Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups, Best Fantasy Sleepers to Target After Box Score Review

Experienced fantasy managers know that, while building a championship team starts with a strong draft, in-season roster management is equally important. With injuries already mounting and bye weeks beginning, that's going to involve more than a few waiver claims for most.

As a reminder, the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week.

The good news is that a few sleepers are still available, even after the initial waiver claims have passed. Let's take a look at a few of our favorites, based on what we've seen over the first month of 2025.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Doug Murray

The Miami Dolphins lost star receiver Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending knee injury on Monday night, which is certainly a detriment to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, Miami's offense has also looked at its most efficient over the last two weeks.

When playing in structure and in rhythm, Tagovailoa can still produce fantasy points. He threw for just 177 yards against the New York Jets but has thrown four touchdown passes over the last two weeks.

This week, the Dolphins will visit the Carolina Panthers, who have been good at limiting opposing quarterbacks—mostly because Carolina's run defense has been that bad. However, the Panthers did allow Drake Maye to score three combined passing and rushing touchdowns last week.

Tagovailoa should be a solid fill-in this week, and he's still available in over 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

The wire's RB pool has been shallow all season, and that remains the case after a lot of managers scooped up Houston Texans back Woody Marks. Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was also a popular add this week but may still be available.

White is rostered in roughly 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and 50 percent of ESPN leagues. He's a virtual must-add this week if available, as Bucs starter Bucky Irving is dealing with a foot sprain.

White logged four receptions and 46 scrimmage yards in Week 4 but is on track for a more substantial workload. Irving has recorded 90 touches through four weeks.

This week, Tampa will face the Seattle Seahawks, who have a middle-of-the-pack run defense (17th-most fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs). Buccaneers back Sean Tucker, who is rostered in seven percent of Yahoo leagues and one percent of ESPN leagues, should also garner some deep-sleeper consideration in larger leagues.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

The Tennessee Titans offense and rookie quarterback Cam Ward have both struggled in 2025. However, Ward has shown a promising connection with fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor.

Ayomanor has been targeted 25 times through four weeks and has logged 12 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He's been targeted no fewer than five times in a game this season.

While Ayomanor's aren't overly impressive, his target share makes him a viable flex option in deeper leagues—he's found the end zone in two of the past three games, too. This week, he'll have a tough-but-reasonable matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the 19th-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Ayomanor is rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues and 29 percent of ESPN leagues.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

The Texans have struggled to really get their passing game going this season, but leaning on tight end Dalton Schultz has helped a bit over the past two weeks. In each of his past two games, Schultz has logged six targets and five receptions.

While Schultz's yardage totals this year have been underwhelming, he's a high-floor play in point-per-reception leagues.

This week, Schultz and the Texans will visit the Baltimore Ravens, who have been struggling defensively. Baltimore has surrendered nine passing touchdowns through four weeks and the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Schultz is still available in over 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.