RADIO
Fantasy football waiver wire pickups analysis for Emanuel Wilson, Tank Bigsby, Ollie Gordon II in Week 5 (2026). Read their waiver wire outlooks for fantasy football.
It seemed like we'd see another year in which the majority of starting NFL running backs were healthy for the majority of the season. But in recent weeks, a handful of key injuries have reshaped that idea.
The Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins will all see big shake-ups in how their backfield carries are handed out as a result.
So should you add any of their backup running backs as waiver wire pickups for Week 5 of 2026?
Bookmark our updated and revamped fantasy football rankings portal for all league formats!PPR rankings | Half-PPR rankings | Standard rankings | Rookie rankings | Superflex rankings | Dynasty rankings | Who To Start? | Injuries | Matchup Ratings | Strength of Schedule
Emanuel Wilson Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 49% of leagues
Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price (chest) landed on injured reserve after hurting his chest in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. While Seattle has indicated that it's not a season-ending injury, he'll miss at least the next three games and wasn't able to play in Week 4.
There's a strong possibility he'll be out for longer. Instead, RB Emanuel Wilson handled most of the workload for the backfield, carrying the ball 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown and catching three of his four targets for 39 yards. It's more than Price ever produced in a game, by far, and 27.0 PPR fantasy points is a monster total for a backup.
Make that 2️⃣ TDs for Emanuel Wilson!
@LACvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/aZFgT0Olj9— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
He clearly has the lead back role in this offense, regardless of game script. The other running backs on the roster didn't contribute much at all (George Holani), and RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) still isn't ready to return to play. Wilson probably has at least a few more weeks in the lead back role, in which he could thrive.
Add in All Leagues
Tank Bigsby Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Update - Bigsby is set to undergo core muscle surgery and will be placed on the injured reserve. As a result, Will Shipley now carries priority upside on the waiver wire.
Rostered in 28% of leagues
Eagles lead running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) logged just two carries for eight yards, one catch for two yards, and a fumble in Week 4 before injuring his hamstring. He exited the game for the locker room, and that was it for his game.
His direct backup is RB Tank Bigsby (lower body), who also exited the Eagles Week 4 contest with what was described as a lower-body injury. It's still unclear if he'll play in Week 5, so we'll need more on his ailment and practice status in the coming days to see if he's set to start next game.
Tank Bigsby #eagles
Appears to injure his hip/groin. Slowly limped off the field with help https://t.co/cy6Xe07Fin
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) October 4, 2026
His backup is RB Will Shipley, who's worth at least a free agent pickup if you have the bench space for him, but maybe not a waiver claim. Bigsby should be added in all leagues for contingent upside.
Add in All Leagues
Ollie Gordon II Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 62% of leagues
Gordon and RB Jaylen Wright are the only two running backs on the Dolphins roster that are healthy and active and have gotten any significant amount of touches. And Gordon has massively outperformed Wright -- in Week 4, the former OSU player ran nine times for 100 yards and one touchdown and caught two passes for zero yards.
Wright, meanwhile, managed just seven rushing yards on five carries and wasn't targeted. The Dolphins have used Wright liberally on kick returns. Gordon's massive day should earn him more work moving forward.
53 yards for Ollie Gordon II
MIAvsMIN on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/AC6Jer243h— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026
We're finally seeing him utilize his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame to break multiple tackles and gain enough momentum on big runs to be difficult to tackle. He also has ideal size and strength for a goal-line role. His latest performance should put the fantasy world on notice—he shouldn't be unrostered at all ahead of Week 5.
Add in All Leagues
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2026 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Emanuel Wilson, Tank Bigsby, Ollie Gordon II. We are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2026. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2026. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up... all free! Make the right decisions.
2026 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Emanuel Wilson, Tank Bigsby, Ollie Gordon II. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections, and more.
Recent Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, stats, projections, strength of schedule, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Waiver Wire Searches. Curious to see some tough waiver wire decisions for 2026? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Pickup? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for Emanuel Wilson, Tank Bigsby, Ollie Gordon II:
More Fantasy Football Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
