Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 6.
Week 5 gave us a much-needed respite from the injury onslaught. Even better, a few players returned to the field a little ahead of schedule, which was a boost for fantasy managers. But now we have bigger Bye weeks to contend with, on top of all the injuries. The Waiver Wire is pretty bare this week, but savvy fantasy managers will continue to work it to improve their lineups. Don’t leave yourself behind on that.
The Process: Each week, I try to
identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during Bye weeks).
Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list Bryce Young, Woody Marks, Emanuel Wilson, Zach Charbonnet, Denzel Boston, and Keon Coleman, among others who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues.
Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the Week 5 Monday night game (BUF @ LAR).
WEEK 6 BYES: Bengals, Dolphins, Lions, Vikings
Week 6 Waiver Wire
Quarterback:
Aaron Rodgers is dealing. He’s on fire, folks, and I’m listing him for the third straight week. Did all that ayahuasca change his brain and body chemistry? Did it lead him to the actual fountain of youth? I don’t know, and I don’t care. Nor do I know how long he can keep this up, but he now has three straight games with at least 22 fantasy points, and he’s the QB3 over that stretch (pending the Monday night game). His next four games aren’t scary, either: Bucs, Saints, Browns, Bengals.
C.J. Stroud is playing pretty well, and the Texans just bolstered their receiving corps by trading for Marvin Harrison, Jr., who gets a fresh start in Houston after failing in Arizona. Tank Dell could return soon, as well, and Kayshon Boutte is a nice deep threat. If you need a second quarterback in a Superflex, Stroud won’t be available. But if you need emergency help in a one-QB league, consider him a mid-range QB2 with upside. The Texans can’t run the ball, so he should continue to sling it plenty.
At some point the Cardinals will give Carson Beck a look. Until they do, Jacoby Brissett should continue to put up good numbers most weeks, on an offense that chases points like dogs chase cars. He’ll face the Rams in Week 6, and that should provide him with at least 30 minutes of fantasy-friendly garbage time.
Need a Week 6 streamer? I’ll give you three options.
Jameis Winston (back-to-back games with three TD passes, and at least 20 fantasy points) is starting to feel it, and he gets the Saints on Sunday, at home.
Michael Penix, Jr. doesn’t throw it all that much most weeks, but a home date with the Bears in Week 6 is pretty attractive. He hurt his ribs at the very end of the Sunday night game, so check his status. If he can’t go, I’d stay away from Tua Tagovailoa.
Jalon Daniels had a nice game in Week 5, and he’s got the rushing upside that fantasy managers crave. But it was was against the very generous Dallas defense, so let’s not go crazy. I don’t think Baker Mayfield will be back for Week 6. If you’re stuck, a date with the Steelers is on tap – not ideal, but he should keep getting better with each start.
Running Back:
Another week, another Philly running back goes down. This time it was third-stringer Will Shipley, with a foot injury. That paved the way for practice squad call-up Dameon Pierce to get the bulk of the work. Pierce didn’t look good on Sunday, but the Eagles’ offense did show signs of life against a good defense, and in any case, any player who is starting at RB for even just a week or two should be rostered in fantasy, and especially during the Bye weeks.
If MarShawn Lloyd got dropped in your league, pick him up. It might be hit-or-miss, but the door has opened and he’s getting the bulk of the work.
The Chargers are a mess, and their three-headed backfield is a fantasy annoyance. If you want to chase Kimani Vidal’s long touchdown run, go ahead, but right now starting any of the Los Angeles backs is going to be a mostly frustrating exercise. I’d use my waiver claims and FAAB dollars elsewhere.
A few other names to think about, if you’re in need and/or want some depth that could pop later: Rachaad White, Tyler Allgeieir, Tyler Goodson, Kendre Miller, Brian Robinson, Jr., and Mike Washington, Jr.
Wide Receiver
I’ll mention Tyreek Hill again, although he probably got scooped up in all but the shallowest of leagues. Another speedster who might return soon is the aforementioned Tank Dell, and he’s worth a flier if you’ve got a deep bench.
I felt so smart when I picked up Kendrick Bourne in a couple of leagues on Saturday, after it was announced that MHJ was going to be inactive on Sunday, with a trade in the works. Bourne was targeted eight times in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Lions and turned that into five catches for 70 yards. Not bad. It’s not exciting, but he’s a capable veteran who figures to have a decent workload as the third passing game option on a team that’s always chasing points.
Jordyn Tyson should be on your radar. A Week 9 return seems likely. He’s worth stashing and especially if you can keep him in an IR spot.
Jerry Jeudy is a trade candidate, and depending on where he lands, he could have some value. We’ve been down this road with him before, and I wouldn’t prioritize him. But if you have a deep bench, you can consider it.
Need depth? I’ll repeat a bunch of names I’ve listed in recent weeks, together with some new ones: Malik Washington, Chris Bell, Antonio Williams, Cyrus Allen, Germie Bernard, DeMario Douglas, Darius Cooper, Kayshon Boutte, and Tre Harris.
Tight End:
Brenton Strange is a featured part of the Jaguars’ offense, and he just put up consecutive games with seven catches on eight targets. He should be rostered everywhere.
Others to consider if you need help: Pat Freiermuth (low volume, but three TDs the past two weeks), Darren Waller, Chig Okonkwo, and Tyler Higbee.
That’s all I’ve got. Good luck with your waiver claims!
***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***
