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Hayden's unexpected fantasy football performances, waiver wire sleepers, and trade targets for Week 7 (2024). Can these NFL players sustain Week 6's success?
The sixth NFL Sunday of the 2024 season was entertaining but filled with injuries. Travis Etienne Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., and Chris Olave were among the players whose injuries saddened both fans and fantasy managers. Lions star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson's catastrophic tibia fracture was another tragic development.
Fortunately, many other players shined to inject some positivity into the day. Tampa Bay wideout Chris Godwin dominated New Orleans with 11 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Texans RB Joe Mixon also excelled with 132 scrimmage yards and two scores in his return from an ankle sprain.
There were also some more surprising standouts, though. Let's dive into five of this week's unexpected boom performances, starting with two from the game in London.
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Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a slow start to the season for fantasy managers. Through four games, Williams had just 787 passing yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. He picked it up in Week 5, though, throwing for 304 yards and two scores.
Williams's Week 6 outing against Jacksonville was his best yet as a pro. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards, four touchdowns, and one (admittedly rough) interception. Williams also rushed four times for 56 yards. His excellent showing led the Bears to a 35-16 victory where Chicago led by double digits during the entire second half.
With 29.64 fantasy points, Williams sits atop the quarterback leaderboard for Week 6 ahead of Monday Night Football. Williams has clearly gotten a better feel for the pro game over the past couple of weeks. One key fourth-quarter throw on the run was reminiscent of his extraordinary improvising while in college.
Caleb just doing it all out there.
📺: #JAXvsCHI on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/nFqEhodc8r— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Given that Williams is already rostered in many fantasy leagues, he is not a waiver target this week for most managers. His stock is rising, though. Those who jumped off the Williams bandwagon after his first few games with Chicago need to quickly find their way back on. Williams will face Washington in Week 8 after a bye week.
Gabe Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Buffalo Bills receiver Gabe Davis joined the Jaguars this offseason on a three-year deal. His start to his Jacksonville tenure was not great. In the first five weeks of the season, Davis caught just 12 of 25 targets for 159 yards. He also did not find the endzone at all during that stretch despite five red zone targets.
Davis's Week 6 appearance yielded interesting results. He definitely provided some quality moments for fantasy managers. Davis caught five of eight targets for 45 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears in London. Both scores came in the second half with Jacksonville trailing by multiple possessions.
Trevor steps up in the pocket and finds Gabe Davis in the end zone 🔥
📺: #JAXvsCHI on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LogTwgV3FG— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Unfortunately, Davis had two more potential touchdown receptions go in and out of his hands. Despite his decent stat line, many Jaguars fans were dismayed by Davis's overall performance. Nonetheless, his 19.0 half-PPR points placed him as the fifth-best WR for the week before the Monday game.
With eight targets, Davis ranked second on his team behind TE Evan Engram in Week 6. However, both Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. have outperformed him this season. It will be hard to trust Davis as a fantasy option moving forward. Fantasy managers needing a receiver should still consider adding him, though.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker saw minimal involvement as a rookie in 2023. The young back had just 15 carries for 23 yards and two receptions for nine yards a year ago. That lack of action continued into 2024, as Tucker had just three touches for 21 yards through Week 5 this season.
With Tampa Bay's starting running back Rachaad White sidelined with a foot issue in Week 6, Tucker was due for some more usage. No one foresaw what ultimately transpired, though. Tucker thrashed the New Orleans defense with 136 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He also gained 56 receiving yards and another TD on three catches.
The first TD for @seantucker2020 🙌
📺: #TBvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/yK7Dl8ADPI
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 13, 2024
Tucker's explosion amounted to 32.7 half-PPR points, the highest total of any player entering Monday. The performance was part of an elite showing by Tampa Bay's entire offense, which piled up 594 total yards on the Saints. Tucker and teammate Bucky Irving tied for the team lead in carries; Irving picked up 81 yards and a score of his own.
White's injury complicates this backfield and makes it difficult to determine where things will head. If White misses more time, expect Irving and Tucker to continue to split the workload. If White returns, Tucker may have done enough to earn a larger role regardless. Adding Tucker off waivers to see what happens would be a fine move.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
The Patriots opted to give rookie quarterback Drake Maye his first career start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. It was not clear which weapons in New England, if any, would benefit from the move away from Jacoby Brissett. For one game, at least, the main beneficiary was second-year receiver Demario Douglas.
In the 41-21 loss to Houston, Douglas picked up a career-high 92 yards on six receptions. His nine targets tied his season high, and his 35-yard touchdown catch during garbage time surprisingly marked his first NFL score. Douglas led the Patriots in receptions, targets, and receiving yards, which bodes well for his future with Maye.
Third Drake Maye touchdown pass of the day!
📺: #HOUvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/wx1KyxB7uR— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Douglas scored 18.2 half-PPR points, making him tentatively Week 6's WR8. His 3.3 yards per route run marked a career-best among games in which he ran at least 15 routes. According to PFF, Douglas was out-snapped by teammates Kayshon Boutte and Ja'Lynn Polk, though Douglas remains the team's top slot option.
The Patriots will presumably be trailing a lot this season, which means Douglas's favorable game script in Week 6 should be replicated frequently. He has been inconsistent this year, but perhaps that changes with Maye leading the offense. Douglas is an appealing waiver option ahead of Week 7.
Bub Means, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans offense had a tough task ahead of them in Week 6. Quarterback Derek Carr was unavailable due to an oblique injury, forcing rookie Spencer Rattler to make his first start. To make matters worse, Chris Olave, the team's top wideout, suffered a concussion in the first quarter.
With Olave sidelined, rookie receiver Bub Means got more playing time. Means saw minimal snaps in the first five weeks of the season, but he made the most of his opportunity against Tampa Bay. Means caught five of his eight targets for 45 yards and a touchdown; these were the first receptions of his NFL career.
Rookie to Rookie: Spencer Rattler connects with Bub Means for the 10-yard TD - #SAINTS TAKE THE LEAD!#TBvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/kQl2PGuSXL
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 13, 2024
Means stands as Week 6's WR21 through Sunday night with 13.0 half-PPR points. While this was not a major eruption, it was a very promising glimpse into a young receiver's potential. When given the chance, Means can deliver for his quarterback. He may need to do so again in Week 7 if Olave remains in the concussion protocol.
Even if Olave can't suit up versus Denver on Thursday, the Saints will still have Rashid Shaheed and Mason Tipton at WR. Both were much more involved in the offense to begin the season than Means. While Means is worth considering on waivers, he should not be viewed as a priority addition.
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