StatChat Waiver Wire: Week 5 adds for games starting Oct. 9 (Eagles–Giants)

Waiver wire plan for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Updated October 7, 2025.

It’s Tuesday, October 7. While the NFL calendar now turns to the Week 6 slate (Oct. 9–13), most leagues still refer to today’s run as the “Week 5” waiver cycle. Below are priority adds rostered in 60% or fewer leagues who can help immediately this week, with clear contingency notes and the upcoming schedule called out.

[Tier 1 — Priority adds (every format)]

Backs and red-zone options with paths to 15+ touches or TD equity this week.

Rico Dowdle, RB — CAR

• →FAAB: 25–35% (aggressive need), 15–20% otherwise
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Monitor Wednesday/Thursday reports: if Hubbard logs full practices, scale bids back to 12–15% and view Dowdle as RB3/flex. If Hubbard remains limited/DNP, keep bids at the top end.

Dowdle handled lead work with Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out and erupted for 206 rushing yards and a TD in Sunday’s win. Even if Hubbard trends toward returning, Dowdle just put a stranglehold on a meaningful share. The Panthers host Dallas on Oct. 12; expect Dave Canales to keep him heavily involved after the breakout.

• →Source: Panthers rule out Chuba Hubbard; Dowdle starts (pre‑game) + Dowdle’s 206‑yard breakout (recap)

Michael Carter, RB — ARI

• →FAAB: 12–18%
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: If Arizona shifts back toward a committee (Demercado ball security, Knight early-downs), Carter’s floor dips. Track practice/beat notes, but he’s the best bet until Benson returns (4–6 weeks).

With James Conner (season-ending foot/ankle) out and Trey Benson (knee) on IR, Carter led the Cardinals backfield in Week 5 with 23 touches, 73 yards and a TD while Bam Knight and Emari Demercado rotated behind him. Volume plus passing-down chops make him a viable RB2/flex at Indianapolis on Oct. 12.

• →Source: Cards place Trey Benson on IR; Week 5 usage shows Michael Carter as temp RB1

Jacory Croskey‑Merritt, RB — WAS

• →FAAB: 8–12%
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Washington still mixes in Chris Rodriguez (short yardage) and Jeremy McNichols (late downs). If usage regresses, he’s a volatile RB3; if the hot hand continues, he’s a weekly flex.

Rookie ‘Bill’ Croskey‑Merritt broke out with 150 scrimmage yards (111 rushing) and two TDs as Jayden Daniels returned in a 27–10 win. Even with a committee, his juice has earned more work heading into Week 6 (vs. CHI on Monday, Oct. 13).

• →Source: Daniels leads win; Croskey‑Merritt 111 yards, 2 TD; team snap/usage notes

[Tier 2 — Pass‑catchers with role growth]

Schedules and injuries are funneling targets/TD chances their way.

Theo Johnson, TE — NYG

• →FAAB: 7–12% (TE‑needy teams up to 15%)
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: If Slayton suits up and NYG trail, volume could skew to WRs; still a top streamer given GL usage inside the 10.

In the first game post–Malik Nabers (ACL), New York leaned into 12 personnel and Johnson delivered two red‑zone TDs from Jaxson Dart. With Darius Slayton (hamstring) uncertain on a short week, Johnson’s red‑zone role makes him a Thursday plug‑and‑play vs. PHI (Oct. 9).

• →Source: Giants shift to heavy TE usage without Nabers; Week 5 recap notes Johnson’s 2 TDs

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR — NYG

• →FAAB: 6–10% in PPR
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Ceiling is capped if NYG continue to run through TEs near the goal line; Slayton’s status (hamstring) could nudge Robinson’s target share.

Robinson posted 5/30 on seven targets in Week 5 and remains the short‑area safety valve in an offense now missing its alpha. That underneath volume should persist on Thursday vs. PHI, keeping his PPR floor viable.

• →Source: Robinson’s Week 5 line and usage with Dart; Nabers out for year

Elic Ayomanor, WR — TEN

• →FAAB: 6–9%
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Target competition from Calvin Ridley may fluctuate week to week; Titans’ QB play limits weekly ceiling.

Ayomanor leads Tennessee WRs in targets and TDs through five weeks and continues to earn perimeter volume. Even in a low‑octane offense, he’s a weekly WR4/FLEX with spike‑week potential; Raiders on Oct. 12 are beatable on the outside.

• →Source: Week 5 waiver/role case for Ayomanor with rising snaps/targets

A.J. Barner, TE — SEA

• →FAAB: 4–7%
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Touchdowns drive his value; if target share dips behind JSN/Kupp, treat him as a matchup streamer.

Barner delivered a 7‑53‑2 eruption in Week 5 and now has four TDs on the season. With George Kittle still sidelined in SF and Seattle featuring TEs in the red zone, Barner profiles as a TD‑chasing streamer against Jacksonville (Oct. 12).

• →Source: Seahawks review: Barner’s Week 5 multi‑TD game; role/coach comments

[Tier 3 — Streamers and stashes (context matters)]

Short‑term starters with matchup value and high‑leverage injury stashes.

Matthew Stafford, QB — LAR

• →FAAB: 1–3% (stream)
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Floor dips if pass pro craters; prefer in 6‑point‑TD formats.

Stafford has hovered in high‑QB2 range with spike potential. If you need a one‑week rental, he’s viable even in tough spots given volume; Ravens on Oct. 12 project for a pass‑heavy script.

• →Source: Week 5 waiver QBs with Stafford as a top streamer under 60%

Jaxson Dart, QB — NYG

• →FAAB: 1–2% (2QB/superflex 8–12%)
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Turnover risk and limited WR room cap ceiling; prefer in superflex or as an emergency Week 6 streamer.

Konami‑code rushing plus condensed reads make Dart a viable Thursday stream. He’s cleared to play vs. PHI (Oct. 9) after a minor hamstring and offers rushing yardage to buoy the floor.

• →Source: Giants: Dart on track to play Thursday; injury update

Hassan Haskins, RB — LAC

• →FAAB: 8–12%
• →Availability: <60% rostered
• →Monitor: Chargers could elevate a PS back or sign a free agent; watch transactions. If a vet arrives, reduce bid to 3–5%.

With Omarion Hampton (ankle) to IR and Najee Harris already out for the season, Haskins is the healthiest back on the 53 and projects for early‑down volume at Miami (Oct. 12) unless LAC adds a veteran. Volume + goal‑line chances put him on the RB3/flex radar.

• →Source: Chargers place Omarion Hampton on IR; Haskins next man up

[Deep League Radar & Streaming Watch]

• →

  Kendre Miller (RB — NO) — Back‑to‑back weeks of 10+ carries; out‑carried Alvin Kamara in Week 5 and saw rising snap share. Flex with TD equity vs. Patriots (Oct. 12). (FAAB: 5–8%)

  • →Source: Miller’s Week 5 usage trending up
  • →Monitor: Kamara remains passing‑down leader; Miller is a game‑script dependent flex.
  • →Availability: <60% rostered
• →

  Woody Marks (RB — HOU) — Rookie posted 119 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs in Week 4 while out‑snapping Nick Chubb. Texans are on bye Oct. 12, but the role looks sticky when they return. (FAAB: 8–12% (stash through bye))

  • →Source: Texans rookie breakout + Mixon timeline update
  • →Monitor: Monitor Joe Mixon’s status (foot/ankle); team expects an update in 3–4 weeks.
  • →Availability: <60% rostered
• →

  Hunter Henry (TE — NE) — Team‑lead in red‑zone targets and 3 TDs through four games; viable streamer at New Orleans (Oct. 12) where NE may lean on TE matchups. (FAAB: 5–8%)

  • →Source: Week 5 TE ranks spotlight Henry among red‑zone leaders
  • →Monitor: If Pats’ WR room consolidates (Diggs surge), Henry’s weekly ceiling is TD‑dependent.
  • →Availability: <60% rostered
• →

  Michael Carter (again, if shallow leagues) (RB — ARI) — Clear lead while Conner (season) and Benson (4–6 weeks) are out; Week 5 usage confirms every‑down viability. (FAAB: If unrostered, 12–18%)

  • →Source: Week 5 touch/snap split with Carter leading
  • →Monitor: Committee risk if Demercado holds passing‑downs and ball‑security issues resolve.
  • →Availability: <60% rostered

[Close it out]

Waivers are thin at RB most years, so prioritize paths to volume (Dowdle, Carter, Haskins, Croskey‑Merritt). At WR/TE, follow injuries and red‑zone usage: the Giants’ post‑Nabers offense is flowing through TEs and short‑area targets. Finally, if you can spare the bench spot, stash Woody Marks through Houston’s bye—his usage trend points to a rest‑of‑season payoff.

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Good luck on the wire—let's build championship depth.