FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Jake Ciely’s Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 5 (Ep. 1739)

Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Joey P (Joe Pisapia)
Guest: Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the most pressing Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire targets, focusing on under-the-radar players poised to make a big impact in the coming weeks. Host Joey P welcomes Jake Ciely to break down the latest injuries, shifts in depth charts, and emerging opportunities that savvy fantasy managers shouldn't miss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Woody Marks (RB, Houston Texans) - The Breakout Star

Segment Start: [00:36]

• Performance Recap:

  • 17 carries, 69 yards, 1 rushing TD
  • 4/5 targets caught for another TD
  • Houston’s first win of the season; Marks took over backfield

• Jake on Value:

  • “Marks could take over without an injury and it actually started to happen and it did happen.” [01:45]
  • Noted that Marks saw a 70/30 split with Nick Chubb, and Chubb’s touches were mostly late.
  • Jake compares Marks's explosiveness to Tyjae Spears:
    • “If you knew Tyjae Spears, Spears was behind Nick Chubb, Tyjae Spears would be like 80% rostered.” [01:45]
  • Cautions: Marks likely won’t get 20+ touches weekly, but remains a top waiver priority.
  • Ranks just behind Trey Benson moving forward but “not by much.”

2. Darius Slayton (WR, New York Giants) - Opportunity from Injury

Segment Start: [02:54]

• Malik Nabers Injury:

  • Giants lose their dynamic rookie WR to an ACL tear.
  • Opens up volume, but Giants' offense remains low-passing.
  • “It's not going to be a high volume passing game… expectations do have to be tempered.” [03:13]

• Jake’s Take:

  • Slayton may see more work, but likely a short-term, low-ceiling pickup:
    • “I will say Darius Slayton might be a 1-2 week grab and you’re dropping him.” [04:04]
    • Emphasizes Giants’ tendency to spread targets, could be Wandale Robinson or TE Theo Johnson.
    • “You’re probably getting a wide receiver 4 if he's incorporated enough.” [04:04]

• Joey’s Practical Note:

  • “If he can get you 10 points in a PPR, you take it… you get to week six.” [05:33]

3. Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) – Sneaky Value Amid Injuries

Segment Start: [05:33]

• Recent Performance:

  • Stepped up due to Jalen Warren injury.
  • 19 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches on 6 targets for 35 yards.

• Jake’s Analysis:

  • May fly under the radar due to bye weeks (will show up lower on most waiver queries).
  • Steelers likely move back to a “60/40, 50/50 split” with Warren/Gainwell sharing work. [06:34]
  • Don’t expect a repeat of the huge game; sees Gainwell as an RB3/flex in upcoming byes.

• PPR Note:

  • “Kenneth Gainwell is on pace to have more than 50 receptions this year.” [07:37]

4. Jackson Dart (QB, New York Giants) – Bye-Week Filler and Upside Play

Segment Start: [07:37]

• Superflex/Single QB Consideration:

  • Likely owned in superflex, but a real option in single QB bye week fill-ins.
  • Saints up next—a potentially exploitable matchup.

• Jake's Insight:

  • “He is Daniel Jones 2.0… the similar style.” [08:13]
  • Loved for his rushing upside: “They're going to run design runs. Took it himself… near the goal line.”
  • Projects as a top 15 fantasy QB based on rushing alone and manageable matchups ahead.
  • A clear option if needing upside at QB, especially in weeks with major teams on bye.

5. Isaiah Bond (WR, Cleveland Browns) – Next Man Up

Segment Start: [09:29]

• Situation:

  • Cedric Tillman’s injury clears a path for increased Bond usage.
  • Bond: 6 targets, caught 3 for 58 yards in recent game.

• Jake’s Evaluation:

  • “He's the clear replacement… if injury happens in front of him, they're going to step up and be a top two wide receiver.” [10:17]
  • Compares his skillset to Jalen Waddle; likes his upside over some other rookie prospects.
  • Potential is dependent on Tillman's injury and who plays QB (Vegas prefers Flacco, but rookie Dylan Gabriel could take over soon and has reportedly built a rapport with Bond).
  • Likely a WR4/flex until situation stabilizes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jake Ciely on Woody Marks:
  “The upside of his explosiveness, the fresh legs, the fresh ability… this is somebody that I think I put behind Trey Benson going forward, but not by much.” [01:45]

• On the Darius Slayton rollercoaster:
  “The misery of picking up Darius Slayton is going to be possibly there too.” [04:04]

• Jake’s Self-Acknowledged Curse:
  “My mom texted me for the first time in years about the damn Giants and who gets hurt? You can blame me. It’s all my fault.” [04:04]

• On Jackson Dart’s Fantasy Outlook:
  “He is Daniel Jones 2.0… that's the similar style.” [08:13]

• Browns WR Situation:
  “Isaiah Bond is a lot like Jalen Waddle… That’s the appeal.” [10:17]

• Quarterback Carousel in Cleveland:
  Joey P: “It’s going to see Dylan Gabriel eventually. I think that's one of those inevitabilities. Who knows, Maybe we'll see Shador Sanders.”
  Jake: “As soon as they went to Dylan Gabriel, we got… shout out to Sanders on the sideline… It’s just whether or not we'll see him with a helmet on.” [12:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|------------| | Opening/Woody Marks | 00:36 | | Malik Nabers Injury/Darius Slayton | 02:54 | | Kenneth Gainwell | 05:33 | | Jackson Dart | 07:37 | | Isaiah Bond | 09:29 |

Summary Table: Top Waiver Wire Targets for Week 5

| Player | Position | Team | Reason for Pickup/Insight | Tiers/Value | |--------------------|----------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Woody Marks | RB | Houston Texans | Explosive, taking control of backfield, high upside. | RB2 w/ upside | | Darius Slayton | WR | NY Giants | Nabers out, short-term volume boost, weak passing offense. | WR4/PPR fill-in | | Kenneth Gainwell | RB | PIT Steelers | Capitalize on volume/Upside in splits; solid floor for bye weeks. | RB3/flex | | Jackson Dart | QB | NY Giants | Rushing upside, bye-week fill, favorable matchups ahead. | QB2/top-15 upside | | Isaiah Bond | WR | CLE Browns | Next man up, speed, rapport with new QB, possible WR4/flex value. | WR4/monitor |

Final Takeaways

This episode arms fantasy managers with actionable targets for Week 5 waivers—focusing on players who are not just “plug and play” but also have rest-of-season or boom potential, especially in light of major injuries and bye week crunches. Jake’s insight offers context for each pickup, ranging from measured pessimism (Slayton) to high optimism (Marks). Savvy managers can leverage this advice to survive the bye weeks and get ahead on high-upside risers.

For full analysis, lineup tools, and more waiver tips, visit fantasypros.com and check out the Waiver Central tool.