Waiver Wire Watchlist for Fantasy Football Week 5

October 3, 2025

Joey's fantasy football waiver wire watchlist before Week 5 of 2025. You should keep an eye on these emerging players and consider them waiver wire stashes.

Welcome to Week 5 of our fantasy football waiver wire watchlist for the 2025 NFL season. Week 4 featured some surprising performances from players available on the waiver wire, including RBs Woody Marks (119 total yards and two touchdowns) and Kenneth Gainwell (134 total yards and two TDs).

You know the drill by now: All players listed in this article are rostered in less than 50% of fantasy football leagues, meaning that they are available more often than not. That's why Marks isn't on this list (he's owned in nearly 75% of leagues!).

With that being said, here are five players still on the majority of waiver wires who could help you make significant strides in your fantasy football league. Good luck on the waiver wire and happy hunting!

Week 4 Waiver Wire Running Backs

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints - 19% rostered

Miller was in the doghouse for what seemed like the entirety of his first two seasons in the NFL. However, under new head coach Kellen Moore, the young RB has begun to take on a more prominent role in the New Orleans offense. Miller ran the ball a season-high 11 times in Week 4 against the Bills, gaining 65 yards (5.9 YPC) and scoring a touchdown.

Miller showed off impressive power and contact balance, making him the thunder to Alvin Kamara's lightning in the Saints' backfield. His rushing efficiency was outstanding against Buffalo, and if he can maintain it, Miller should receive 10 to 12 carries a week.

Kendre Miller finds an opening for a Saints TD

NOvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/g1kSJHyVTO

— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025

Kamara isn't going anywhere despite his declining efficiency on the ground (3.9 YPC this season), but Miller has earned the right to siphon some opportunities. The youngster may receive a bigger role on early downs as Kamara handles the majority of the passing-down work.

Miller is still in a timeshare, but the Saints' offense has been better than expected. He can produce in this role and offense, and the third-year back could become the heir apparent to Kamara should the veteran decline any further.

Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals  - 45% rostered

With starter James Conner out for the season, second-year back Trey Benson was expected to take over as the team's starter the following week. But Benson will now join Conner on the sidelines for an extended period of time, as he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

We have made the following roster moves:

-Placed RB Trey Benson on IR
-Signed CB Jaden Davis and RB Jermar Jefferson to the practice squad
-Released CB Ekow Boye-Doe from the practice squad

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 1, 2025

Instead, it will be Demercado leading the way for the Cards, and he performed well in limited action in Week 4. He only received four touches, but he gained 21 total yards and caught a touchdown on Arizona's final drive against Seattle.

One area of concern is that Demercado will share touches with fellow backup Michael Carter. The pair has reportedly split first-team reps at the Cardinals' practices this week.

However, Demercado played ahead of Carter last week, so he's got the inside track on winning the job. His pass-catching upside is very good, making him a startable flex in deep leagues.

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers  - 6% rostered

Buccaneers star Bucky Irving has been on crutches since Sunday's loss to the Eagles, opening up an opportunity in the Tampa Bay backfield. Rachaad White will earn most of the work, but don't count out Tucker, who was very efficient when called upon in 2024.

The third-year running back rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, averaging over six yards per carry. While that is a limited sample size, it indicates that Tucker is a good player and could be effective in a larger role.

Tucker is a backup in the NFL, but perhaps he wouldn't be if it weren't for a rare congenital heart defect that caused him to slip in the NFL Draft. He racked up over 1,300 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in each of his last two seasons at Syracuse.

#PL44SED 🍊🎯@seantucker2020

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2320v3PfnU

— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) August 10, 2025

He also has shown what he can do with a bigger role, gaining 192 total yards and scoring twice in a 2024 game with White on the sidelines due to injury. The guy is a good football player, and this is his chance to show it.

White may have been the Bucs' long-term starter at the position before the arrival of Irving, but Tucker has the rushing juice that White does not. Pick him up and stash him in case Irving is out for longer than anticipated.

More RB Options:

• Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders - 5% rostered
• Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers - 47% rostered

Week 4 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins  - 17% rostered

Despite the presence of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Washington has still managed to find opportunities in the Miami offense. He's been used as a runner and receiver and has gained 107 total yards so far this year. With Hill out for the season with a dislocated knee and torn ligaments, Washington will see a bigger piece of the pie in South Florida.

Washington wasn't used much as a rookie, catching just 26 passes in 2024. However, he's the clear WR2 in Miami with Hill out of the picture. His skills as a possession receiver also complement Waddle's downfield speed and ball-tracking.

🗣️ MALIK WASHINGTON 74-YARDS TO THE HOUSE! pic.twitter.com/oQpz1wlcYO

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 14, 2025

If the Dolphins' offense continues to struggle finding big plays, Washington will see a ton of work on handoffs, screens, and underneath routes. QB Tua Tagovailoa has been extremely risk-averse this season, and somebody has to catch his checkdowns. Outside of Waddle and running back De'Von Achane, Washington is that somebody.

Washington might not be startable just yet, but stash him and see how his role is in Week 5. He could earn a consistently solid workload if the Dolphins continue to fall behind in games.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants - 28% rostered

The MetLife Stadium turf found its latest victim in Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers, who tore his ACL on Sunday and is out for the season. It's a brutal loss for New York, which peppered him with targets because the team was constantly behind in games. Nabers' absence leaves behind a massive target share that has to be filled.

While possession receiver Wan'Dale Robinson will take on the shorter targets, someone has to keep defenses honest and go deep. Slayton, a veteran with over 4,000 career receiving yards to his name, can do just that. The 28-year-old averages 15.0 yards per catch for his career and has proven to be a big-play threat in the NFL.

Tyrod Taylor 80-YARD TD TO DARIUS SLAYTON

📺: #LARvsNYG on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/sFjqko01pD pic.twitter.com/uoroL3OR0b

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023

With rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart at the helm, the Giants' offense looked better last week. While it will decline again without Nabers, Slayton can find success downfield in his stead.

Slayton is still available in most leagues, and he's a solid depth piece if you need receivers with reliable target shares. Don't start him unless you have to this week, but Slayton may be productive as the G-Men's big-play threat in the passing game.

More WR Options:

• Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers - 44% rostered
• Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns - 4% rostered

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