It’s that time again—welcome to the exemption watch for week five!
As we step into the second month of the 2025 NFL season, many of you might be looking to strengthen your Fantasy League lineup. Whether you’ve secured a win or faced a tough loss, there’s always room to improve your roster.
Here’s a list of players from week four who could be worth picking up from the exemption wire before the upcoming week. The players we recommend are those who are available in 60% of leagues. Also, just a heads up—Goodbye weeks officially start this week.
Goodbye weeks in week five: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (18%)
Darnold’s stint with Seattle is going quite well; the team holds a solid 3-1 record after their recent win over the Arizona Cardinals, 23-20. Darnold had a pretty impressive outing, completing 18 of 26 passes for 242 yards and scoring a touchdown, racking up 16.1 fantasy points for his managers.
While his stats against the Seahawks have been pretty average in the past, he still stands out in many key metrics. Darnold has proven to be a dependable option as bye weeks approach, making him a great alternative pick for managers in need of a quarterback.
Week 5 Matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 PM
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (35.3%)
Now, don’t overlook Jacksonville. After a 26-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers, they’re standing at 3-1. Lawrence’s numbers might not jump off the page, but with a completion rate of 67.7% and no turnovers, he’s showing improvement. This is particularly encouraging after a shaky start to the season.
Currently, the Jaguars are leading the NFL in turnovers created, which creates ample scoring opportunities for quarterbacks. Lawrence seems to be settling into the game plan, so picking him up from the exemption wire could pay off in the long run.
Week 5 Matchup: Against Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 PM (Monday night)
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans (30.6%)
Houston scored a big win with a 26-0 shutout against the Tennessee Titans, and Marks stood out as the offensive star. He had 17 carries for 69 yards and made four receptions for 50 yards, scoring two touchdowns. His performance made him one of the top fantasy players last week with 23.9 points in standard leagues.
It’s worth noting how much he was used even with Nick Chubb in the lineup. Marks could really spark a Texas offense that was struggling at the start of the season, so he should stay on your radar.
Week 5 Matchup: @Baltimore Ravens, 1 PM
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints (5.8%)
Though New Orleans fell short against the Buffalo Bills, Miller showed promise with a strong performance. He had 11 carries for 18 yards and also contributed significantly with 65 receiving yards. This was his best outing yet, considering he’s vying for more playing time given the team’s struggles.
As the Saints look to improve their game, Miller’s role could expand, which makes him worth considering for your roster this week.
Week 5 Matchup: Against the New York Giants, 1 PM
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants (43%)
Robinson had a quiet game during New York’s unexpected 21-18 win over the Chargers, catching three passes for just 14 yards. Unfortunately, the team suffered significant injuries, including a torn ACL for fellow receiver Malik Nabers, who may be out for the season.
With Nabers sidelined, Robinson looks to step into a bigger role as the team’s WR1, making him more valuable in fantasy leagues. He has outperformed his preseason rankings and remains a noteworthy option moving forward.
Week 5 Matchup: @New Orleans Saints, 1 PM
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Washington Commanders (1.1%)
Washington lost to the Falcons 34-27, but McCaffrey found some success, catching two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. This marked his second consecutive game finding the end zone.
The offensive coordinator has noticed his potential, and he seems to be finding his place in the game plan. If you’re considering shaking up your bench, taking a chance on him could be worthwhile.
Week 5 Matchup: @Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 PM
Tommy Tremble, TE, Carolina Panthers (0.6%)
Tremble hadn’t made much of an impact in the first few weeks, but he finally broke through during Carolina’s tough matchup with New England. He caught five passes for 42 yards and scored the opening touchdown of the game, albeit during a heavy loss.
As the Panthers seek to revitalize their offense, Tremble might get more opportunities going forward.
Week 5 Matchup: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 PM
JATKING, TE, San Francisco 49ers (3.1%)
Filling in for the injured George Kittle, JATKING had a solid showing with three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. He has made the most of his opportunities, catching 12 of 16 targets over four games. Kittle is likely to remain out for a while longer, making JATKING a viable option for anyone needing tight end depth.
Week 5 Matchup: @Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 PM (Thursday night)
