Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Watch: Week 6 Buys

Need a reason to be depressed? 1/3 of the fantasy season is officially in the books, and the cold, football-less world is inching towards us. Ideally, you’ve hit the ground running and are sitting pretty towards the top of your leaderboard; yet, even if you’re buried in the basement and struggling to look in the mirror, hope still exists.

Just two years ago at this time I was 1-4 and feeling the icy sting of “12th place” for the first time ever. Needless to say I was (appropriately) getting ripped to shreds in the group chat, and the value of my existence was very tough to pin. As if sent from our Lord himself, Odell Beckham Jr. returned to the field, became a speculative waiver wire add, and by the end of season I went from worst to first and claimed the championship (all hail the Fez). Keep trucking, gamers.

This isn’t to say an Odell sized Hail Mary is available now, or really ever again. In fact, this week is pretty barren on the waiver wire. Yet, whether you’re in “win now” or “wait and see” mode, plenty of options are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues that can strengthen your rosters. Check out who I’m buying as long-term  and short-term starters, as well as upside stashes for championship runs.

Upcoming Byes to prep for: 

Week 6: Minnesota, Tampa Bay

Week 7: Carolina, Dallas

Week 8 (Armageddon): Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

Buying as long-term options

WR Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers, 37% owned

FAAB – $25+

Hopefully you bought low like we told you to last week, as Coates’ price has definitely increased after a 6 catch, 139 yard, 2 TD explosion versus the Jets. More importantly, he operated as the clear #2 guy, garnering a team-high 11 targets over a variety of downs and distances. Yes, Coates still displayed the boneheadedness that’s held him back, dropping four balls including two sure TDs. Still, the way Big Ben is dropping dimes all over the field, this is an offense to invest highly in. Coates will keep garnering a few deep chances every week, creating a huge ceiling, and there now seems to be a far higher floor with his increased role and usage. Consider him a worthy flex play every single week from here on out.

WR Jeremy Kerley, San Francisco 49ers, 9%

FAAB – $10-12

Even on such an abysmal team, #1 WRs who’ve scored 20+ PPR points in back-to-back weeks don’t belong on the waivers…especially not in over 90% of leagues. Yet, that’s what Kerley presents. He ranks 12th in the NFL with 45 targets (9 per game) and has never dipped below 6 targets on the season; this is some serious volume that’s flying completely under the radar. Moreover, his two dud games came against teams ranking in the top-seven against WRs (Carolina and Seattle), and Kerley’s last two 20 point explosions weren’t against cakewalks (Dallas gives up the 27th most points to WRs, while Arizona surrenders the 21st). Kerley has some juicy dates with Tampa, New Orleans, and Miami in his next 6 weeks, and will be a highly viable WR3 or flex play against those sluts, and just in general.

Yes, a potential QB change could put a damper on Kerley’s outlook, as he’s served as the apple in Blaine Gabbert‘s eye. And yes, this is the same Jeremy Kerley who hasn’t been able to ever make it work consistently. Still, he’s proven to be a strong fit for Chip Kelley’s offense, and should be a worthwhile WR3-4 for the remainder of 2016. He should be far more owned than his current 9% tag.

WR Chris Hogan, New England Patriots, 25% owned
FAAB – $7-$10

As the big-play threat and #2 WR in an explosive offense, Hogan feels a lot like Sammie Coates with less guaranteed volume. In Tom Brady‘s sexy, dominant, Jesus-like return, Hogan led the team in yardage (114), despite ranking fifth in targets thanks to a pair of 43 and 63 yard big plays. He should keep garnering a few deep looks a game, and with the chemistry he and Brady have shown on the long-ball, Hogan should haul in more than he misses. Yes, this gives him a boom-or-bust feel, but he should nab enough short balls to keep him from ever completely disappearing. Plus, if Julian Edelman misses some time — history unfortunately suggests he might — Hogan would suddenly carry a WR1 ceiling. This makes Hogan both a usable flex play and a high upside stash in all leagues. If I don’t need Kerley’s guaranteed volume for a starting role, I feel Hogan is a better use of a bench spot.

WR Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears, 3% 

FAAB: $7-8

Here’s the most mysterious waiver asset of Week 6. We really only have one NFL game of tape to dive into, but man what a beauty. Meredith operated as an Alpha #1 option, garnering an absurd 12 targets and turning them into 9 catches, 130 yards and a TD.  Simply put, Meredith put on the show we’ve all been waiting for with Alshon Jeffery.  Hoyer and Meredith seemed to have built very real second-team chemistry over the summer, because the two connected on a variety of impressive throws-and-catches that required timing and trust.

That’s great news, as Hoyer appears the logical rest-of-season starter after severely outplaying Jay Cutler in his three appearances. “One-hit-wonder” risk is very real with Meredith, but we also just saw an enormous ceiling. The health of all Bears’ receivers has been in constant flux all season, and Meredith could indeed be a midseason anchor for this staff. He’d be a must-own guy if I needed an immediate miracle.

WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, 9% 

FAAB: $6-7

All Packers’ fantasy ships have indeed risen with Jordy Nelson‘s return, but one that’s ascending under the radar is Davante Adams. He’s now scored double-digit PPR points in 3/4 contests, with the lone exception a Minnesota hall-pass. His most recent effort was his best yet: catching 5 of 8 looks for 85 yards and 1 TD. Adams has routinely dusted #3 corners, and Rodgers is letting him make plays after the catch. Yes, he left a bitter taste in fantasy ballers mouths after a horrendous sophomore campaign, and now is the time to capitalize. This is still a talented player that’s clearly an integral part of a Rodgers-led attack. That carries starting-worthy weight.

TE Hunter Henry, San Diego Chargers, 28%

We’ve been over Henry multiple times, but Week 5 proved he’ll remain active even with Antonio Gates in the lineup. Henry posted a 3 catch, 74 yard, 1 TD line Sunday, and will be a consistent force in the red zone, given Rivers’ trust in him.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccanneers, 20%

FAAB: $15-16

News broke Monday that Charles Sims will be placed on IR, which slides Rodgers into the standalone PPR flex / huge upside stash situation that made Sims such a popular pick. We saw the team trusts him in a lead back role, feeding him an absurd 35 times which Rodgers turned into 129 total yards. Doug Martin is expected to return following Tampa’s Week 6 bye, and tracking Rodgers’ usage will be a major storyline to his season long worth.

Buying as short term fixes 

RB James White, New England Patriots, 46% 

FAAB: $10-$15

As the Patriots pass-catching back until Dion Lewis returns, James White carries weekly RB2 upside in a Tom Brady led offense. He totaled 89 yards and four catches in a blowout where game flow was not on his side, and White now has double digit PPR points in two straight games. This offense is going to put up serious points and yardage, and the shifty third down back will own a consistent slice of the scoring pie. This is especially true in tighter contests, and it doesn’t get much looser than Cleveland. Lewis’ eventual (right?) return puts a damper on White’s long-term appeal, but we still have no idea when this will be…maybe Dion never returns, and James White becomes fantasy gold. If possible, locking up both backs now would be by far the top RB waiver play of Week 6, as these two would combine to create an RB2 floor, RB1 ceiling asset for the rest  of 2016.

RB Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders, 21%

FAAB: $4-5

The higher-owned Washington got the nominal start, but Richard received a dead-even share of the work (14 touches). Moreover, Richard nearly doubled Washington’s production, totaling 91 yards and 6 catches as compared to the latter’s 52 total yards. Latavius Murray’s eventual return will make this a three-headed nightmare, but Jalen will be a highly usable RB2 whenever splitting time with only Washington.

RB Bobby Rainey, New York Giants, 5%

FAAB: $1-2

You know when you’re in a drought and just pick up something terrible at the bar?  Mostly awful, but has that one thing you know will get the job done? Maybe you’re an ass guy, and that’s literally enough.

Well, if receptions are the booty of PPR, then it’s time to visit Bobby Rainey at last call: 6 and 7 catches in his last two games filling the Shane Vereen role — good for over 13 PPR points the past two weeks. Yes, it’ll feel gross, and his role is no guarantee with Rashad Jennings set to return. But in desperate times, Rainey will be a comforting slump buster.

WR Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys, 9%

FAAB: $1-2

Having scored a TD or topped 70 yards in three straight contests during Dez Bryant‘s absence, Terrance Williams has been a highly serviceable WR3. With Bryant expected to miss his fourth game + a date with a Packers defense that surrenders the third most points to WRs, Williams should top double digit PPR points for a fourth straight week.

$1 QB Streamers

Marcus Mariota (47% owned) vs. Cleveland and Alex Smith (18% owned) @ Oakland

Fresh off a 30 point performance, Marcus Mariota is another solid bet for 20+ points against the non-existent Browns defense. Meanwhile, Alex Smith is more likely to be available, and might have a higher floor / ceiling combination against the abysmal Raiders secondary. Smith’s also the play for owners seeking a more permanent option, as his Week 6-11 schedule is pure cake:

Upside Stashes

We’ve already screamed Bilal Powell (still only 35% owned) and Dion Lewis (19%) from the mountain tops.  Ignore at your own peril, and add a few new names to your list

RB Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos, 9% owned

We’ll keep pumping our Twitter, but one of Week 6’s top pickups was again on our radar before waivers locked. Though Booker’s still best viewed as a RB1-level stash, he’s starting to create some standalone appeal. Booker’s now seeing 40% of snaps as compared to only 10% to begin 2016, and Sunday he looked more effective on a per-touch basis than CJ Anderson. I’m still a believer in CJ, and think Booker would need an injury to carry true value. But the upside of a lead RB role in Gary Kubiak’s friendly zone scheme is sky high, especially given this pure cake schedule; meanwhile, Anderson hasn’t exactly been a picture of health in his brief career. Simply put, Booker is among the higher ceiling stashes out there, and belongs on well more than just 9% of benches.

TE Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers, 7%

Burning a roster spot on a TE who is no guarantee to touch the field would seem ill-advised, especially given how streamable the position has become. Yet, with his size/speed combo, Green offers true difference-making upside for the stretch run. Green is tentatively expected back Week 7, and adding him a week early could save you some $$ or a big waiver claim. This offense frequents the red zone, and you can bet Big Ben will maximize this massive frame. If you’re hurting at TE and can stomach the roster spot, Green profiles as one of the highest ceiling waiver options still out there.

Other Names to monitor/consider

  • RB Mike Gillislee, Buffalo Bills, 3%
  • RB Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals, 3% 
  • TE Austin Seferian Jenkins, New York Jets, 3%

Week 6 Waiver Wire Top 10

*Note – if you can add James White AND Dion Lewis to own both of the Patriots pass catching backs, that would be my #2 play

  1. WR Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers, 37%
  2. RB Bilal Powell, New York Jets, 35%
  3. Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20%
  4. James White, New England Patriots, 46%
  5. Jeremy Kerley, San Francisco 49ers, 9%
  6. Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos, 9%
  7. Chris Hogan, New England Patriots, 25% * Place higher than Jacquizz Rodgers if Hogan’s more of a stash
  8. Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears, 3% – the highest immediate ceiling available for basement dwellers.
  9. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers, 9%
  10. Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders, 21%
  11. Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers, 7%

**Note – Tennessee faces Cleveland this week, and is a great streaming defense ($3-4) to target if you play that game.

**Side Note 2 – Check James Starks availability if you own Eddie Lacy. Starks has been horrible, but would be startable if Lacy’s injury lingers and he’s the main guy.

Author

  • Founder of Roto Street Journal. Lover of workhorse backs, target hog wideouts, and Game of Thrones. Aspiring to be the "Brady" and "Leo" of the fantasy universe.

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