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Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

These guys are generally available in at least 70% of Sleeper leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then, you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Believe it or not, Jones has tallied three top-15 fantasy finishes over the past four weeks.

His best outing came Sunday at Seattle – despite missing rookie sensation Malik Nabers (concussion).

Nabers should return this week against Cincinnati, boosting Jones’ spot-start profile.

Running Backs

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 35-50%

We have highlighted Bigsby before, but he's still available in nearly 80% of fantasy leagues.

Bigsby out-snapped RB Travis Etienne in the Week 5 win over the Colts for the first time. And he led the Jags with 13 carries, 101 rushing yards, and 2 TDs. 

HC Doug Pederson commented that it was due to Etienne’s shoulder injury limiting him in the second half, but Bigsby was outplaying Etienne when both were on the field.

Bigsby has simply been the better runner so far this season and figures to remain heavily involved going forward. If he becomes the primary RB for the Jaguars, he could be an every-week starter.

Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-18%

The rookie totaled 129 yards on 18 carries in the Giants’ surprising win over the Seahawks. 

That’s 34 more rushing yards – and 1.3 more yards per carry – than RB Devin Singletary managed in any of the season's first four games. 

Singletary should be back from his groin injury for Week 6, but Tracy’s performance has earned him playing time moving forward.

A former college WR, Tracy should maintain a pass-catching role even when Singletary returns.

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-18%

The Vikings have a Week 6 bye. But if RB Aaron Jones’ hip injury costs him time beyond that, Chandler will step in as the lead back. 

He mustered just 30 yards on 14 carries vs. the Jets on Sunday. But, as the lead back over the final five games of last season, Chandler averaged 59 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, and 0.4 TDs.

Note: Third-string RB Myles Gaskin mixed in for only 2 carries (1 target) in Week 5.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Corum played ahead of RB Ronnie Rivers for the first time this season, out-touching him 6-0. 

It looks like the rookie has captured the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, making him the handcuff to RB Kyren Williams in this RB-friendly offense.

Corum even had two goal-line carries in the game. Though they were not successful, they show that he is already trusted in key situations.

The Rams are on bye for Week 6, but stash Corum, who could be an instant fantasy starter if Williams goes down.

Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

We mentioned Johnson previously, but he’s still only rostered in 11.2% of ESPN leagues. 

He’s the clear No. 2 behind D’Andre Swift. But there’s value in that role, particularly as Caleb Williams and the Bears offense improve.

Chicago’s clearly comfortable giving Johnson high-value touches. The second-year back has scored five career TDs from the 2 yard-line or closer.

Wide Receivers

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Smith-Schuster replaced the production of Rashee Rice, finishing Monday Night Football with 7 catches for 130 yards.

As the Chiefs figure out their pass-catcher situation, Smith-Schuster and TE Travis Kelce appear to be the leaders. 

He tied for second on the team with Xavier Worthy playing 67% on snaps. 

With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, this offense could explode at any point this season. It is worth having Smith-Schuster on the bench to use in good matchups or if the Chiefs get their mojo back and start putting up 30+ in most games.

The Chiefs are on bye this week then have a favorable schedule against the 49ers, Raiders and Buccaneers after that.

Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

A knee infection landed WR Brandin Cooks on IR and elevated Tolbert to the No. 2 WR role.

He led the Cowboys with 10 targets against the Steelers, catching seven for 87 yards. That included the game-winning TD after Tolbert briefly left the game with testicular torsion.

Between byes and injuries, you could do worse than Tolbert as a flex option when he draws a favorable match-up.

Tight End

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Conklin tallied a 6-55-0 line on 9 targets in the Jets’ loss to the Vikings. 

He has now racked up 23 targets over his last three games and ranks eighth among all TEs in targets through five weeks.

That’s enough to make Conklin a low-end TE1 going forward, especially with many fantasy TEs disappointing week to week.

Deep-League Waiver Wire Pickups

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Here’s HC Jerod Mayo assessing Jacoby Brissett’s play vs. Miami.

"It just wasn’t good enough," Mayo said. "I thought we played well enough defensively and on special teams to win the football game. As the quarterback, and he understands this, he touches the ball on every single play and we didn’t win the game or score enough points to win the game. I think he would echo that same sentiment, that it wasn’t good enough." 

There’s a chance New England turns to Maye for a spark within the next couple of weeks. His rushing ability gives him a shot at contributing in superflex formats.

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Miller is off of IR after his hamstring injury, but he was still inactive on Monday night against the Chiefs.

He practiced fully throughout the week and should be ready to go next week. He could possibly step right into the No. 2 RB role behind Alvin Kamara, with Jamaal Williams disappointing so far this season, averaging just over three yards per rush over the past three games.

At the end of last season, the former third-round pick showed that he has fresher legs than Jamaal Williams and has a ton of upside in OC Klint Kubiak’s offense.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

We lean towards a 5% bid here, as Miami enters a Week 6 bye.

Wright has impressed in limited action, though.

Filling in for De'Von Achane, Wright showcased not only his speed but also some power. He ran the ball 13 times against the Patriots for 86 yards.

And if De’Von Achane isn’t cleared from his concussion for Week 7, Wright would carry RB2 upside against Indianapolis.

Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Whittington led the Rams with seven catches and 89 receiving yards in the loss to the Packers.

He racked up 10 targets – a week after drawing 8. 

The Rams have a Week 6 bye and expect to get WR Cooper Kupp back for Week 7. 

But Whittington has a chance to remain relevant, at least in deeper fantasy leagues, until WR Puka Nacua returns. Whittington has led the Rams WRs in snaps over the last two weeks and been the most effective. With his use in motion as well as along the outside, he could retain a WR3 role.

Nacua’s not expected back until Week 8 at the earliest.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

We’re not overreacting to Slayton’s huge Week 5 (8-122-1 on a team-high 32.3% target share.)

After all, Malik Nabers missed that one with a concussion. Odds are, he’ll return for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. 

If not – Slayton will retain some spot-start appeal. Cincinnati’s allowed lead WRs to hit 75 yards in four straight.

Michael Wilson, Cardinals

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Wilson’s seen only two fewer targets than Marvin Harrison Jr. over the past three weeks. 

Sunday against San Francisco, the veteran impressed with 5 catches for 78 yards on a 20% target share.

Kyler Murray’s up and down play figures to ensure volatility here. Wilson, though, boasts the talent and opportunity to deliver in the right matchup.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Panthers

Blind-bid recommendation: 1-3%

Panthers TE Tommy Tremble left Sunday’s game with a concussion and Ian Thomas is nearing the end of his IR stint. 

That again left Sanders as the starting TE for most of the Panthers’ loss to the Bears. 

He tied for second on the team in targets with five, catching three for 13 yards.

The starting spot may be short-lived, but Sanders is worth a bench spot in a deep league case of a breakout.

Top Streaming Defense for Week 6

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos

The Chargers' defense has been one of the most effective so far this season, ranking third in DVOA through four games. Giving up only 12.5 points per game remains the best mark in the league through five weeks.

Not only have they stifled opposing offenses, but the Chargers are also averaging nearly 2 turnovers and 3 sacks per game.

If you want to learn more about this matchup and other defenses to stream this week, check out our Streaming Defense Guide for Week 6.

Grab This Guy

Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

If the Patriots opt to start looking toward the future and start rookie QB Drake Maye, the youth on the rest of the team should thrive. 

Maye gives the Patriots offense and weapons upside, and none have more upside than Polk. 

He has also earned more playing time. Polk was on the field for 83% of snaps two weeks ago and then 100% of snaps this past week.

By the snap counts, Polk has become the de facto top WR on the Patriots.

Polk is the most talented WR on the roster, and despite only catching one pass this past week, he has proved his upside. He caught what should have been an incredible TD that was ruled incomplete due to the weird catch rules.

Drop Candidates

Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns

He’s the QB26 in fantasy points per game, and the tape is downright ugly. A new injury for TE David Njoku won't help the passing game.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

White missed Sunday’s game with a groin injury. Even when healthy, he’s performed as one of the league’s least-efficient RBs. 

Zeke Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Since a 10-carry opener, Elliott's attempts have gone 6, 3, 5, 6. He's managed just 3.3 YPC for the season.

Cam Akers, RB, Houston Texans

In a surprising twist, Akers was out-carried 15-9 by Dare Ogunbowale in Week 5. Joe Mixon should return within the next two weeks.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Buffalo Bills

Samuel had a golden chance to produce with Khalil Shakir sidelined. Instead, he caught only 1 of 4 targets for 0 yards. Samuel signed a sizable offseason deal, but it hasn’t amounted to much: 9 catches, 48 yards, and 0 TDs through 5 games.

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.