Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 10/6/2026
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns
Never did I imagine Deshaun Watson would be one of the top waiver wire pickups at any point in the season. Not only hs he averaged 16+ fantasy points this season but he actually looks the part especially in the 1st half against Pittsburgh. Part of Watson's allure is his pair of rookie receivers Boston and Concepcion and their YAC and TD potential that just adds points to Watson's total every week.
Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta Falcons
Here's the thing, Penix Jr has only averaged 12 points in his 2 starts on the year but he is surrounded by a cast that could legiitmately make Atlanta one of the best offenses moving forward. Drake London has been money when thrown to and dfenses can't even drop back and anticipate the pass because Bijan Robinson needs to be their focus. Penix also has the luxury of Stefanski calling his plays and will probably only get better as the season goes on.
Running Backs
Brian Robinson
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons offense has averaged 223 rushing yards the past two games and while Bijan has been the front, he's far from the only one getting tocuhes. With 36 points since Penix came back and the Falcons did a comeplete 180, Brian has not only taken over a significant red zone role in this offense but has gotten more touches every game signalling that his fantasy output isn't going anywhere.
Kendre Miller
New Orleans Saints
Miller hasn't performed well so far this season but with Travis Etienne on IR and after Alvin Kamara suffered a knee injury on Monday, serious or not, he should definitely be getting a lot of touches in the next coming weeks in the middle of this very good offense in New Orleans.
Wide Receivers
Roman Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
The receiver room in Pittsburgh is definitely headlined by Metcalf but the younger guys, Wilson and Bernard have shown up lately. Wilson definitely gets the nod this week thanks to back-to-back games with long touchdowns, a role that Aaron Rodgers seems to like and will probably keep looking for while opposing teams' Secondaries are scattered trying to cover everyone in this offense.
Keon Coleman
Buffalo Bills
We have long been waiting for Keon Coleman to live up to the hype he had as a rookie out of Floirida State. Known for his contested catches, Coleman had that and more thanks to a greater role midway through the game after DJ Moore got injured again. With Moore looking very fragile this season, look for Coleman to keep getting looks from Josh Allen and if he can hold on to the ball, possibly take over that WR1 role in Buffalo.
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki
Cincinnati Bengals
Gesicki is likely the Bengals top red zone option even over Chase and Higgins. All three games he's played in has seen him in the end zone and with Ja'Marr Chase likely to miss a game or two, looing forward expect his TD-upside to remain but his target share to increase.
Darnell Washington
Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers REALLY made it clear that Washington is who the Steelers want to throw to in the red zone. With their chemistry and trust taking a buig step last week, look for Wahsington's role to expand especially with the Colts' defense coming to town allowing the 16th most points to Tight Ends.
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Waiver Wire Pickups every Tuesday
Start Em Sit Em every Thursday
-Z.D.
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