Some weeks are better than others. That's the case for parents of toddlers, betting and fantasy analysts, and recreational volleyball players (I happen to fall into all three categories!). The same adage can be applied to all fantasy football owners. You can be on top of the world one week and down in the dumps the next. Fortunately, waiver pickups and free-agent adds give us constant opportunities to improve our rosters. Our waiver wire watchlist ahead of Weeks 5 and 6 highlights the players you should either be stashing, streaming, or keeping your eye on.
Yours truly has pinpointed studs before their breakouts all season, a big reason why most of my fantasy teams have enjoyed strong starts to the season. Our lookahead watchlist pointed readers in the direction of C.J. Stroud, Kyren Williams, Zack Moss, Puka Nacua, and Tank Dell when they were all under 50-percent rostered. Now, those guys look like league-winners — not too bad for speculative adds that cost $0 in FAAB and didn't use up a waiver priority.
We've been telling you for weeks and season after season before this year: Make the most of your open roster spots or one of your opponents will. Try to anticipate who will be Week 6's top pickups after strong performances this weekend. Be proactive about your bye weeks and choose your potential fill-ins now. By adding potential boom players as free agents before their breakouts, you find solid production without burning a valuable waiver claim or wasting FAAB money.
Even if your Week 5 waivers already processed, there might still be moves and improvements you can make. Maybe an impatient owner dropped an underperforming player from Week 4. Perhaps you suffered injuries to a skill position and need some depth. Or, maybe you're just being proactive about a particularly tough matchup or bye week that one of your players has in Week 6 or 7. Regardless, our waiver wire watchlist will shine a light on the sleepers and streamers that most leagues leave in the dark.
Weeks 5 and 6 mark the timeframe in which fantasy owners start playing matchups a bit more often. If you are, it's smart to plan ahead and get your first choice before other owners jump into the frenzy once new information emerges. Our waiver wire watchlist helps you think about the future while the rest of your league is thinking about the present.
Some shallower leagues don't feature enough roster spots to really take advantage of "planning ahead," but for those in leagues that do, our week-ahead watchlist will be helpful all year long. Even though you won't pick up most (or all) of these players, it's worth watching their snap counts and target shares to file away for later.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watchlist
Reminder: This list was put together in the lead-in to Week 5, looking forward to the players who could be popular waiver wire targets ahead of Week 6. If you have a roster spot to play with, these are free agent options you could grab early to beat the waiver buzz.
All these players are below 50 percent ownership on Yahoo unless otherwise specified.
Week 6 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watchlist: QB
WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers
Sam Howell, Commanders at Falcons in Week 6 (31 percent rostered)
Last week, our first name to watch, stash, or stream was Texans rookie C.J. Stroud, who was just 41 percent rostered at the time. After putting 28.9 fantasy points on the Steelers, Stroud now ranks as the QB11 and finds himself on 75 percent of rosters. Boom! Guess we can't feature that dude anymore now that he's frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year!
Alas, Sam Howell might be the next-best thing. He's 23 and confident, he has a good stable of pass-catchers and running backs, and he just logged 330 total yards and a TD against the NFC-champion Eagles. Oh, and he has a great schedule over the next month.
This week, Howell draws a home matchup with the woeful Bears, who yield the second-most fantasy points to signal-callers. Next week, he travels to Atlanta to face a good-but-beatable Falcons secondary. Then it's the Giants and a rematch with the Eagles, two squads that have been well below average defending the pass.
Sam's the man, and he'll show it this Sunday against a Chicago squad that made Russell Wilson look good in Week 4. Howell probably won't be under 50 percent owned for much longer.
Josh Dobbs (17%) and Kyler Murray (IR eligible, 26%), Cardinals at Rams
Dobbs has been so good over the course of the past three weeks that Arizona might have a quarterback controversy once Kyler Murray (knee) comes off the PUP list. The only five QBs who have outscored Dobbs in fantasy between Week 2 and Week 4 are Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Kirk Cousins. Dobbs is the QB6 over the past three weeks and he's ranked 20th overall across all positions on the season!
The 28-year-old signal-caller isn't just feasting on soft defenses or garbage time, either. After his 29.5-point breakout against the Giants, he dropped 20.9 on the Cowboys in the upset of the year and then had a 30-burger in a tough road loss to the 49ers. That's the best friggin' defense in America, boys and girls.
Dobbs is for real. His legs keep plays alive and net him yards even when his receivers aren't open, but his vision, accuracy, and ability to limit mistakes serve as his truly appealing qualities. He has a 70.7-percent completion rate, a 99.4 QB rating, and zero interceptions. Stash Murray on your IR for if and when he resumes his starting role, but don't think twice about starting Dobbs in the meantime.
MORE POTENTIAL WEEK 6 QB STREAMS: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Lions (19%)
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 6 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watchlist: RB
WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (27 percent rostered)
Hubbard became a household name in fantasy land as Christian McCaffrey's main backup in Carolina, and he continues to be a valuable insurance policy well after CMC's departure to San Francisco. Miles Sanders (groin) has been banged up for a few weeks now, limited at best three Wednesdays in a row due to nagging injuries.
Sanders' opportunities have gone down in each of the past three weeks, and his efficiency has taken an even bigger nosedive. Take a look at Sanders' per-week opportunities (rushing attempts + targets) and production over the first month of the season:
| Week/Matchup | Opportunities | Yards | YPC | TDs | PPR. pts |
| Week 1 @ ATL | 24 (18 att/6 tar) | 98 | 4.0 | 0 | 11.8 |
| Week 2 vs. NO | 19 (14 att/5 tar) | 47 | 3.1 | 0 | 7.7 |
| Week 3 @ SEA | 18 (9 att/9 tar) | 62 | 2.6 | 1 | 17.2 |
| Week 4 vs. MIN | 16 (13 att/3 tar) | 32 | 1.5 | 0 | 6.2 |
Woof! No wonder Hubbard saw a season-high 16 touches last week. With Sanders still questionable due to his groin injury, we wouldn't be surprised if we saw even more Chuba in Detroit. He has averaged 6.9 yards per carry over the past two games, and Draft Sharks lists his injury risk as "low." Hubbard's a must-roster in all 12-team leagues, and if you own Sanders, it would make sense to try acquiring him as soon as you can.
Jaleel McLaughlin (49%) and Samaje Perine (49%), Broncos
We're hearing positive reports from the Broncos about top back Javonte Williams (hip), but it still makes sense for us to stash his two clear backups. The veteran Perine, who operated as Mixon's handcuff for years in Cincinnati, saw more snaps last week after Williams departed but the young, speedy McLaughlin had a much greater impact on Denver's victory over Chicago.
The rookie racked up 104 all-purpose yards, scored a TD, and averaged over 10 yards per rush and reception. If either is still hanging around on your free agent pool, scoop them up if you have room. If you must choose between the two, go with the higher-upside option in Lil' Mac.
Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (IR eligible, 20%)
One thing with which our waiver wire column typically excels: Teaching the non-sicko fantasy owners about the names they don't know but should. Mitchell started the season on Baltimore's IR with a shoulder injury, but he returned to practice this week and John Harbaugh alluded to the possibility of his activation before the Ravens' Week 5 game in Pittsburgh.
With JK Dobbins already done for the season with a torn Achilles, Justice Hill dealing with foot and hamstring issues, Gus Edwards delivering uneven performances, and Melvin Gordon III on the wrong side of 30, Mitchell could have a chance at eventual volume. The rookie out of East Carolina has sub-4.4 speed, explosive burst, and strong elusiveness. He led the FBS with 54 runs of 10-plus yards in 2022, and he could be a dark-horse league-winner if he plays his cards right.
MORE POTENTIAL RB PICKUPS: Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs (49%); Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (43%); Latavius Murray, Bills (13%); Justice Hill, Ravens (32%); Tyjae Spears, Titans (24%); Matt Breida, Giants (22%); Devin Singletary, Texans (15%); Ronnie Rivers, Rams (4%); Rico Dowdle (6%) and Deuce Vaughn (6%), Cowboys
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 6 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watchlist: WR
WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers
Rashee Rice, Chiefs (33 percent rostered)
Rice has seen his snap-count percentage and target rate tick up over the past couple of weeks, and he just looks like the type of talent that will succeed long-term in a Patrick Mahomes offense. He's averaging 10.8 yards per catch and hauling in close to 70 percent of his targets, so just imagine once Mahomes starts connecting with him on home-run balls and red-zone targets. Of all the Chiefs wideouts, the rookie Rice would be No. 1 on my wish list. He should be owned in closer to 75 percent of leagues based on talent and opportunity alone.
Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (50%)
The veteran Cooks has developed some chemistry with Dak Prescott, collecting 11 targets between Weeks 3 and 4 and bringing in all four of his targets against New England. If he shows out against the 49ers while CeeDee Lamb deals with top San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward (provided Ward doesn't miss the game with his heel injury), fantasy owners will start to take notice that Cooks ain't washed up quite yet. Need some icing on the cake? The Cowboys' schedule between Weeks 9 and 17 is a virtual goldmine of juicy matchups for wide receivers. Grab the old guy and watch him win you a week or two down the line.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals (37%)
We already told you to grab Dobbs and Murray — why not grab their emerging wideout, too? The blazing-fast rookie has accrued 162 receiving yards over Arizona's past two games, which is no small feat against the Cowboys and 49ers. Most recently, he hauled in all seven of his targets for 76 yards and two TDs. He can't possibly sustain that level of impact, right? Who knows, but stash him on your bench and start him if he becomes the next Puka.
MORE POTENTIAL WR PICKUPS: Tyler Boyd, Bengals (41%); Michael Gallup, Cowboys (21%); Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (13%); Skyy Moore (41%) and Kadarius Toney (31%), Chiefs; Quentin Johnston, Cowboys (38%); Josh Reynolds, Lions (38%); Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos (37%); Zay Jones, Jaguars (30%); Jayden Reed, Packers (26%); Allen Lazard, Jets (25%); Darnell Mooney, Bears (25%); Curtis Samuel, Commanders (12%); Josh Downs, Colts (9%)
WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Week 6 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watchlist: TE
WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers
Zach Ertz, Cardinals at Rams in Week 6 (44 percent rostered)
Like Dobbs and Wilson, Ertz has looked damn good in Drew Getzing's Arizona offense. He had 87-percent route participation against the 49ers last Sunday and hauled in six catches for 53 yards. He dropped a would-be touchdown, too, so his numbers should have easily cleared the mid-to-high teens.
The Bengals have allowed the fifth-most PPR points to TEs this season, so Ertz should be in line for a solid Week 5. The Rams next week have allowed the eighth-most. Ertz can be relied upon as a weekly PPR start, and his upside will only be raised once Murray returns from injury.
Jonnu Smith, Falcons (12%)
Arthur Smith seems like an unwise fellow, so naturally, Kyle Pitts has been fed to the wolves so journeyman Smith can elevate to a high-usage role. Cool! But hey, we won't complain if we can scoop up a valuable bye-week fill-in who sees four-to-seven targets per game. Smith hauled in all six of his looks in Week 4, turning it into 95 yards and a solid 15.5 PPR points. That pretty much qualifies as top-tier production at this dog-poop position. Don't expect that every week, of course, but also don't leave him on the wire in case his connection with Desmond Ridder continues.
MORE POTENTIAL WEEK 6 TE STREAMS: Hayden Hurst, Panthers at Dolphins (14%); Tyler Conklin, Jets vs. Eagles (5%); Logan Thomas, Commanders at Falcons (13%); Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Lions; Noah Fant, Seahawks at Bengals (2%); Greg Dulcich, Broncos at Chiefs (13%, IR-eligible but could return by Week 6); Noah Gray, Chiefs vs. Broncos (2%)
Week 6 fantasy defense streamers and sleepers
WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers
Seattle Seahawks at Bengals in Week 6 (17% percent rostered)
The Seahawks D has looked damn good this season, especially over the past few weeks. Seattle managed 14 fantasy points in Detroit in Week 2, seven against the Panthers in Week 2, and an incredible 33 in primetime against the Giants in Week 4. Pete Carroll's squad is on bye in Week 5, so this awesome D/ST has actually seen its ownership levels decrease, not increase. It's a hell of a stash, especially considering how utterly abysmal the banged-up Joe Burrow has looked through the first month of action.
Minnesota Vikings at Bears (7%)
Even with a D/ST that has limited upside like Minnesota, Justin Fields and the Bears make for a fine matchup-based streamer. The wheels came off the wagon in Chicago long ago, so don't be fooled into thinking Matt Eberflus's team has new hope just because they put up a ton of points on the Broncos. The Vikings aren't great defensively, but they're certainly better than Denver. They put up 22 fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 4, allowing just seven offensive points and racking up five sacks, a fumble recovery, and a defensive TD.
Cleveland Browns vs. 49ers (39%)
The Browns aren't really a streamer against the 49ers, but they've been one of the best defenses in the league and have upside in any matchup. I'll take my chances with Myles Garrett and company in the Dawg Pound, at least over a poor matchup like Jets vs. Eagles or Bucs vs. Lions.
Houston Texans vs. Saints (16%)
Derek Carr has looked bad so far with New Orleans, and the Texans' defense has been sneaky good under DeMeco Ryans. Even with Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara lining up against them, the Texans have plenty of upside here.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Colts (19%)
The Colts do plenty of things wrong under rookie QB Anthony Richardson, and the Jags have shown some hope at pass-rush lately. You could do worse than Jacksonville here.
Indianapolis Colts at Jaguars (12%)
The Colts haven't looked half-bad defensively, putting up 45 D/ST points between Weeks 1 and 3. They came back to earth a bit last week against the Rams, but the Titans in Week 5 and Jaguars in Week 6 might be just what the doctor ordered to get this D back on track.
