October 12, 2015

Ed Gorelik analyzes Week 6 sleepers available on your 2015 fantasy football waiver wire. These NFL running backs (RBs), wide receivers (WRs), tight ends (TEs) and quarterbacks (QBs) are fantasy football sleepers.

Waiver Wire Adds for Week Six

The fifth Sunday of the season is through, and the wackiness continues. The Redskins gave the Falcons a huge scare, while Cincinnati cemented its place amongst the top teams of the AFC with a comeback win over the Seahawks. And there's still another big matchup on tonight's Monday Night slate.

Week 5 saw the return of Demarco Murray to fantasy relevance, an ACL tear for Jamaal Charles, and incredible fantasy performances from some of the league's most fringe quarterbacks like Josh McCown and Blake Bortles. For the most part, the players we're looking at for Week 6 are on the deep side of the waiver wire but that doesn't mean there isn't something in here for you.

Below are some waiver wire pickups and sleepers for Week 6 who can have a potential impact for your teams. My piece won't cover all waiver wire adds and targets each week, as there are just too many with all the league types out there, but I'll be highlighting and prioritize the biggest impact players. Additionally, be sure to check out many more great RotoBaller articles and waiver wire analysis pieces at each position throughout the week, including risers/fallers, deeper league sleepers, rankings and more.

Week 6 Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

Blake Bortles (QB, JAX) & Brian Hoyer (QB, HOU) - 38% & 8% Owned on Fleaflicker

There aren't a lot of QBs lower on the fantasy totem pole than Blake Bortles and Brian Hoyer, but for one moment in Week 5 a glimmer of fantasy relevance shined. There's also a chance these two shine again in Week 6.

Both players face each other in Week 6 with similar situations around them: strong receivers, bad coaching, and weak defenses. In games like these, I like to think the talent of the supporting cast (like DeAndre Hopkins, Arian Foster, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and a possibly healthy Julius Thomas) will cause the game to turn into a mediocre shootout. What that means is a lot of ugly plays in between a lot of bulk yardage offensive plays, much like the Tampa Bay and Jacksonville game.

Both defenses rank amongst the bottom eight passing defenses in DVOA, and that comes with only a few games between them against difficult competition- so they're ripe for being beat. With QB bye weeks in full effect, either of these QBs can become potential top 12 performers this week.

Other Quarterback Options: Jay Cutler - 32% owned, Blake Bortles - 25% owned, Josh McCown - 6% owned, Joe Flacco - 58% owned, Derek Carr - 46% owned, Brian Hoyer - 2% owned, Ryan Fitzpatrick - 11% owned, Jameis Winston - 21% owned, Alex Smith - 41% owned

Week 6 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

Charcandrick West (RB, KC) - 3% Owned on Fleaflicker

The must own pickup of Week 6, Charcandrick West, is the next man up for a Chiefs. This is an offense that relies so heavily on it's running back, that Shonn Greene would be a potential number one overall waiver wire pick if he was here. West took the number two spot from Knile Davis just two weeks ago, and after Charles injury, nothing seems to say that he won't hold that spot for at least a week.

Most people know about Andy Reid's history of running back usage from Brian Westbrook, to LeSean McCoy, and now Jamaal Charles - but I'm going to give you a little bit about his usage of the backup who took over for those players. When LeSean McCoy went down for four games in 2012, Bryce Brown had 71 carries for 387 yards, four touchdowns, and 11 receptions for 42 yards. That's nearly 100 yards a game at a 5.5 YPC pace and one TD per game.

Last year when Jamaal Charles suffered an injury in Week 2, Kniles Davis relieved him for the remainder of that game, and started the next game. Davis had 54 total carries for 211 yards, three touchdowns, and six receptions for 26 yards.

My point is: West is going to get work. A lot of work. Barring the signing of another player, West is going to get at least 20 carries to prove his worth next week. However, if the team signs a RB like Ahmad Bradshaw, Pierre Thomas, or Ray Rice, pick them up immediately.

Antonio Andrews (RB, TEN) - 13% Owned on Fleaflicker

Although Andrews didn't see the bulk of the carries this week, he's definitely seeing the most valuable action. He's now had rushing touchdowns in back-to-back games with the Titans, in addition to a couple of receptions. Outside of the touchdowns, the production hasn't been very strong - but at this point, with a lack of clear starter at RB, the guy who's getting those touchdowns might be the guy who ends up getting the team to the red zone too. Until David Cobb returns, there's still a chance for Andrews to become the first running option on this team. You shouldn't rush to get him, but in deeper benches or benches lacking any sort of upside - he's worth a look.

Other Running Back Options: Duke Johnson - 49% owned, Darren McFadden - 35% owned, Ryan Mathews - 50% owned, Shane Vereen - 44% owned, Matt Jones - 47% owned, David Johnson - 38% owned, Thomas Rawls - 47% owned, Charles Sims - 19% owned, Chris Thompson - 5% owned, Theo Riddick - 5% owned, Dan Herron - 23% owned, Boobie Dixon - 22% owned, Cameron Artis-Payne - 2% owned,Marcel Reece - 9% owned, Ahmad Bradshaw - 11% owned, Ray Rice - 8% owned, Pierre Thomas - 6% owned

Week 6 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

Willie Snead (WR, NO) - 22% Owned on Fleaflicker

I've mentioned before that I love being able to write about a player two weeks in a row. Snead has proven to be one of Brees' favorite players to look for, as he racked up six receptions on 11 targets for 141 yards in Week 5. That was after putting up 89 yards on six receptions the week prior in primetime. It's very clear that he's not a fluke in this offense, especially since he plays ahead of preseason hype darling Brandon Coleman. And he has more receiving yards than another preseason hype darling, Brandin Cooks. Snead needs to be owned in all leagues at this point.

Jamison Crowder (WR, WAS) - 6% Owned on Fleaflicker

Crowder's value is going to be heavily tied to how long DeSean Jackson remains out for, but even if he does return this week there's a chance that Crowder's role may remain steady. After all, the Redskins definitely drafted him with the intent of using him. Over the past three weeks, Crowder has been on the field for at least 50% of the snaps - gaining a total of 21 catches, on 26 targets, for 197 yards. They aren't mind-blowing numbers, but if you're looking for depth in a PPR league, Crowder might be able to give you what Pierre Garcon used to give everyone.

Other Wide Receiver Options: Allen Hurns - 55% owned, Cecil Shorts - 7% owned, Michael Crabtree - 53% owned, Rueben Randle - 51% owned, Kamar Aiken - 24% owned, Ty Montgomery - 10% owned, Marvin Jones - 36% owned, Marquess Wilson - 7% owned, Cole Beasley - 11% owned, Mohamed Sanu - 3% owned, Tavon Austin - 48% owned, Dwayne Harris - 2% owned, Ted Ginn - 32% owned, Eddie Royal - 39% owned, Dontrelle Inman - 1% owned, Dorial Green-Beckham - 24% owned, Stedman Bailey - 0% owned, Josh Huff - 3% owned, Chris Hogan - 1% owned, Tyler Lockett - 21% owned, Bruce Ellington - 2% owned

Week 6 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

Gary Barnidge (TE, CLE) - 46% Owned on Fleaflicker

Another player I mentioned last week, Gary Barnidge just doesn't make sense. At 30 years old he is having his breakout season, becoming the second tight end to breakout for the Browns in the last three years. It's just like Justin Forsett last year - a player with no business being good, actually being good. Barnidge is on pace for 77 catches, 1,200 yards, and 10 touchdowns right now. That would be an amazing top three tight end season that might compete with Gronkowski for #1 overall. He's had at least six receptions, 75 yards, and a touchdown in his last three games. At this point, he needs to be owned and started in all leagues.

Jacob Tamme (TE, ATL) - 5% Owned on Fleaflicker

When Leonard Hankerson got injured, it was Jacob Tamme who picked up the slack on his way to eight receptions and 94 yards. If Hankerson's injury continues to bother him, or maybe the offense realizes that Tamme might be worth throwing to, there's a lot of value to be had. Kyle Shanahan has worked with some pretty talented tight ends before like Jordan Reed and Fred Davis (well, there was a time when he was good), so he knows how to use these guys when they're capable. If Tamme's near 100 yard performance is convincing enough, then maybe the work starts to spread around. Tamme's worth owning if you're lacking a good starting tight end, but if you've already got an every week guy, then he's a luxury.

Other Tight End Options: Antonio Gates - 53% owned, Richard Rodgers - 46% owned, Ladarius Green - 30% owned, Larry Donnell - 45% owned, Derek Carrier - 3% owned, Coby Fleener - 23% owned
Benjamin Watson - 4% owned, Jared Cook - 15% owned, Brent Celek - 5% owned, Will Tye - 0% owned, Garrett Celek - 5% owned

Week 6 Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups

Minnesota Vikings - 22% Owned on Fleaflicker

The honest truth is that no D/ST matchup looks particularly appetizing on the waivers. Of what remains, the Vikings show the best chance to overwhelm their opponent. With Jamaal Charles out for the Chiefs, the biggest threat in the game is gone. It's likely that the Vikings choose to spend a lot of time trying to force Alex Smith into making poor decisions, now that he's without his biggest safety valve. With playmakers like Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, and Everson Griffin, the potential is high for turnovers - and without the chiefs offensive playmaker, so are the chances of a low scoring game.

Other Defense (D/ST) Options: Miami Dolphins - 25% owned

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