Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season is already a minefield for your fantasy roster, with injuries piling up and the first bye week throwing a wrench into everyone’s plans. If you’re not on top of the waiver wire, you’re already falling behind, and lucky for you, a few players are emerging as must-adds as the early season chaos continues.
The Eagles’ Backfield Just Got Chaotic, and Bigsby Is Right There
First up, you absolutely need to talk about Tank Bigsby. The Philadelphia Eagles lost star running back Saquon Barkley to a hamstring injury on Sunday, and that’s a massive blow. Before that, they were already down go-to wideout DeVonta Smith. When Barkley went down, the Eagles immediately turned to Bigsby, and they leaned on him big time. The guy racked up 14 carries and a target, while Will Shipley only saw six carries and one target. Yeah, neither caught their lone target, but who cares? The volume for Bigsby is what matters.
Look, Bigsby wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire with 55 yards on Sunday, but let’s not forget he averaged a solid 5.7 yards per carry last season. Plus, he’s got a seven-score season from 2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars on his resume. The potential opportunity here is huge, and the fact that he’s actually got the talent to make something happen with it? That’s what makes him a priority target.
Keon Coleman Is Finally Popping For the Bills
The stars haven’t exactly aligned for Keon Coleman since he joined the Bills as a second-round pick in 2024, but things are definitely changing. With DJ Moore battling a shoulder injury, Coleman has been climbing that pass-catching ladder, and he just went off! On Sunday, he snagged six receptions on seven targets for a whopping 116 yards and a touchdown. That’s a serious breakout game.
He’s been incredibly efficient this season, too, catching 14 of the 16 passes thrown his way. Sure, his game log shows some volatility,he had just one reception in Week 1 and Week 3,but that combination of his efficiency and Moore’s ongoing health issues could finally give Coleman the stability he needs to put up consistent numbers. This guy could be a game-changer.
Stroud and Collins: The Duo That Can Turn the Texans Around
Okay, so the Houston Texans are winless, it’s been a rough-go for them, but C.J. Stroud is still out there doing work and showing he can produce some serious fantasy fireworks. The kicker? It’s all about Nico Collins being on the field. Sunday was only the second time Stroud has played with his star receiver this season, and the difference is night and day.
In that game, Stroud went 21-of-31 for a massive 347 yards and two touchdowns. Go back to Week 1, Collins’ other outing this season, and Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Now, get this: Stroud’s *other two games* combined for just 520 yards and one single score. The numbers don’t lie. Stroud has the 11th-most fantasy points among quarterbacks on the season, and he’s done that with his go-to guy for only half his games. If Stroud and Collins get more field time together, he’s not just a streamer, he’s a trustworthy weekly starter.
The early season is always wild, and with injuries hitting hard, guys like Bigsby, Coleman, and Stroud are showing they can step up. Don’t sleep on these pickups if you want to keep your fantasy season alive and kicking. This is where you win your league: by spotting these trends early and grabbing the talent before everyone else.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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