Fantasy Football Week 5 brought a fresh waiver-wire push for managers trying to replace injured starters and cover the first bye-week absences, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers off the board. Jaylen Warren is among the strongest targets after rushing for 220 yards over the past two games, while Isaiah Likely and Quinshon Judkins also stand out as immediate help at positions where scoring can swing quickly in PPR formats.
In PPR, every catch counts the same as one fantasy point, so a back who catches passes can matter as much as a runner who piles up carries. That is why Warren’s recent workload is so appealing, and why Judkins, who totaled 96 yards from scrimmage last week, caught six passes and scored a touchdown, belongs near the top of waiver lists. Indianapolis ranks 26th in rushing defense, and the Jets rank 25th, giving those matchups extra weight for managers choosing between limited adds.
Omarion Hampton is harder to sort through. He has scored rushing touchdowns in three of four games this season and has topped 13 PPR points in two of his last three games, but he still has not matched the fantasy level many managers expected. That gap matters now because Week 5 is forcing lineup decisions before the week even starts, and players with usable volume can become more valuable than bigger names who have not separated themselves.
The receiver side of the board is just as useful. Denzel Boston is averaging 21.8 yards per reception and has gone for 89-plus yards in two of the past three games. Jameson Williams followed a Week 4 line of six catches on eight targets for 102 yards, including a 49-yard gain, showing the sort of burst that can flip a matchup. Jaylen Waddle added another layer after catching his first touchdown pass as a Bronco last week, while DK Metcalf posted five catches on nine targets for 115 yards in Week 4. Against that backdrop, the Cardinals rank 29th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to opposing wide receivers, the Chargers rank 18th in FFPG allowed, and Indianapolis sits 21st in FFPG allowed to opposing wideouts.
Matchup context also pushes Bucky Irving into consideration against Dallas, which allows the second-most rushing yards in the NFL, and Denver, which has allowed the most rushing yards per game in the AFC at 142.8, offers another soft landing spot for backs seeking efficient work. Isaiah Likely’s seven catches on 12 targets against Arizona last week make him the kind of tight end that can steady a lineup when managers are forced to chase volume. For anyone deciding on just one pickup, Warren looks like the safest blend of recent production and matchup, while Likely and Judkins offer the kind of short-term stability that can keep a roster alive through Week 5.
