We’re getting a good idea of who’s worth holding on benches and who is worth sending to waivers. Week 6 of the fantasy football season is already here, and we have a few more interesting waiver wire additions who can help find you wins or at least fill the bye-week voids.
HEADS UP
- Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
- Listed in order of preference — I’ll regularly prioritize potential upside over immediate replacement production
- RB backups have a separate secondary list based on only if the lead option got hurt
- No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
- Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too
- Emojis for brevity
- 😏 = mentioned multiple times, multiple weeks — either you want him, or don’t
- 🫡 = Next Man Up but with deeper startability
BYES: KC, LAR, MIA, MIN
WORRY REPORT
(Scale 1-5: more ducks = more worry)
- Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL — 🦆🦆🦆 — We talked to Josh Kendall (covering the Falcons here with The Athletic) on SiriusXM last week, and he said the Falcons want to keep Tyler Allgeier involved, given his explosiveness and ability. Well, Robinson has 52.4% and 62.5% of the RB touches the past two games, respectively, and outside of Week 1, Robinson has ranged from 52.4-72.0% (Week 1 was 88.5%). Josh also said Robinson is 100% the lead, but that he would think of Robinson as more of a fringe RB1 than Top 5 option.
- Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX — 🦆🦆 — That’s two disappointing games and workloads for Etienne. There was talk of an injury in Week 4 and Doug Pederson said he got popped in the shoulder again late in Week 5. The good news from Week 5 is that Etienne still had seven targets (6-for-43), but the bad news, especially for fantasy, is that it might be hard to ignore Bigsby’s production as we potentially head toward a timeshare/hot-hand approach. It’s only two ducks for now, but this could rise quickly.
- George Pickens, WR, PIT — 🦆🦆🦆 — Pickens has the alpha wideout attitude, just not the alpha numbers — 23-for-310 and zero touchdowns on the year, despite his having a 27.9 TmTGT% (36 total). If you didn’t see his Week 5 sideline frustrations, they probably mimic yours if Pickens is on your team. Russell Wilson would boost Pickens a tad given the different offensive style compared to Justin Fields, but the Steelers offense (and defense) doesn’t provide enough ceiling to get Pickens into the WR2/Top 20 conversation.
POWER UP PLAYERS
(Scale 1-5: more Mario mushrooms = more excitement)
- D’Andre Swift, RB, CHI — 🍄🍄 — Only two? Yes, only two… though, maaaybe a third given the schedule. However, I’d still sell Swift high with Roschon Johnson being the third-down option with some goal-line work to boot. Swift has a great matchup this week (Jaguars), but the Commanders (Week 8, following the bye) are looking better than anyone thought, and if Swift bombed versus them, we’d be back to the concerns and lost trade value of the first two weeks.
- Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ — 🍄🍄 — Also just two? Well… since 2000, only one player has fewer receiving yards on 20+ targets — Davante Adams with 79 (10 receptions). In fact, players average 13.3-162.4-0.9 and 28.3 fantasy points when given 20+ targets (35 players). This game could be the start of a run for Wilson, but don’t overrate that upside.
- Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND — 🍄 — If you thought two was low… The fact is that Pittman would get 4-5 power-ups with Joe Flacco, but the Colts are going back to Anthony Richardson, and as I’ve mentioned previously, Josh Downs is the better fit for Richardson.
STREAMING QUARTERBACKS
- Justin Fields, PIT (at LV)
- Caleb Williams, CHI (vs JAX)
- Kirk Cousins, ATL (at CAR)
- Daniel Jones, NYG (vs CIN)
- Derek Carr, NO (vs TB) — if healthy
- Andy Dalton, CAR (vs ATL)
WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS
- Rico Dowdle, DAL — 😏 Looked good against the Steelers — nothing left to say for adding him.
- Trey Sermon, IND — Timeshare with Tyler Goodson, but he was the lead and has RB3 value while Jonathan Taylor remains out. This is a floor ranking, since that’s all Sermon really is.
- Cam Akers, HOU — If you have to use him, and again, only if Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce are out. Without a touchdown, nearly worthless. Both Sermon and Akers rank near the bottom if the leads are back, and they rank behind Antonio Gibson if you don’t need them to start.
- Tank Bigsby, JAX — See Worry Report. This looks like a potential headache, but it can be avoided by simply keeping Bigsby and Etienne in lineups until we see a shift in either direction. Riding the hot hand for NFL teams means we have to use or avoid both. In this case, we can use them.
- Bucky Irving, TB — 😏
- Braelon Allen, NYJ — 😏
- Alexander Mattison, LV — Lost work to Ameer Abdullah — a worse version of Akers.
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG — Did enough to warrant timeshare work with Devin Singletary, but it remains to be seen if Brian Daboll gives Tracy more work given Daboll’s fondness for Singletary.
- Justice Hill, BAL — 😏
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL — 😏
- Tyjae Spears, TEN — 🫡
- Roschon Johnson, CHI — Per Power-Ups, Johnson could creep into the RB3 convo.
- Antonio Gibson, NE — 🫡
- Emanuel Wilson, GB — 😏
- Gus Edwards, LAC — 🫡
- Dare Ogunbowale, HOU — Valuable in the timeshare for as long as Joe Mixon is out.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC — Could return as early as next week and be in the lead discussion… or a non-factor.
- Ty Chandler, MIN — Aaron Jones is hurt, but the Vikings have a bye for him to get healthy, so Chandler is a stash who would have RB2 value if Jones isn’t ready in Week 7.
- Jaylen Wright, MIA — On a bye, so De’Von Achane could be fine in Week 7, but if you have the room to stash Wright, do it. Wright would be an RB3 or better if Achane was out.
- Blake Corum, LAR — Corum appears to be ahead of Ronnie Rivers — finally — and stashing him is all about Corum’s would-be Top 15 upside if Kyren Williams were to get hurt.
MEH, I’LL PASS
- Ameer Abdullah, LV — Got work with Mattison being… well, Mattison, but it’s the Raiders and Zamir White playing would make a committee out of one of the worst backfields.
- Jeremy McNichols, WSH — With Austin Ekeler back, garbage-time work only.
DUMPSVILLE
(order I’d drop)
- Zamir White, LV — Jennifer Love Hewitt, “What are you waiting for?!” dot GIF
PURELY NEXT MAN UP RANKS
(if an injury ahead of them)
- Braelon Allen, NYJ
- Bucky Irving, TB
- Tyler Allgeier, ATL
- Chase Brown, CIN
- Tank Bigsby, JAX
- Tyjae Spears, TEN
- Isaac Guerendo, SF
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG
- Blake Corum, LAR
- Ty Chandler, MIN
- Gus Edwards, LAC
- Jaylen Wright, MIA
- Emanuel Wilson, GB
- Trey Benson, ARI
- Ray Davis, BUF
- Jamaal Williams, NO
- Kenneth Gainwell, PHI
WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS
- Josh Downs, IND — See: Pittman in Power Up. Downs has a ceiling, preventing WR1 value, but he’s the No. 1 option for the Colts.
- Ladd McConkey, LAC — Will be up-and-down because of the Chargers, but he’s Justin Herbert’s No. 1.
- Darnell Mooney, ATL — 😏
- Quentin Johnston, LAC — 😏
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC — Temper your expectations but at least add Smith-Schuster in most leagues. I say “temper” because while Smith-Schuster had a big night, he was third in wideout routes at 27. Xavier Worthy ran the most at 31 and was in several one-receiver plays. Smith-Schuster looked pretty spry, and again, we have to take the shot on potential WR3 value, but Worthy could be a thorn in his side for true reliability.
- Jalen Tolbert, DAL — With Brandin Cooks on IR, Tolbert can continue his Week 5 success and become a usable WR3/4.
- Tyler Lockett, SEA — 😏
- Romeo Doubs, GB — There has to be more going on here, right? If Doubs returns to action, he’s back to a top-two Packers role with Jayden Reed. But we have no idea/word if this was a one-week issue or more.
- Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Volume is king for Robinson, and it means WR3/4 value outside of tough matchups.
- Xavier Legette, CAR — Got hurt in Week 5, but Legette is in play as a WR4 with Andy Dalton if healthy.
- Tre Tucker, LV — Down game, but I still like what he brings, similar to Wan’Dale for the Giants.
- DeAndre Hopkins, TEN — You’re as likely to get 15+ fantasy points as you are 3 points at this point of his career (and Will Levis’ play).
- Jakobi Meyers, LV — Ho hum, but you might need it.
- Allen Lazard, NYJ — Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing well, but he looks for Lazard in the red zone.
- Jerry Jeudy, CLE — Floor player each week.
- Keon Coleman, BUF — I’d sell high, as the targets and receptions are still limited, and Khalil Shakir is the only trustworthy option.
- Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell, LAR — I’d hold both through the Rams’ bye if possible. Cooper Kupp should return, but is no guarantee. Even so, one of these two will have value, with the potential for Whittington to have the higher ceiling, while Atwell has the veteran edge.
- Michael Wilson, ARI — As Pat Mayo would say… WORST PLACE! Shows up when you’re not expecting him to, but doesn’t do much when we trust him in a good matchup. You can deal with it if you want.
- Ja’Lynn Polk, NE — Upside to be the Patriots’ No. 1 and could be a WR4 if Drake Maye takes over.
- Noah or Dyami Brown, WSH — Noah Brown is the boom/bust WR5 play if healthy and, if not, it’s Dyami. I like Noah more of the two, but they fit the same need.
- Ray-Ray McCloud, ATL — Discount Wan’Dale. Lots of Wan’Dale’s this week.
- Jalen Coker, CAR — If Legette is out, deep flier.
- Xavier Hutchinson, HOU — As long as Nico Collins is sidelined, Hutchinson is a deep flier (WR5).
DUMPSVILLE
(order I’d drop)
- Demarcus Robinson, LAR — Rams are on the bye and, with Cooper Kupp likely returning after, Robinson would remain a boom-or-bust
- Mike Williams, NYJ — I relent and admit this was a miss. Williams is 100% and yet still ran 10 fewer routes than Allen Lazard — plus, Aaron Rodgers can barely support one wideout.
- Dontayvion Wicks, GB — Ha! Tricked you. I wanted to ensure you didn’t drop Wicks unless Romeo Doubs returns. Wicks led in targets, and while Jordan Love and Wicks missed connecting a few times, some were 50/50 balls, and Wicks was credited with just one drop. Not every wideout is going to be perfect — heck, Wicks outscored Deebo Samuel and Chris Olave this week.
MEH, I’LL PASS
- Darius Slayton, NYG — No Malik Nabers. No pass defense whatsoever. No real value unless Nabers is out and he’s in a cake matchup again.
- Alec Pierce, IND — Without Joe Flacco, Pierce’s boom-or-bust value is way more bust.
- Rashod Bateman, BAL — I think you know.
- KhaDarel Hodge, ATL — Again, you know.
STREAMING TIGHT ENDS
- Taysom Hill, NO
- Tucker Kraft, GB
- Tyler Conklin, NYJ
- Cade Otton, TB
- Isaiah Likely, BAL
- Zach Ertz, WSH
- Mike Gesicki, CIN
STREAMING DST
Week 6
- HOU at NE
- PHI vs CLE
- LAC at DEN
- IND at TEN
- GB vs ARI
- TEN vs IND
- JAX at CHI
- ATL at CAR
- CIN at NYG
Week 7
- NO vs DEN
- JAX vs NE
- PHI at NYG
- WSH vs CAR
- LAR vs LV
- IND vs MIA
- NE at JAX
- CIN at CLE
(Top photo of Tank Bigsby: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
