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Welcome to Week 6 of the NFL season. Hopefully, you're 5-0 in your fantasy football league and just looking to make marginal changes around the edges. However, if you're not and you need to make big changes to your roster, this article will help you figure out who to target. I'll be looking at all the best players fantasy managers should be considering adding to their roster this week. It's challenging to make this article relevant to all the different kinds of leagues out there. There are different league sizes, scoring settings, and roster requirements, which can make things difficult. As a general rule of thumb, I'll only be looking at players with a rostership percentage of 50% or lower, according to Yahoo! Some exceptions may be made for a player around 55%.
One thing I'll be adding this year is a category distinction for all players. This should help you figure out which players to add based on what your waiver wire goals are. Keep in mind that players can qualify for multiple distinctions. Those distinctions will be as follows:
- BC: Breakout Candidate – This is a player who may not be startable yet, but has a good chance of breaking out and becoming a weekly starter at some point in the season. If you're not in need of a starter this week, these are the players you should be targeting off the waiver wire.
- WS: Weekly Streamer – This is a player who is not a weekly starter or even someone you cannot drop, but rather they are someone you can target if the matchup is right or if you're desperate for a one-time starter. This is likely to be a quarterback or tight end.
- DP: Depth Player – This is a player who reminds me of a quote from Bad Santa, "They can't all be winners, now can they?" Obviously, we'd all love to have breakout players, but it's also important to have quality depth players who can be started during bye weeks and be decent injury-replacement players. This is someone like JuJu Smith-Schuster.
- DL: Deep League Add – This is for competitive 12-team leagues or larger.
- IF: Injury Fill-In – This is a player who will be a weekly spot starter during the starter's absence due to injuries.
- MA: Must Add – This is a player who due to any number of circumstances, now finds himself as a weekly fantasy starter and is someone fantasy managers should be adding to their teams.
- UH: Upside Handcuff – This is reserved for our running backs who could become prominent players if the primary starter gets hurt.
If you have any specific waiver wire questions, give me a follow on X @RobFFSlayer, and don’t be afraid to reach out. I’ll be completing the waiver wire column all year here at RotoBaller and I hope to help as many of you as possible win your fantasy football league.
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Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals – 25% Rostered
The Cardinals have been surprisingly competitive through five weeks with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. Arizona made Murray one of their team captains this season, an act that would seem to indicate he's likely to play in 2023. You'll find a few players who have a higher ceiling than Murray on your waiver wire.
We are currently playing fantasy football in the age of the quarterback. Years ago, the strategy of waiting on a quarterback was excellent because there were so few that were true difference-makers. Those days are gone. Quarterbacks are putting up video game numbers and they’ve never been as valuable as they are today. Murray is one of those quarterbacks.
It's no mystery why he wasn't drafted and remains a free agent in so many fantasy football leagues. He’s recovering from a torn ACL. He's currently on the PUP list but is eligible to return at any time. The team understandably seems to be taking a cautious approach with him, but it still seems unlikely he will sit out for the whole season. When he does return, he may not run as much as he used to right away. As a waiver wire add, I’m not so much adding him for Week 6, but rather for Week 15. The previous tweet (what do we call them now?) showcased his weekly upside. Simply put, he’s been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks of all time on a PPG basis.
If your league has an IR, Murray needs to be there. He’s got top-five upside and is one of the few quarterbacks who can compete with the Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jacksons of the world. He was named a team captain, solidifying the belief he'll return and play this season.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders – 33% Rostered
Fantasy managers were likely very turned off by Howell after his Week 3 dud against the Buffalo Bills. He scored just 0.6 points in that matchup, compiling four turnovers and not scoring a single touchdown. However, he's scored at least 15 points in his four other games with a high of 25.4 points this past weekend in a loss to the Bears. In those four other games, Howell has averaged 20.36 points per game. That's the same average Jalen Hurts had through Weeks 1-4 prior to his 27.3 outing this past weekend.
Howell is currently on pace for 4,587 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. He's also on pace to chip in with 343 rushing yards. He has the benefit of having very good weapons around him, including receivers Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel. He also has tight end Logan Thomas and running back Brian Robinson Jr. It's a very strong group of skilled players around him that helps elevate his game. He plays against the Falcons in Week 6, who have allowed the 17th-most points to quarterbacks this season.
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts – 1% Rostered
Minshew played 68% of the snaps in Week 2 after starter Anthony Richardson left with a concussion and played well. He completed 82% of his passes and threw for 171 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers. He finished with just over 11 fantasy points despite coming off the bench and facing off against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
He got the start in Week 3 against Baltimore, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and scored just 13 points. Considering the circumstances, while fantasy managers weren't happy with the overall outcome, it's hard to say it was a disappointment. Considering the matchup, he shouldn't have been on the streaming radar, but he performed well enough in a very tough matchup. He finished with 227 yards, one touchdown, and zero turnovers.
He came in for Richardson again this past weekend when the rookie left with a shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out for the next few weeks. In Week 6, the Colts will face off against their divisional rival in the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Considering the matchup and the fact that star running back Jonathan Taylor will have one game under his belt after returning this past weekend, Minshew is in a good spot to be a very solid streamer this upcoming weekend.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 19% Rostered (WS)
Mayfield has scored 16 or more points in three out of his four games. Tampa Bay had a bye in Week 5, but in the week prior, they faced a tough New Orleans Saints defense. That didn't stop Mayfield from dropping 22.9 fantasy points. The only week where Mayfield has struggled has been in Week 3 against the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. He has eight touchdown passes and just two interceptions on the year. He's played excellent football and makes for a decent streaming option over the next two weeks.
In Week 6, he'll return to face the Lions, who have allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks from Weeks 1-4 before allowing rookie Bryce Young to score 18.4 this past weekend. Tampa Bay will have had plenty of time to prepare for the Lions, which is always a positive. If there's a concern for Mayfield, it's the status of receiver Mike Evans, who left their Week 4 contest with a hamstring injury. If he's not active for Week 6, that'll be a hit to Mayfield's value, so that'll be something to pay attention to.
Others to consider: Josh Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals – 21% Rostered, Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders – 14% Rostered, Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons – 5% Rostered, Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers – 20% Rostered, Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – 14% Rostered
Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears – 41% Rostered (MA, BC, IF)
Johnson is going to be the priority add this week at running back. News broke this weekend that starting running back Khalil Herbert will miss multiple weeks dealing with a right high-ankle sprain. That will put Johnson into the driver's seat to be Chicago's starting and primary running back.
While D'Onta Foreman will likely mix in, he's been phased out of the offense very early with just five touches on the season. With the depth of the team's backfield, it should be expected that Johnson will operate as a full-blown bell-cow over the next four weeks with Herbert on the mend.
The Chicago offense has looked drastically different the last two weeks and more like the unit that closed the 2022 season on a tear. If that offense sticks around and Johnson is the team's bell-cow, he should be viewed as a high-end RB2 until Herbert returns. He's been very effective this season. He's averaging 4.4 true yards per carry, which ranks 19th among all running backs. He also has the 25th-highest breakaway run rate and the 17th-best yards per route run average among running backs.
He's a capable player and it's certainly within the range of outcomes where Johnson performs well enough to become the team's 1A upon Herbert's return. Johnson is worth the No. 1 waiver wire priority or a large chunk of your FAAB.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers – 32% Rostered
Early in the season, Miles Sanders operated as the clear lead back for the Panthers, but things have been shifting in the past few weeks. Hubbard played more snaps than Sanders last week and did so again this past weekend as well. It wasn't just that Hubbard out-snapped Sanders, it was about how he did it.
He played more goal-line snaps than Sanders and handled more snaps in the two-minute drill than Sanders did. Not only did he handle more snaps, but he handled more of the fantasy valuable snaps. Hubbard has also been the vastly superior rusher.
He's averaging 2.8 yards after contact compared to Sanders' 1.4. He's also breaking a tackle once every 6.5 touches compared to Sanders at once every 18 touches. Prior to Week 5, Sanders was averaging just 2.6 yards per attempt, while Hubbard was averaging 4.6 yards per attempt.
If Sanders doesn't start performing better, this soon could become a backfield that favors Hubbard even more. It should be noted that Sanders has been dealing with a groin injury that has been limiting him throughout practice, but it's notable that Hubbard is playing more and performing better than Sanders.
Keaontay Ingram and Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals – 1% Rostered (IF)
Ingram was ruled out this past weekend, which meant when starting running back James Conner went down with a knee injury, Demercado was thrust into a bell-cow role in the Arizona offense. He finished with 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also saw three targets and caught one of them for 12 yards.
It's possible that if Conner is out for Week 6 and Ingram is able to return, this backfield could be a committee of sorts. The reality is that we don't really know how this backfield without Conner would play out. If Ingram is out, that would make things much easier. Demercado would become a volume-based RB2 play. Both players should be added right now until we know Conner's status.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans – 26% Rostered (DP, UH)
Spears is not just a handcuff. While he doesn't have a ton of standalone value, Spears has played 50% of the snaps in four out of five games and has seen at least eight touches in each of the past four games. His current snap share and touch total will keep him on the RB4 radar moving forward. If you're desperate at running back, he could be started, unlike strict handcuffs such as Tank Bigsby. He has operated as Tennessee's primary pass-catching back, logging 11 catches over his last three games, which helps his PPR value.
While his RB4 value is a bonus, his real value comes from his contingency value in the event that star running back Derrick Henry were to miss time. Henry has struggled this season and he's in the final year of his contract. It wouldn't be a complete surprise if he were to be moved at the trade deadline considering how Tennessee's season is currently going. He's averaging 6.1 yards per carry and has made the most of his opportunities this season.
Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos – 45% Rostered (IF)
While most fantasy managers flocked to Jaleel McLaughlin with the news starting running back Javonte Williams would miss this past weekend, Perine still led the team in snaps and ran 28 routes to McLaughlin's 10. While McLaughlin did outscore Perine due to finding the end zone, Perine still seems to be the better bet should Williams miss Week 6.
Perine handled all of the snaps in the team's two-minute drill and was on the field for the majority of their third-down plays, giving him a clear advantage in PPR leagues. McLaughlin did have three snaps at the goal line to Perine's two, which could give McLaughlin slightly better odds to find the end zone, but not enough to ignore the pass-catching role Perine held in Week 5.
McLaughlin did have nine carries to Perine's six. With McLaughlin's emergence, this will operate as a three-man backfield once Williams returns, which will destroy Perine's fantasy value. However, for as long as Williams stays out, Perine should be on the RB4 radar. It's worth noting though that Williams practiced on a limited basis this past week and he could very well return in Week 6.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints – 12% Rostered (UH)
With veteran running back Jamaal Williams inactive, Miller operated as the team's No. 2 running back behind starter Alvin Kamara. He logged 26 of the team's 72 snaps but handled 12 carries and received four targets. Their Week 5 contest was a massive blowout, shutting the Patriots out and winning by over 30 points, which means fantasy managers shouldn't expect 12 carries on a weekly basis.
The nature of the game dictated more work for Miller. However, Miller was the clear No. 2 back and looked good in the process. He finished with just 37 yards on his 12 carries, but caught four of his five targets and finished with 53 receiving yards, which was second on the team.
While he's being mentioned above some of the other handcuffs, fantasy managers should be realistic with their expectations for Miller. Once Williams returns, that'll add another wrinkle to this backfield. Kamara is still the clear No. 1 running back, which means Miller shouldn't be viewed as more than a handcuff at this stage. However, fantasy managers can reasonably assume he'd likely get the first crack at the role in the event of a Kamara injury even once Williams returns.
Others to consider (Pure Handcuffs): Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens – 28% Rostered (DP), Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars – 20% Rostered (UH), Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs – 48% Rostered (DP), Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3% Rostered (UH), Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys – 6% Rostered (UH), Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots – 44% Rostered (UH), Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs – 15% Rostered (UH), Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers – 1% Rostered (UH), Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens – 26% Rostered (UH)
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions – 41% Rostered (IF, DP, WS)
Amon-Ra St. Brown was ruled out this past weekend with what has been described as an abdomen injury. There has been some speculation that he has a sports hernia, which has not been confirmed but could indicate a longer absence. In four out of five games this season, Reynolds has scored at least 9.9 half-PPR points with a high of 23.6.
He laid a goose egg in Week 3, but in the other four weeks, he's averaging 15.7 half-PPR points per game. In three of those four games, ARSB was active. He has posted at least 65 yards in four out of five games and has had at least six targets and four receptions in three out of five games. For as long as ARSB is out, Reynolds should be viewed as a weekly streamer.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers – 33% Rostered (BC, DP)
Johnston didn't do much in the first game without starting receiver Mike Williams, who was lost for the year with a knee injury. The Chargers planned to bring Johnston along slowly, but that's no longer an option. He operated as the team's No. 3 receiver in Week 4 on an offense that uses 11 personnel at one of the highest rates in the NFL.
Johnston will have plenty of opportunities to make plays in an explosive Chargers offense. With the Week 5 bye, the hope is that the Chargers will have a plan to incorporate him more into the offense. His skill set more closely resembles what Williams brought to the team compared to Joshua Palmer, who is more of a Keenan Allen type of replacement player. Johnston hasn't done anything yet for fantasy managers to put him into their starting lineups, but with Williams' injury and the team coming off their bye week, Johnston is worth adding now before it's too late.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts – 9% Rostered (WS, MA, BC)
Downs has quietly put together a really solid start to his rookie season. He's scored at least five half-PPR points in all five of his games thus far. He also just had his best game of the season this past weekend, finishing with six targets, six receptions, and 97 yards en route to 15.7 half-PPR points. Despite not having a single touchdown this year, he's still averaging 9.7 half-PPR points. This makes him a very solid bench player and a possible starter during the upcoming bye weeks.
He's earned five or more targets in four out of five games and is operating as both Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew's clear No. 2 target behind Michael Pittman Jr. There was some speculation that second-year player Alec Pierce fit better with these two quarterbacks' play style, but Downs has moved ahead of him and is now someone fantasy managers should be targeting. The Colts are one of the fastest-paced offenses in the league and the passing game has been much better than expected. He has two very difficult matchups coming up, but Downs should still be a priority add.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers – 8% Rostered (BC, WS)
Mingo missed Week 4 with a concussion, but returned this past weekend and racked up seven targets, five receptions, and 48 yards. In four games this season, Mingo has had five or more targets in each contest. Considering his draft pedigree of being an early second-rounder, it's reasonable to expect his role and production to only grow throughout the season.
He's currently on pace for 111 targets this season. While the production hasn't quite been there yet, it's fair to expect that to improve with him and quarterback Bryce Young both being rookies. He could be a second-half breakout player and someone fantasy managers should be interested in hanging onto even though he's tough to start with confidence right now.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars – 30% Rostered (DP, WS)
Jones has played in three games this season but left one of them early due to a knee injury. However, he's logged five targets or more in all three contests. He's also found the end zone in the only two games he's started and finished. While many fantasy analysts expected Jones to be a forgotten man with the addition of Calvin Ridley, Jones has continued to be a regular option in Jacksonville's offense.
Ridley has not dominated targets in the manner many expected him to and that's allowed Jones to carve out a role where he's seeing 5-7 targets per game. He's also become a trusted player in the red zone for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jones should be viewed as a weekly streamer in the right matchup and a very good player to have on benches entering the bye weeks.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs – 39% Rostered (BC)
Rice continues to play very well despite limited opportunities. He's earned a target on 50% of his routes run, which is an absolutely ridiculous number. Despite playing less than 50% of the snaps through five weeks, Rice has managed to earn five targets in four out of five games.
He's also found the end zone in three games while finishing with double-digit half-PPR points in three out of five games. Starting receivers Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling continue to struggle, and with how well Rice has played in limited snaps, it's fair for fantasy managers to bet on his role only continuing to grow as the season progresses.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders – 17% Rostered (DP, WS)
Samuel has been a pleasant surprise this season. Many expected Jahan Dotson to make Samuel somewhat irrelevant, but that hasn't happened whatsoever. Samuel has scored at least 6.2 half-PPR points in all five games and has a high of 18.5, which he scored just this past weekend.
He now has back-to-back games of 18 or more points in half-PPR scoring. He has recorded five or more catches in three out of five games and has finished with at least 50 receiving yards in four out of five games. Samuel is a quality player to have on fantasy benches to help handle the upcoming bye weeks.
K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings – 9% Rostered (IF)
Osborn has taken a backseat this year to Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and rookie Jordan Addison, but with Jefferson leaving this past weekend's game early due to a hamstring injury, Osborn could become a quality streamer for as long as he's out. Despite the crowded number of pass-catchers in Minnesota, Osborn has managed to score over 6.1 half-PPR points in four out of five games and has scored at least 9.9 in three out of five.
With Jefferson and his insane production likely out for Week 6, Osborn's role and number of targets could certainly grow. Osborn is only worth starting if Jefferson is out, but considering the team's start to the season, fantasy managers should expect the Vikings to be cautious with their superstar receiver. Minnesota faces off against Chicago in Week 6, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.
Others to consider: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos – 36% Rostered, Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers – 28% Rostered, Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants – 24% Rostered, Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys – 47% Rostered, Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals – 43% Rostered (DL, DP), Robert Woods, Houston Texans – 18% Rostered (DL, DP), Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys – 22% Rostered (DL, DP), D.J. Chark Jr., Carolina Panthers – 12% Rostered (DL, DP), Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions – 8% Rostered (DL, IF)
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders – 15% Rostered
Thomas is likely the second-best player readily available on waivers behind Roschon Johnson. If Johnson is rostered, Thomas is likely to be the best waiver wire player available. He's played in three full games this season and left a fourth one early. In those four games, he's averaging 11.6 half-PPR points. In the three games he's played in from start to finish, he has recorded more than eight targets in two of them, most recently his monster Week 5 game this past Thursday.
Thomas should be viewed as a locked-in TE1 from here on out. He's a set-it-and-forget-it tight end and considering the ankle sprain to Travis Kelce, he makes for a worthwhile add for literally every single team. His Week 6 matchup is against the Falcons, who have allowed the eighth-most points to opposing tight ends through Weeks 1-4. Add him. Start him.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers – 24% Rostered (BC, DL, WS)
Musgrave left Week 5 early due to a concussion, but prior to that, he had been operating at an 80/80 clip. This means he had an 80% snap share and an 80% route participation rate. Those are rare feats for a tight end. That's elite utilization. Combine that with the fact that he's first among tight ends in deep targets, 12th in red zone targets, eighth in air yards, third in average depth of target, and third in unrealized air yards, and the breakout game is coming.
We don't know when, but considering the targets he's seeing and the high number of snaps and routes he's playing, it's only a matter of time. The Packers play tonight against the Raiders and then have a bye in Week 6. They return to action in Week 7 against the Broncos, who have allowed the sixth-most points to opposing tight ends, which will make him an excellent streamer.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans – 35% Rostered (WS, DL)
With Treylon Burks out the past two weeks, Okonkwo has finally started to get more involved in the passing attack. He had three targets, three receptions, and 29 yards in Week 4. This past weekend, he had nine targets, five receptions, and 33 yards. The downside to adding Okonkwo is in Week 6, Tennessee plays against the Ravens, who have allowed the fewest points to opposing tight ends this season. Then in Week 7, the Titans are on a bye, which could give Burks enough time to get back on the field. That would once again make things more difficult for Okonkwo from a volume perspective.
Others to consider: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans – 36% Rostered, Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos – 12% Rostered, Tyler Conklin, New York Jets – 6% Rostered, Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2% Rostered
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