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Week 5 Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Football Pickups Include Michael Wilson, Curtis Samuel, Joshua Dobbs, Jeff Wilson Jr.

Jameson Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Fantasy football waiver wire rankings for Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season. Top free agent options to add off waivers, and our rankings will help you prioritize.

Welcome back RotoBallers to our Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire rankings for the 2023 NFL season. Jameson Williams is slated to return, and are more rookies emerging as viable waiver wire pickups? Let's take at the fantasy football outlooks for names like Michael Wilson, Curtis Samuel, Joshua Dobbs, and Jeff Wilson Jr.

Each week, our NFL team puts out a complete array of fantasy football waiver wire articles to compliment our slick new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool. Here is a quick rundown of our articles. We start with the famous waiver wire express article compliments of Nick Mariano. These give a nice overview of the waiver wire pickup options each week.

The we look at FAAB waiver wire bidding recommendations, from Nick Mariano as well. We also dig deeper for each position with individual waiver wire articles: running backswide receiverstight endsquarterbacksdefenses, kickers, IDP leagues, and players to consider dropping.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Who To Pickup for Fantasy Football Week 5?

Below you'll see our weekly rankings for the relevant waiver wire pickup options, including how to prioritize them for your league (depending on the league size). Quarterbacks and Defenses (D/ST) are groups together at the bottom of the list:

Rank Player Name Pos. % Ros. Baller Move
1 Jameson Williams WR 32 Add in All Leagues
2 Joshua Palmer WR 62 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
3 Samaje Perine RB 52 Add in 10+ Team Leagues
4 Tyler Boyd WR 37 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
5 Romeo Doubs WR 54 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
6 Jake Ferguson TE 53 Add in 10+ Team Leagues
7 Jaylen Warren RB 55 Add in 10+ Team PPR Leagues
8 Zach Charbonnet RB 60 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
9 Marvin Mims Jr. WR 39 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
10 Tyjae Spears RB 24 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
11 Justice Hill RB 36 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
12 Latavius Murray RB 10 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
13 Chuba Hubbard RB 25 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
14 Quentin Johnston WR 47 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
15 Jaleel McLaughlin RB 2 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
16 Michael Wilson WR 2 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
17 Jeff Wilson Jr. RB 27 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
18 Roschon Johnson RB 54 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
19 Jerick McKinnon RB 53 Add in 12+ Team PPR Leagues
20 Rashee Rice WR 36 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
21 Curtis Samuel WR 9 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
22 Cole Kmet TE 53 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
23 Jayden Reed WR 24 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
24 Wan'Dale Robinson WR 4 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
25 Josh Downs WR 11 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
26 Logan Thomas TE 6 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
27 Jordan Mason RB 1 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
28 DeVante Parker WR 3 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
29 Gerald Everett TE 34 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
30 Matt Breida RB 27 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
31 Michael Gallup WR 19 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
32 Dalton Schultz TE 36 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
33 Terrace Marshall Jr. WR 0 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
34 Braxton Berrios WR 2 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
35 Calvin Austin III WR 3 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
36 AnDrew Ogletree TE 0 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
37 Nelson Agholor WR 2 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
38 Cade Otton TE 2 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
39 Jonnu Smith TE 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
40 Rico Dowdle RB 10 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
41 Trenton Irwin WR 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
42 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine WR 0 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
43 Keaton Mitchell RB 17 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
44 Trey Palmer WR 0 Add in 14+ Team PPR Leagues
45 Deven Thompkins WR 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
46 Ronnie Rivers RB 1 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
47 Ke'Shawn Vaughn RB 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
48 Josiah Deguara TE 0 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
49 C.J. Stroud QB 46 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
50 Matthew Stafford QB 50 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
51 Sam Howell QB 18 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
52 Joshua Dobbs QB 5 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
53 Bryce Young QB 12 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
54 Ryan Tannehill QB 6 Add in 2QB Leagues
55 Bailey Zappe QB 0 Add in 2QB Leagues
56 Washington Commanders DST 25 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
57 Denver Broncos DST 40 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
58 Detroit Lions DST 10 Add in 12+ Team Leagues
59 Green Bay Packers DST 26 Add in 14+ Team Leagues
60 Houston Texans DST 4 Add in 14+ Team Leagues

 

Week 5 Running Backs To Add

Pickups are in priority order:

Samaje Perine
Jaylen Warren
Zach Charbonnet
Tyjae Spears
Justice Hill
Latavius Murray
Chuba Hubbard
Jeff Wilson Jr.
Jaleel McLaughlin
Roschon Johnson
Jerick McKinnon
Jordan Mason
Matt Breida
Rico Dowdle
Keaton Mitchell
Ronnie Rivers
Ke'Shawn Vaughn

 

Week 5 Wide Receivers To Add

Pickups are in priority order:

Jameson Williams
Joshua Palmer
Tyler Boyd
Romeo Doubs
Marvin Mims Jr.
Quentin Johnston
Michael Wilson
Rashee Rice
Curtis Samuel
Jayden Reed
Wan'Dale Robinson
Josh Downs
DeVante Parker
Michael Gallup
Terrace Marshall Jr.
Braxton Berrios
Calvin Austin III
Nelson Agholor
Trenton Irwin
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Trey Palmer
Deven Thompkins

 

Week 5 Tight Ends To Add

Pickups are in priority order:

Jake Ferguson
Cole Kmet
Logan Thomas
Gerald Everett
Dalton Schultz
Kylen Granson
Cade Otton
Jonnu Smith
Josiah Deguara

 

Week 5 Quarterbacks To Add

Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 5:

C.J. Stroud
Matthew Stafford
Sam Howell
Joshua Dobbs
Bryce Young
Ryan Tannehill
Bailey Zappe

 

Week 5 Defenses To Add

Pickups are in priority order, with emphasis on Week 5:

Washington Commanders
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans



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More Waiver Wire Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Aaron Rodgers

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Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

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Jalen Duren

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Not Expected to Be Ready for Start of Next Season
Jalen Williams

Declares Himself Healthy for Conference Finals
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Will Play Friday Night
Kevin Huerter

is Available for Game 6
Duncan Robinson

is Returning for Game 6
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 6 on Friday
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Practices in Full on Friday
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is Tagged as Questionable for Friday
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Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
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College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
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Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
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Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
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Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
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Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
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Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Jordan Westburg

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Set To Make His UFC Debut
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Karl-Anthony Towns

Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
Jalen Duren

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Kevin Huerter

Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Caris LeVert

Considered Questionable for Friday
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

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Drew Helleson

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Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

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Cal Raleigh

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Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Quinn Hughes

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Cal Raleigh

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Juan Soto

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NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

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CFB

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CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

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J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
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Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

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Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF