Waiver-wire news changes fast and furious throughout the week as injuries and depth-chart shenanigans overtake us. So be sure to follow me on Twitter by clicking on the link next to my headshot at the bottom of the column, and I'll keep you updated as news warrants. Let's get to the best fantasy roster additions heading into Week 6:
Standard ESPN league finds
Andre Williams, RB, New York Giants (owned in 36.4 percent of ESPN leagues): Three names stand above the others this week. You can make an argument for any of the three to be the top waiver claim, but I'll give a slight edge to Williams because of how well usual starter Rashad Jennings has produced. With Jennings likely out a couple of weeks because of a sprained knee, Williams grabs the Giants' lead job, scampering behind an offensive line that's suddenly in fine rhythm. Peyton Hillis (0.5 percent) and maybe even Michael Cox (0.3 percent) could see touches, but the rookie Williams probably will lead them. With matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys the next two weeks, he's going to be inside any right-thinking ranker's top-20 running backs.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos (0.9 percent): There's no question Hillman finds himself in the most enviable situation of our three top adds. After all, Peyton Manning just set his personal single-game record by passing for 479 yards, and receiving is what Hillman does best. With Montee Ball likely on the shelf for at least a couple of weeks because of a groin injury, Hillman looks primed to get his big chance. I'm skeptical he's actually a between-the-tackles runner out of traditional formations, but he's a perfect fit for when the Broncos go up-tempo. C.J. Anderson (41.2 percent) -- a healthy scratch in Week 5 -- could be part of a Hillman-led committee depending on game flow next week against the New York Jets, and Juwan Thompson (0.7 percent) also may be involved. Whereas starting Williams right away feels relatively safe, Hillman probably has a higher Week 6 ceiling but a lower floor. There actually is a chance that Anderson could get hot and wrest the job from him.
Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego Chargers (0.7 percent): Oliver was scintillating in Week 5, with 182 total yards against a good Jets run defense. Donald Brown suffered a concussion against the Jets and could be in a race against the clock to get back in time for Sunday, but the bigger story is an incredible reversal of fortune for Brown. Remember last year how Trent Richardson could do nothing right in Indianapolis, while Brown kept running the same plays much better, and clawing out significant playing time? Well, behind the same Chargers O-line Oliver used to great effect Sunday, Brown has averaged 2.1 yards per carry and looked juiceless. It would be no great surprise if Oliver handles more touches even if Brown can play. Of course, Ryan Mathews is due back in a couple of weeks, but with Danny Woodhead done for the year, Oliver could remain a part of San Diego's backfield rotation.
Baltimore Ravens defense/special teams (16.3 percent): Of course I'm tempted by the Tennessee Titans (1.2 percent), because they're playing the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags continue to be the premier offense for your fantasy defense to face. However, I thought Blake Bortles made strides last week, and the Titans D/ST has scored minus-3 fantasy points the past four games combined. So the safer play is the Ravens, who did a nice job bending-not-breaking against Andrew Luck last week. They've yet to allow more than 23 scoreboard points, though they do give up a lot of yards. They go on the road to face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense that has gotten less generous since Mike Glennon has been under center. But among lesser-owned, competent defenses, the Ravens have the best matchup versus Tampa.
Brandon McManus, K, Broncos (2.9 percent): I hate mentioning kickers, but Denver's offense bounced back in Week 5, and McManus has earned their bootsman's job for the season. That means if you have even a hint of dissatisfaction with your current kicker, you should add McManus. He's Peyton's caddie, he kicks in thin air and he's past his bye week. I also should mention that Cody Parkey (34.8 percent) is also widely available, and will be within my top five kickers until further notice inside Chip Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles system.
Other solid waiver adds, about whom I've written in previous weeks: Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens (21.8 percent); Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns (15.5 percent); Brian Quick, WR, Rams (35.7 percent); Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers (18.2 percent); Andrew Hawkins, WR, Browns (12.6 percent); Josh Gordon, WR, Browns (10.8 percent); Owen Daniels, TE, Ravens (8.1 percent).
Deeper-league finds
Benny Cunningham, RB, St. Louis Rams (1.4 percent): Did Zac Stacy really injure his calf Sunday, or was he benched for fumbling? Either way, Cunningham could see an uptick. The Rams have a nightmarish RB matchup schedule for the next month-plus, so maybe there's just not a lot of value to be had in any of these guys. But Cunningham played well in Stacy's absence.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants (3.8 percent): The Giants lead the NFL in pass attempts out of three-plus-receiver sets, which means Beckham has a chance to see a lot of action right away. He played only 33 of a possible 65 snaps Sunday and would-be No. 3 WR Preston Parker did make a big play early, but expect Beckham to be out there along with Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle most of the time moving forward. I'm not convinced Beckham will see enough work to be an every-week standard-league factor, but he's got blazing speed and could make some big plays.
Austin Davis, QB, Rams (1.8 percent): The kid eclipsed 300 yards passing and had three TD passes in back-to-back games. You can't take that away from him. But he helped dig his team a huge hole Sunday before nearly throwing his way out, which is never an equation you want for your fantasy QB. This brief magic carpet ride probably ends now with the Rams' upcoming schedule, but in deeper or two-QB formats, certainly Davis can be owned.
Mike Glennon, QB, Buccaneers (0.5 percent): Glennon outplayed Drew Brees Sunday, but came up empty with a series of bad penalties late, and helped cost the Bucs an upset by taking a safety. Still, it's clearer than ever that Glennon -- and not Josh McCown -- gives Tampa's array of offensive weapons their best chance for fantasy relevance. You can continue to use him in two-QB leagues.
Tim Wright, TE, New England Patriots (2.3 percent): There's a temptation to overreact to Wright's five grabs for 85 yards and a TD Sunday night. Resist it. Wright is worth adding in deep leagues, but 10-teamers need to realize he played 19 offensive snaps in Week 5. In fact, in an effort to solidify their O-line, the Patriots played Michael Hoomanawanui on 44 snaps. Wright may yet prove a valuable Tom Brady weapon, but he needs to be on the field more.
Storm Johnson, RB, Jaguars (0.2 percent): Toby Gerhart reportedly sprained his foot Sunday, which limited him to 10 snaps, but there's every chance the Jags already were planning on shaking up their backfield. Jordan Todman (2.2 percent) played 21 snaps, Denard Robinson (0.5 percent) played 16, and Johnson was in there for seven, and got the first four regular-season carries of his NFL career. Whereas Todman and Robinson don't have great size, Johnson -- a seventh-round rookie out of Central Florida -- is 6-foot and 216 pounds. At best he's an average athlete, but he's got hands and instincts good enough to play on any down. In what's looking like a lost season in Jacksonville, the Jags may decide to get a longer look at Johnson.
Antone Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons (1.9 percent): Four TDs in five games will get your attention; unfortunately, Smith has only 17 total touches in those five contests. Yes, the Falcons' coaching staff sees how straight-line fast Smith is and talks about getting him the ball more, but Smith is 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds. Most important, he's 29 years old and a career special-teamer. It's very difficult for me to believe a starring offensive role is forthcoming.
Other solid waiver adds for deep-leaguers, about whom I've written in previous weeks: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings (12.1 percent); Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars (4.1 percent); Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Ravens (35.2 percent); Alfred Blue, RB, Texans (3.1 percent); Bobby Rainey, RB, Buccaneers (11.6 percent); Darrin Reaves, RB, Panthers (2.8 percent); Marvin Jones, WR, Bengals (0.7 percent); James Jones, WR, Raiders (45.3 percent); Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars (1.4 percent); Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers (4.4 percent); Louis Murphy, WR, Buccaneers (0.3 percent); Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles (11.4 percent); Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars (16.9 percent); Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals (6.8 percent); Jarius Wright, WR, Vikings (1.0 percent); Miles Austin, WR, Browns (3.5 percent); Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts (11.6 percent); Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers (0.5 percent).