Picture this: you are on the cusp of Week 6, analyzing your fantasy football lineup, in search of that waiver wire game-changer to plug in your weekend matches. This is the moment when fantasy heroes are made. We are looking to unearth those players who are steadily earning more playtime and possess a remarkable knack for seizing every opportunity that comes their way.
So, what exactly are we seeking as we comb through our weekend waiver stash candidates? It’s not merely a matter of adding any player; it’s about getting the right player. This might involve finding an up-and-coming talent who has risen through the team’s ranks due to injuries or suspensions, or perhaps a lesser-known player quietly positioned in a great match-up to produce this week.
Let’s see who is available for you on the weekend waiver wire prior to Week 6.
This column refers to players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and Sleeper Leagues.
Week 6 Weekend Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
In Week 5 Young had his best game as a pro. 247 yards and 3 touchdowns passing against the Lions. In week 6 he will be playing against the Dolphins who give up the 5th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He had to throw the ball a lot as the Lions were cruising and I expect him to be behind a lot against the Dolphins in Week 6 as well. Sets up nice for a bye week fill-in, or potentially a money maker in DFS for Week 6
11% rostered on Yahoo
10 % rostered on ESPN
28% rostered on Sleeper
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Mentioned to plug and play Howell last week. It would have worked out as he had 388 yards and 2 touchdowns. Howell has 8 touchdowns this season. He has rushing upside as well; he ran for only 19 yards in Week 5 but tends to run a little in every game. His next 3 games are against the Falcons, Giants, and Eagles, all teams he can potentially do well against.
36% rostered on Yahoo
19% rostered on ESPN
39% rostered on Sleeper
Other quarterbacks to consider if you are desperate:
- The Atlanta Falcons Desmond Ridder is only 8% rostered in Yahoo. 329 yards and a TD in Week 5. Easy match-up in Week 6 against the Commanders, who just gave up 4 passing touchdowns to Justin Fields.
Running Backs
Keaontay Ingram, Arizona Cardinals
Looks like James Conner hurt his knee in Week 5. Ingram has been activated and is ahead of Demercado on the depth chart. He is also available in a lot more leagues. I am not 100% sure how this will pan out. If Ingram gets the starting role he will produce with the volume that the Cardinals give to the position. If you have an open roster spot add him even if you don’t want to play him.
16% rostered on Yahoo
8% on ESPN
36% on Sleeper
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears
Khalil Herbert was also injured in Week 5. Roschon Johnson is in concussion protocol and it appears he will not play. The next man up is Foreman. Foreman was a healthy scratch the last two weeks for the Bears but is going from a healthy scratch to a starting running back in Week 6. Foreman has produced well in this role in the past. Last season for the Panthers Foreman had 914 yards and 5 touchdowns in a relief role like this.
28% rostered on Yahoo
15% on ESPN
37% on Sleeper
Other running backs to consider if you are desperate:
- The Baltimore Ravens Justice Hill looked really good with his touches in Week 5. 41% rostered on Yahoo. 7 carries, 32 yards and a TD rushing. Another 4 receptions for 13 yards receiving.
- Tyjae Spears of the Tennessee Titans had 7 carries and 34 yards with a TD in Week 5. He also had 4 receptions for 35 yards. Spears has been splitting time with Henry all year. Rostered only 46% of teams in Yahoo.
Wide Receivers
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Gardiner Minshew is the starting quarterback for the Colts right now. Josh Downs looks like he is Gardiner Minshew’s favorite target. In Week 5 he had 6 targets, 6 receptions 97 yards. Downs is second on the team in targets. I like Downs moving forward, especially in PPR.
29% rostered on Yahoo
29% on ESPN
47% on Sleeper
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
6 receptions for 66 yards and a TD in Week 5. Samuel is everything people wanted Dotson to be. Touchdowns two weeks in a row. The team is getting him and his versatility involved. I talked about him last week. When Samuel is healthy and getting touches, he always produces.
32% rostered on Yahoo
27% on ESPN
49% on Sleeper
Other wide receivers to consider:
- Josh Reynolds of the Detroit Lions had 5 targets 4 receptions 76 yards, and a TD in Week 5. If St. Brown is going to miss time. I want Reynolds.
- Trey Palmer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Mike Evans misses this week and you are wide receiver needy Palmer will be stepping into Evans’ role and will see targets against the Lions.
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Conklin is involved in the passing game for the Jets. He is second on the team in target share with 16% behind only Garrett Wilson. In the past 2 games he has a combined 11 targets, 8 receptions, and 125 yards. The Eagles are up this week. The Eagles give up the 9th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. A nice plug-and-play or DFS play this week.
9% rostered on Yahoo
18% on ESPN
13% rostered on Sleeper
Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons
How is Smith still out there? In Week 5 he had another 7 targets, 6 receptions 67 yards. He hasn’t scored less than 8 fantasy points in the last 4 games. Smith is currently the TE 11. He has 17.6% of the target share for the Falcons, while having the stickiest hands on the team catching 78% of those targets. It might be ugly to play him but it’s that really good kind of ugly that gets you fantasy points.
17% rostered on Yahoo
13% on ESPN
24%rostered on Sleeper
Week 6 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty