There may be a sense of panic settling in among fantasy football managers as they look at their rosters for Week 6.
Bye weeks are starting to become a major issue with four NFL teams off in each of the next three weeks. And injuries are only compounding the depth problems. Normally, the waiver wire can ease some of the pain ... but it's not looking very helpful this week.
We're starting to see a changing of the guard (or, more accurately, changing of the lead running back) on several NFL teams. But MarShawn Lloyd, J.K. Dobbins and Woody Marks are already most likely rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues.
Desperate times may call for desperate measures.
WEEK 6 BYES: Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, Minnesota
Fantasy football players to add for Week 6
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues
and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
For customized waiver wire suggestions, synced to your league, subscribe to USA TODAY Sports Fantasy's exclusive tools.
WR DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (2% rostered)
After a terribly slow start, Patriots QB Drake Maye seems to have turned the corner. He threw for four touchdowns in a Week 5 rout of the Raiders, with two of those scores going to Douglas. Fellow wideouts Romeo Doubs and Efton Chism saw more snaps, but with Mack Hollins going on injured reserve this past week, the instant pop Douglas provided is the most important takeaway. (Recommended FAAB bid: $8)
Make that 2️⃣ receiving TDs for DeMario Douglas!@LVvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
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WR Germie Bernard, Pittsburgh Steelers (1% rostered)
The rookie out of Alabama had his best game as a pro on Sunday, catching six of his nine targets for 80 yards. (He also added a 4-yard rush.) Perhaps it was because he's finally starting to understand the Steelers' offensive system. But it also might just be a rash of injuries among his fellow wideouts. Michael Pittman (foot) was placed on IR and Roman Wilson left early with a finger injury. Still, Bernard filled the void when needed. (FAAB bid: $7)
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (32% rostered)
When QB Trevor Lawrence really needed a big catch on Sunday in London, he repeatedly looked for his tight end. Strange hauled in seven of his eight targets for 68 yards. He makes a solid floor play going forward if you need a bye-week fill-in. (FAAB bid: $5)
TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (15%)
While he won't have the consistent looks and yardage that Strange will, Freiermuth is a target monster in the red zone. He snagged five passes for 44 yards and, more importantly, two touchdowns, in a win over the Colts. QB Aaron Rodgers has a history of rewarding receivers who produce; no wonder Freiermuth is tied for the position lead in TDs on the season. (FAAB bid: $5)
RB Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints (7% rostered)
With starter Travis Etienne out until at least Week 8 and Alvin Kamara showing his age, Miller may finally be getting a chance to take over as the Saints' lead back. Though he wasn't very productive (10 carries, 30 yards), Miller did get into the end zone for the Saints' only offensive TD against the Vikings. (FAAB bid: $5)
RB Dameon Pierce, Philadelphia Eagles (2% rostered)
The Eagles backfield seems to be cursed. Saquon Barkley is dealing with hamstring issues. Tank Bigsby went on IR. And on Sunday, Will Shipley suffered a foot injury that will sideline him for multiple weeks. Pierce did rush for nearly 1,000 yards in 2022 as a rookie with the Texans, but he could only muster 14 yards on 11 carries vs. the Jaguars. (FAAB bid: $4)
RB Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (3% rostered)
Normally, a game like Perine had with 78 total yards and a touchdown catch would make him a popular waiver pickup. Unfortunately, the Bengals are off this week so he can only serve as a stash for the future. If you have the roster space (and especially if you have Chase Brown), Perine is a solid pickup. (FAAB bid: $4)
WR Darius Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles (8% rostered)
We're starting to see a pattern here. The Eagles offense has sputtered all season, but one bright spot has been Cooper's ability to succeed on deep balls. He caught another long one on Sunday, a 62-yarder in the second quarter to give him four touchdowns on the season (on just seven receptions). (FAAB bid: $4)
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (3% rostered)
I don't know what the Chargers are doing on offense either. But Vidal outplayed both Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell in Week 5 with eight carries, 57 yards and a TD. If OC Mike McDaniel is just going with the hot hand, Vidal is the only one who needs gloves. (FAAB bid: $3)
WR Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys (8% rostered)
Star receiver CeeDee Lamb missed some time on "Thursday Night Football" when he reinjured his quadriceps. It doesn't seem to be anything serious, but it could result in extra snaps for Flournoy. He caught three passes for 90 yards, one of them a 48-yarder, in Thursday's loss. Pick him up as an insurance policy for Lamb or George Pickens. (FAAB bid: $2)
QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (37% rostered)
With several fantasy starters set to take their bye weeks soon, Cousins doesn't have his until Week 13. If you have Joe Burrow or Jared Goff as your starter, take advantage of a great Week 6 home matchup vs. Buffalo to get your team over the hump. (FAAB bid: $2)
QB Jameis Winston, New York Giants (6% rostered)
Winston has increased his passing yardage total every week of the season. Don't expect it to happen again after he threw for 326 yards and three scores in Week 5 vs. the Commanders, but he's not afraid to put the ball in the air. (FAAB bid: $1)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football waiver wire: 12 players to add for NFL Week 6
