👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 5 Deeper Waiver Wire Pickups: Standard Leagues

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to my deeper standard league sleepers column for Week 5 of the NFL season. In this weekly article we are going to take a look at some deeper waiver wire options for standard leagues, who could help out your team in this upcoming week.

For reference's sake, we are looking at standard scoring leagues and will be using ownership percentage data from Fleaflicker. In order to qualify as a deep sleeper, a player must be 20% owned or less.

Let's get to the picks!

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

Quarterback

Paxton Lynch (DEN) vs. Atlanta Falcons
(Ownership: 12%)

While we are still unsure about Trevor Siemian's status heading into Week 5, early reports are that he suffered an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder. If Siemian is not ready to suit up in Week 5, rookie Paxton Lynch can be expected to make his first career start. Lynch looked good against the Buccaneers in Week 4, zipping passes around and field and showing nice mobility on several plays.

Lynch would draw a favorable matchup for his first career start as he is set to take on a Falcons pass defense that ranks just 31st in the league in DVOA according to Football Outsiders (through Week 3). Add in the talented duo of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who can make any quarterback look good, and you have a decent option as a QB2 in deep leagues.

 

Running Back

Kenjon Barner (PHI) @ Detroit Lions
(Ownership: 5%)

This play is mostly dependent on Ryan Mathews' status heading into Week 5, but either way, Barner makes for an interesting deep-league sleeper. The fourth-year back has shown some explosiveness in his limited work this season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry on his 14 touches. If Mathews can't play, Barner would likely split work with Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles. Smallwood himself was another consideration for this space, but he is 21% owned, just missing the cutoff for this column (arbitrary cutoff number aside, you should still consider Smallwood as a deep sleeper this week).

The Lions' defense is shaping up as one of the worst in the league, ranking 27th in run defense DVOA (through Week 3) and allowing 100-yard games to opposing running backs in two straight weeks. Barner's unknown workload makes him the definition of boom/bust, but when searching for deep sleepers, that is the kind of player to target.

 

Wide Receiver

Robert Woods (BUF) @ Los Angeles Rams
(Ownership: 14%)

Woods finished Week 4 as Buffalo's leading receiver, pulling in seven catches for 89 yards against the Patriots. With Sammy Watkins sidelined indefinitely, look for Woods to remain an integral part of the Bills' passing game. With 18 targets over the past two games, it appears that Woods has become Tyrod Taylor's new favorite target in Buffalo.

A matchup against the Rams should lead to another strong showing for Woods in Week 5. Los Angeles has been getting smoked by opposing teams' wide receivers over the past two weeks. They allowed Mike Evans to rack up 10 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 before coughing up 10 catches for 144 yards to John Brown on Sunday. While Woods isn't on the level of those two, this matchup still sets up nicely for him.

 

Tight End

Austin Hooper (ATL) @ Denver Broncos
(Ownership: 10%)

Hooper isn't seeing enough targets to be considered a safe play, but as far as deep sleeper options go at tight end, he's not a bad choice. The rookie tight end caught a 42-yard touchdown in Week 4 against the Panthers on his only target of the game.

The Broncos have a fearsome defense, but they have proven to be susceptible in the middle of the field over the past few seasons. With Atlanta's outside receiving threats likely to be locked up by the Broncos' tough cornerbacks, Matt Ryan could lean on his rookie tight end to keep the chains moving.

 

Defense/Special Teams

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
(Ownership: 18%)

The 49ers' defense finds itself in a favorable position for Week 5 as they have several factors working in their favor. It appears the Cardinals will be without Carson Palmer, who suffered a concussion in Week 4 and will be hard-pressed to get cleared in time for Thursday night's kickoff. If you remember two years back when Palmer tore his ACL, the Cardinals' offense did not look very good with Drew Stanton under center. Second, Thursday night games tend to be lower-scoring than usual, which doesn't help Arizona's outlook much. Lastly, San Francisco's defense might actually be sneaky good this season. Through Week 3, they are ranked as the ninth overall defense in DVOA according to Football Outsiders.


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Merrill Kelly

to Start on Opening Day for Arizona
Jac Caglianone

to Have "Plenty of Opportunities to Play" in 2026
Jordan Lawlar

Could Earn Everyday Playing Time Early in 2026
Maikel Garcia

Poised to Build on 2025 Breakout?
Nick Pivetta

a Regression Candidate Following Career-Year in 2025?
Brusdar Graterol

Opening Day Availability in Question
Spencer Jones

"Currently Blocked" from Playing Time with the Yankees
Jace Jung

Taking Reps at First Base
Jasson Domínguez

Yankees Want Everyday Reps for Jasson Dominguez
Shota Imanaga

Adjusting his Pitch Repertoire
Andrew Chafin

Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins
Griffin Canning

Padres Agree to a Deal
Nick Castellanos

Heading to the Padres
Joey Gallo

Throwing for Interested Teams
Jason Adam

Thinks he Could be Ready for Opening Day
Zac Gallen

Diamondbacks Re-Sign Zac Gallen
Zac Veen

Overcomes Substance Abuse, Adds Muscle
Yohel Pozo

Drops Significant Weight Heading into 2026 Season
Sandy Alcantara

Adding a Sweeper
Riley Minix

Signs Two-Way Deal With Cavaliers
Nate Pearson

Coming Off Offseason Elbow Surgery
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Available for All-Star Game
Clarke Schmidt

Seen Throwing on Friday
Toronto Raptors

Chris Paul Retires From Basketball
Zach LaVine

to Undergo Season-Ending Hand Surgery
David Pastrnak

Gets Off the Mark at Olympics
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Another Goal Friday
Kevin Fiala

Stretchered Off Against Canada
Aaron Rodgers

Likely to Return to Steelers?
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
Deandre Ayton

Remains Day-to-Day for Lakers
LeBron James

Posts Historic Triple-Double in Win
Ja Morant

Still Without Clear Return Date
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Expected Back After All-Star Break
Oscar Tshiebwe

Enters Concussion Protocol Thursday
Naji Marshall

Exits Early with Foot Strain
Daniel Gafford

Leaves Game with Ankle Issue
Jordan Binnington

Records 26-Save Shutout Against Czechia
Connor McDavid

Ties Canadian Record With Three Assists in Olympic Debut
Josh Morrissey

Hurt in Olympic Opener
Robert Williams III

Will Not Play Against Utah
Deni Avdija

Sidelined vs. Jazz
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Multiple Weeks
Naji Marshall

Gets Upgraded to Probable
Myles Turner

Will Not Play Thursday
Caleb Martin

is Downgraded to Doubtful
Jeremy Sochan

Heading to New York
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Eligible for 2026 Season
Kyle Kuzma

Cleared to Play Against Thunder
Ryan Rollins

Remains Sidelined Against Thunder
Shaedon Sharpe

Sidelined Against Utah
CFB

BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
Cameron Young

Looking for Pebble Beach Success
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Turn Things Around at Pebble Beach
Collin Morikawa

Eyes Turnaround at Pebble Beach
Jake Knapp

Brings Hot Form to Pebble Beach
Nick Taylor

in Good Form Going into Pebble Beach Event
Viktor Hovland

Carrying Momentum Into Pebble Beach
Tommy Fleetwood

Set for 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Harris English

Looks to Build on Steady Form at Pebble Beach
Justin Rose

Tuned in for AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Keegan Bradley

a Boom-or-Bust Play at Pebble Beach
Maverick McNealy

Playing Well with Pebble Beach Looming
Russell Henley

Carries Momentum to Pebble Beach
Shane Lowry

Makes 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Michael Kim

Putting Well with Pebble Beach on the Horizon
Billy Horschel

a Little Rattled After Consecutive Missed Cuts
Ben Griffin

Solid But Not Spectacular Early in 2026
Wyndham Clark

Has Question Marks Heading to Pebble Beach
Daniel Berger

Heating Up at the Right Time for Pebble Beach
Jordan Spieth

Looking For a Return to Form at Pebble Beach
Juuse Saros

Starting Wednesday
William Nylander

Iffy for Olympic Opener
Martin Necas

Ready for Thursday
Drake Maye

Says his Shoulder Injury was Significant
Xander Schauffele

Trying to Get the Motor Going at Pebble Beach
Hideki Matsuyama

Trying to Overcome Sunday Collapse
Kenneth Walker III

Runs Away With Super Bowl MVP Honors
Vinicius Oliveira

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Mario Bautista

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyoji Horiguchi

Dominates At UFC Vegas 113
Amir Albazi

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 113
Rizvan Kuniev

Earns His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 113
Marc-Andre Barriault

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Gets His Third Win In A Row
Las Vegas Raiders

Klint Kubiak Confirms he Will be Next Raiders Head Coach
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF