Last week was a pretty underwhelming group led by Jaleel McLaughlin, Michael Wilson, and Jameson Williams. However, the Week 6 Waiver Wire has some intriguing upside, mostly due to a rash of running back injuries and bye weeks on the horizon.
With that said, let’s take an early look at the fantasy football Week 6 Waiver Wire.
TYJAE SPEARS, RB TITANS (26%)
We talk about this guy every single week, but he’s still available in nearly 75% of leagues! We understand it’s tough to roster Derrick Henry’s backup, but Tyjae Spears is carving out a legitimate role for himself. Spears has played over 50% of the snaps in four of the team’s five games and totaled 69 yards and a score on 11 touches this week.
He’s been more explosive than Henry and has elite elusiveness with the ball in his hands. Not only would he be a locked-in RB2 rest-of-season if Henry were to go down, but he also has ‘handcuff with benefits’ upside.
ROSCHON JOHNSON, RB BEARS (41%)
D’ONTA FOREMAN, RB BEARS (7%)
Just as the Bears’ offense began to roll with Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert on the ground, Herbert suffered a freak ankle injury that would cost him a few weeks. Unfortunately, rookie Roschon Johnson suffered a concussion on Thursday, and the team was down to its fullback, with D’Onta Foreman a healthy scratch. As long as Herbert is out, Johnson should be RB1 (if healthy) and Foreman RB2. Johnson had a very strong preseason and impressed early on. Target the rookie first, then the vet if you want a piece of the Bears’ pie.
EMARI DEMERCADO, RB CARDINALS (1%)
James Conner exited Week 5 with a knee injury, leaving undrafted rookie Emari Demercado with the RB1 role for the final 2.5 quarters. In Conner’s absence, Demercado had ten carries for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also added a reception on three targets for 12 yards.
We aren’t sure about Conner’s status right now, but the undrafted rookie out of TCU could start Week 6 against the Rams and have an intriguing three-down role ahead of him. Plus, he was already eating into some passing game work, so we know that skill-set is there. Monitor this situation closely.
JUSTICE HILL, RB RAVENS (28%)
The Ravens backfield continues to be gross, but it appears Justice Hill has a slight leg up on Gus Edwards in fantasy upside. Hill led the backfield in total snaps (39 to 30), goal line snaps (4 to 1), and two-minute drill snaps (15 to 0). We know what Hill is at this point, and he is pretty capped as a talent, but the pass-catching and goal-line volume is there right now, so take advantage of it if you need it. Don’t forget to stash the intriguing rookie Keaton Mitchell, who returned to practice last week.
JOSH DOWNS, WR COLTS (9%)
Add Josh Downs to the list of impact rookies in fantasy football. The former Tarheel led the team with six receptions on six targets to the tune of 97 yards. It doesn’t really matter who will be starting at quarterback for the Colts, because Downs made plays with both, highlighted by three receptions over 25 yards. With bye weeks ramping up, Downs could be a strong streamer candidate moving forward with the Jags on deck.
KJ OSBORN, WR VIKINGS (9%)
All those who picked Justin Jefferson at the 1.01 are holding their breath right now (me, included) after the superstar hurt his hamstring in Week 5 against the Chiefs. Jefferson did not return to the game and will likely be questionable to play next week. Assuming Jefferson sits, enter KJ Osborn to play alongside Jordan Addison in two-receiver sets.
Osborn, who had a season-high nine targets, five receptions, and 49 yards on Sunday, could provide significant volume as a one or two-week streamer, depending on the severity of Jefferson’s injury. The Vikings’ passing offense will run through TJ Hockenson and Addison, but Osborn has stepped up in the past and could do so again.
LOGAN THOMAS, TE COMMANDERS (15%)
Eric Bienemy may have found Dollar Store Travis Kelce in Washington, and it’s the veteran Logan Thomas. In what is the most frustrating position to have weekly consistency, Thomas can start for most fantasy squads. On Thursday night, Thomas saw 11 Sam Howell targets and caught nine for 77 yards and a touchdown.
He also has a juicy schedule with the Falcons, Giants, and Eagles coming up, all of whom get gashed by the tight end spot.
WE’LL TOUCH ON THESE LATER: QB Sam Howell (33%), WR Josh Reynolds (41%), WR Jonathan Mingo (8%), TE Dalton Schultz (36%), TE Jonnu Smith (16%)
