Bye weeks and injuries are adding up, forcing fantasy managers to head back to the waiver wire to bolster their rosters. All these suggested players will be rostered in less than half of the fantasy leagues and are thus generally available to many teams that might need them. The following includes two recommendations for each position to assist in strengthening your roster as we head into the midseason turmoil.
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers) – 19% Rostered
Bryce Young has a juicy Week 6 matchup with a Dallas Cowboys defense that, despite their reputation, has given up 304 passing yards per game and 12 passing scores through five weeks. Young has not been that, averaging only 5.4 yards per attempt and clearing 200 yards only once this season, but a good run ahead (DAL, @NYJ, BUF) places him squarely on the streaming radar. The week seven visit to New York is no big deal either, so Young is a viable waiver wire pickup or cheap upside player in a team that needs him.
Jaxson Dart (New York Giants) – 39% Rostered
Jaxson Dart has displayed promising rushing capabilities from the very start. In his first two NFL starts, he has rushed 17 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, but his passing has been erratic with only 5.2 yards per attempt, and his cast was decimated by the loss of Malik Nabers. It is a demanding three-week schedule (PHI, @DEN, @PHI), and then it becomes lighter (SF, CHI). In two-QB leagues or managers with a deep bench, the rushing performance of Dart makes him rosterable despite him being avoided as a starter until after this tough period.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart (QB1-Tier 2/High level NFL starter) in week 5..
🔘 257 total yards
🔘 4.8% big time throw rate
🔘 1 sack on 16 pressured dropbacks (6.3% P2S ratio)
🔘 65.0% completion rate
🔘 80.0% short/intermediate area completion rate pic.twitter.com/xtG2ozl3c1
— Adam Carter (@impactfbdata) October 6, 2025
Mentionables: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami (Rostered: 30%)
Running Backs
Michael Carter (Arizona Cardinals) – 39% Rostered
Injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson have thrust Michael Carter into the lead role for Arizona. Last week, he handled 18 carries (for 51 yards and a score) and led all running backs in routes and receptions for the Cardinals. His main competition, Emari Demercado, frustrated coaches with mental mistakes, granting Carter a real hold on this backfield. He should be startable for the next few games, even as the matchups turn tougher.
KEEP MICHAEL CARTER ON THE 53 pic.twitter.com/2eE8iR48mv
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) August 24, 2025
Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers) – 36% Rostered
Kenneth Gainwell took advantage of Jaylen Warren’s absence and exploded for 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, cementing himself as a legitimate threat for more work—even as Warren is slated to return. The Browns (this week) are a challenge, but Gainwell gets the Bengals next, where he’ll be a strong Flex play if Warren isn’t fully healthy. At a minimum, his talent and Week 5 display keep him firmly in the RB3/Flex mix and a waiver wire speculative add.
Mentionables: RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta (Rostered: 31%)
Wide Receivers
Troy Franklin (Denver Broncos) – 30% Rostered
Troy Franklin has already shone with two top-36 WR performances, an elite portion of air yardage, and a frequent position in the Denver offense. He has witnessed consistent volume (nearly 20% target share) and survives on deep plays. Don’t be scared off by a quiet Week 5–a series of games against the Jets, Giants, and Dallas (all beatable by air) would make Franklin a perfect flex or bye-week fill-in.
Kendrick Bourne (San Francisco 49ers) – 4% Rostered
Kendrick Bourne broke out when injuries ravaged the 49ers’ receiving corps, turning 11 targets into 142 yards and a featured role. Bourne might start in the next few weeks with Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings in doubt, against weak pass defenses (Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Houston). He is a high-quality one-week flyer, and there is a possibility of him making it as an optional flex should the injuries persist.
49ers WR Kendrick Bourne caught 10 passes for 142 yards one day before the birthday of his mother, Luisa Bourne, who was at Thursday night’s game. An early birthday gift for his mom. pic.twitter.com/Ae125iP0sM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2025
Mentionables: WR Marquise Brown, Kansas City (Rostered: 44%)
Tight Ends
Mason Taylor (New York Jets) – 13% Rostered
Mason Taylor has also eventually hit his stride and, within the past 2 weeks, has owned 52% target share with a game of nine catches and 67 yards (team high in targets). He has now become the apparent No. 2 receiver of the Jets, and their schedule is soft (DEN, CAR, @CIN). Taylor provides a justifiable TE1 ceiling, particularly to managers exasperated with veterans who are not performing well, such as T.J. Hockenson or Mark Andrews.
🚨 Mason Taylor is a legit fantasy TE
This week:
Targets: 12
Receptions: 9
Yards: 67
Season-high 27% target share.
If he’s on waivers, grab himpic.twitter.com/oUsWDcJ1fG
— All Goats FF 🏈 (@AllGoatsFF) October 5, 2025
Theo Johnson (New York Giants) – 11% Rostered
Theo Johnson has scored three times in the past two games, and his relationship with rookie QB Jaxson Dart has been building. His volume is improving (20% target share in two weeks), and even though TDs will be difficult to maintain, his red-zone presence and role development will put him in a strong position as a streaming candidate.
Mentionables: TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville (Rostered: 48%)
Defenses
Green Bay Packers – 42% Rostered
Following a bye, the Packers receive the dream home game against the Bengals, who have only scored 13 points in two games since losing Joe Burrow. Green Bay has a potent front (six sacks in two games) and can take advantage of a poor Jake Browning. The schedule remains lenient with visits to Arizona and Pittsburgh on the horizon, which makes them a sneaky waiver wire pickup.
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws under pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
New England Patriots – 16% Rostered
Although the Patriots’ defense is not an NFL shutdown unit, it is ranked as the seventh-best fantasy defense. New England will be positioned as a high-floor streamer in the next few weeks with the series of games against turnover-prone passers and non-elite offenses (Saints, Titans, Browns). An easy pickup off the waiver wire for week 6 and beyond.
Mentionables: Las Vegas Raiders (Rostered: 3%)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire
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