Justin Jefferson managers are panicking after losing their Alpha WR1 for a minimum of four weeks — and maybe even longer. While no receiver, especially off the Week 6 Waiver Wire, can replicate Jefferson’s fantasy output, we can only hope to stream upside in his place.
Let’s dig into the list of available players to find some fantasy football Week 6 WR streamers.
Week 6 Bye Weeks: Packers, Steelers
CHECK FIRST:
KJ OSBORN, MINNESOTA VIKINGS (54% ROSTERED)
It’s always smart to check the same team to see if anyone will be climbing up the target totem pole are a major injury. In Minnesota, KJ Osborn the the player who will gain the most from Justin Jefferson’s absence.
As seen above, Osborn is a solid fantasy starter when receiving an increased target share (six or more) over the past two seasons. He was on pace for WR7 in 2022 with that target share and has scored 14 or more PPR points in those games. Osborn does not drip in sexiness, but he’s more consistent than the credit he’s given.
JOSH PALMER, LA CHARGERS (54%)
Since losing Mike Williams for the season, Josh Palmer has posted seven receptions for 143 yards and a score with one touchdown. Now the clear WR2 above Quentin Johnston, the time is now to strike on Palmer if he’s available in your league. It looks like a shoot out is on the horizon on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys. Expect Keenan Allen to dominate with Trevon Diggs sidelined and Palmer to reap the benefits of getting backup corners.
UNDER 50% ROSTERED
TYLER BOYD, CINCINNATI BENGALS (47%)
With Tee Higgins’ ribs still banged up, veteran main-stay Tyler Boyd stepped up in his absence. Boyd has caught at least four passes on six targets in four straight games and caught six passes last week. Boyd does get a tough matchup against a strong Seahawks’ secondary, but with Joe Burrow looking more like himself, it’s okay to trust the Bengals’ passing game again.
JOSH REYNOLDS, DETROIT LIONS (46%)
Journeyman Josh Reynolds might be a low-key baller. In place of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Reynolds carved up the Panthers to the tune of 4-76-1 on five targets. Even though the Sun God is expected to play Week 6, Reynolds has seen 19 targets in his three games played with St. Brown.
He’s clearly above Jameson Williams and is a consistent perimeter target for Jared Goff. He gets a solid, yet unspectacular Bucs’ secondary this week.
RASHEE RICE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (43%)
All Patrick Mahomes does is cook the Broncos and it appears Rashee Rice will get his shot on Thursday night to do the same.The Broncos entered the season as one of the top secondaries in the league, but they have struggled, allowing six touchdowns from receivers through five weeks. Rice is not a consistent starter quite yet, as he does his damage on limited snaps. Over the past three weeks, he’s seen 17 targets and produced 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Could TNF be his coming out party? Signs say yes.
30% OR LESS OWNED
JOSH DOWNS, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (23%)
The rookie out of North Carolina is balling for the Colts and looks to build on his recent success against the Jaguars’ secondary on Sunday. Downs broke out last week, scoring a season-high 15.7 fantasy points with six receptions for 97 yards. Plus, he gets to catch passes from Gardner Minshew, the more consistent passer on the roster, after Anthony Richardson landed on IR. Downs has seen 21 targets over the last three weeks and can get deep at any moment.
MICHAEL GALLUP, DALLAS COWBOYS (21%)
Excluding last week’s shit show against the league’s best defense, Michael Gallup is ascending as Dak Precott’s second-favorite wideout. In Weeks 3 and 4, he scored 15.2 and 11 fantasy points on 13 total targets.
Brandin Cooks has not been on the same page as Prescott, making Gallup the de-facto WR2. Look for Gallup to put up big numbers against the league’s worst secondary, that’s allowing 299.8 yards per game through the air. Pencil in his first touchdown of the season against the Chargers.
KENDRICK BOURNE, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (16%)
It’s tough to stream anyone from the Patriots offense, especially its passing offense. However, Kendrick Bourne has operated as the team’s WR1 and is seeing a decent target share this season. Plus, they get the Raiders secondary that’s allowed 21.8 fantasy points to receivers, ranking 17th in the league. Trusting Mac Jones right now is not ideal, but Bourne did score 24.4 points against the Eagles in Week 1 and has seen 33 targets this season. They can’t be this bad all season, right?
