Welcome to the Week 6 Waiver Wire. In this article, I will highlight the players you should prioritize on waivers as we head into Week 6. I have broken down my targets into shallow, standard, and deeper league options. However, I will list more options under the standard column, as that will be the most popular range of targets.
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Week 6 Deep League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will apply to leagues with deeper benches and more experienced managers, with players available in at least 75% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Dillon Gabriel, Browns (12% Rostered) | $3-5
It appears as if Joe Flacco‘s time as the Cleveland Brown’s starter has come to an end, ushering in the dawn of Dillon Gabriel‘s time. In his first NFL start, Gabriel put together a competent performance, but the Vikings ultimately fell to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Gabriel threw for only 190 yards, but his two touchdowns and zero interceptions were a positive sign for a rookie getting his first taste of NFL action.
Next week, Gabriel will get to make his first start on U.S. soil when he travels to Pittsburgh. It’s not a great matchup, and as of now, he has only mediocre upside, so you shouldn’t expect to pick him up and start him immediately. Gabriel isn’t a plug-and-play option but rather a long-term play. We hope he can be a breakout in the coming weeks and second half of the season. Consider him a stash for now, but a stash that showed great potential in his first game.
Spencer Rattler, Saints (11% Rostered) | $2-4
Rattler is the Dollar Store version of Daniel Jones, who is the Walmart version of Justin Fields. Despite earning the Saints’ first win of the season in Week 5, he continues to struggle as a passer. He managed a season-high 225 passing yards, but the majority of that came on a home-run ball to Rashid Shaheed. However, Rattler has shown the ability to offer rushing production for fantasy managers, albeit a far lower rushing floor than that of Justin Fields.
The Saints get a winnable game against the Patriots in Week 6, so he could be worth starting next week against a New England secondary that has been awful. Rattler has thrown for more than one touchdown in only one game this season, and if he is going to become a worthwhile fantasy quarterback, that will have to change. The Saints are a bad offense, and he is a mediocre quarterback, but if he is able to be a competent passer and add in some rushing production, he may be a streamer for desperate managers.
Other Options: Mac Jones, 49ers (6% Rostered); Carson Wentz, Vikings (15% Rostered).
Running Backs
Zavier Scott, Vikings (11% Rostered) | $2-3
Following Week 4, it appeared as if this Vikings backfield was a 50/50 split, with Jordan Mason doing all the rushing and Zavier Scott getting all the receiving work. Fooled you! In Week 5 against the Browns, the receiving work went back to Mason, while the bulk of the carries also went to Mason. Scott did receive five carries but managed only 18 yards against an elite Browns defense.
Moving forward, I don’t believe this is going to be a 50/50 split, but Scott should have a large enough role to make him fantasy-relevant in better matchups. It is worth noting that Scott is not an immediate target but rather a long-term stash. In Week 6, the Vikings are on a bye, and after that, they face the Eagles, Chargers, and Lions. If his receiving work goes back to Week 4 levels, he could be a great flex option, especially in full PPR leagues.
Zonovan Knight, Cardinals (0% Rostered) | $3-4
With James Conner and Trey Benson both sidelined for the foreseeable future, it was a mystery exactly who would be the next man up in Arizona. That answer was not Bam Knight or Emari Demercado, but instead, Michael Carter. Carter saw 18 of the team’s 25 carries and was easily the most used and effective back in the Arizona backfield. However, despite Carter being used as the workhorse, Knight was still able to secure four carries and a rushing touchdown, and he looked to potentially be the short-yardage or goal-line back for the Cardinals.
Next week, Arizona gets the Indianapolis Colts, and it figures to be a close game. Knight should continue to be a backup in Arizona, but even his backup role could be lucrative for fantasy. Consider Knight a handcuff for now, but one who could see his value rise as he season progresses.
Other Options: Emari Demercado, Cardinals (15% Rostered).
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (5% Rostered) | $1-2
Brock Purdy didn’t play. George Kittle didn’t play. Jauan Jennings didn’t play. Ricky Pearsall didn’t play. Wow! Who did play for the 49ers this week? Oh, that’s right. Kendrick Bourne played and exploded, just as we all predicted. Despite the 49ers having almost no offensive weapons left besides Christian McCaffrey, they got into a barn burner with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night. He managed to put up 10 catches for 142 yards on 11 targets.
Next week, it remains unclear who the 49ers will have catching passes or even who will be throwing those passes. If San Francisco is once again without some combination of Kittle, Pearsall, and Jennings, Bourne could be an excellent fantasy streamer against the Buccaneers in what could be another shootout. Bourne’s upside could be even greater if Purdy is healthy and ready to go. Eventually, Bourne will find himself back on bench warmer duty, but he is a worthwhile pickup until the rest of this offense is healthy.
Xavier Legette, Panthers (7% Rostered) | $0-1
Legette hasn’t produced at the level that the Panthers hoped when he was drafted two years ago, but a touchdown in Week 5 against the Dolphins showed he still had a faint pulse for fantasy managers.
He missed Weeks 4 and 5 due to a hamstring injury, but saw 15 targets through the first two games of the season. If Legette is healthy and can go back to receiving consistent targets, he could be usable for fantasy, especially if he can continue to find the end zone. The issue that caps his upside is the struggles of quarterback Bryce Young. If Young can become a competent passer like his draft pedigree would suggest, Legette has WR3 upside even in a bad Carolina offense.
Other Options: Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (0% Rostered); Tez Johnson, Buccaneers (0% Rostered); Tutu Atwell, Rams (2% Rostered); Jalen Nailor, Vikings (5% Rostered); Xavier Hutchinson, Texans (0% Rostered); Andrei Iosivas, CIN (3% Rostered); Luke McCaffrey, Commanders (8% Rostered).
Tight Ends
AJ Barner, Seahawks (3% Rostered) | $1-3
After receiving three or fewer targets and putting up 32 or fewer receiving yards in the first four games of the season, Barner put up seven catches for 53 yards in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In addition to that production, Barner appeared to become a solid red zone target and managed to haul in two touchdowns, giving him four on the year.
A young tight end with weekly touchdown upside is undoubtedly worth rostering, even if he’s on a run-heavy offense. Barner’s weekly pass volume in this offense makes him a low-end TE1 moving forward, and he is a great stash to pair with a more consistent veteran.
Jake Tonges, 49ers (9% Rostered) | $1-3
Everything that applied to Kendrick Bourne above applies to Tonges. Much like Barner, Tonges also made saw 11 targets this week, although he only made seven catches. He turned that into 41 yards and 1 touchdown. Tonges has been the beneficiary of the George Kittle injury and gives every sign of continuing to produce for as long as Kittle is out.
Here’s the catch. Kittle is eligible to come off the IR in Week 6, and if he returns to the 49ers lineup, it will make Tonges waiver wire fodder once again. He has been a solid producer, so it’s a shame that his production could come to an end right when he was entering trustworthy territory. Monitor the status of Kittle as Week 6 approaches. If Kittle is out, fire up Tonges. If Kittle plays, Tonges belongs on your bench and likely the waiver wire soon after. Hold him for now.
Other Options: Josh Oliver, Vikings (0% Rostered); Theo Johnson, Giants (10% Rostered); Albert Okwuegbunam, Raiders (0% Rostered); Taysom Hill, Saints (20% Rostered); Cade Otton, Buccaneers (9% Rostered).
Week 6 Standard League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to most leagues with standard benches, with players available in at least 50% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (29% Rostered) | $3-5
In his first game without Tyreek Hill, Tagovailoa didn’t seem to mind as he threw for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. While he undoubtedly misses his star receiver, he seemed far more comfortable spreading the ball around to Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, and Darren Waller instead of forcing risky throws to Hill in hopes of keeping his star happy.
This Dolphins passing game looked far better with a wide receiver by committee approach instead of as a one-man show. If they can keep it going in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers, there may be hope for Tagovailoa as a high-end QB2 after all. Keep an eye on Miami; this could be the start of a hot streak for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ offense.
Sam Darnold, Seahawks (37% Rostered) | $2-3
Darnold’s production may not always look pretty, but it was outstanding in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was able to post a phenomenal stat line of 341 yards and four touchdowns, with only one interception. This matchup was the perfect storm for Darnold as it turned into a full-blown shootout.
In Week 6, Darnold gets a far easier matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and this could be the beginning of a hot streak for Darnold similar to that of Tagovailoa. If you exclude his upcoming bye week, he also gets matchups with the Texans, Cardinals, and Commanders in his nexty four outings. All of which are easy matchups with further shootout potential. It’s time to pick up Darnold before he heats up.
Other Options: Zip. Zilch. Nada.
Running Backs
Kendre Miller, Saints (28% Rostered) | $4-5
After several weeks of inching closer and closer to Alvin Kamara in rushing work, Miller finally outcarried the veteran in Week 5 against the New York Giants. Miller saw 10 carries to eight for Kamara and was marginally more efficient with them. Kamara is still getting the bulk of the receiving work, as Miller received only one target. Regardless of how uninvolved he will be in this passing game, his heavy involvement on the ground makes him a sneaky addition.
To this point, Kamara has been the workhorse, with Miller seen as nothing more than an injury handcuff. That is slowly changing, and Miller now has standalone value to add to his handcuff value. Miller has yet to be highly productive with his increased workload, and in this basement-level offense, it’s entirely possible that most fantasy managers haven’t realized that his value is on the rise.
Devin Singletary, Giants (27% Rostered) | $8-10
Singletary finds himself in a spot where he was elevated to a backup role behind starter Cam Skattebo, with Tyrone Tracy Jr. missing Week 5 to injury. He saw minor involvement in both he rushing and receiving game and wasn’t overly impressive, but he has proven he has the talent to produce if injuries to the New York backfield continue to give him opportunities.
This isn’t a high-upside pickup, nor is it likely to be a long-term one, but if you are in desperate need of a running back next Week and Tracy Jr. is out again, Singletary is a worthwhile dart-throw.
Other Options: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (42% Rostered); Blake Corum, Rams (28% Rostered); Chris Rodriguez, Commanders (27% Rostered).
Wide Receivers
Darius Slayton, Giants (33% Rostered) | $2-4
This is another case where an injury presents us with a potential breakout streamer. Malik Nabers is done for the season, and in Week 5, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton basically split the targets between them, with the extras going to tight end Theo Johnson. Neither Giants receiver was particularly effective with their targets despite the New Orleans Saints being a particularly easy matchup.
However, Jaxson Dart appears to be a competent quarterback, and there will be better days ahead for the Giants’ offense. Take a shot on Slayton as his target volume should be excellent in this offense that is going to be playing from behind in most weeks. He is going to have up weeks and down weeks in this inconsistent offense but is still worthy of being used as a flex-option or WR3 in desperate situations.
Troy Franklin, Broncos (49% Rostered) | $2-4
Sophomore quarterback Bo Nix is consistently flirting with 40 pass attempts every week, and because of this, Franklin is a decent waiver target despite Courtland Sutton being the clear WR1 for Denver. In Week 5, Sutton received 10 targets and was highly productive with them. Marvin Mims and Franklin each saw five targets apiece and, against a tough Philadelphia defense, neither was particularly effective with them.
Over the next four weeks, the schedule for Denver is highly favorable with matchups against the Jets, Giants, Cowboys, and Texans. These are four prime matchups for the Broncos to throw the ball all over the field, which should make for some great opportunities for Franklin to post good production.
Other Options: Christian Kirk, Texans (49% Rostered); Joshua Palmer, Bills (27% Rostered).
Tight Ends
Mason Taylor, Jets (21% Rostered) | $1-3
The rookie Taylor was largely invisible in his first two NFL games before seeing six and seven targets in Weeks 3 and 4. In Week 5, against the Dallas Cowboys, he exploded for 12 targets, which he turned into nine catches for 67 yards. I don’t expect Taylor to garner 12 targets every week because Justin Fields isn’t going to throw the ball 46 times each week.
While Taylor isn’t likely to see double-digit target volume very often, he should command between five and eight targets in most weeks. With his size and talent, he should be able to turn that into top-eight tight end production. If Fields can play even halfway competently as a quarterback, Taylor could easily find himself second on the Jets in targets behind star receiver Garrett Wilson. I’m not saying Taylor has TE1 overall potential, but when looking for a TE1 potential player, I normally highlight players who could be second on their team in targets, and Taylor fits that mold.
Dalton Schultz, Texans (26% Rostered) | $1-3
The tight end section of this column is typically the boring option section, but this week, the only option in that category is Dalton Schultz. Schultz is the most consistently boring streaming tight end possible. Pencil him in for six targets and five catches for 40-50 yards every week.
Schultz is going to put up between five and 10 points every week and will keep you from getting a zero, but he won’t do much more. He provided no ceiling even in a week where C.J. Stroud erupted for four touchdowns, but if it’s a desperation bye week tight end you need, you found your guy.
Other Options: Evan Engram, Broncos (46% Rostered).
Week 6 Shallow League Waiver Wire Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to home leagues and those with shorter benches, with players available in at least 25% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud, Texans (56% Rostered) | $7-12
As I mentioned above, Stroud went off in Week 5 for 244 yards and four touchdowns against what’s left of the Baltimore Ravens’ defense. Stroud has struggled since his rookie season and has been a mid-range QB2 at best. This week gave Stroud’s fantasy managers reason for hope.
The downside to adding Stroud is that even if you believe he is going to return to his elite rookie-year production like we saw in Week 5, he has a bye in Week 6 and some tough matchups after that. Stroud is worth adding, but he is going to have to elevate his game to a new level if he hopes to continue this week’s production.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (61% Rostered) | $5-7
For the second consecutive week, Stafford threw the ball more than 40 times, and for the second consecutive week, he turned that into more than 350 yards passing. He put up 25+ fantasy points in both of those matchups, as he also threw for three touchdowns in both matchups with zero interceptions. Stafford is still an excellent quarterback with excellent weapons, but his fantasy value is perhaps the most volatile thing in fantasy football. He is one of the most injury-plagued quarterbacks in the league, and with recurring back issues, he is one awkward throw away from multiple missed weeks. He is a great add right now, but have a backup plan in place for when it all comes crashing down.
Other Options: Jaxson Dart, Giants (58% Rostered).
Running Backs
Michael Carter, Cardinals (37% Rostered) | $25-30
It was Michael Carter‘s backfield in Week 5 after Trey Benson was put on IR. The debate raged all week as to who would be the Cardinals’ running back to own between Carter and Emari Demercado, and the answer was a resounding one in favor of Carter.
Carter carried the ball 18 times for only 51 yards but managed to find his way into the end zone. Both Carter and Bam Knight averaged less than 3.0 yards per carry, so they didn’t exactly cement their status as the team’s top rushers for Week 6. Demercado was actually the most efficient, turning his three carries into 81 rushing yards, but the work belonged mostly to Carter. If Carter remains the starter for Arizona, he should have great value, but beware, he could easily be replaced by Demercado if his inefficiency continues.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers (71% Rostered) | $5-10
Chuba Hubbard missed Week 5 with an injury, which gave Rico Dowdle the chance to be a starting running back once again, and wow, did he produce with the opportunity. He carried the ball 23 times for 206 yards, rushing one touchdown.
If Hubbard continues to miss time, and Dowdle gets another chance, he should be a solid RB2. Don’t expect him to produce like this every week, as not every matchup will be as easy as the Miami Dolphins. With that in mind, he faces the Cowboys and Jets the next two weeks and should push for top-12 status as long as he is the starter.
Other Options: Nick Chubb, Cleveland (72% Rostered); Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (74% Rostered).
Wide Receivers
Rashid Shaheed, Saints (67% Rostered) | $5-10
Shaheed is the poster child for the boom-or-bust WR3. When Spencer Rattler manages to connect to him on a deep throw, he finishes as a top-12 wide receiver. When Rattler fails to link up with him, he has a 50-yard ceiling. In Week 4 against a weak Giants defense, he connected for one long bomb touchdown, which left him with a final line of four catches for 114 yards and one touchdown.
Rattler has actually been semi-competent as a starter for New Orleans, and this offense hasn’t been one to avoid entirely. Shaheed is consistently getting five targets per game behind WR1 Chris Olave, and despite his boom-or-bust potential, there is some room for him to help your fantasy squad. This is especially true during bye weeks and with a growing list of injured wide receivers around the league.
Tre Tucker, Raiders (59% Rostered) | $10-15
Despite Jakobi Meyers being widely regarded as the WR1 in the Las Vegas offense, it’s Tre Tucker who has been the Raider to roster in this passing game. He has even outproduced Brock Bowers to this point in the season.
Don’t get me wrong. There may not be a more boom-or-bust player in all of fantasy football than Tucker. But when he hits, he hits big. If you have a steady and consistent starting lineup and can afford a riskier flex play, Tucker is a great option. He has the potential to put up 40 points in any given week, but he also has a five-point downside.
Other Options: Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (65% Rostered).
Tight Ends
Darren Waller, Doplhins (69% Rostered) | $4-8
The year is 2025, and Darren Waller is a thing. I know. Crazy, right? After missing more than a year and the first three games of this season, Waller has been a stud the past two weeks. Through two games, he has eight catches for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
Waller isn’t going to stay this hot for long, and let’s be honest, he isn’t going to stay healthy. Ride the wave while you can, especially given how weak the tight end market has been to this point. Who really knows how long he can keep it going, but the absence of Tyreek Hill gives him a great opportunity.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (72% Rostered) | $3-5
Goedert has been a consistent top-10 tight end for much of his career, so if he is available on your waiver wire, pick him up. However, he is very similar to Waller in the sense that his health is unlikely to last.
For now, pick Goedert up and put him in your lineup while he is healthy and playing, just have a backup plan for when his inevitable injury pops up on the weekly practice report.
Other Options: David Njoku, Browns (70% Rostered); Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (55% Rostered).
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