Week 5 was a banner week for current and former backups.
At quarterback, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis all currently rank as fantasy football QB1s with MNF pending. The top-12 at running back includes Braelon Allen, MarShawn Lloyd, Samaje Perine and Ollie Gordon II. Some of the names in the top-20 at wideout include DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Darius Cooper, Jaylin Noel and Germie Bernard. Finally, the current TE7 on the week is someone named Teagan Quitoriano, which is not an anagram for Quentin Tarantino (I checked).
Which of these players will be relevant to fantasy lineups in Week 6? We'll dive in below.
Here's an early look at Week 6 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per
reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.
Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 6 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Wondering who the best waiver-wire claims are? We have that covered, so you can make your pickups. Need to know what players you can drop? We have that as well. We also have a list of 10 players to buy or sell and the 12 biggest takeaways from Week 5.
Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.
(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data are from PFF.)
Week 6 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers
- Raiders QB Kirk Cousins (37%) - Through five weeks, Cousins ranks as fantasy's QB6. The veteran has thrown for multiple touchdowns in four of five contests and surpassed 240 yards in all but one. In Week 6, he'll be taking on a Bills team that's ceded the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks with MNF pending.
- Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (27%) - Over the last three weeks, only Joe Burrow and Drake Maye have recorded more fantasy points than Rodgers. The 42-year-old has racked up three touchdown passes in three consecutive outings. The Week 6 matchup isn't ideal, as the Bucs have limited quarterbacks to the ninth-fewest fantasy points at the position. That said, those in need of a streamer might want to ride the hot hand.
- Giants QB Jameis Winston (6%) - It's rarely pretty, but Winston does have an ability to put up fantasy points in bunches. The 32-year-old currently ranks as the QB4 in Week 5 after amassing 353 total yards and 3 tuddies against the Commanders. A mediocre matchup awaits in Week 6. While the Saints have given up at least 15.8 fantasy points to four of the five quarterbacks they've faced, only one (Cousins, 22.2 points in Week 3) reached the 20-point mark.
Week 6 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers
- Eagles RB Dameon Pierce (2%) - After Will Shipley went down with an injury early in the game Sunday morning, Pierce was the only other running back to see the field for Philadelphia. The 26-year-old turned his 16 opportunities (11 carries, 5 targets) into a whopping 12 scoreless yards, but the volume was notable. With Shipley potentially missing a couple of weeks, Pierce might be the best widely available running back to add. In Week 6, he'll face a Panthers defense that's allowed the fourth-most points to the position.
- Saints RB Kendre Miller (7%) - With Alvin Kamara banged up, the New Orleans backfield turned into a nightmare three-way committee between Miller, CJ Donaldson and Kamara. Miller was the only one to garner double-digit touches, with three of his carries coming inside the 10-yard line. If you're looking for a streamer who could fall his way into a touchdown, Miller is a decent bet.
- Other RB sleepers and streamers: Texans RB Woody Marks (54%), Chargers RBs Keaton Mitchell (42%) and Kimani Vidal (3%), Browns RB Raheim Sanders (2% - if healthy), Titans RB Tyjae Spears (22%)
Week 6 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers
- Steelers WR Germie Bernard (1%) - With the Steelers already down Michael Pittman Jr., both Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson suffered injuries on Sunday and were unable to return. That thrust Bernard into an every-down role, as the rookie finished tied with DK Metcalf for the team lead in snaps. Bernard's 28.6% target share led the team, and his 6 receptions for 80 yards were topped only by Jaylen Warren. The Bucs have allowed double-digit fantasy points to five receivers over their last four games, so Bernard is shaping up to be a solid flex play in Week 6.
- Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks (44%) - With DeVonta Smith out again, Wicks led all Philly wideouts in snaps (38) and target share (22.2%). His production was modest (5 receptions for 63 yards), but it's the Week 6 matchup with Carolina that makes Wicks an intriguing play. The Panthers placed both of their starting corners, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, on IR following their Week 3 loss to Cleveland. In Week 4, three Lions receivers — Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Amon-Ra St. Brown — all totaled 75+ yards against this secondary.
- 49ers WR Brandin Cooks (0%) - At age 33 and on his eighth stop, Cooks is still (somewhat) fantasy relevant. After Deebo Samuel Sr. became the latest 49ers wideout to leave with an injury, Cooks became the next man up. In the fourth quarter, the veteran led all 49ers receivers in snaps and ran a route on 10 of 11 passing plays. He turned one of his two targets into a 7-yard go-ahead touchdown. In Week 6, the 49ers will take on a Commanders defense that's surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. There are worse dart throws to take.
- Browns WR Isaiah Bond (0%) - After rookie KC Concepcion went down with a head injury, it was Bond who stepped up and led the way in target share (21.2%) and receiving yards (74). He'll be on the flex radar against a Ravens secondary that's allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to the opposition's wideouts.
Week 6 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers
- Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth (15%) - Having three Steelers on this list is a recipe for disaster, but the injuries have created opportunities for fantasy managers. In Week 5, Freiermuth garnered seven targets, which was his highest total since 2024. The 27-year-old turned both of his red zone targets into scores. The Muth could be turned loose again in Week 6 against a Bucs defense that's allowed the sixth-most points to tight ends in 2026.
- Jaguars TE Brenton Strange (32%) - Strange has now led the Jaguars in targets over the last two weeks, racking up an impressive 25.8% target share during that stretch. The 25-year-old has turned that usage into 13 and 10.3 half-PPR points, respectively. Outside of Parker Washington, the Jaguars can be tough to predict week-to-week, but Strange is a solid streaming option at a tough position.
- Commanders TE Chig Okonkwo (16%) - In his second game back from injury, Okonkwo led the Commanders with a 24% target share. The veteran's 4 receptions for 60 yards were good for second on the team. Okonkwo is worth a stash in deeper leagues to see if his rapport with Jaylen Daniels continues to develop.
Week 6 fantasy football rankings: PPR and standard
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Early Week 6 fantasy football rankings: 12 risers and sleepers
