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RotoBaller staff's fantasy football Week 6 waiver wire pickups for 2025. Expert advice for waiver wire RB, WR, TE, QB targets from Phil, Dan, Craig and Alex.
Five weeks into the 2025 NFL season, there are tons of injuries to navigate, and bye weeks are making lineup calls even trickier. We must find potential startable options on the waiver wire, and some of the best waiver options have already been picked up as we continue to move into the second month of the fantasy football campaign.
Pivoting when your players are injured, underperforming, or on a bye is always the name of the game in fantasy football, and we're here to guide your waiver-wire decisions.
Our RotoBaller experts Phil Clark, Alex Ciulla, Craig Rondinone, and Dan Fornek are here to help you identify the top RB, WR, TE, and QB targets ahead of Week 6.
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Running Backs Waiver Wire Week 6
Selections By Phil Clark
Hassan Haskins / Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton has been placed on injured reserve after he sustained an ankle injury during the Chargers’ Week 5 matchup with Washington. This will require the talented first-year back to miss at least four games.
Hampton's absence will also lead to a transformed backfield rotation while he is unavailable. Los Angeles could make an addition to their running back room. However, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are currently positioned to secure expanded roles as the Chargers progress through their upcoming schedule.
Haskins secured a 20.9% snap share, carried five times, and accumulated 13 rushing yards in Week 5. He also ran seven routes and secured his only target.
Vidal had been limited to two offensive snaps from Weeks 1-4 before he became involved in the backfield rotation in Week 5. However, he also attained a 20.9% snap share, accumulated four attempts, and produced 18 rushing yards in Week 5. Vidal also ran six routes and collected his only target.
If Haskins and Vidal ultimately comprise the Chargers’ backfield rotation in Week 6, then the tandem will share touches. Both backs can be added as potential flex options if you are attempting to navigate a roster crisis this week.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 31% Rostered
Tennessee activated running back Spears from injured reserve to the team's 53-man roster before the Titans’ Week 5 matchup in Arizona. That created his pathway toward securing his first snaps of the regular season, as he operated in a rotation with Tony Pollard.
Spears operated with a 25.4.% snap share, carried four times, and generated 14 rushing yards during his season debut. He also ran 10 routes, but was not targeted by Cam Ward.
Pollard paced all backs with an 89.3% snap share from Weeks 1-4. He was also seventh in attempts 68/17 per game), 14th in rushing yards (261/65.3 per game), and fifth in routes run (106).
Pollard still led the Titans’ reconstructed backfield in snap share during Week 5, although his percentage decreased to a season low (73.1%). He also accumulated 14 attempts, 67 rushing yards, and generated a rushing touchdown. Pollard also ran 29 routes and secured all three of his targets
Spears and Pollard will be impacted by the multiple deficiencies within a Tennessee offense that ranks 31st in yards per game (233.8) and is dead last in scoring (14.6 points per game).
However, Spears’ workload should increase as he is incorporated into the Titans’ attack. He can operate as an RB3 in your lineups once that transpires.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Miller’s encouraging role as the unquestioned RB2 for New Orleans continues to justify seizing him from the waiver wire in all leagues. Miller’s involvement in Kellen Moore’s offense has steadily increased since Week 1, which has propelled him into standalone value. Miller’s snap shares have risen for five consecutive weeks, including the season-high 42% that he attained in Week 5 (14.7%/15.5%/27.4%/31.3%/42%). Miller has also secured 10+ rushing attempts during each of his last two contests (10/11) after he averaged 5.7 per game from Weeks 1-3 (5/5/7).
Kamara operated with a season low 53% snap share, as the disparity between the backs continues to decline. Miller’s totals in carries (10) and rushing yards (41) also led the Saints’ backfield in Week 5, as Alvin Kamara assembled 27 yards with his eight attempts. Miller has also generated 106 rushing yards (53 per game) since Week 4, while Kamara has amassed 97 (48.5 per game) during that span.
Miller also remains primed to vault into a massive workload if Kamara is unable to elude health issues. Miller would also become a valuable asset on your roster if Kamara is traded from New Orleans to a new environment. Those factors have fueled Miller’s rise into the first tier of waiver wire options.
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
Rico Dowdle has soared into the top tier of this week’s waiver wire options after he flourished as Carolina’s RB1 in Week 5. Dowdle’s placement directly below Chuba Hubbard on the Panthers’ depth chart has positioned him to vault into lead-back duties if Hubbard were unable to perform in that capacity for any reason. That scenario developed in Week 5 as Hubbard’s troublesome calf sidelined him during Carolina’s matchup with Miami. Dowdle operated with a 69% snap share and capitalized on his 23 attempts by exploding for a career-high 206 rushing yards and a touchdown.
It was a good, good day for @ricodowdle:
- 234 total yards
- 1 TD
- Big W at home@Panthers | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/UenLPJmQi3— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
Dowdle also led all backs in efficiency (2.11) and rush yards over expected (105) according to Next Gen Stats. He also ran 18 routes, captured three of his four targets, and generated 28 yards as a receiving weapon. Hubbard’s situation should be monitored throughout the week, as it is also uncertain whether his calf issue will prevent him from returning for the Panthers' Week 6 matchup with Dallas. However, Dowdle’s outstanding performance and his prospects of retaining RB1 duties if Hubbard remains sidelined have solidified his status as a back to prioritize for your rosters.
Wide Receivers Waiver Wire Week 6
Selections By Alex Ciulla
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
Tucker's stat line from the Raiders' Week 5 loss won't wow anyone (4/62), but he led Las Vegas in yardage output and ranked second on his team in receptions and targets (six). Furthermore, his chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith is building, despite the latter's recent bout of inaccuracy. The Raiders were one of the more run-heavy offenses through four weeks, but Tucker is trending up.
The third-year pro has run right alongside teammate Jakobi Meyers regarding snaps since Week 3, forming more of a 1A/1B situation than a clear-cut leader. However, over that stretch, Tucker has out-caught (14-11) and out-gained (220-125) Meyers, while matching him in targets (17). Smith hasn't looked right, so when he turns it around, Las Vegas' offense should run more efficiently. While Meyers may sport the higher weekly floor between the two receivers, Tucker is the better bet for an explosive play -- having already picked up four receptions of 20-plus yards through five contests. That's only two behind his total from all of last season.
Isaiah Bond, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland ultimately lost rookie Dillon Gabriel's NFL debut, but he looked fine and didn't turn the ball over. It might not be enough to stave off the Shedeur Sanders truthers, but Gabriel at least earned another start. More importantly, fellow rookie Bond continued his upward trajectory. The 21-year-old again boasted a less-than-deal catch rate, pulling in just 2-of-7 (or eight, depending on where you look) targets for 29 yards. With that said, he placed second on his team in yards and targets, picking up two more than fellow wideout Jerry Jeudy on 23 fewer snaps.
That's significant, as Bond has commanded more opportunities each week while his snap share steadily increases. Currently, Bond's floor is on the lower side, but his ceiling is uber-high. His time is coming. I'm buying on the cheap in Dynasty where I can.
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers
Holy Bourne. The 30-year-old put up a massive line in his team's surprising 23-20 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, reeling in 10-of-11 passes for 140 yards. That figure easily led San Francisco on a night when they were missing their top two options, teammates Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (rib, ankle), due to injury.
The Kendrick Bourne game.
10 catches, 142 yards, and counting...
SFvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/EAQLVvVv9G— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2025
What's more is that Bourne didn't even lead the 49ers in snaps, with that honor going to Demarcus Robinson (73). Bourne wasn't far behind (70), but he'd be a higher priority this week if the situation weren't so murky in San Francisco. Pearsall and Jennings will be back in due time, forcing the veteran to third in the pecking order, and that doesn't account for running back Christian McCaffrey.
I would consider Bourne for a short-term rental if at least one of Jennings or Pearsall is unavailable for the team's Week 6 meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if they're both active, Bourne could be a nice dart throw with Tampa Bay's offense rolling. However, he'd be far less of a priority if that were the case.
Tight Ends Waiver Wire Week 6
Selections By Craig Rondinone
Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
I know Darren Waller walked away from the NFL to try to be the next Ne-Yo. I also know that he has not had a 1,000-yard year since 2020 and has been one of the most injury-prone players at his position in recent years. All that said, the 33-year-old is the top tight end to pick up for Week 6.
Waller has scored three touchdowns in his first two games since returning to the league, and thanks to the untimely season-ending injury to top target Tyreek Hill, Waller and WR1 Jaylen Waddle are the top two threats in Miami’s mediocre passing attack. So Waller will be peppered with passes between the 20s and inside the red zone as long as he stays healthy and does not leave the league again to collab with Doja Cat on an album.
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
The veteran has been targeted 13 times over his past two games and caught eight Bo Nix passes for 62 yards and a score. I love that he is part of a Sean Payton offense. I also love that Engram’s next three games are against the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys. Get him now!
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
A fantasy manager can never ignore a two-TD game. Theo Johnson had the first of his career on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, plus he caught a half-dozen passes for 33 yards in the process. Now that Malik Nabers is done for the year with a torn ACL, Johnson’s role has expanded, and his fantasy value has blown up instantly.
Another week, another Jaxson Dart opening drive TD 🎯
NYGvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CEJuXypf96
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
Quarterbacks Waiver Wire Week 6
Selections By Dan Fornek
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford is on an absolute roll the last two weeks as a fantasy quarterback. He finished as the QB2 in Week 4 (27.4) and followed it up with a QB6 performance in Week 5 (25.6). Over the last two weeks, Stafford has averaged 44.0 pass attempts per game. He has back-to-back weeks with at least 375 and three touchdowns. The veteran quarterback has four straight games with at least two passing touchdowns.
Stafford has four straight games with at least 15.0 fantasy points scored. He is playing at an incredibly high level right now and faces a matchup against a banged-up Baltimore defense that is coming off a game where they allowed the Houston Texans to score 44 points and C.J. Stroud to pass for 244 yards with four touchdowns.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Shockingly, we got a shootout from Darnold and Baker Mayfield on Sunday. Darnold completed 28 of 34 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns during the game, registering an impressive 27.6 fantasy points. Unfortunately, his lone interception came at an inopportune time on a pass that deflected off a defensive lineman’s helmet and ultimately cost Seattle the game.
The game was a culmination of all the positives we have seen from Darnold this season in a larger sample size. The veteran quarterback was once again efficient (82.4% completion percentage) and showed a willingness to attack down the field. Darnold has consistently gotten the ball to his playmakers throughout the year, but this was the first game that had a huge impact for fantasy.
Darnold has one good matchup (Jacksonville) and one bad matchup (Houston) remaining on his schedule before Seattle’s Week 8 bye. His consistency and efficiency won’t typically lead to great fantasy results, but if he can match up with a team that can push him (like Tampa Bay did), then he can provide QB1 production.
Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
Jones was back in the starting lineup in Week 5. And while the veteran quarterback got banged up during the game (keep an eye on that throughout the week), he also delivered another excellent fantasy performance. Jones completed 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday against the Rams, scoring 22.1 fantasy points. It was another game for Jones that showed that the coaching staff has complete faith in him to execute the offense at a high level.
Jones has now made three starts with the 49ers this year. In all three, he’s attempted at least 39 passes and had over 275 passing yards. He has six touchdowns and just one interception in his three games under center. Most importantly, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated after the game that Purdy’s toe injury was considered “week-to-week”, putting his status in doubt for the foreseeable future. Jones is guaranteed at least one more start, but could be under center for multiple weeks in a 49ers offense that will gradually start getting its weapons back from injury.
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