54.7%) — top priority at TE With Jefferson out, Hockenson caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards. Those 13 targets were a 39% target share, with 83 air yards (47% of the team's), 3 red-zone targets, a 0.92 WOPR, and 83% of snaps. Some of that was Jefferson's absence: in Weeks 1–3 he averaged 4.3 targets. But he has been on the field for 83–85% of snaps the last two weeks, and tight end is thin enough that a target share like that should get him added. Week 5 at New Orleans, with Jefferson's status still open.

• FAAB bid: 6–12%, or 12–20% in TE-premium leagues
• Fits: Every format, especially PPR and TE premium.

### Michael Mayer, LV (12.0%) Mayer is a full-time player, with 81% → 84% → 87% → 88% of snaps. Week 4 brought his biggest target total: 10 targets, 8 catches, 82 yards. That's 24 targets in four games, in an offense averaging 28.8 points per game with Cousins throwing 52 times on Sunday. His air yards are modest (116 total), so this is a high-volume, short-target role. Week 5 at New England.

• FAAB bid: 3–6%, or 6–10% in TE premium
• Fits: PPR and TE premium.

### Brenton Strange, JAX (16.7%) Week 4: 7 catches on 8 targets for 95 yards in the win at Cincinnati. That was a 35% target share, with 58 air yards and 87% of snaps, his highest of the season. Trevor Lawrence threw only 23 passes, so the share matters more than the raw totals. Week 5 vs. Philadelphia in London.

• FAAB bid: 2–5%, or 5–8% in TE premium
• Fits: PPR and TE premium streamers.

### Oronde Gadsden II, LAC (6.7%) His snap share has climbed (18% → 44% → 57% → 55%), and Week 4 brought 8 targets (a 26% share), 5 catches, 36 yards, and a red-zone target. He has 3 red-zone targets in four games. With McConkey hurt, he's a reasonable streamer. Week 5 vs. Denver.

• FAAB bid: 1–3%
• Fits: TE premium and deep leagues.

### Cade Otton, TB (3.1%) He hasn't dropped below 89% of snaps in any game, and he has drawn 5–6 targets every week (23 total, with a 23% share in Week 4). Tampa Bay's rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 19 of 27 passes for 148 yards in his first start, and short throws to a tight end who's always on the field fit that kind of passer. The ceiling is modest (157 yards in four games). He plays Thursday at Dallas, which is allowing 28.0 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 1–2%
• Fits: Streamers in PPR and TE premium who need a Thursday option.

DST and K Streamers

• Cincinnati DST (at MIA) (rostered in 17.5% of ESPN leagues): Miami is scoring 11.5 points per game, the fewest in the league. The Dolphins have taken 11 sacks and turned it over 5 times (4.0 sacks plus turnovers per game), and Malik Willis threw for 85 yards on 17 attempts in Week 4. The Bengals have 14 sacks and 6 takeaways and allow 21.3 points per game. FAAB bid: 1–3%.
• Las Vegas DST (at NE) (rostered in 11.7% of ESPN leagues): New England has taken 10 sacks and turned it over 10 times (7 interceptions, 3 lost fumbles), or 5.0 sacks plus turnovers per game, tied for the third-most in the league. The Raiders have 12 sacks and 9 takeaways. The risk: the Patriots just scored 29 in Buffalo. FAAB bid: 1–2%.
• Dallas DST (vs. TB, Thursday) (rostered in 6.4% of ESPN leagues): Tampa Bay has taken 16 sacks and turned it over 9 times, or 6.3 sacks plus turnovers per game, the most in the league. Jalon Daniels threw 2 interceptions and took 3 sacks in his first start. This pick is about the matchup, not the unit: Dallas has only 4 sacks and 2 takeaways and allows 28.0 points per game. FAAB bid: 0–1%.
• K Matt Gay, LV (at NE) (rostered in 2.0% of ESPN leagues): 10 of 10 on field goals, with 6 of them from 40 yards or longer, plus 9 of 9 extra points. Las Vegas is scoring 28.8 points per game. FAAB bid: 0–1%.
• K Dominic Zvada, NYG (at WAS) (rostered in 2.2% of ESPN leagues): 9 of 9 on field goals, including 3 from 50-plus. Washington is allowing 30.5 points per game, and the Giants just scored 36. FAAB bid: 0–1%.

Deeper Stashes

• Tyler Huntley, BAL (0.1%): He played the second half Sunday (8 of 9 passing for 63 yards, plus 4 carries for 16 yards) and starts if Jackson's ankle keeps him out in Atlanta. Superflex benches only. 0–2% in superflex.
• Mitchell Tinsley, CIN (0.03%): In Week 4 he played 53% of snaps and drew 7 targets with 99 air yards and 3 red-zone targets after Chase left. He's the next Cincinnati receiver up if Chase and Higgins both miss. 0–1%.
• Laquon Treadwell, IND (0.2%): He played 85% of snaps with Keenan Allen out and turned 6 targets into 5 catches for 42 yards, with 2 red-zone targets. Deep PPR leagues. 0–1%.
• Kaleb Johnson, GB (6.1%): Chris Brooks hurt his ankle in the first quarter Sunday and was still undergoing tests Monday (per Packers Wire). Johnson took 8 carries for 42 yards, with 2 inside the 20, next to MarShawn Lloyd. 0–2%.
• Roman Wilson, PIT (3.7%): He has drawn exactly 6 targets in every game, with 368 air yards and 2 touchdowns, even though his snap share fell to 31% in Week 4. One more injury in Pittsburgh's receiver room makes him a weekly flex. 0–1%.

Drop Candidates

• Kalif Raymond, CHI: After three useful games, he drew 2 targets for 6 yards on 51% of snaps in Tyson Bagent's first start, and Caleb Williams still isn't practicing this week (per ESPN). Last week's add can go if you need the spot.
• Tyjae Spears, TEN: 15 carries and 7 targets in four games, 36% of snaps in Week 4, and only 2 red-zone carries all season.
• Kaelon Black, SF: His snap share went from 43% in Week 1 to 33%, 15%, and 26% since, and he ran 6 times for 13 yards in Week 4.
• Marcus Mariota, WAS: He has a sprained MCL with no timetable, and Daniels is expected to start Sunday. Superflex managers with an empty IR slot can stash him there; otherwise he's a drop.
• Jayden Reed, GB: He's on IR with a neck injury and no timeline (per ESPN). Move him to an IR slot if your league has one; if not, he's a drop for one of the adds above.

The Right Order Depends on Your League

This list is a starting point, not a final order. We kept it to players you can actually get: skill adds rostered in about 60% or fewer of ESPN leagues and DST and K streamers in 20% or fewer. A 30% FAAB bid on Shipley is right in one league and too much in another. It depends on your scoring, your roster rules, how much budget your leaguemates have left, and who's already on your bench. In TE premium, Hockenson might go ahead of every receiver here. In superflex, Stroud might go ahead of Emanuel Wilson.

That's what Homefield does. Connect your league and we'll rank these adds for your scoring, your roster, and your budget. Sleeper and CBS sync live today; Yahoo, ESPN, and MFL are coming. None of this is a guarantee. It's the usage data, read for your team, from the desk that knows your league.