Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 5 Waivers || Fantasy Football 2025
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge

Episode Overview

This Week 5 Waiver Wire episode is a running-back-heavy deep dive into the top fantasy football pickups after Week 4. Alfredo and Dave break down the shifting landscape at running back, highlight notable developments at wide receiver and tight end, and discuss which players are clogging your roster. With their signature mix of analysis and banter, the pair guide listeners through actionable waiver wire and streaming decisions for Week 5 and beyond.

Main Themes

• Major focus on running back pickups and changing backfields.
• Navigating murky wide receiver rooms with high volatility.
• How to play the tight end streaming game.
• Deciding when to drop high-profile but underperforming players.
• Adapting to injuries and emerging roles in real time.
• The importance of prioritizing upside and handcuffs over "roster cloggers".

Key Waiver Wire Running Backs

Woody Marks (Houston Texans)

• Top Priority Add: Said to be worth an 80-90% FAAB bid if available.
• Clear changing of the guard: Rookie gradually took over lead back duties from Nick Chubb, moving from 15% to 60% of touches over four weeks.
• Adds juice in both the running and receiving game, plus solid pass protection.
• "Woody Marks just looks like such a better running back right now... He's that guy. If he's still available in your league, drop a lot of fab on him." (Dave, 04:30)
• Next matchup: Baltimore, a favorable spot for running backs.
• Already had a near-breakout week (119 yards, 2 TDs).

Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers)

• Shined in relief of Jaylen Warren; caution about sustainability once Warren returns.
• "He is the good injury away running back for you to have." (Adam, 06:59)
• May revert to clear RB2 with Warren healthy; better as a stash than a splashy add.
• Steelers heavily targeting RBs and TEs in short-passing game.
• "Even though he went off, I'd rather have Kendre Miller for rest of season." (Dave, 08:15)

Kendre Miller (New Orleans Saints)

• Available in most leagues, workload has ramped up steadily.
• Possibility of Alvin Kamara trade or injury could open up lead role; value already growing.
• "Kendre Miller... I don't think it's crazy to say that he's like a must roster player in every format now." (Dave, 10:24)
• Standalone value even if Kamara remains.

Xavier Scott (Minnesota Vikings)

• Emergency pass game role with Aaron Jones out (7 targets, 23 routes).
• Not likely to hold value when Jones returns, but short-term PPR flex for desperate managers.

Amari DiMarcado (Arizona Cardinals)

• Strictly a pass-catching handcuff, could cap Trey Benson’s upside if the role sticks.
• "More of a cap on Trey Benson than someone I want to start." (Dave, 14:20)

Jayden Blue (Dallas Cowboys)

• Only viable if activated with Miles Sanders injured; likely a deep-league, speculative stash.
• "I'd like to see him activated before I can get excited... I have some concerns about the size and the limitations." (Dave, 16:19/17:19)

Emmanuel Wilson (Green Bay Packers)

• Insurance pickup in case Josh Jacobs' "hole in his knee" becomes a bigger issue.
• "There's no concern that Josh Jacobs is going to miss time, but... Emmanuel Wilson is the very clear RB2." (Dave, 19:23)

Justice Hill (Baltimore Ravens)

• Passing game role grows when Ravens are trailing, but relevance depends on game script and Derrick Henry’s health.
• "Super, super desperate PPR plug, or 'injury away' stash more than a locked-in starter." (Dave, 21:10)

Wide Receivers to Watch

Romeo Doubs (Packers)

• Huge Week 4 (3 TDs), but week-to-week volatility due to crowded receiver room and inconsistent target share.
• "Much better football player than fantasy asset... very boom or bust for Doubs." (Dave, 24:42)
• Not a priority in 10/12-team leagues except in best ball or deep benches.

Darius Slayton (Giants)

• Increased opportunity with multiple WR injuries (notably Malik Nabers).
• Most likely short-lived, given a low-volume passing attack and uncertainty with rookie QB Jackson Dart.
• "If I'm ever putting Darius Slayton in my lineup, something's gone badly wrong." (Dave, 27:07)

Isaiah Bond (Cleveland Browns)

• Deep, under-the-radar stash; target volume increasing, could emerge due to Browns’ injuries and shaky WR corps.
• "Would not surprise me one bit if we just see Isaiah Bond take over as that wide receiver one in this offense." (Dave, 34:31)

Quarterback Streamer

Jackson Dart (Giants)

• Dual-threat rookie QB with elite rushing upside (1,498 yards over last 3 college years).
• "This Guy can rush for 150 yards and two touchdowns on any given week, and that alone makes him a streamable option." (Dave, 27:46)
• Tough schedule upcoming; prefer as a stash/streamer in 2QB or superflex, or in favorable matchups.

Tight Ends to Consider

Theo Johnson (Giants)

• Athletic young TE, connection forming with Dart.
• More of a stash than a start; upside linked to QB change and injuries elsewhere.

Aronde Gadsden II (Chargers) & Elijah Arroyo (Seahawks)

• Both rookie TEs with potential, but crowded pass-catcher rooms limit weekly upside.
• "My take on tight ends is that you have six guys you feel good about, then everyone else is a streamer." (Dave, 36:26)

Drop Candidates & Roster Cloggers

Calvin Ridley (Titans)

• Major disappointment (WR70), fading role, limited upside.
• "If I've got Calvin Ridley right now, the upside case just isn't there for him." (Dave, 39:07)

Cedric Tillman (Browns, hamstring injury) / Darnell Mooney (Falcons, hamstring + low production)

• Injuries plus depth chart/target issues make both difficult holds, especially with byes and tough schedules.

Tight Ends on the Churn

• Many managers hang onto names like Isaiah Likely, Juwan Johnson, David Njoku due to sunk cost.
• "Keep churning. If you don't have one of the top guys, stream based on 2-3 week pockets." (Dave, 41:53)
• Use schedule and injury news to inform your weekly plays, not season-long faith in fringe TE1s.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Eagles’ Offense:
  "They are simultaneously, like, the most innovative team in the NFL while also being the most boring team in the NFL." (Dave, 00:52)
• On the waiver wire landscape:
  "Waiver wire is running-back-heavy this week, but there are some wide receivers and tight ends to keep an eye on." (Adam, 22:22)
• On tight end streaming:
  "If you don't have one of those top guys, just keep churning tight ends." (Dave, 41:53)
• On dropping underperformers:
  "You just have to play tight end in very short term windows... same with a lot of these upside backup running backs." (Dave, 44:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Eagles discussion & NFL offensive trends: 00:37–03:53
• Waiver wire overview & Woody Marks breakdown: 04:07–06:59
• Kenneth Gainwell & Kendre Miller: 06:59–09:40
• Xavier Scott & Vikings RBs: 10:42–13:40
• Deeper RB handcuffs (DiMarcado, Jayden Blue, Emmanuel Wilson): 13:40–19:23
• Justice Hill & Ravens breakdown: 20:16–22:22
• Wide receiver volatility (Doubs, Giants WRs, Isaiah Bond): 22:22–34:31
• QB streamer (Jackson Dart) & Giants offense: 27:07–32:44
• Tight end streamers & strategy: 34:54–37:04, 41:53–44:14
• Drop section (Ridley, Mooney, TE churn): 37:04–44:14

Tone & Takeaways

• Analytical, playful, and candid—Dave and Alfredo offer clear-eyed advice, cut through hype, and embrace the chaos of NFL injuries and role changes.
• Prioritize running backs with true league-winning upside, roster handcuffs, and avoid sentimental holds.
• Accept the volatility at wide receiver and especially tight end—stream, churn, and pivot as needed.
• Use tools and schedule analysis to anticipate "pockets" of value, especially for streaming positions.

For more, check out Footballguys.com and their strength-of-schedule tool to get a leg up before your waivers run this week!