Fantasy football Week 5: Add and drop

Each week I’ll list the best widely available free agents for fantasy football — I define “widely available” as being owned in around half of all ESPN or Yahoo leagues — and some guys who are probably better off in the free agent pool than collecting dust on your roster.

Follow me on X (formerly known as Twitter) @UTEddieBrown if you have questions throughout the week.

Here’s my NFL Week 5 waiver wire cheat sheet for all league sizes and formats, with players you need to add, drop and stream in your fantasy football league:

ADD

— RB Woody Marks, Texans (ESPN: 33%; Yahoo: 31%): Nick Chubb has been the starter in Houston, but Marks was the star in Week 4, finishing as the overall RB5 in standard formats (RB6 in PPR) with 119 total yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches, including four receptions. The talented rookie supplanted Dare Ogunbowale as the preferred back on third downs in Week 3. This continued on Sunday, but Marks also topped Chubb in snaps, routes run, targets and touches in a game the Texans led from start to finish. He was one of the best pass-catching backs in the 2025 draft class, with 261 receptions out of the backfield in his five seasons at Mississippi State and USC, 88 more than any other running back in the nation during that stretch. There’s a chance he moves ahead of Chubb on the depth chart, if he hasn’t already.

— QB Jaxson Dart, Giants (ESPN: 21%; Yahoo: 23%): The most exciting aspect of Dart’s debut, as it pertains to fantasy, was his 54 rushing yards and a TD on 10 carries against the Chargers. That’s a solid foundation to build upon — he finished as the overall QB11 in Week 4 — and I anticipate him not being afraid to use his legs going forward, especially considering he won’t have Malik Nabers to target.

— WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (ESPN: 54%; Yahoo: 49%): According to Fantasy Points Data, Robinson had a 20% target share, averaging 74.3 receiving yards per game, with a 29.2% first-read share entering Week 4. He should maintain WR3/flex upside going forward without Nabers. Darius Slayton (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 2%) received 11 targets in both games Nabers missed last season and produced 14 receptions for 179 yards and a TD. Tight end Theo Johnson (ESPN: 2%; Yahoo: 5%) could also see a bump in usage with Nabers out and a rookie QB under center.

— RB Tyjae Spears, Titans (ESPN: 28%; Yahoo: 32%): Spears is eligible to return this week after beginning the season on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Head coach Brian Callahan discussed Tennessee’s potential use of a committee backfield this offseason. Considering his playmaking ability, Spears should have plenty of opportunity in an offense with a rookie quarterback searching for its identity.

— TE Darren Waller, Dolphins (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 5%): After nearly two seasons away from the NFL, Waller only played 16 snaps in his 2025 debut against the Jets on Monday Night Football. He finished with three receptions on four targets for 27 yards and two TDs. Waller is a weekly TE1 as long as he’s healthy, and he’ll certainly be needed now that Tyreek Hill is likely done for the season.

— BONUS: RB Rachaad White, Buccaneers (ESPN: 48%; Yahoo: 41%): Bucky Irving is set to have a mysterious MRI with head coach Todd Bowles including Irving on a list of players he’s concerned about after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. With bye weeks starting up, White maintains flex appeal, especially in PPR formats, but if Irving misses any time, he becomes worthy of RB2 consideration.

— BONUS: QB C.J. Stroud, Texans (ESPN: 54%; Yahoo: 55%): Stroud had his best game of the season against the Titans, completing 78.6% of his passes for 233 yards and two scores. He faces the Ravens this week, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season if you’re streaming QBs.

— BONUS: WR Romeo Doubs, Packers (ESPN: 37%; Yahoo: 40%): Doubs typically plays around 75% of snaps, but that rate has been closer to 85%-90% since Jayden Reed broke his collarbone. He may not ever catch three TD passes again, but he’s the only Green Bay receiver I trust. Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks are weekly dart throws until further notice.

— BONUS: TE Mason Taylor, Jets (ESPN: 3%; Yahoo: 6%): Taylor is playing over 70% of the snaps every week. Against the Dolphins on Monday night, he had an 81% snap share, a 73.1% route share, a 25.9% target share, and 65 receiving yards on five receptions. He could be developing into the No. 2 option behind Garrett Wilson.

— BONUS: WR Malik Washington, Dolphins (ESPN: 2%; Yahoo: 4%): Washington was equal parts quick and tough coming out of college, not quick like a cheetah, but quick enough. He produced 35 forced missed tackles his final season at Virginia, which was first among FBS wide receivers. Washington is the closest fit to fill the giant void the loss of Tyreek Hill will create in Miami’s offense. I’m sure Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (ESPN: 2%; Yahoo:

— BONUS: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (ESPN: 5%; Yahoo: 13%): Rodriguez has led Washington with 18 carries, three more than rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt since Week 3. Either one of these backs could take over as the lead guy in a high-powered offense with Austin Ekeler done for the season, and only Croskey-Merritt is close to universally rostered.

— BONUS: WR Demarcus Robinson, 49ers (ESPN:

— BONUS: TE Brenton Strange, Jaguars (ESPN: 23%; Yahoo: 28%): Strange hasn’t scored a TD this season, but he’s finished with at least four receptions for 45 yards in three of four games, and six receptions in each of the last two weeks.

— BONUS: WR Isaiah Bond, Browns (ESPN:

— BONUS: RB Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (ESPN: 36%; Yahoo: 23%): Jaylen Warren was ruled out with a knee injury right before the early game in Dublin kicked off. Gainwell seized the opportunity, producing 134 total yards and two TDs on 25 touches, including six receptions in a victory over the Vikings. Pittsburgh is on a bye this week, and Warren will probably be fine in Week 6, but Gainwell will maintain flex appeal in deeper leagues even if Warren returns. He was the overall RB43 in standard formats (RB38 in PPR) through the first three weeks. Plus, you already know Gainwell can produce if Warren’s injury lingers.

— BONUS: QB Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (ESPN: 20%; Yahoo: 26%): Penix has finished as the weekly QB10, QB32, QB31 and QB12 this season. Atlanta is on a bye this week, but Penix is a stash candidate if you aren’t settled at the position. Despite the roller-coaster ride so far, I still believe in the upside paying off in the near term.

— BONUS: WR Jalen Coker, Panthers (ESPN: 8%; Yahoo: 9%): Coker (calf) is eligible to return from IR this week, and could eventually replace Xavier Legette as the WR2 in Carolina’s offense.

— BONUS: RB Blake Corum, Rams (ESPN: 19%; Yahoo: 27%): Corum is a premium handcuff to Kyren Williams, but it’s been clear Sean McVay wants him more involved this season. The second-year back has seen his touches increase each game, and he received a career-high in opportunities against the Colts with nine carries and four targets.

— BONUS: WR Tyquan Thornton, Chiefs (ESPN: 19%; Yahoo: 31%): I know Xavier Worthy looked good against the Ravens, producing 121 total yards, and Rashee Rice will return shortly, but I’d hang onto Thornton if you have him or stash him if you don’t. At least until after Rice comes back and we see what his playing time is like. I know it dipped against Baltimore, but he still caught a TD pass for the third straight game and it’s clear Patrick Mahomes trusts him.

— BONUS: RB Jaydon Blue, Cowboys (ESPN: 21%; Yahoo: 12%): Miles Sanders injured his ankle against the Packers on Sunday night, so Dallas might be finally forced to utilize the explosive Blue.

— BONUS: TE Isaiah Likely, Ravens (ESPN: 13%; Yahoo: 16%): Likely played 46.3% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps at Kansas City, but wasn’t targeted. He’s a stash candidate during bye weeks. We know what he’s capable of if he gets an opportunity.

— BONUS: RB Brashard Smith, Chiefs (ESPN:

— BONUS: D/ST Cardinals (ESPN: 25%; Yahoo: 17%): Arizona maintains streaming upside as the 12th-highest scoring defense in fantasy through four weeks. The Cardinals face the Titans at home this week, whose offense is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season.

— BONUS: D/ST Browns (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 8%): Cleveland’s defense has been elite so far, but it’s saddled with a bad offense. Carson Wentz just threw two interceptions and was sacked six times in a loss to the Steelers in Dublin. I like Myles Garrett and Co. a lot this week. My only concern is the Vikings’ trip to London is significantly shorter and they’ve already acclimated.

— BONUS: D/ST Giants (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 2%): Spencer Rattler hasn’t made a lot of negative plays so far, but the Saints offense hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire either. I like the Giants’ pass rush in this matchup.

DROP

— WR Malik Nabers, Giants: Nabers tore his ACL in New York’s Week 4 victory over the Chargers. He’s done for the season, and is the latest victim of the MetLife Stadium turf.

— WR Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: Hill sustained a gruesome leg injury in Miami’s win over the Jets on Monday Night Football. It’s been reported as a dislocated knee, which means he’s likely done for the season with multiple ligament tears.

— WR Calvin Ridley, Titans: Ridley is the overall WR76 in standard formats (WR73 in PPR) through four weeks, and he only has three receptions for 57 yards on 10 targets in the last two games. Also, his snap share against the Texans dipped to 54% after playing at least 86.4% of the offensive snaps in his first three games.

— TE Jonnu Smith, Steelers: Offensive coordinator, and a notorious hater of your fantasy football team, Arthur Smith has utilized a trio of tight ends this season, all playing between 40-70% of the offensive snaps. In fact, three different tight ends actually played more snaps than Smith against the Vikings. Smith was questionable with a hip injury headed into the game, so that might have played a part in the decision, but still, it’s a maddening situation.

— DST Ravens: Only the Cowboys’ defense has fewer fantasy points.