Week 5 of the NFL season is in the books, which means that NFL Fantasy Football managers are already locked in on their upcoming Week 6 clashes.
The playoff race is slowly starting to shape up in various leagues, meaning that adding one new player or making one trade can significantly alter the course of a manager’s season.
GIVEMESPORT has ultimately identified eight players who should be available on most leagues’ waiver wires and provided them with an FAAB recommendation.
Each player listed below has not been picked up in more than 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues, and the FAAB recommendations are based on a $1,000 budget limit. Here are the players who fantasy managers need to add as we head into Week 6.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
22% roster rate
22.7Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
FAAB Recommendation: $70
The quarterbacks that fit our criteria are thinning a bit, but Tua Tagovailoa is still available in most leagues after a 22.7 point performance against the Carolina Panthers.
The Miami Dolphins have had a very poor season through five weeks, but their quarterback is starting to show more consistency, even with Tyreek Hill now out for the remainder of the year.
Tagovailoa has the potential to be a high-end backup in most leagues, who can occasionally step into a starting role in favorable matchups.
Spencer Rattler
3%roster rate
16.1Fantasy Points (Week 4, PPR)
Next Opponent: New England Patriots
FAAB Recommendation: $50
For a first-year starter, Spencer Rattler has exceeded expectations with the New Orleans Saints to this point. The former South Carolina standout has thrown for 990 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception, and recently led this franchise to a surprising win over the New York Giants.
Rattler is a massive talent at the position and appears to be finding more comfort under first-year head coach Kellen Moore as the season has progressed.
The 25-year-old would definitely be considered a low-end backup in most leagues, but he’s worth a flyer for managers who need to fill that need.
Running Backs
Michael Carter
42%roster rate
18.3 Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
FAAB Recommendation: $60
Arizona Cardinals star running back James Conner is out for the season, making Michael Carterthis team’s RB1 for the foreseeable future.
The fifth-year pro had 23 total touches against the Tennessee Titans, recording 73 total yards and a touchdown. That was enough for 18.3 fantasy points.
Carter will likely need to improve his yards per carry to keep a stranglehold over this position, but he is an intriguing flex option for managers.
Hassan Haskins
0%roster rate
2.5Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Miami Dolphins
FAAB Recommendation: $20
Including Hassan Haskins on this list is very speculative, but the third-year tailback is currently listed as RB1 for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Omarion Hampton has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, meaning that someone in the backfield has to take on the majority of these carries.
Jim Harbaugh loves establishing a stable ground game to open up the play-action pass, and even though Haskins has only scored fantasy 2.5 points in 2025, he fits the physical profile of someone who could find success in this system.
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne
7%roster rate
24.2Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FAAB Recommendation: $50
The San Francisco 49ers picked up a critical road win against the Los Angeles Rams, thanks in large part to a breakout game from Kendrick Bourne. The veteran wideout caught ten of the eleven passes thrown to him for 142 yards in the 26-23 victory.
There were more opportunities for Bourne with the various injuries that the 49ers have to their wide receivers, but he certainly has earned future targets in head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s offense.
The question is, when Brock Purdy returns, whether he will have similar chemistry to what the backup quarterback Mac Jones currently has with the 30-year-old wide receiver.
Tyquan Thornton
16%roster rate
12.0Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Detroit Lions
FAAB Recommendation: $30
Tyquan Thornton is quietly turning in a career season in Fantasy Football, averaging 11.6 points through five games. This includes the Kansas City Chiefs‘ wideout’s three-catch 90-yard game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last night.
The 25-year-old boasts game-changing speed and is a constant deep threat in Andy Reid‘s offense. With his limited options at receiver this season, Patrick Mahomes will likely look in Thornton’s direction more often, and Fantasy Football managers would be wise to capitalize on his low price immediately.
Tight Ends
Theo Johnson
6%roster rate
21.3Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
FAAB Recommendation: $40
Theo Johnson has already built a lot more chemistry with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart than he ever did with Russell Wilson. The New York Giants‘ second-year tight end caught six passes for 33 yards and two touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints, proving himself to be a reliable red zone target.
Johnson has now scored three times in the past two weeks and is increasingly looking like a viable tight end starter in many Fantasy Football leagues. Since he’s only on 6% of rosters right now, managers can likely get him for a cheap price off the waiver wire.
Jake Tonges
5%roster rate
17.1Fantasy Points (Week 5, PPR)
Next Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FAAB Recommendation: $30
With George Kittle on the IR, Jake Tonges is the current starting tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, and he’s taking full advantage of this opportunity. The third-year tight end is eighth at his position in scoring, having put up over ten points three times in five games.
It’s challenging to assess Tonges’ long-term value, considering that Kittle is expected to return by Week 7, and he has delivered many of his best performances with backup quarterback Mac Jones. But a $30 bid is still more than worth it for a player who has been a good starting tight end in fantasy leagues.
The Irishman returned to the Octagon for the first time in five years in Las Vegas, Nevada, though, the long-awaited fight with Holloway couldn’t have ended more abruptly and more disappointingly.
McGregor opened the fight up with a jumping switch kick. It’s fairly normal for him to begin proceedings with a flashy kick, only this time he buckled to the floor, with his knees unable to withstand the pressure.
In the aftermath of the fight, there was plenty of speculation regarding what happened, with Sutterer now posing more questions since seeing what McGregor has been doing following the injury.
Doctor Has Suspicions About Conor McGregor’s Injury
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images
In the immediate aftermath of the fight at UFC 329, Sutterer gave his thoughts on the possible injury, saying: “So, actually seeing all this, my first thought would be a meniscus tear, specifically that lateral meniscus because of him grabbing on the outside of his knee.”
There was also speculation about whether or not McGregor was injured prior. He seemed fairly cautious at both the ceremonial weigh-ins and on the cage walk. However, the Irishman has since said that he wasn’t hindered in the lead-up.
Reflecting on the situation, Sutterer has now touched on the recovery and McGregor’s possible journey back to the Octagon, and he’s made an eye-opening claim about what the fighter has been doing in the aftermath.
“Starting to wonder what’s going on with Conor McGregor’s ACL tear. He’s posting a lot of pretty intense, knee-loading workout videos and seems to have great range of motion and function. If the plan is a return for IFW 2027, and he truly has a complete ACL tear, he needs to get that surgery done, and I’m surprised he hasn’t had it yet based on what’s been reported.”
Conor McGregor’s Future in UFC
With the anticlimactic ending of UFC 329, there’s no surprise that McGregor is eager to redeem himself. As Sutterer touched on, he’s been active on social media, posting some clips from his recovery.
In one of his posts, he talked about what may have led to the injury, and the intention of being back for next year.
“The white, orange and green machine, mosying on back to the office, up the office! Sorry I’m late, but the dry ice has the cage floor wet. It’s a no-contest now chop chop for the champ champ. I’ll see ya’s next year 100%.”
A trilogy fight with Holloway could be on the table. The Hawaiian fighter didn’t shut down the possible contest, saying: “He was talking about this 170 domain, he was talking about this different world. I wanna feel it. I’m down to come back in 2027.”
Both fighters seem to be looking for a return in 2027, so perhaps that could be the way forward.
Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that another signing at Tottenham Hotspur is imminent, with the club set to continue their busy start to the transfer window.
The Lilywhites have already added a number of players to their ranks, spending around £237 million in the process. Sandro Tonali has arrived from Newcastle United for £100 million, Mateus Fernandes has joined from West Ham for £85 million, while Jan Paul van Hecke was acquired from Brighton for £52 million.
On top of this, Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have all signed on free transfers.
The attention now turns to strengthening the attack, and De Zerbi has told Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold that a new arrival is imminent.
New Tottenham Signing Imminent
Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Tottenham have been heavily linked with Manchester City’s Savinho, although De Zerbi has hinted that another big signing could be N17-bound before the Brazilian.
“In the transfer market, when I want one player, I become like a shark, No chance to say no!” he told Football.London.
“The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60% of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!”
Further details have been released regarding Anthony Smith’s arrest, as the former UFC fighter faces a trio of felonies, including ‘reportedly threatening to kill’ his wife.
Smith retired from mixed martial arts in 2025 after being defeated by Zhang Mingyang. Since then, however, he has also moved into the bare-knuckle space, with a fight against Chase Sherman in Jorge Masvidal‘s Gamebred MMA promotion.
Despite trying to stay active, Smith is now embroiled in this case and facing serious charges. He was arrested in Sarpy County, Nebraska, on Monday, and the full details of the situation and arrest have now emerged.
Statement Further Explains Anthony Smith’s Arrest
The 38-year-old faces a trio of felonies, which include attempted first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. Despite being arrested on Monday, he was released on a $500,000 bond.
With the bond agreement, Smith was also ordered to stay away from his wife and have no contact with her while the trial is still pending.
During the bond hearing, more information was revealed by a prosecutor from the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office.
The statement said: “It is alleged that on July 26, 2026, the defendant was involved in an altercation with his wife at a bar in Gretna, Neb, during which he reportedly threatened to kill her if she did not get into his vehicle and go home with him.”
They then added that the confrontation became physical.
“He is further accused of grabbing and pushing her inside the vehicle. At one point, during the drive, she was able to exit the vehicle. The defendant allegedly continued making threats, demanding that she get back inside the vehicle.
“After arriving home, she again exited the vehicle. Investigators allege that the defendant attempted multiple times to use the vehicle to strike her. The defendant’s wife was able to get out of the way and avoid any physical harm.”
Smith eventually turned himself into authorities after an arrest warrant was issued. He is next scheduled to appear in district court on the 17th of August.
NFL
Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
Arizona Cardinals
Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers
San Francisco 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs
Jacksonville Jaguars
