This week’s waiver wire column is somewhat of a continuation of the Week 5 waiver wire column. There are a lot of the same players back up for grabs. With more performance data, unfortunate injuries, and the first of this season’s bye weeks, adding these players, and others, is surely a greater priority than it was just one week ago.
You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle out players from your bench. Whatever the case may be, the waiver wire is there to help. There’s not always a need to put in a claim for players each week, but if you do, make it count. Below, we’ll look at players at each position, who are on 50% or less of most fantasy football rosters, that could be considered on the Week 6 waiver wire.
Week 6 Waiver Wire By Position
Running Back
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Depending on your league size and recent add/drops, there could be a handful of valuable running backs to add from the Week 6 waiver wire. Seattle’s second-round rookie running back, Kenneth Walker III, is probably the most available of this group that also holds a ton of value for the remainder of the season. That said, I’m ranking him at the top of the Week 6 waiver wire.
Unfortunately, Rashaad Penny’s season is done after suffering a broken leg/ankle in Week 5. In his place, Walker played the most snaps of all Seahawks backs. Other than ripping off a 69-yard run, Walker failed to average more than 2.71 yards on his seven other carries. Still, the Seahawks’ offense is better than expected averaging 25.4 points per game which is inside the top-10.
Walker is going to be the lead back on said offense moving forward. DeeJay Dallas will mix in more on passing downs, but he doesn’t have enough upside to consider picking up on this week’s waiver wire.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Each week that goes by, it becomes clearer that Raheem Mostert is the Miami Dolphins’ lead back. He is far and away dominating the snap share and carries even with three different quarterbacks under center so far this season. Though Chase Edmonds has recorded a few short-yard touchdowns over the first few weeks, his snap count continues to decrease, and he only touched the ball once in Week 5. If Mostert is still available in your league, he is a must-add. There is no such thing as too many running backs on your roster.
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
As an individual player, Eno Benjamin’s sample size is small. However, we are going to see a lot more of him as the Arizona backfield looks to be in shambles. James Conner is dealing with a rib injury, one that the team is being cautious with, while Darrell Williams could be out for a bit with a knee injury of his own.
Benjamin logged 11 touches for 53 total yards and a score in a come-from-behind effort against the Philadelphia Eagles as a result. Up next for the Cards is a divisional bout with the Seattle Seahawks. They’re allowing the second-most rushing and receiving yards to running backs. In anticipation of more playing time and touches, Benjamin is a rock-solid Week 6 waiver wire add. If you’re in need of running back help, especially during the first set of bye weeks, Benjamin is a top add for those missing out on Walker.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
In a difficult Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ stout run defense, Tyler Allgeier recorded a team-high 13 carries. Though four running backs played 16 or more snaps, Allgeier’s 13 carries account for 50% of total running back opportunities (carries + targets) from this one. It’s not going to get much easier for Allgeier.
Up next are the San Francisco 49ers who, prior to facing Christian McCaffrey in Week 5, allowed the least amount of fantasy points to running backs. There are some fantasy-friendly matchups on the horizon, but it’s possible Damien Williams and/or Cordarelle Patterson are back from Injured Reserve to steal the rookie’s thunder. Allgeier is a bench stash ahead of Week 6 for 10-12 team leagues.
Other Running Backs to Consider:
Dontrell Hilliard is the clear-cut handcuff to Derrick Henry. If something were to happen to The King, Hilliard becomes a must-add, must-start each week. Adding him on the Week 6 waiver wire, if you have bench room, is simply getting ahead of that unfortunate scenario.
Rachaad White‘s role in Tampa Bay is noticeable, even during a monster week from Leonard Fournette. White’s receiving upside is evident. He is a top fantasy football handcuff behind Fournette, who we’ve seen battle hamstring issues before.
Mike Boone‘s role in the wake of Javonte Williams’ absence will be tougher to carve out as Latavius Murray enters the picture. Melvin Gordon is still the running back to roster in Denver. Boone and Murray are deeper league speculative adds.
Jaylen Warren is nothing more than a handcuff to Najee Harris. Yes, he played more in Week 5 and logged nine touches for 63 scoreless yards, but it’s a direct result of playing in a 38-3 blowout game against the Buffalo Bills.
Tevin Coleman is not a name I’m considering on the Week 6 waiver wire. It’s Jeff Wilson’s backfield in San Francisco until further notice.
Wide Receiver
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
It’s possible Meyers is available on your league’s Week 6 waiver wire. The best ability is availability and Meyers’ early-season knee injury may have made it difficult for fantasy football managers to hold onto him. That and the three different quarterbacks that have been under center for New England in just five weeks.
When he is available, though, Meyers is a PPR machine. He’s averaging 17.6 points per game with just one touchdown. Meyers has just three career touchdowns as he continues on in his fourth NFL season. He is far and away the Patriots’ best option in the passing game. If he’s out there, he is the top wide receiver add in PPR leagues specifically.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are hard to watch. They’re averaging just 13.8 points per game which ranks dead last in the league. While they’re averaging the ninth-worst total yards per game, Indy is 15th in passing yards per game. It’s not an elite offense by any means, but they are throwing enough to continue mixing in their wide receivers to your lineups.
Looking at Pierce, his playing time still lacks as he’s third in wide receiver snaps behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell. When he is out there, though, Pierce is a hot target when running routes:
Targets per route run this season:
* Michael Pittman 36 targets on 181 routes (19.8%)
* Alec Pierce 22 targets on 109 routes (20.1%)— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) October 10, 2022
Pierce is second on the Colts in targets behind just Pittman. He has three straight-games with nine or more PPR points and 28.1 total in his last two games. The rookie receiver is trending upward and is worth adding off of the Week 6 waiver wire. Up next for Pierce is a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars who shut out the Colts 24-0 in Week 2.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
In place of McKenzie last week, Khalil Shakir hauled in three of his five targets for 75 yards and a score. However, once McKenzie clears the concussion protocol, he figures to slide right back in to his slot role. In said role, McKenzie’s snaps should increase with Jamison Crowder now on Injured Reserve. Over the last three seasons, Cole Beasley averaged seven targets per game as the Bills’ slot receiver. Any piece of this offense is worth stashing at the very least.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
In the last three weeks, Pickens has just five total targets less than Diontae Johnson. His eight targets in Week 5 match his targets from Week 4. In a 38-3 blowout against the Buffalo Bills, Pickens was one of three Steelers receivers to log at least eight targets. We’re still waiting for the rookie to surpass Chase Claypool in snaps. Until then, and with Kenny Pickett still getting his bearings, it’s hard to trust Pickens as a starter. His rest of the season schedule is enticing making him worth the bench stash off of the Week 6 waiver wire.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider:
Rondale Moore looks healthy and is a top option at current on the Cardinals offense. His return sent early-season hero, Greg Dortch, to the sideline for almost the entire game. Moore’s speed is his best asset and could be on full display in Week 6 yet again, especially with the injuries to the Arizona backfield. Keep in mind that DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension is over after this week.
Darius Slayton is a bright spot in the New York Giants passing game. His performance in London is a big reason why the Giants won. His seven targets led the team and account for 50% of the wide receiver targets in Week 5. Up next is a Baltimore Ravens defense that is allowing the most receptions, second-most yards, and fourth-most touchdowns to wide receivers. Daniel Jones is familiar with Slayton’s game and there aren’t many other options at receiver in New York.
Dyami Brown is an obvious consideration on the Week 6 waiver wire. His two touchdowns in Week 5 should turn heads, but they’re on just four targets. He has just eight total targets in 2022, all in the last two weeks. Brown is more of a dagger to what’s left of Terry McLaurin’s value.
Tight End
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
I know what you’re thinking. Why isn’t Taysom Hill in the quarterback section of the waiver wire column? By now, I’m sure, you know that Hill likely has quarterback AND tight end eligibility in your league. That said, the odds are you’re not going to start Hill as your quarterback. So, he makes the Week 6 waiver wire column as a very interesting tight end pickup.
We all know when Hill is in the game, he is likely going to run the ball. It’s more often than not going to be in a goal-to-go situation, increasing his chances of scoring a touchdown. It’s certainly not a traditional way to rack up points from your tight end position. However, Hill’s floor is as low as every other streaming tight end option, but he has a massive ceiling for obvious reasons.
With just about every offensive player on the Saints dealing with some sort of injury, I expect Hill to continue to see the field. It may seem crazy, but you can absolutely add Taysom Hill from the Week 6 waiver wire and start him this week.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Evan Engram is just like every other tight end streamer. You’re hoping for a touchdown, of course, but aren’t completely shocked if he catches two passes for 15 scoreless yards, as well. Ahead of Week 6, Engram and the Jags are set to face the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 2, Engram caught seven of eight targets for 46 yards against them. The only game he’s had more targets in was last week when he caught six of 10 for 69 yards. If you need a tight end for Week 6, I like Engram’s upside off of the waiver wire.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Hurst has seven or more targets in three games this season. He’s also found the end zone in each of the last two games for the Bengals. The New Orleans Saints present a tough matchup for the tight end in Week 6. They’re barely allowing three receptions and 30 yards on average to the position. A tight end has yet to find the end zone against them, as well. If Tee Higgins misses this week, Hurst’s value gets a boost. Otherwise, I’m doing my best to look elsewhere on the waiver wire for someone with a better matchup.
Quarterback
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
This is probably Geno Smith’s last week on the waiver wire column. As bye weeks become more frequent, and certain quarterbacks appear droppable, Smith remains a rock-solid fantasy starter. He is currently averaging 19.98 points per game. Since Week 3, though, he’s averaged a whopping 25.20 points per game.
The Seahawks offense can move the ball and Smith has two high-quality options at receiver to help them do so. What’s key to Smith’s value is the Seahawks’ frequency of competing in close games. In weeks that Smith has scored 17.0 or more fantasy points this season, the margin of victory, for either the Seahawks or their opponent, is a combined total of 15 points over four games. This should continue as they’re set to face the Cardinals, Chargers, Giants, Cardinals again, and then Buccaneers, in that order, before a Week 11 bye.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Don’t look now, but the New York Jets are averaging 32.0 points per game in two games with Zach Wilson under center. As a result, the second-year quarterback is averaging just north of 17.0 points per game. The Jets’ next four opponents; the Packers, Broncos, Patriots, and Bills, should force Wilson to throw to keep up. He’s not a proven must-start yet in every format, but he provides a safe floor, especially for 2QB and Superflex leagues.
Be on the lookout for our Week 6 Rankings which are released on Wednesday morning: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings