Best fantasy football RB waiver wire pickups for Week 5

Welcome to the Week 5 waiver wire watch!

Another weekend of action is in the books as we’re officially through the first month of the 2025 NFL season. Whether you won your fantasy league matchup or got absolutely smoked, you’re probably looking for ways to fortify your rosters ahead of next week. That’s where we come in.

We’ll go over some Week 3 RB performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 4. We’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in roughly 60% of leagues at maximum. Keep in mind that byes officially start this week, so you’ll have to put a little bit of extra thought into your lineup strategies in the coming weeks.

Week 5 byes: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Houston finally got into the win column with a 26-0 shutout victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and Marks was surprisingly the offensive MVP of the game. The rookie tailback got a boatload of touches in the AFC South showdown, registering 17 carries for 69 yards on the ground, four receptions for 50 yards through the air, and two touchdowns. That was good enough for him to exit Sunday as a top-five fantasy running back in Week 4, posting 23.9 points in standard leagues and 27.9 in PPR.

What was notable about this sudden outburst from the fourth-round pick was the amount of work he got even with Nick Chubb healthy and in the lineup. The two split carries throughout the afternoon and this duo on the ground could be the thing that ignites a Texans offense that had been stagnant through the first month of the regular season. Keep Marks on your radars.

Week 5 matchup: @ Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

New Orleans’ bid for a massive road upset against the Buffalo Bills fell apart late in the fourth quarter, but it still got plenty of production from its running backs. Kendre Miller in particular had a solid effort in the loss, taking 11 carries for 65 yards and an 18-yard touchdown run that put them on the board in the first quarter.

It was the highest rushing output he’s produced this season as he split time in the Saints’ backfield with Alvin Kamara. At 0-4, the Saints may want to start mixing around their personnel and that could mean more snaps for Miller moving forward. There’s some appeal for him as Kamara’s handcuff and he’s worth a look on the wire this week.

Week 5 matchup: vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET

It’s panic time in Baltimore at the moment as Sunday’s 37-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs put the team at 1-3 with a host of injuries to several key players. Hill’s usage was one of the more notable things to come out of Sunday’s blowout loss as he had three carries for 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground while also catching five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown through the air.

He actually ended up logging more snaps than starter Derrick Henry for a second straight week, staying on the field for over 50% of offensive plays in both games. This is something definitely worth monitoring as the team works him more into the offensive gameplan with each passing week.

Week 5 matchup: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

Jaylen Warren was a surprise inactive on Sunday due to a knee injury, opening the door for Gainwell to go off against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. The backup running back played a significant role in the team’s 24-21 victory, running for 99 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and pitching in an additional six receptions for 35 yards. This allowed him to end Sunday as the third-best performing back in fantasy football.

The Steelers are off this week and the starter Warren should be healthy upon their return in Week 6. Still, don’t sleep on Gainwell as a good handcuff option that gets plenty of snaps and it wouldn’t be a bad move to snag him off the wire and stash him this week.

Week 5 matchup: Bye week

Atlanta bounced back with a 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday and Tyler Allgeier was a huge part of that effort. The fourth-year tailback essentially split carries with star Bijan Robinson on the ground, toting the rock 16 times for 51 yards and a score. Robinson, of course, outshined Allgeier with his explosive day in the passing game, but the backup’s effort was still good enough for him to end Sunday as a top-20 fantasy RB in standard leagues.

Allgeier has been one of the best handcuff options in the entire league this season and a stat to note is that he ranks in the top 30 in yards after contact at 136. Even with the Falcons off this week, I’d still give some consideration to adding him off the waiver wire and stashing him on your bench.

Week 5 matchup: Bye week