We’re five weeks in, and the waiver wire is still a goldmine. Injuries, usage shifts, and surprise performances are opening doors for players who may not last long. If your roster needs a spark, now is the time to pounce.
Here are StatChasers’ Top 10 Waiver Wire Targets heading into Week 6:
- Michael Carter
- Mason Taylor
- Theo Johnson
- Tre Tucker
- Kendre Miller
- Kimani Vidal
- Kendrick Bourne
- AJ Barner
- Jake Tonges
- Isaiah Bond
1. Michael Carter – RB, Cardinals
Currently Rostered: 58% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 6–8%
Recommendation: Add in all leagues
Things aren’t going well in Arizona, but Michael Carter is one of the few bright spots. With James Conner out for the season and rookie Trey Benson on injured reserve, Carter took over the Cardinals’ backfield in Week 5 and established himself as the clear lead back.
He played 59.4% of the offensive snaps, handled 18 of 25 RB carries (62.1%), and caught all 5 of his targets for 22 yards. That level of involvement — especially in both phases — is what fantasy managers chase on the waiver wire.
Emari Demercado’s 71-yard “touchdown” that turned into a turnover after a premature celebration will likely keep him in the doghouse for now, while Zonovan Knight’s goal-line score came on his only notable touch near the end zone. The coaching staff clearly trusts Carter to handle the bulk of early-down work, and his usage reflected that.
The bad news: Carter averaged just 2.8 yards per carry, and the offense continues to sputter. Efficiency will be a problem behind this line, especially with a tough matchup coming up against the Colts’ top-10 run defense. Still, volume is king in fantasy football, and Carter is one of the few available backs set for 15+ touches a game while Benson is out.
Bottom line: Carter is a short-term workhorse who should be added in all formats. He’s best viewed as an RB3/FLEX with PPR upside from his passing involvement. Don’t overspend — his window of value is tied to Benson’s absence — but he’s the kind of plug-and-play back who can stabilize rosters through bye weeks.
2. Mason Taylor – TE, Jets
Currently Rostered: 11% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 4–6% (Up to 10% in TE-premium or deeper formats)
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
The Jets have finally found a second reliable option behind Garrett Wilson, and it’s rookie tight end Mason Taylor. After a quiet start to the year — just three targets over his first two games — Taylor has exploded onto the scene with 25 targets in his last three outings, capped by a 12-target, nine-catch, 67-yard performance in Week 5 against Dallas. He led New York in target share at 27.3%, and now ranks second on the team for the season (18.9%) behind only Wilson’s 32.4%.
Taylor’s chemistry with Justin Fields is growing each week, and while he’s yet to find the end zone, the volume alone has put him on the streaming radar. He’s logged at least 11.5 PPR points in back-to-back games and enters Week 6 as the TE16 overall, averaging 7.9 points per game. With Denver (8th-worst vs TEs) on deck followed by the Panthers and Bengals, his short-term outlook remains strong.
Bottom line: Taylor has quickly turned into one of the most target-heavy rookie tight ends in the league. Add him now before the touchdowns start coming — his usage already looks like a weekly TE1 in the making.
3. Theo Johnson – TE, Giants
Currently Rostered: 10% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 3–5%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
The Giants may have found their new red-zone weapon. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson has been one of the biggest surprises since Jaxson Dart took over under center, quickly emerging as one of his favorite targets. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has drawn a 20.3% target share (tied with Wan’Dale Robinson) and turned 12 targets into nine receptions, 50 yards, and three touchdowns.
In Week 5 against New Orleans, Johnson caught six passes for 33 yards and two scores, giving him 27.5 fantasy points over the past two games after totaling just 7.9 through the first three weeks. His usage has skyrocketed as the Giants try to retool their passing game following Malik Nabers’ injury, and Johnson’s steady red-zone involvement gives him a strong fantasy floor.
For the season, Johnson has 15 receptions on 22 targets for 99 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 8.6 PPR points per game — good enough to make him a low-end TE1 in many leagues. The upcoming matchup versus the Eagles (fourth toughest against tight ends) isn’t ideal, but Johnson’s role looks secure, especially if Darius Slayton’s hamstring keeps him out.
Bottom line: Johnson is one of Dart’s favorite weapons and a clear red-zone focal point. Even in tough matchups, that kind of touchdown equity makes him worth adding as a strong streaming option or stash in 12-team leagues.
4. Tre Tucker – WR, Raiders
Currently Rostered: 58% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 1–3%
Recommendation: Streamable in 12-team leagues
Let’s be honest: Tre Tucker isn’t a model of consistency — but when he hits, he hits big. Through five weeks, he’s alternated between invisibility and league-winning upside, including that massive 36.9-point eruption earlier this season. In Week 5, Tucker led the Raiders in receiving with 62 yards on four catches, highlighted by a 33-yard grab, and he did it with Brock Bowers sidelined.
Tucker’s role as a deep threat gives him legitimate boom potential. His 11.9 air yards per target rank among the top downfield receivers in the league, meaning he doesn’t need double-digit targets to make a fantasy impact. That volatility cuts both ways — in two games this year, he’s failed to top three fantasy points — but when you’re hunting for FLEX upside or an injury fill-in, that’s the kind of high-variance profile you want to bet on.
The Raiders’ passing game has been inconsistent, yet Tucker’s speed and big-play ability make him one of the few Vegas receivers capable of changing a matchup on one play.
Bottom line: Tucker isn’t a weekly starter, but he’s a boom-or-bust FLEX who can swing a week in your favor. Stream him when the Raiders face softer secondaries or when Bowers is out, and enjoy the volatility when it hits.
5. Kendre Miller – RB, Saints
Currently Rostered: 28% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 6-8%
Recommendation: Add in all 12-team leagues
The Saints finally picked up their first win of the season in Week 5, and it came with a noticeable shift in the backfield. For the first time all year, Kendre Miller handled more carries than Alvin Kamara, logging 10 attempts for 41 yards while playing a season-high 39% of the snaps. Kamara, meanwhile, saw just eight carries for 27 yards but remained involved as a receiver (four catches on five targets).
Over the last two games, Miller has 21 carries for 106 yards (5.0 YPC) and a touchdown, while Kamara has 23 carries for 97 yards (4.2 YPC) and no scores. The production gap isn’t massive yet, but the trend is clear — New Orleans is starting to trust the 2023 third-rounder with meaningful early-down work.
It’s also worth noting that Kamara, now 30, has missed games in nearly every season of his career. If Miller continues to chip away at the workload, or if Kamara were to miss time, Miller would step into a fantasy RB2 role with weekly startability.
Bottom line: Miller’s role is trending up at exactly the right time. He’s not a must-start yet, but he’s a high-upside stash who could soon be more than just a handcuff. Add him now before his snap share — and price tag — climb further.
6. Kimani Vidal – RB, Chargers
Currently Rostered: 0% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 5–10%
Recommendation: Stash in 12-team and deeper leagues
Opportunity is everything in fantasy, and Kimani Vidal suddenly has a path to it. With Omarion Hampton (ankle) placed on injured reserve, the Chargers’ backfield now belongs to a committee of Vidal and Hassan Haskins — and early signs point to Vidal having the edge.
In Week 5 against Washington, Vidal logged four carries for 18 yards and added one catch for a yard, while Haskins had five carries for 13 yards and a similar short reception. The workload looks even on paper, but on the Chargers’ two offensive drives without Hampton, Vidal played more snaps and ran more routes — a key hint that he may handle the larger share of passing downs and early-down work moving forward.
The matchup couldn’t be better. Los Angeles faces a Miami defense allowing the 6th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, fresh off giving up over 200 total yards to Rico Dowdle and the Cowboys backfield. Even with the uncertainty, either Charger RB could deliver FLEX-level production in Week 6 — and Vidal, with his slightly more versatile role, is the preferred add.
That said, this is a fluid situation. The Chargers could still sign a veteran to help stabilize the backfield, and efficiency wasn’t a strength for either back last week.
Bottom line: Vidal is the higher-upside stash while Hampton is out, especially in PPR formats. He’s playable as a desperation FLEX this week in deeper leagues, but the floor remains extremely low until the workload clarifies.
7. Kendrick Bourne – WR, 49ers
Currently Rostered: 2% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 2–4%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
When the 49ers needed someone to step up, Kendrick Bourne delivered in a big way. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle) both sidelined in Week 5, Bourne erupted for 10 catches on 11 targets for 142 yards in the primetime win over the Rams. It was the best game of his career — and a reminder that he can still produce when given volume.
Bourne’s breakout came at the perfect time for a team ravaged by injuries. San Francisco was missing multiple starters on offense, including Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk, which forced Mac Jones to lean heavily on short and intermediate throws. Bourne thrived in that role, running crisp routes and commanding an 11-target (37%) share of the passing game.
On the season, Bourne now has 18 receptions on 24 targets for 229 yards (10.2 fantasy points per game), and his 14.9% team target share ranks second among 49ers receivers. He’s proven capable of handling volume when needed — even if that opportunity may not last long once the team gets healthy.
The key question is sustainability. Bourne’s role is secure for now, especially if Pearsall and Jennings remain out in Week 6 against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers’ defense has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, making Bourne a strong short-term WR3/FLEX option.
Bottom line: Bourne is the definition of a “hot-hand” pickup — a plug-and-play option while the 49ers are banged up. Add him for short-term FLEX help, especially if you need reliable volume during bye weeks.
8. AJ Barner – TE, Seahawks
Currently Rostered: 3% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 4–5%
Recommendation: Add in 12-team leagues
It’s time to start taking A.J. Barner seriously. The rookie tight end has now scored four touchdowns in his last four games, including two in Week 5’s 38–35 shootout against Tampa Bay. He caught seven of seven targets for 53 yards, leading all Seahawks pass-catchers in receptions and red-zone looks.
Barner’s production is becoming too consistent to ignore. Over his last two outings, he’s posted 10 receptions for 96 yards and three touchdowns, showing strong chemistry with Sam Darnold, particularly inside the 10-yard line. Even more encouraging — Barner’s usage is rising: his 16 targets rank second among Seattle tight ends on the season, and his snap rate has steadily climbed each week.
While touchdown dependency is always a concern at the position, Barner has established himself as a go-to red-zone threat in an offense that ranks top 10 in passing touchdowns per game. With Seattle thin at wide receiver due to injuries and relying more on two-TE sets, his role appears stable heading into a Week 6 matchup against Jacksonville (a defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends).
Bottom line: Barner is one of the best touchdown-or-bust streamers you can grab right now. Add him as a bench stash with upside or plug him in during bye-week crunches — especially if you’ve been cycling through TE2s all season.
9. Jake Tonges – TE, 49ers
Currently Rostered: 4% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 3–4%
Recommendation: Short-term add in 12-team leagues
When opportunity knocks, Jake Tonges has answered. With George Kittle (hamstring) sidelined and multiple 49ers wideouts banged up, Tonges has quietly become a reliable safety valve for Mac Jones — and a legitimate fantasy streamer at tight end.
In Week 5’s win over the Rams, Tonges caught seven passes for 41 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets, marking his second straight game with a score. Over the last two weeks, he’s second on the team in target share (18.8%), and in that stretch, he’s totaled 10 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. His season line now sits at 19 catches, 166 yards, and three TDs — good for 10.7 fantasy points per game.
The short-term outlook remains strong. The 49ers face a Tampa Bay defense that just allowed two touchdowns to A.J. Barner, and if Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle) remain out, Tonges could once again be one of the focal points of the passing game.
That said, fantasy managers should treat Tonges as a temporary starter rather than a long-term fix. Kittle is expected to return in Week 7, which will almost certainly cap Tonges’ volume and red-zone involvement.
Bottom line: Tonges is a fine plug-and-play option for Week 6 — especially in deeper leagues or TE-premium formats. Ride the hot streak while it lasts, but be ready to pivot when the 49ers’ offense gets healthy again.
10. Isaiah Bond – WR, Browns
Currently Rostered: 25% of Sleeper leagues
Suggested FAAB: 2–3%
Recommendation: Deep-league add / watchlist in 12-team leagues
Volume is often the first sign of a potential breakout — and Isaiah Bond is quietly earning it in Cleveland. Over the past two weeks, Bond has commanded a 19.7% target share, second on the team only to Jerry Jeudy (21.2%). The rookie has clearly carved out a consistent role regardless of quarterback, first with Joe Flacco and now with Dillon Gabriel, who made his first start in Week 5’s London matchup.
Against Jacksonville, Bond drew seven targets (21.9% share) — again second on the team — though he managed to catch just two for 29 yards. While the box score underwhelms, the underlying usage metrics paint a much more optimistic picture. He’s consistently on the field for over 80% of offensive snaps and running routes on nearly every dropback, meaning opportunities will keep coming as the Browns’ passing attack evolves.
The rookie out of Alabama brings big-play speed and reliable hands, and the Browns have been desperate for another weapon to complement Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. Once Gabriel settles in, Bond could emerge as a steady FLEX or WR4 option in PPR formats.
Bottom line: The production hasn’t matched the usage yet, but the signs are there. In deeper leagues (especially PPR), Bond is worth a speculative add now before the breakout hits — because if those targets start turning into chunk plays, he won’t be available much longer