Top Players to Add in Week 6
A good draft makes a good team, but leagues are won and lost on the waiver wire. Injuries happen, and stars emerge from the ashes. Successfully navigating the waters of the waiver wire will lead to a winning season. Here are my top five targets this week to help you navigate through the wire.
An important thing to consider is there could be some players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available on waivers. Be vigilant and keep an eye on your league’s Free Agency pools looking for names that people gave up on too early.
This week’s byes include the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.
1. Tyjae Spears, TEN – While Derrick Henry remains king, Tyjae Spears continues to tear down the monarchy. Spears got his first rushing touchdown this past week and his seven rushing attempts were his second-highest of the season. I’m seeing this as a trend, Spears continues to be more involved in this offense while Derrick Henry is being used more for his trick-play touchdown tosses. I see Spears as someone with value now and value later on in the season.
2. Josh Reynolds, DET – This isn’t my first time singing Josh Reynolds’s praises, I was high on him back in the Week 3 Waiver report. Now with Amon-Ra St. Brown missing last week and ‘probable’ to play in Week 6, I’m still keeping an eye on Reynolds. Reynolds led all WRs and TEs in targets last week, only David Montgomery had more. I know Jameson Williams has returned to the lineup, but I see his role more as a decoy keeping the defense honest rather than a fantasy-viable option. If the Sun God does play this week Reynolds’s value goes down a hair, but Reynolds is the best WR handcuff out there.
3. Josh Downs, IND – Downs is the new Up. Last week Josh Downs had a 23.0% target share and led the Colts with 97 receiving yards. Even with Anthony Richardson missing time Gardner Minshew is one of, if not the best backup in the league. I’m not worried about this week’s matchup vs the Jacksonville Jaguars, I see Downs as a great plug-and-play this week.
4. Rashee Rice, KC – Through five games Rashee Rice leads all Chiefs WRs in Red Zone targets with eight, double the number of Skyy Moore who is the next closest. With Travis Kelce suffering a non-contact injury last week Rice is worth the pickup this week.
- Emari Demercado, ARI – James Conner will be missing some time after suffering an injury last week. Emari Demercado had 10 carries last week and is in a great position to fill in with Conner’s absence. Keaontay Ingram is also worth a look as his backfield mate, but I prefer Demercado.
Others Receiving Votes
Roschon Johnson CHI (37% ESPN, 41% Yahoo) – would be my number-one pickup, but he suffered a concussion last Thursday. It seems like the standard procedure for a concussion is at least a week’s absence, but when Johnson returns I see him being a great fill-in for Khalil Herbert’s absence.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR (18% ESPN, 31% Yahoo) – Chubba Hubbard outcarried Mile Sanders 9 to 7 last week while also doubling his targets 2 to 1. Hubbard even played one more snap than Sanders. Hubbard is slowly and quietly becoming the main back in Carolina.
Quentin Johnston, LAC (44% ESPN, 33% Yahoo) – Hopefully Quentin Johnston used the bye to get familiar with the offense. The rookie has not been involved too much so far in the year, but I’m viewing Johnston as a long-term stash.
K.J. Osborn, MIN (22% ESPN, 9% Yahoo) – With news that Justin Jefferson is going on IR that’s at least four weeks of more targets opening up in Minnesota. K.J. Osborn saw nine targets last week, his season high. I expect him to get the largest bump in production with JJ out.
Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA (30% ESPN, 26% Yahoo) – Another player getting a bump due to injury, Jeff Wilson Jr. has been activated off of IR and his 21-practice window has begun. De’Von Achane looks to be missing some time which could open the window for Wilson. While the backfield is still crowded with Raheem Mostert, I expect Wilson to make an impact on his return.
Justice Hill, BAL (24% ESPN, 28% Yahoo) – Justice Hill has been part of the two-headed monster in Baltimore since J.K Dobbins got injured. Hill scored a touchdown last week. I’m only dipping my toes in this backfield in deeper leagues, you never know when Hill or Gus Edwards will carry the load.
Streaming Positions
Tight End
Logan Thomas, WAS (8% ESPN, 16% Yahoo) – What year is it where I’m talking about Logan Thomas? The ageless wonder saw 11 targets last week, bringing in nine of them for 77 yards and a touchdown. Thomas has three out of four finishes as a top 11 tight end, he’s worth a roster spot in the wasteland that is the tight end position.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford, LAR (34% ESPN, 57% Yahoo) – With his breakfast buddy Cooper Kupp back in action I like Matthew Stafford going forward. This week he faces the Arizona Cardinals who surrender 23.20 to opposing signal-callers, the sixth-highest across the NFL.
Sam Howell, WAS (17% ESPN, 34% Yahoo) – What a roller coaster it was for Sam Howell managers this week. After having ~2 points at halftime Howell exploded for 26.4 points for a finish for QB5. Besides Week 5 vs Buffalo, Howell has finished as QB14 or higher.
Defense
Los Angeles Rams (3%) face the Arizona Cardinals without James Conner.
Las Vegas Raiders (4%) take on the New England Patriots and the revolving door of QBs they roster.
(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)