Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups Highlighted by C.J. Stroud, Tank Bigsby, Keon Coleman

Working the fantasy football waiver wire can, at times, feel entirely optional.

Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season probably isn't one of those times.

Not with the injury count perpetually increasing, and certainly not with the campaign's first bye week entering the equation.

You (almost assuredly) need some roster reinforcements, then, so let's help you find some with three waiver-wire targets available in 50-plus percent of leagues (per FantasyPros).

Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (26% Rostered)

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The Eagles, who were already down go-to wideout DeVonta Smith, lost star running back Saquon Barkley to a hamstring injury Sunday. The mere possibility that Barkley misses time should rank Tank Bigsby high on this week's list of priority targets.

When the Eagles lost Barkley on Sunday, they looked Bigsby's direction early and often.

The fourth-year back wound up receiving 14 carries and one target; Will Shipley, meanwhile, had six carries and a target. (Neither caught their lone target for whatever that's worth.) A Barkley-less backfield, then, should largely belong to Bigsby.

Now, Bigsby hasn't looked great so far (55 yards Sunday), but he did average 5.7 yards per carry last season and has a seven-score season on his resume (2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars). The potential opportunity creates the interest here, but the fact he is talented enough to do something with it really solidifies his appeal.

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills (8% Rostered)

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The stars have admittedly failed to align so far for Keon Coleman, who joined the Bills as a second-round pick in 2024.

That said, there are reasons to believe they'll come together yet.

With DJ Moore struggling to shake a shoulder injury, Coleman has climbed up the Bills' pass-catching pecking order and done everything he can to keep that ascension going. On Sunday, he popped for six receptions on seven targets for 116 yards and a score. On the season, he has now collected 14 of the 16 passes sent his way.

His game log still shows volatility—he had one reception each in Weeks 1 and 3—but that combination of his efficiency and Moore's health could finally give Coleman stability and sustainability with his stats.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans (43% Rostered)

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It's been a rough-go for the winless Texans as a whole, but C.J. Stroud is showing he still capable of producing fantasy fireworks.

Especially if Nico Collins is on the field.

Sunday marked just the second time Stroud has played with his star receiver this season. Stroud went 21-of-31 in that contest for 347 yards and two touchdowns. During Collins' other outing this season (Week 1), Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns. For reference, Stroud's other two games have featured just 520 yards and one score combined.

Stroud has scored the 11th-most fantasy points on the season among quarterbacks, and he's only had his go-to target around for half of his games. If that pair gets more field time together moving forward, Stroud could emerge as a trustworthy weekly starter.