While last week was a terrible one for injuries, we escaped Week 5 mostly unscathed, outside of, unfortunately, Omarion Hampton.
Hampton is heading to injured reserve, and he leaves behind a confusing two-headed backfield to work through this week on the waiver wire.
The good news is we might have a true, every-week TE1 still available in over 90% of leagues.
As a reminder, recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.
The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in fewer than 5% of ESPN leagues, for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because there is a much better resource for researching what you need to bid, thanks to our friends at FAABLab.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because, frankly, I don’t care about them and would like to see them disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Contents
Best Week 6 Wavier Wire Pickups: Quarterback
- Mac Jones
- Sam Darnold
Best Week 6 Wavier Wire Pickups: Running Back
- Michael Carter
- Kimani Vidal
- Hassan Haskins
- Kendre Miller
- Tyler Allgeier
- Tyjae Spears
Best Week 6 Wavier Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver
- Isaiah Bond
- Alec Pierce
- Christian Watson
- Malik Washington
- Kendrick Bourne
- Ryan Flournoy
Best Week 6 Wavier Wire Pickups: Tight Ends
- Mason Taylor
- Jake Tonges
- Michael Mayer
- A.J. Barner
Quarterback Waiver Targets, Week 6
1. Mac Jones, 49ers — Available in 97.8% of ESPN leagues
There has been no confirmation on Brock Purdy‘s availability for Week 6, but reading the tea leaves, it seems like Purdy will sit out another week. That would mean a start for Jones against a Bucs defense that is 24th in yards per attempt allowed and was just shredded by Sam Darnold. Perhaps Tampa gets healthier this week, but this looks like a great spot if Jones gets the start.
2. Sam Darnold, Seahawks — Available in 85.6% of ESPN leagues
This is not an exciting week for streamers, so I guess we will point chase a little here with Darnold. After starting the season well, the Jaguars have given up back-to-back 300-yard passing games to Brock Purdy and Patrick Mahomes, and Darnold has been arguably the most efficient quarterback in the league. The concern is volume. Darnold set a season high with 34 attempts against the Bucs last week, and he has been at 26 or fewer in three of five games.
Watch List: I am excited for Joe Flacco, both for the weapons in Cincinnati and his potential as a streamer in good matchups, but we have no idea when he will be ready to be the starter…Bryce Young has a great matchup against the Cowboys. Of course, he had a great matchup last week against the Dolphins and went for 198 yards and 2 touchdowns…Trevor Lawrence had a good fantasy day because he rushed for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he has topped 225 passing yards once and has thrown for 1 or fewer touchdowns in four of five games this season…The Chargers have allowed rushing production to quarterbacks, but they have given up just 4 passing touchdowns all season. Tua Tagovailoa is not an exciting streaming option this week…There is no indication it will happen this week, but we could be heading toward a Justin Fields benching in New York. That would likely mean Tyrod Taylor getting a look, and he would be a solid platoon option in 2QB formats…It is also worth watching what happens with Cooper Rush this week. Tyler Huntley is not good, but he did rush for 135 yards and 2 scores across five starts for the Dolphins last season.
Running Back Waiver Targets, Week 6
1. Michael Carter, Cardinals — Available in 58.2% of ESPN leagues
Carter is on a few too many rosters to really qualify for this article, but it is still noteworthy that he is available in 58% of ESPN leagues. That obviously will change this week, and rightfully so. So, instead of going over why Carter is an obvious add, I thought it would be better to throw some cold water on his fantasy value moving forward. While Emari Demercado could find himself in the shadow realm because of his game-changing fumble, I would expect someone to step into that secondary role. Carter dominated snaps overall, but Demercado played 14 of the 16 snaps on third down and 4 of 5 snaps within two minutes of the half. The game script worked well for Carter as the early-down option against the Titans, but will that be the case against a pretty tough schedule through Week 15 (@IND, GB, BYE, @DAL, @SEA, SF, JAX, @TB, LAR, @HOU), assuming Trey Benson remains out that long? Carter is a must-add where available. He also looks like something of a sell high unless he takes on more work on passing downs, something he should be capable of doing if they let him try.
2. Kimani Vidal, Chargers — Available 100% of ESPN leagues
3. Hassan Haskins, Chargers — Available in 99.7% of ESPN leagues
To make things as clear as possible, I think this will be a very disappointing timeshare. If you spend big FAAB on either of these guys to be a starter, even this week in a great matchup against the Dolphins, I think you will likely end up being disappointed. The Chargers have not been able to run all season — 26th in yards before contact per RB run — and the offense has cratered because of the injury issues up front. The Chargers are 29th in points per drive over the last two weeks. When picking between the two, I would take Vidal because I personally believe he is a solid running back and that Haskins has been active because of his participation on special teams — 69 special team snaps this season — but that is just a guess. Haskins did outsnap Vidal 14 to 8 when Justin Herbert was on the field in Week 5, though they split touches 6 to 5 on those snaps. I also wonder if the Chargers are interested in bringing in a veteran. Gus Edwards remains a free agent after logging 101 carries for the Chargers last season.
4. Kendre Miller, Saints — Available in 79% of ESPN leagues
Like with Woody Marks a couple of weeks ago, we have to take notice of Miller's increasing role in the Saints backfield.
- Week 1: 9 snaps, 5 touches
- Week 2: 11 snaps, 6 touches
- Week 3: 19 snaps, 9 touches
- Week 4: 21 snaps, 11 touches
- Week 5: 26 snaps, 11 touches
He had 10 carries to 8 for Alvin Kamara in the win over the Giants. I still am skeptical Miller gets enough work in a bad offensive environment to be an every-week option in normal-sized leagues as long as Kamara is around, but he looks like a strong stash. Among 52 backs with at least 25 touches, Miller is the RB10 in explosive run rate and RB6 in yards after contact per attempt.
5. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons — Available in 68.3% of ESPN leagues
I will just keep writing it every week. Allgeier is the perfect combo of a running back that will get touches and at least not get you a zero as an emergency flex, especially when the Falcons are able to stay in their preferred game script, and a high-upside handcuff.
6. Tyjae Spears, Titans — Available in 71.9% of ESPN leagues
Spears only played 17 snaps in his return from injured reserve and touched the ball just 4 times. Tony Pollard remains the clear lead back right now, but the Titans are a team going nowhere. It makes sense for them to get Spears more work as the season goes on, and Tennessee's offensive coordinator said as much on Tuesday.
Watch List: I also want to see more Brashard Smith, but he is stuck behind two trusted veterans right now…Neither back had a ton of success against the Chiefs, but Bhayshul Tuten remains firmly behind Travis Etienne in the pecking order…I assume we would see something of a timeshare if Christian McCaffrey went down, but Brian Robinson Jr. is the guy getting touches behind him right now…Ollie Gordon does not have the same kind of weekly touch floor as some other handcuffs, but there is upside if something happened to De'Von Achane…Jaydon Blue did not make the most of his opportunity with Miles Sanders out…Blake Corum took his only carry for 13 yards. Then he failed to catch a pitch. Kyren Williams also fumbled, but that does not seem to matter for him…James Cook‘s domination of backfield touches leaves Ray Davis as just a handcuff…As we expected, it was the Rachaad White show with Bucky Irving sidelined. Sean Tucker is nothing more than a deep league stash right now.
Deep Cuts: Isaiah Davis appears likely to play a lot of passing downs for a team that finds itself down big in the second half every week, and he brings considerable contingency value should something happen to Breece Hall…Kyle Monangai has solidified that No. 2 role behind D'Andre Swift, but that is about it…Trevor Etienne did get some run behind Rico Dowdle, but Dowdle stamped his authority on the No. 2 job…DJ Giddens remains one of the highest upside handcuffs, and he is available in a ton of leagues…Keaton Mitchell only played 4 snaps, but it will be interesting to see if the Ravens look to get him more involved as they search for a spark…Bam Knight is a candidate to take on some of Demercado's passing-down role if the Cardinals move on after the fumble…It appears as if Saquon Barkley will be fine, but AJ Dillon and Will Shipley could be worth a look in the deepest of leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Targets, Week 6
1. Isaiah Bond, Browns — Available in 95.4% of ESPN leagues
There are no great options for receivers this week, so let's take a swing on an upside stash. Cedric Tillman left after just 15 snaps in Week 4. Over the last two weeks, Bond has run a route on 79.5% of Cleveland's dropbacks. He has just 1 fewer target than Jerry Jeudy and has seen 31.9% of Cleveland's air yards over that stretch. This passing game is not good. We don't know if Bond is good, but he is a young receiver who could see his role grow as the Browns look toward the future.
2. Alec Pierce, Colts — Available in 98.2% of ESPN leagues
Before going down with an injury, Pierce had back-to-back games with over 65 yards. In the two games he has missed, Adonai Mitchell had 3 catches for 96 yards and what should have been a touchdown, and Ashton Dulin had 2 catches for 55 yards on 5 targets. The Colts are creating big plays, and Pierce is good at converting them when they come his way, assuming he did not suffer a setback in his recovery from a concussion last week.
3. Christian Watson, Packers — Available in 96.9% of ESPN leagues
Watson returned to practice on Monday, opening up the 21-day window for him to return. Will that happen this week? I am not sure, but the Packers have not gotten outstanding production out of any of their replacement options so far this season. Given how many bodies there are in the receiver room, including first-round rookie Matthew Golden, Watson will likely fall into an annoying timeshare even when he returns, especially since he is recovering from a serious injury, but he is worth a stash for those with an open bench spot.
4. Malik Washington, Dolphins — Available in 79.6% of ESPN leagues
I am not ready to give up on Washington yet, but (as we expected) he ran fewer routes than Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and he continued to be used as more of a gadget player around the line of scrimmage. More importantly, the quick emergence of Darren Waller might have taken away any substantial target opportunity behind Jaylen Waddle. Washington is just a stash right now. He would not be near the top of the add list in a normal week, but it is not great out there for receivers on the wire.
5. Kendrick Bourne, 49ers — Available in 93.5% of ESPN leagues
Bourne is a better one-week add than any of the guys ahead of him outside of Pierce, but there is some concern even about that given the uncertainty about the injury report. If either Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall returns this week — or, perhaps, both — Bourne's streaming value would take a big hit. That said, he was getting some targets even with healthy receivers ahead of him (3, 6, and 4 in the three games before the explosion), and the matchup with the Bucs is pretty good.
6. Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys — Available in 99.9% of ESPN leagues
We are probably only getting one more week for Flournoy with CeeDee Lamb nearing a return, but he could be a great one-week fill-in for those who need one. What if I told you Flournoy is the WR5 in yards per route run among WRs with at least 50 routes this season? He had a 63.6% route rate in Week 5 for an offense that is going to continue to throw a lot, and that rate could increase given how productive he was.
Watch List: Xavier Legette found the end zone, but he was targeted just 3 times, and the Panthers could get Jalen Coker back this week. As for Coker, I just question if anyone outside of Tetairoa McMillan can have consistent fantasy value in this passing game…Xavier Hutchinson got the 2 touchdowns, but he has consistently struggled to earn targets despite running a lot of routes. It is tough to take too much out of Houston's domination of the Ravens, but I am interested to see if Jayden Higgins or Jaylin Noel can earn more looks coming out of the bye week. As it stands now, Christian Kirk is probably the only receiver behind Nico Collins worth a look in standard-sized fantasy leagues, and that is only really in PPR formats…Tyquan Thornton made some big plays, but he ran a route on just 50% of the dropbacks. Things are only going to get worse when Rashee Rice returns…Luther Burden‘s role did not really expand before the bye, leaving him as just a stash.
Deep Cuts: Marvin Mims got his customary touches, but he ran 4 fewer routes than Pat Bryant. Bryant did not draw any targets, but he is a highly drafted rookie who I would expect to get more involved as the season goes on. Bryant is someone to get ahead of in deeper formats to see what happens, although Troy Franklin remains the clear No. 2 receiver right now…Terry McLaurin is getting close to a return, which puts a damper on any buzz for Luke McCaffrey…The Seahawks had to open things up in Week 5, and Tory Horton still finished with just 4 targets, although one was a touchdown. He remains a stash…We are not there yet, but Isaac TeSlaa did run a route on 53.6% of the dropbacks in Week 5, catching a touchdown on his lone target…With Darius Slayton now also hurt, we should see Jalin Hyatt and Beaux Collins involved at receiver, for whatever that is worth.
Tight End Waiver Targets, Week 6
1. Mason Taylor, Jets — Available in 91.8% of ESPN leagues
Taylor has been a usage monster over the last two games, commanding 26.8% of New York's targets. Over the last two weeks, Taylor has been the TE3 in routes, TE5 in target rate per route, TE1 in team target share, TE1 in total targets, TE1 in receptions, and the TE2 in receiving yards. He is the clear No. 2 option for a team that has been routinely forced into pass-heavy game scripts. Until that changes, he is a locked-in TE1.
2. Jake Tonges, 49ers — Available in 94.7% of ESPN leagues
The 49ers could get healthier at receiver this week, but George Kittle is not expected to return. That leaves another start on the table for Tonges, who has run a route on 73.8% of the dropbacks since Week 2. The Bucs have given up 2 touchdowns to tight ends in back-to-back weeks.
3. Michael Mayer, Raiders — Available in 99.3% of ESPN leagues
It was somewhat surprising Mayer did not return to the field last week after getting in three limited practices, but those sessions are a good indication he will return against the Titans. We cannot say the same for Brock Bowers, who appears to be looking at a multi-week absence. If that is the case, Mayer should be the lead tight end.
4. A.J. Barner, Seahawks — Available in 99.2% of ESPN leagues
I feel almost obligated to put Barner on this list after his performance against the Bucs, but the reality is that not a ton changed for him from a usage perspective. His 58.8% route rate was actually his second lowest of the season. He just earned a target on 35% of his routes. That is unlikely to happen again, and as mentioned with Darnold, we will always have volume concerns in this offense. Still, the matchup isn't bad, and Barner has shown a knack for finding the end zone so far this season.
Watch List: Theo Johnson just scores touchdowns, apparently, and the Giants have yet another injury at receiver with Darius Slayton going down. Still, the matchup against the Eagles is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, in the league…Harold Fannin Jr. has slipped back into the range for this article for good reasons, reasons we outlined after his Week 1 performance. He found the end zone last week, but he was on the field for 51.4% of the team's dropbacks. He has 13.2% of the team's air yards this season. It is difficult to live as a viable fantasy option on that kind of usage…I am operating as if Colston Loveland will return this week, but if that does not happen, Cole Kmet ran a route on 87.8% of the dropbacks before the bye and saw 9 targets…Cade Otton made some big plays against the Seahawks and has 9 targets over the last two games, but it is not a great matchup this week…Taysom Hill is back, but we saw him play 9 snaps against the Giants…Will Dissly was somewhat surprisingly inactive, and we saw Oronde Gadsden run a route on 64.1% of the Chargers dropbacks in Week 5. We will continue to monitor the rookie.