RADIO
Y'all have probably already figured it out, but this isn't Pierre Camus you're reading. I've had the pleasure of having Pierre read and edit my articles since I started at RotoBaller about two years ago and he's always been willing and able to help me out whenever I had a question. However, the real reason we all love Pierre was his amazing and very often, accurate, fantasy football analysis. That's no doubt going to be a really tough act to follow up, but I'm going to give it my best try.
He's written 1,919 articles at RotoBaller, which is completely unreal and a true example of being part of the RotoBaller family and a testament to hard work, and his desire to give you all the best fantasy football analysis possible. This Waiver Wire article has been Pierre's baby and I'll be doing my best to follow up on a living legend, so I ask that you bear with me as I get my feet wet. I've been writing the weekly series of The Cut List and Finding Tight End Breakouts for Fantasy Football – Cracking the Code this season if you're interested in checking out some of my other work. You can also give me a follow on Twitter, @RobFFSlayer. My DMs are always open and I'm always willing to talk fantasy football. You got start/sit questions, trade questions, or waiver wire questions – I'm always willing to help you out.
With that said, let's get to what you're all here for – what players you should be picking up on waivers this week. We will look only at players who are rostered in 50% or fewer leagues, according to Yahoo! Players are listed in order of priority. Be sure to also check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice, and our free new Who Should I Pickup? Waiver Wire player comparison tool, to get an edge on the competition!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Running Backs – Waiver Wire Options
Mike Boone, Denver Broncos – 39% Rostered
While the Broncos have yet to play their Week 6 contest, Mike Boone played well in Week 5. In the team's first game without star running back, Javonte Williams, Boone received 7 carries and finished with 38 rushing yards. He also received three targets, which he turned into three catches for 47 yards. A total of 85 scrimmage yards while chipping in three receptions is something a lot of fantasy teams could use. That provided fantasy managers with 10 half-PPR points.
Melvin Gordon has also struggled this season and already has four fumbles. Gordon was also limited in practice all week with a rib and neck injury. He's currently listed as questionable and while it doesn't sound like his availability is in question, if he's limited in any way, it could result in Boone getting a bigger workload this week.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 34% Rostered
Rachaad White is undoubtedly one of the best handcuffs in fantasy football and his 34% rostership percentage absolutely needs to sky-rocket. He's not only a league-winning running back if Leonard Fournette gets hurt, but he's getting close to providing some stand-alone value. Over the last three games, White has received 12 carries and 13 targets, which he's turned into 11 receptions.
He's averaging 7–8 touches per game, which isn't quite enough where you can confidentially put him into your starting lineup, but he had just 10 touches in the first three weeks, so he's more than doubled his touches per game over the last three weeks. He's also received at least four targets in each of the last three games. If Fournette were to miss time, he'd walk into one of the most fantasy-friendly situations for any running back.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers – 15% Rostered
In the first few weeks of the season, Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel were splitting time behind Austin Ekeler. It didn't look like there would be a clear winner in the unfortunate event of an Ekeler injury, but that changed last week. Despite Michel and Kelley having split playing time and touches, Kelley was the more productive player. That finally created a schematic adjustment for the Chargers.
In Week 5, Kelley was the undisputed No. 2 running back behind Ekeler. He received 10 carries and finished for 49 yards and one touchdown. He also chipped in two receptions on two targets for 33 yards. Michel only had one carry. If Kelley is going to receive all of the workload behind Ekeler, which after Week 5, fantasy managers should assume he will moving forward, Kelley will have some stand-alone value, as Michel and Kelly have combined for about 8–12 touches per game. If Ekeler were to get injured and miss time, Kelley would vault into RB2 status and would be a strong weekly start.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams – 7% Rostered
With the recent news that Cam Akers would be held out of their Week 6 game due to personal reasons and that a trade may be on the horizon, Kyren Williams becomes an interesting deeper league add. Sean McVay has never seemed overly infatuated with Darrell Henderson Jr. and although he'll certainly get the first chance to be the primary ball carrier, Williams could earn more playing time as the season rolls along.
McVay talked very highly about Williams following the 2022 NFL Draft and he talked about him getting a role even with Akers in the picture. While McVay does have a history of using just one running back, there's an opportunity for Williams to earn 8–12 touches per game. He's a speculative add as he's eligible to come off IR next week, but there's also the possibility he could walk into a role as early as next week.
Others to Consider: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (15% Rostered), Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (11% Rostered), Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (12% Rostered), D’Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers (5% Rostered)
Wide Receivers – Waiver Wire Options
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys – 50% Rostered
Michael Gallup is still working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered late in the 2021 season. Returning for the 2022 season, Gallup has had to catch passes from Cooper Rush, who hasn't been bad, but is a far stretch from Dak Prescott. The last time Gallup was the Cowboys' No. 2 receiver in 2019, he finished as a high-end WR2. With Prescott under center, Gallup has the opportunity to provide WR3 value.
Dalton Schultz is also dealing with a knee injury and was inactive in Week 6. Schultz was expected to be a big part of the passing game and if he's hindered, it could create more opportunity for Gallup moving forward. Prescott is expected back in Week 7 and fantasy managers should expect Gallup's role to grow as he continues to work himself back.
In his first two games, he has eight targets, six catches, 68 yards, and one touchdown. That's with him working with a snap percentage under 60% and with Rush at quarterback. Imagine what he could do with a 90% snap share and Prescott? He should be a priority add if he's available.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals – 43% Rostered
Since returning to the lineup in Week 4, Rondale Moore has played a full starter's allotment of snaps. With no A.J. Green in Week 4, Moore was forced to play outside more than what their offense would typically ask of him. Since returning to his full-time slot role in Weeks 5 and 6, Moore has racked up 10 targets in back-to-back weeks. He's turned those 20 targets into 13 receptions and 117 yards. That's an average of 6.5 catches per game and 58.5 yards.
He's an ideal target in any PPR league because of his slot role and high completion percentage targets. Last year, fantasy managers witnessed Christian Kirk have the best season of his career playing out of the slot and it's possible Moore could work his way up into WR3 status in full-PPR leagues. While fantasy managers may be concerned about DeAndre Hopkins' return in Week 7, that concern has now been postponed with the unfortunate injury to Marquise Brown. He seemed to suffer a high ankle sprain in their Week 6 loss. If he's forced to miss time, this will keep Moore as one of Kyler Murray's top target earners for a few more weeks.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts – 38% Rostered
Alec Pierce absolutely needs to be on your radar after strong performances over the last four weeks. He's had three catches in each of his last four games and he's recorded at least 60 yards receiving or a touchdown in each of those contests. He's been that productive despite not playing more than 65% of the snaps in any game. You can look at that one of two ways – one, the production is likely to stop due to the lack of playing time, or two, the production will lead to increased playing time. If you believe the former, then maybe Pierce isn't for you. However, I'm inclined to believe that an offense in desperate need of more play-makers is going to find more ways to get their rookie second-round pick on the field more frequently.
He's earned 27 targets in the last four weeks, which is an average of 6.75 targets per game. Over a 17-game season, that's a 115-target pace. That's enough volume for WR3 production. The Colts have positive matchups in the next four weeks, going up against the Titans, Commanders, Patriots, and Raiders. Don't be surprised if a rookie being this productive early doesn't see his role grow as the season moves along.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders – 36% Rostered
Due to Jahan Dotson's two-week absence due to a hamstring injury, many fantasy managers may have been forced to drop him. When he suffered the injury, it was reported he would miss 1–2 weeks. This would mean Dotson could be in line to return to action in Week 7. Prior to getting injured, Dotson was showing why the Commanders took him in the first round. He had earned 22 targets through the first four weeks, a pace of 94 over 17-games and one of those games was shortened due to injury.
While that volume likely leaves him as just a WR4, we need to remember that was his volume over his very first four games in the NFL. It's very likely he'll get better as the season rolls along and he was already pretty good as it was. He had scored four touchdowns in his first four games. While the trio of Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Dotson is going to limit his overall target share, the sheer number of routes he was running will give him plenty of opportunities. He was No. 10 in routes run per game in Weeks 1–4.
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans – 21% Rostered
Treylon Burks is still on IR for a mid-foot sprain and won't be eligible to return until Week 9, so fantasy managers will need to decide whether or not they can handle waiting on Burks. If you're able to drop your kicker to stash him on the IR for the next 2–3 weeks, it very well could be worth your while. The results over the first four weeks weren't anything special and fantasy managers will need a lot more than he showed in those first few weeks to earn a spot in their starting lineup, much less their bench.
But here's the thing, with our last few bench spots, we should be stashing players that have a high upside. Someone like Mecole Hardman has no upside, but someone like Khalil Herbert or someone like Treylon Burks, they have an upside. Over the past few years, rookie receivers have provided immediate production and that trend has continued this year with Drake London, Garrett Wilson, and Jahan Dotson displaying varying levels of success.
Robert Woods has very much looked like a 30-year-old receiver coming off a torn ACL injury and if Burks is able to get healthy, he could become the No. 1 receiver in Tennessee. His rookie profile and draft capital say he's very good at football and betting on talent is always a good bet to make.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars – 20% Rostered
The number of targets he's earned in his five active games this year does not align with his current rostership status. He has 37 targets through five games, which is an average of 7.4 targets per game. That equates to 126 targets over 17 games. That's WR2 volume. He has three games where he's earned at least eight targets. Someone earning that much weekly volume really shouldn't be on your waivers.
Even if he's not someone you're going to be starting, he makes for an excellent bye week or injury fill-in because of that volume. While the overall production is somewhat lagging behind what his volume would otherwise indicate, if he continues seeing weeks with 8+ targets, he'll have weeks where he pops off for WR2 value as he did in Week 3 when he had 10 catches, 85 yards, and one touchdown. Over the next four weeks, the Jaguars play the Giants, Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs. While the Broncos have an excellent secondary, the other three opponents could make Jones a viable streamer given his target volume.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants – 7% Rostered
Wan'Dale Robinson finally returned to the field in Week 6 after suffering a knee injury in Week 1 and while he only played 16 snaps, the results were quite encouraging. He registered four targets, three receptions, 37 yards, and one touchdown. He led all Giants receivers in targets, receptions, and yards. He did that on just 16 snaps.
That's pretty impressive for a rookie coming off an extended absence. New York is desperately looking for another playmaker on offense behind Saquon Barkley and Robinson showed in Week 6 that he might be able to be that guy. He certainly showed he can be the No. 1 receiver for the Giants. Robinson is going to be the Giants' starting slot receiver, a position that kept Sterling Shepard very busy on Sundays. Don't be surprised if Robinson can provide WR3 value in full-PPR leagues if he works up to a full complement of snaps.
Others to Consider: Nico Collins, Houston Texans (20% Rostered), Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs (10% Rostered)
Tight Ends – Waiver Wire Options
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars – 35% Rostered
Evan Engram is a more appealing option in PPR leagues because he has yet to register a single touchdown, but his target and reception totals are something that is appealing to any fantasy manager looking for a tight end. He has four games with at least four receptions. After six games, Engram has earned 5.3 targets per game, a number that would result in a 91-target season over 17 games.
His low touchdown potential and his shallow average depth of target certainly limit his upside to backend TE1 or high-end TE2, but there just are not many tight ends in the league who will finish the year with 90 targets. He has a three-year history of being a top-10 tight end in PPG and with Engram on a new team and learning a new system, it's reasonable to expect his second half of the season to be better than his first.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos – 1% Rostered
This is purely a speculative add, but Albert Okwuegbunam hasn't done anything to distinguish himself from the other tight ends in Denver, and now through five weeks of the season, the Broncos are using a tight end by committee. They have together generated 26 targets, 14 receptions, and 133 yards. The numbers leave a lot to be desired.
However, Dulcich was drafted by this new regime and could instantly become Denver's primary receiving tight end. While he is a rookie, which should have fantasy managers pause about his ability to produce fantasy-relevant numbers right away, he is a big and explosive receiver, which has historically translated to fantasy success for tight ends.
While Courtland Sutton is cemented as Russell Wilson's No. 1 target, Jerry Jeudy has somewhat struggled, and with the injury to Javonte Williams, there's an avenue for Dulcich to become Wilson's No. 2 or No. 3 target most weeks. If he becomes the primary receiving tight end in Denver, he could yet provide value to fantasy managers in deep leagues.
Others to Consider: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (36% Rostered), Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6% Rostered), Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants (2% Rostered)
Quarterbacks – Waiver Wire Options
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears – 39% Rostered
Don't look now, but Justin Fields has quietly had his two best fantasy performances of the season in Weeks 5 and 6. He has back-to-back games of over 17 points and he's starting to live up to some of the offseason hype fantasy managers had for him. No one was expecting Fields to be this great pocket passer, so try not to get too focused on his passing stats. More importantly, he has four straight games of 47 rushing yards or more. He's currently on pace for 799 rushing yards.
With that kind of rushing value, his passing stats do not need to increase by all that much for him to become a viable starter and even less for him to be a legit weekly streamer. While his next two opponents are not ideal – Patriots and Cowboys – from Weeks 9–12, the Bears go up against the Dolphins, Lions, Falcons, and Jets. All four are positive matchups for fantasy quarterbacks. From Weeks 1–3, Fields had just 45 pass attempts and just 297 passing yards. However, in Weeks 4–6, he's attempted 70 passes and has 572 passing yards. It's starting to come together.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants – 30% Rostered
Much like Justin Fields, Daniel Jones is running at an elite rate. He's currently on pace for 670 rushing yards and that's despite dealing with a sprained ankle the past couple of weeks. Having a quarterback who provides that kind of rushing value gives fantasy managers a solid floor, but maybe more importantly an upside.
The passing production has been limited, but in Jones' defense, there's been a lot of turnover and injuries at the receiver position. The lack of production in that positional group is going to be something that the team has to deal with all year, but it should get better now that rookie Wan'Dale Robinson is healthy.
If you're streaming quarterbacks, the Giants will face off against the Jaguars, Seahawks, Texans, and Lions over the next five weeks. They have their bye week between the Seahawks and Texans. The Seahawks and Lions are two of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Jaguars were just shredded by the ghost of Matt Ryan.
Team Defenses – Waiver Wire Options
Cincinnati Bengals – 36% Rostered
The Bengals' defense has mostly struggled this season, scoring more than seven points on just two occasions. However, there are some strong indicators for future success. They've generated eight turnovers and nine sacks, so it's not like they're not generating fantasy-producing plays.
They've also held four of their six opponents to 20 points or fewer. When you put that all together, it's only a matter of time before this defense starts producing for fantasy managers. They also have a positive stretch coming up fantasy managers should want to take advantage of. They go up against the Falcons, Browns, and Panthers over the next three weeks.
It shouldn't be a surprise to see the Bengals string together three of their better performances of the season. All three opponents have below-average defenses, which should help Joe Burrow and company get back on track. If the offense is able to get out in front, the Bengals' defense will be able to be more aggressive and have more opportunities for sacks and turnovers.
Others to Consider: Indianapolis Colts – 37% Rostered
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice
