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Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Rico Dowdle, Michael Carter, Nick Chubb in 2025. Read their waiver wire outlooks for fantasy football.
In Week 6 of the NFL season, many backfields saw the No. 2 option emerge due to numerous reasons. In Arizona and Carolina, the top option was injured, which allowed the backup to be pushed up the depth chart and given a much larger opportunity.
In this piece, we will look at three of the top running backs available on waivers and determine if they are worth targeting ahead of Week 6.
So, should you pick up Dowdle, Carter, or Chubb in your fantasy football leagues for Week 6 of 2025? Let's dive in.
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Rico Dowdle Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 45% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in all leagues
With Chuba Hubbard (calf) sidelined, the Panthers turned to Rico Dowdle to lead the backfield on Sunday afternoon. After tallying over 1,000 yards in Dallas last season, Dowdle has seen his role quite limited, serving as the clear No. 2 option to Hubbard. However, in Week 5, Dowdle proved he can still operate as the top running back.
During the victory over the Miami Dolphins, Dowdle enjoyed a career day, totaling 206 yards and a score on 23 attempts. Through the air, he caught three of his four targets for 28 yards.
Dowdle flashed immense upside in this start as he posted two 40+ yard rushes, including a 53-yard run.
Even if Hubbard can return in Week 6, managers should still view Dowdle as a priority target on the waiver wire. While Hubbard was effective in the lead role, Dowdle flashed a different level of potential and could be in the mix to serve as the "1B" in a committee, given his dominant showing. In addition, if Hubbard's injury lingers, Dowdle would continue to carry high-end RB2 upside in the short term.
In Week 6, Dowdle could be in store for another productive showing facing his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.
Rico Dowdle Explodes for 234 All-Purpose Yards and a Score https://t.co/t28p39ixvG
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 6, 2025
Michael Carter Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 35% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in all leagues
The other backup running back who was pushed to the top of the depth chart was Michael Carter of the Arizona Cardinals. With both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) on the IR, Carter was able to serve as the lead back. While there were concerns that third-down option Emari Demercado could operate in a traditional role with Carter, the Cardinals opted to lean heavily on Carter.
In their loss to the Tennessee Titans, Carter led the way, logging just under 60% of the team's snaps. He took 18 carries for 51 yards and a score. Through the air, Carter was also heavily involved, catching all five of his targets for 22 yards.
In addition, Demercado may have fumbled his No. 2 job after he opted to celebrate prematurely before crossing the goal line, which resulted in a turnover. Given Carter's strong debut and Demercado's costly fumble, expect the Cardinals to lean heavily on the UNC product until Benson is cleared to return from their injured reserve.
He should be viewed as a must-add in all formats ahead of a Week 6 tilt against the Indianapolis Colts. While Benson is expected to re-take the lead role once he returns, he could potentially miss up to eight weeks, which could keep Carter in the RB2 territory for them for the majority of the regular season.
Michael Carter Scores Touchdown in High-Volume Role Sunday https://t.co/BQbAde9AKw
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 6, 2025
Nick Chubb Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 65% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in all leagues
The final player we will look at in this piece is Nick Chubb. While Chubb is likely rostered in most 12+ team formats, there are several shallower formats in which the veteran is available. In fact, following his disappointing showing in Week 4, where he took just 13 carries for a modest 47 yards and was overshadowed by rookie Woody Marks, many managers cut ties with the aging veteran.
However, in Week 5, the Texans opted to lean on Chubb instead of Marks. In their victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Chubb took 11 carries for 61 yards and a score, while Marks ran the ball just seven times for a low 24 yards.
In the previous week, Marks looked like the league's breakout runner, rushing back as he raced up two touchdowns with 69 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards on 21 total touches.
Following their victory, head coach DeMeco Ryans noted that the usage of both running backs will be fluid and dependent on the flow of the game.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said usage of Nick Chubb and Woody Marks is game plan dependent and also the flow of the game, a lot dependent on running backs coach Danny Barrett input @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 6, 2025
While this will limit both of their ceilings, as both running backs will be tough to trust as must-start RB2s on a weekly basis.
However, they should carry FLEX upside on a weekly basis with the potential to reach high-end RB2 status if one of them were to miss time. Both Chubb and Marks should still be viewed as must-roster players in all formats.
Who Should I Pickup Tool
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