Hear more of the conversation with AJ Passman and Callen Elslager on the Waiver Wire podcast on the QBList Fantasy Football Podcast.
Week 5 Review
- Raheem Mostert proved a good pickup, with 113 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts. More importantly, he has taken over as the lead back in Miami. Mostert is still available in 30% of leagues, so pick him up if you can.
- George Pickens continued his breakout with Kenny Pickett’s first start under center. Pickens (6 Rec, 83 yds) led the Steelers’ receivers in receptions and yards in Week 5 in a game where Pickett threw 52 passes.
- Rachaad White got on the field at about the same rate as Week 4. He’s clearly the backup to Leonard Fournette, but White is well worth the handcuff stash if that’s your thing.
- Rondale Moore was good in Week 5, if not great. His touchdown upside is limited, but his role in the offense seems to be secure as long as he’s healthy.
- Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier didn’t do much for fantasy managers in Week 5, so hopefully you weren’t forced to start either in desperation. In a vacuum, I like both players. However, Atlanta’s limited offense and a split workload keep both players unstartable in most leagues, even with Cordarelle Patterson on injured reserve. Plus, the Falcons don’t get a break in Week 6, with the excellent San Francisco defense on deck.
Top Players to Add in Week 6
Teams on Bye: Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans
Ken Walker (44%)– Some guys just can’t catch a break. Rashaad Penny suffered a broken tibia a week after exploding for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Ken Walker (or Kenneth Walker III if you’re fancy) rushed eight times for 88 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against New Orleans. Excepting the touchdown run, Walker’s 7-for-19 stat line (2.7 yards per attempt) isn’t impressive. Still, Walker showed his potential and is lined up to get the lion’s share of the work in Seattle. The Geno Smith renaissance is set to continue, and Arizona is an excellent matchup for Walker’s first start. With Penny out for the season, Walker will be the top waiver pickup this week. You’ll have to spend up to get him, but this is what your FAAB is for.
Bid: All of it.
Taysom Hill (29%)– Remember when Neo was still figuring things out in The Matrix? He’d dodge bullets on a rooftop but couldn’t leap tall buildings in a single bound. That’s Taysom Hill. He’ll be nonexistent in one game and explode in the next, like in Week 5 when he tossed a 22-yard touchdown to fellow(?) tight end Adam Trautman in addition to nine carries for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Hill presents true week-winning upside as long as he’s TE-eligible, but he’s still liable to show up as Mr. Anderson the week you start him. New Orleans is dealing with injuries to the entire wide receiver trio of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Jarvis Landry, so this week is as good of a time as any to go full Morpheus and proclaim him “The One.” If you don’t have a reliable tight end on your roster, start Taysom Hill for the upside.
Bid: 15%
Rondale Moore (18%)– I recommended Rondale Moore in this article last week, and he finished with 68 yards on 7 receptions in Arizona’s loss against the Eagles. Moore’s role should be safe even when DeAndre Hopkins returns in two weeks; he operated out of the slot on 34-of-41 routes run. Moore’s ceiling is limited because he has not shown an ability to earn targets in the red zone, but he should be a safe option for your flex position when you need a bye-week filler. I like him as a spot start against Seattle’s exploitable defense.
Bid: 5%
Eno Benjamin (10%)– Benjamin continues to impress when given the opportunity. Both James Conner (ribs) and Darrel Williams (knee) exited Arizona’s matchup against Philadelphia, allowing Benjamin to enjoy his highest snap share of the season. He rushed eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown in Week 5 and recorded three receptions for an additional 28 yards. I won’t be surprised if Williams misses Week 6 and Conner is limited at best, giving Benjamin a real shot at a three-down role this week. Conner’s potential availability should keep Benjamin’s waiver cost down, but an RB-needy manager might pay a little more for a bye-week starter in a smash spot.
Bid: 13%
Alec Pierce (8%)– The Colts have not looked good this season. With Jonathan Taylor (ankle) missing Indy’s Week 5 matchup, they looked worse. In spite of all this, Alec Pierce has quietly emerged as a viable receiving option for Matt Ryan. The rookie out of Cincinnati has seen his targets climb from five to six to nine over the last three weeks. The matchup against Jacksonville isn’t scary, and I’m comfortable starting Pierce in my flex spot if I need a safe floor.
Bid: 3-5%
Other Adds:
If Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines are forced to miss Week 6, Deon Jackson would project to be the starting back for the Colts as an RB3. In Buffalo, Isaiah McKenzie will be the third receiving option for Josh Allen if he’s good to go against Kansas City. Khalil Shakir is the latest rookie to have a meaningful performance, but I’d only consider playing him if McKenzie and Jake Kumerow were ruled out again. He is worth an add in dynasty and deeper leagues in case he continues to impress. Randall Cobb was the top receiver in Green Bay with 14 targets in Week 5, but it’s hard to know how the targets will shake out weekly. Mike Boone played second fiddle to Melvin Gordon, but his role could increase in Denver. Finally, Jaylen Warren continues to earn playing time and would be a top waiver pickup if Najee Harris were forced to miss any time.
At the tight end position, I’ve already mentioned Taysom Hill. Hayden Hurst is another player I’m interested in streaming this week despite a tough matchup against New Orleans.
At quarterback, I’m going back to the well with Carson Wentz against the lowly Bears. My top streaming option, however, is Geno Smith in a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
For streaming defenses, last week’s options of Jacksonville and Minnesota didn’t really pan out. I’m sorry. I’m choosing to trust the process again and pick the Washington Commanders in their matchup against Chicago. For another option, I’d recommend New England’s defense after back-to-back dominant performances. Cleveland’s run game is strong, but I think Bill Belichik and the Patriots can force the Browns to throw.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)