Week 5 of the NFL season saw plenty of action for waiver-wire players. As the season goes on, more players will emerge from nowhere to help not only their NFL teams but also your fantasy teams. For some reason, fantasy managers dropped New England Patriots QB Drake Maye, but he doesn’t count as a big waiver-wire impact because we already know he can be a dominant fantasy QB and is rostered in most fantasy leagues. Maye is rostered in 93% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

In Week 5, many players on the active waiver wire proved they can help your fantasy team. Let’s dive into who the best waiver wire pickups are heading into Week 6 of the NFL season.

Jameis Winston, QB (NYG)

James Winston has become a big-name celebrity over the past couple of years, and when he retires, he’ll definitely have a TV gig lined up. He’s always been a serviceable QB throughout his career, and somehow he’s starting for the New York Giants for the rest of the year after Jaxson Dart suffered a devastating knee injury that knocked him out for the whole regular season. Though he had a shaky start, it looks like Winston is starting to find a groove. Winston had a great showing in the Giants’ tie against the Washington Commanders, throwing for 326 yards and 3 TDs, losing a fumble, and finishing with 25.74 PPR points.

According to NBC Sports, in Winston’s past two starts, he is the QB7 in EPA per play. The Giants offense, tailored to Jaxson Dart, has now shifted to Winston, who is playing in his usual gun-slinging style and has the 4th-highest aDOT in the NFL over the past two weeks. The Giants have a favorable matchup next week against the New Orleans Saints, one of Winston’s former teams, and they have high offensive upside.

Of course, Winston is known for taking sacks and being an interception machine, but the reward is there when he plays up to standard. So, if you need a backup QB or a filler for your QB1’s bye week, Winston is worth adding to your fantasy roster. Winston is only rostered in 7% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

Kendrick Bourne, WR (SF)

With Marvin Harrison Jr. now with the Houston Texans, the door is open for more opportunities in the Arizona Cardinals’ WR room. With Michael Wilson taking over as the new WR1, the WR2 spot is left for the taking, and Kendrick Bourne looks to be the next man up to contriute in the Cardinals offense and is worth considering picking up on the waiver wire.

In his first game as the Cardinals’ new WR2, Bourne finished with Week 5 catching 5 of his 8 targets for 70 yards against the Detroit Lions. Bourne is a known veteran WR who can contribute to a WR room, and now, with Harrison Jr. traded, it only opens up the door for players like Trey McBride and Michael Wilson to flourish, along with Bourne. He is an easy WR to plug into your starting lineup if you’re facing injuries or have bye-week players. Jacoby Brissett is a capable QB to get him the ball.

Bourne is only rostered in 3% of leagues, per FantasyPros.

Dameon Pierce, RB (PHI)

So many injuries in the backfield for the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving plenty of opportunities for Dameon Pierce to contribute to the Eagles offense.

Saquon Barkley is dealing with a hamstring injury, Tank Bigsby is on IR, and Will Shipley suffered a multi-week foot injury. Pierce was called up from the practice squad and will resume bell-cow duties; against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he played in 48 snaps and took 11 carries. The Eagles face a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who have struggled against opposing running backs. Pierce is only rostered in 2% of leagues, per FantasyPros

Brenton Strange, TE (JAX)

Brenton Strange is a strong Waiver-Wire pickup, as he’s been a key contributor in the Jaguars’ passing game and is a player on the rise. Making him deserving of being pickuped on the waiver wire.

According to NFL.com, Strange has posted a team-high 26 over the past two weeks.2% target share and has caught 14 of 16 targets for 163 yards, which are all Jags highs in that stretch. He posted 7 catches for 95 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week4 and followed it up with 7 Catches for 68 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Strange has seen increased involvement in the Jags’ offense, making him an intriguing option in PPR leagues. Strange is only rostered in 39% of leagues, per Fantasy Pros.

Honorable Mentions

• Germie Bernard, WR (PIT), rostered in 6% of leagues, per Fantasy Pros
• Woody Marks, RB (HOU), rostered in 53% of leagues, per Fantasy Pros
• Aaron Rodgers, QB (PIT), rostered in 28% of leagues, per Fantasy Pros
• Kansas City Chiefs (D/ST), rostered in 25.9% of leagues, per Fantasy Pros