Week 6 is Bye Apocalypse. Your league mates have whiffed on their opportunity to scoop up some options heading into the week. These Group of Five (G5) Waiver Wire Rescues are here to save your week. Some of these individuals are a one-week play, while others can be used longer term. Let’s get right into it. For this article, I am looking for individuals who are 30% owned or less.
G5 Waiver Wire Rescues
Quarterbacks
Hajj-Malik Williams – UNLV
Fantrax Rostership: 19%
Total Fantasy Points: 53.8
Fantasy Points Per Game: 17.9
Hajj-Malik Williams burst onto the scene for the Runnin’ Rebels in Week 5. Williams went 13 for 16 for 182 yards in the air and threw for 3 touchdowns. He added 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Those stats were good for 45 fantasy points in Week 5. UNLV hosts Syracuse in Week 6. Ashton Daniels, Stanford QB, scored 19.4 fantasy points against the Orange a few weeks back. If Daniels can do that against the Orange, I have no doubt in my mind that Hajj-Malik Williams can at least provide that for you as a floor. Williams is a G5 Waiver Wire Rescue for your team in Week 6 and beyond.
Hunter Watson – Sam Houston
Fantrax Rostership: 5%
Total Fantasy Points: 119.6
Fantasy Points Per Game: 23.9
Hunter Watson’s 23.9ppg is a bit misleading. In Week 2, against UCF, he only put up 5.6 points. He has fared much better in Weeks against the likes of: Rice, Hawaii, New Mexico State, and Texas State. In those games, he is averaging 28.49ppg. Watson has been subpar through the air. He has only eclipsed 100 yards passing in 2 of his 5 contests. However, Watson has been making his mark on the ground. He has eclipsed 100 yards rushing and scored twice on the ground in back-to-back weeks. Sam Houston has UTEP in Week 6, before their Bye. Hunter Watson is an under-the-radar G5 Waiver Wire Rescue heading into Week 6.
Running Backs
Ahmad Hardy – UL Monroe
Fantrax Rostership: 8%
Total Fantasy Points: 49.5
Fantasy Points Per Game: 12.4
Ahmad Hardy is a true freshman for the Warhawks. He is 5’10” and 205 lbs. He has been a part of this offensive plan since Week 1. In his first game he had 19 rushing attempts for 103 yards and a touchdown. I don’t care who you are playing, that is impressive for a true freshman. He has also scored in 3 of 4 games. His only game without a score was against Texas. I will give him a pass on that one. Last week against Troy, he ran the ball 28 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. He will not provide you anything in the receiving game, but they are leaning heavily on Hardy. James Madison will be tough, but the rest of the defenses they face don’t strike fear in my eyes.
Jay Ducker – Sam Houston
Fantrax Rostership: 8%
Total Fantasy Points: 56.2
Fantasy Points Per Game: 11.2
Jay Ducker (Jevyon Ducker in Fantrax) has seen an increased role in the last few weeks. In his last 3 games, he has had touches of 16, 20, and 15. He was able to turn those touches into 16.8, 9.8, and 24.9 fantasy points, respectively. I believe Sam Houston relies on the running game in Week 6 against UTEP. I believe quarterback, Hunter Watson, leads this team in rushing attempts. However, Ducker should be the second guy up. They have a Bye in Week 7, but I have a feeling this is the last week you can really lean on Ducker for fantasy purposes. I believe they will use their Bye Week to get healthy and we see a downtick in his usage going forward. For me, Ducker is a 1 week G5 Waiver Wire Rescue for your team.
Wide Receivers
Kenneth Womack – Western Michigan
Fantrax Rostership: 25%
Total Fantasy Points: 10.3
Fantasy Points Per Game: 10.3
Kenneth Womack made his first appearance of the season for the Broncos in Week 5. He is coming off an injury and showed no signs of it. He had 6 receptions on 9 targets for 43 yards. That doesn’t seem like much, but it was good enough to lead the team in receptions. He was only 13 yards behind leading receiver, Anthony Sambucci. As MAC play gets underway in Week 6, look for Womack to be a target monster! Kenneth Womack is a sneaky G5 Waiver Wire Rescue.
Cade McDonald – Miami (OH)
Fantrax Rostership: 30%
Total Fantasy Points: 62.8
Fantasy Points Per Game: 15.7
Cade McDonald is averaging 6 receptions on 8 targets for 82 yards on the year. He is 11th in the G5 in targets/game, and he is 14th in the G5 in yards/game. McDonald has accounted for 31.2% of the team’s receptions and 37.1% of the team’s receiving yardage. However, he only has 1 touchdown this season. The RedHawks are only scoring 12ppg as a team, so a touchdown for McDonald would be a cherry on top. Cade McDonald is a solid floor guy for your squad heading into Week 6.
Tight End
Jacob Newell – Akron
Fantrax Rostership: 10%
Total Fantasy Points: 52.8
Fantasy Points Per Game: 10.6
Who?!? Jacob Newell! Newell leads the Zips in receptions (24), is 2nd on the team in touchdown receptions (2), and is 3rd on the team in receiving yards (168). Newell is averaging 4 receptions on 6 targets per game for 33 yards. Those numbers don’t wow me, but at the tight end position, it is pretty good. How good? He ranks 2nd in the G5 in targets/game and 15th in the G5 in yards/game. Jacob Newell is a solid G5 Waiver Wire Rescue that can help your team in Week 6 and beyond.
Bye Apocalypse starts tonight. I have done my best to dive into the G5 landscape by bringing some names to your attention. Most leagues have had their waivers run, yet these individuals are still widely available in 70% or more of leagues. If your league utilizes a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), I bet you can get away with a small bid for any of these individuals. If you are looking for other additions, be sure to check out John Laub’s article, College Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 5 Gemstones. Or you can catch me every Monday night ~10:30 pm EST on YouTube or X as Justice and I bring you The G5 Hive Live. We break down the week that was and look forward to the week ahead.