As we enter Week 6 of the fantasy football season, the waiver wire is heating up with hidden gems and breakout studs ready to make a difference in your lineup. Injuries, underperforming players, and bye weeks create the perfect storm for fantasy managers to snag season-changing players off the fantasy football Week 6 Waiver Wire.
Let’s dive in.
Others to Consider: TE Tyler Conklin, WR Alec Pierce, TE Cade Otton, WR Jordan Whittington, WR Darius Slayton, RB Dare Ogunbawale, WR Rashod Bateman, RB Antonio Gibson, WR Ray-Ray McCloud
Note: Roster % based on Yahoo
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 6 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS
TIER 4: Best of the Rest
11.) Michael Wilson, WR Arizona Cardinals (13%)
Often forgot about in Arizona’s offense, second-year receiver Michael Wilson provides a consistent third option in their passing game behind Marvin Harrison Jr and Trey McBride. Facing stiff competition, you won’t see the Cardinals playing with a lead too often, leading to pass heavy game scripts and needing Kyler Murray to make it happen. With 22 targets over his last three games, Wilson has great numbers in the yards per catch category, and his likely positive touchdown regression is sure to come.
10.) Allen Lazard, WR New York Jets (36%)
Despite Garrett Wilson being the wonder child of this offense with his insane 22 targets last week, Allen Lazard has been a continuous presence and comfortable option for Aaron Rodgers. Lazard is playing high snaps and earning a solid target share. His nose for the end zone is also helping immensely, scoring four times through five weeks. While he doesn’t exactly drip in sexy upside, Lazard is putting up starting numbers in fantasy alongside his life-long pal.
Tier 3: Handcuffs with Benefits
9.) Jaylen Wright, RB Miami Dolphins (8%)
The rookie from Tennessee has gotten extremely limited work thus far, but when Jaylen Wright gets the ball, he’s capitalizing. This week we saw De’Von Achane suffer an ankle injury that could potentially lead to missed time. Also in that crowded backfield, Raheem Mostert is showing some rust coming back from his own injury. While Wright is being held back by other competition and is on a bad offense/team, there’s unlimited upside surrounding this rookie RB.
8.) Roschon Johnson, RB Chicago Bears (20%)
Trending up in the Bears offense despite still playing a small percentage of snaps, Roschon Johnson is grabbing the extremely valuable goal line role. After not playing the first few games, Johnson has taken his small role and punched in three touchdowns over his last two games. D’Andre Swift is looking better and better, but at the same time, the Bears offense is as a whole. This means more scoring and more opportunities for Johnson at the goal line.
7.) Ty Chandler, RB Minnesota Vikings (28%)
When Aaron Jones went down with a hip injury, it was Ty Chandler who became the RB1 for the Vikings. This offense has been arguably the biggest surprise of the 2024 season, so whoever is sitting in that lead-back throne will carry great value. Minnesota has a bye week coming up, which should give everyone some rest, but if the 29 year old running back takes more time to mend that hip, then it’ll be Chandler ready to roll with a full workload.
TIER 2: There’s some upside here
6.) Jalen Tolbert, WR Dallas Cowboys (8%)
With Brandin Cooks absent in Dallas’ offense, Jalen Tolbert rose to the occasion, catching the game-winning touchdown on Sunday night. Tolbert saw season highs in snaps, catches, and yards as the WR2 of this pass-heavy offense. As valuable as CeeDee Lamb is, it appears he’s returning to Earth from his 2023 wonder year, along with some trouble in paradise between him and Dak Prescott. Tolbert is showing he’s a valuable member of this passing game and is contributing more than expected. Cooks is expected to be out awhile, meaning Tolbert will keep having high usage and target shares for weeks to come.
5.) JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Kansas City Chiefs (7%)
JuJu, who was not good enough for the Patriots’ elite receiving corps, appeared capable enough to be Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 target on Monday Night Football. Smith-Schuster saw eight targets, snatching seven of them for 130 yards and a dropped touchdown. Prior to this explosion, he had not put up those WR1 numbers since his days with the Steelers, which seems like decades ago. With Rashee Rice likely done for the season, Travis Kelce shaking off rust from his off-season escapades, and Xavier Worthy looking like a gadget guy, don’t be surprised if JuJu takes over as 1A or 1B on the Chiefs’ target totem pole.
4.) Tyrone Tracy, RB New York Giants (23%)
With Devin Singletary sidelined for the week, rookie Tyrone Tracy got the start and certainly made the most of his opportunity. He finished the day playing 63% of snaps, rushing 18 times for 129 yards. Tracy managed to break 100 yards, while Singletary had yet to do so through four games. A performance like that, especially against Seattle, should garner enough respect to increase his playing time moving forward. He’s shown he has stand-alone value, but Tracy can still perform with Singletary present. The more time Singletary misses, the more valuable the former college wideout will be fantasy-wise.
TIER 1: FAAB Busters
3.) Josh Downs, WR Indianapolis Colts (40%)
Nobody benefits more from Joe Flacco being the Colts QB than Josh Downs, who has turned two games into a 17-151-1 stat line on 21 targets. The second-year receiver out of UNC has been a slot weapon with a high target share despite low snap counts. For as long as Flacco is under center, Downs is a great play in this offense and can perform at a high level.
2.) Darnell Mooney, WR Atlanta Falcons (48%)
The Falcons offense started slow as Kirk Cousins shook off the rust, but now they seem in full swing. The new WR, Darnell Mooney, is seeing elite usage and playing over 90% of the snaps in every game this season. His 16 targets on Thursday night were season highs, going over 100 yards, and two scores. Atlanta is currently playing at an electric pace with high snap and drop-back totals. This is great news for all Falcons receivers, especially Mooney, who has elevated himself in the passing game to near Drake London’s status, above everyone else.
1.) Tank Bigsby, RB Jacksonville Jaguars (23%)
Heading into the 2023 season, the narrative was that rookie Tank Bigsby would be brought in to spell starter Travis Etienne and form a committee. That never materialized, as Jacksonville rode Etienne and Bigsby struggled to make an impact. Now, it looks like that opportunity is on Bigsby’s doorstep to cement himself as part of the offense. Etienne has had shoulder injuries and has yet to surpass 70 yards rushing in a game this season. Bigsby, on the other hand, has rushed for 70+ three times despite only 34 carries in four games. He’s got explosive home run power and can bring something to this Jaguars offense they desperately need.
