Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

How are you owners feeling after Week 5? Better get ready because we have another week to hit these waivers hard as the fantasy season starts heating up. We saw a ton of points scored in Week 5 and saw some productive fantasy outings from last week’s article that included Blake Bortles, Nyheim Hines, T.J Yeldon, Mohamed Sanu, and Austin Hooper. Also, we saw some injuries pile up as the week concluded. So who you are going to add this week?

Key Tips:

Stay ahead of your bye weeks. In Week 6, the Detriot and New Orleans will be on bye weeks. In Week 7, Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Seattle are on bye weeks.

If you have been waiting on a player and you still have not seen it after five weeks, it’s time to move on. Especially if you are 0-5 or 1-4, you cannot afford to hold on anymore. It’s time to make changes to your roster, so be more aggressive on the waiver wire and through trades.

Keep things in perspective. Look at your record in regards to how many games out of a playoff spot you are versus whoever is in first. Your goal should be to make the playoffs and from there, anything can happen.

Without further ado, here are your waiver wire targets for Week 6!

Week 6 Waiver Wire QB Pickups

Jameis Winston

ESPN: Less than 13% owned

He is finally back! The Ryan Fitzpatrick #FitzMagic era is over in Tampa Bay. Winston replaced Fitzpatrick after the latter struggled in the first half against the Bears. Not sure Winston was much better throwing for two interceptions, but with post-bye week Winston has been named the starter. That being said, with Winston taking the reigns in Week 6, they will be playing the Atlanta Falcons who have been destroyed by opposing quarterbacks this season. Over the past three weeks starting quarterbacks have averaged 29.38 fantasy points versus the Falcons. And interestingly enough Winston averages more fantasy points per game without O.J. Howard. 18.89 fantasy points per game with Howard and 21.18 fantasy points per game without Howard. No O.J.? No problem.

Mitchell Trubisky

ESPN: Less than 20% owned

Trubisky absolutely exploded the last time we saw him in Week 4 versus the Buccaneers. He threw for 354 yards and six total touchdowns for a total of 43.5 total fantasy points. Trubisky has actually increased his yardage output now in four consecutive weeks. Now that his bye week is completed here is his upcoming schedule: Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, and the Bills. Things could just be getting started for Trubisky.

Baker Mayfield

ESPN: Less than 39% owned

The Ravens have one of the best secondaries in the NFL, and yet Baker Mayfield was able to throw for 342 yards and one score. Obviously, it took five quarters of football to get there, but Mayfield impressed in his home debut. The reason I love Mayfield as an add is because of his upcoming schedule. Chargers, Buccaneers, Steelers, Chiefs, and Falcons over the next five weeks. All rank within the top ten in terms of fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position.

*Priority Order* FAAB Spend: Winston, Mayfield, Trubisky 5% of the total budget

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Week 6 Waiver Wire RB Pickups

Wendell Smallwood

ESPN: Less than 8% owned

The 2018 campaign for Jay Ajayi is over. The Eagles have placed the running back on injured reserve opening the door for Smallwood, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles, and Josh Adams. In Week 5 Smallwood tied with Ajayi for the most snaps played (49.15%) at the running back position. Clement was active but did not see the field due to his injury. If Doug Pederson has shown us anything it’s that he does not shy away from using multiple running backs. Smallwood has made the most of his opportunities averaging 14.8 fantasy points in PPR over the past three weeks with the other backs out with injuries.

Both him and Clement (less than 29% owned), should be added across all fantasy formats. In deeper formats, Sproles can be added, along with undrafted rookie free agent Josh Adams. Adams had a very impressive college career so there is upside if you decide to stash him. He’s less than .5% owned.

FAAB Spend: 3%

Ronald Jones

ESPN: Less than 19% owned

Jones was active for the first time this season in Week 4 and led the Buccaneers in rushing yards. Jones only had 29 rushing yards on 10 attempts, but considering the game script of this game Tampa Bay never really had a chance to get the ground game going. It is encouraging to see that Jones out-touched Peyton Barber and Jones should see the first crack at the RB1 job with the Buccaneers getting back to action after their bye week. The next two matchups are favorable for Jones as well, as the both the Falcons and Browns rank bottom ten in fantasy points allowed to the running back position.

FAAB Spend: 3%

D’Onta Foreman

ESPN: Less than 7% owned

It’s tough to trust Foreman who is coming off an Achilles injury. However, according to Bill O’Brien Foreman is on track to return in Week 7. Lamar Miller has been vastly underwhelming at the running back position, so the Texans could try Foreman in a more featured role. Miller has yet to exceed 15 fantasy points in any game this season. Foreman is definitely a player to stash to the end of your bench if you have room to do so. Alfred Blue also impressed on Sunday night football accumulating 20 attempts for 46 yards, but the biggest thing was his pass-catching work. Eight receptions for 73 yards. If you are a team that needs running back help in Week 6 right away Blue could be a helpful addition if he maintains his role in the passing game. The Bills rank in the bottom ten in receptions allowed to the running back position.

FAAB Spend: 1%

Tarik Cohen

ESPN: Less than 68% owned

Cohen finally had the game we were all looking for, and it came at the expense of running back Jordan Howard. Cohen out-touched Howard 20-11 back in Week 4. The Bears seemed to reach their peak in Week 4, so it would only make sense that they would try to run their offense moving forward with Cohen possibly featured more. Again, a great addition in PPR formats if somebody dropped him after he had his bye week. The Bears play the Dolphins in Week 6, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to the running back this season. Specifically, they have allowed the sixth most receptions, fifth-most targets, seventh most yards, third-most receiving touchdowns, and fourth-most red zone touches, to running backs this season.

FAAB Spend: 10%

Mike Davis

ESPN: Less than 16% owned

So it looks like Seattle can run the ball now? Davis rushed 12 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks’ Week 5 loss to the Rams. Davis did not get the start against the Rams defense in Week 5 but was still heavily involved along with Chris Carson. More importantly, he got the goalline carry for the score. Carson out-touched him 20-14, but if the Seahawks want to continue to pound the ground game, Davis seems like the number two option. Especially with a soft run defense coming up next week when the Seattle travels to Oakland. The Raiders have allowed the fourth most rushing yards to the running back position this season.

FAAB Spend: 1%

Alfred Morris

ESPN: Less than 50% owned

Big Alf took over after Matt Breida left with another injury in Week 5. Morris rushed for 61 yards on and caught three of five targets for 30 yards. Morris is more of a volume based add in the chance that Breida misses any additional time. Breida has been dealing with injuries it seems like all season so adding Morris is a must for fantasy owners. We saw Morris put up solid RB2 numbers last year when given the opportunity in Dallas and he is coming off a 21-touch game last week. Morris has a 51.72% touch/snap played meaning the volume is going to be there for him. Morris was also seeing the boatload of red zone work this season, and with Bredia out that role should just increase. The 49ers take on the Packers in Week 6 who have allowed four rushing touchdowns over the past three weeks. Last note that if you miss out on Morris look at fullback Kyle Juszczyk who is less than 1% owned. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in the two of the last three weeks and has led the running back room in snaps played (62.92%). His pass-catching ability reigns supreme over Morris, so he could be a great addition in PPR formats.

FAAB Spend: 5%

Week 6 Waiver Wire WR Pickups

Keke Coutee

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ESPN: Less than 20% owned

FAAB Spend: 10%

Seven targets, six receptions, and a touchdown in Week 5 versus the Dallas Cowboys. In just his second game Coutee impressed again. The positive note is that Coutee was able to have success with Will Fuller in the lineup. He played fewer snaps than Fuller, but still saw a ton of work. It appears that he has the role moving forward in the Texans’ offense and should be added across PPR formats. With Tre’Davious White shadow covering DeAndre Hopkins, Coutee could see more targets from the slot against Buffalo in Week 6. The Bills have allowed the ninth most receptions to the wide receiver position this season.

Robby Anderson

ESPN: Less than 42% owned

FAAB Spend: 3%

Talk about BOOM from Robby Anderson. Anderson left for dead in many fantasy leagues, had three receptions for 123 yards, and two touchdowns on just five total targets. The target volume has not been there for Anderson, but that’s always been the type of player he has been. Anderson is a very streaky player, and I think that this could be the beginning of his next hot streak. Last year Anderson had a streak from Week 7 – Week 12, where he averaged 21.55 PPR fantasy points per game. Anderson has also been predictably better at home than on the road. Home splits: 67-1176-9 versus road splits: 49-583-3.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

ESPN: Less than 4% owned

FAAB Spend: 5%

The next man up mentality. Valdes-Scantling or MVS filled admirably for Geronimo Allison who had to miss the game due to a concussion. Second on the team in targets, and first in the team snaps with 95% of the snaps played for MVS. Attaching your wide receivers to elite quarterback play is a great strategy, so add Valdes-Scantling to any wide receiver needy-team. Temper expectations though if Allison comes back from his concussion in Week 6.

Taylor Gabriel

ESPN: Less than 7% owned

FAAB Spend: 3%

Gabriel saw ten targets back in Week 3, which definitely raised some eyebrows amongst fantasy owners. But then in Week 4, Gabriel exploded for seven receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest difference in the game outside of the fact that Tampa Bay can’t play defense was the absence of Anthony Miller. Without Miller, Gabriel was able to have a more featured role, and I don’t think this is a fluke. We have seen Gabriel produce at an extremely high fantasy level before so I would buy him while he is cheap. He is returning from the bye week, so he should be available. Through the first four games, Gabriel leads the Bears in receptions and is second on the team in targets. In Week 6, the Bears will be playing the Dolphins who have allowed the tenth fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position in 2018.

Christian Kirk

ESPN: Less than 12% owned

FAAB Spend: 3%

He has out targeted Larry Fitzgerald 17-12 over the last three weeks. Kirk has been the best fantasy wide receiver on the Cardinals since Josh Rosen has taken over. Over that same time span, Kirk leads the Arizona receivers in total air yards and total team targets. At this point, Kirk might be the better add than Fitzgerald himself, who just does not appear to be healthy. Kirk is best worth stashing now, with a tough matchup on the road against the Vikings on the schedule for Week 6.

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Josh Reynolds

ESPN: Less than .1% owned

FAAB Spend: 3%

Josh Reynolds hauled in 2-of-3 targets for 39 yards and rushed once for 10 yards in the Rams’ Week 5 win over the Seahawks. Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp, who both left Week 5 with concussions, opening it up for Reynolds. Once entering the game he immediately had a 22-yard catch on the second offensive play of the half. He followed that up with another 17-yard grab the next play. He also added in a 10 yard rush to his day. Reynolds showed last year that he is more than a capable receiver when given opportunities. With the Rams so heavily involving their wide receivers, he should be added in most formats.

Mohamed Sanu

ESPN: Less than 53% owned

FAAB Spend: 5%

The Falcons offense is scoring well over 30 points a game at home this season and that should continue against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay gives up the 2nd most fantasy points to the WR position and Sanu has scored over 15 fantasy points in PPR formats over the past three weeks.

David Moore

ESPN: Less than .5% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

Moore had three receptions for 38 yards and two touchdowns on four targets in Week 5. Moore moved ahead of both Brandon Marshall and Jaron Brown by playing in over 50% of the offensive snaps. Right now Moore is a stash in deeper formats because the Seahawks offense is not as pass-heavy as we might have anticipated.

*WR Priority* Sanu, Coutee, Valdes-Scantling, Reynolds, Anderson, Gabriel, Kirk, Moore

Honorable Mentions: Courtland Sutton DEN, Tre’Quan Smith NO

Week 6 Waiver Wire TE Pickups

Cameron Brate

ESPN: Less than 11% owned

FAAB Spend: 2%

Quarterback Jameis Winston loves Cameron Brate. Looking at Brate’s splits he averages over 9.5 fantasy points per game with Winston under center. Without Winston? Just 3.48 fantasy points per game. Then throw in the fact that O.J. Howard is going to be missing time, Brate becomes a must-add at the position. But even when Howard does return from his injury again his splits with Winston make Brate the more favorable play. Howard averages 6.9 fantasy points per game with Winston and averages 12.32 fantasy points per game without Winston. The matchup in Week 6 at Atlanta begs for a Winston-Brate stack.

Greg Olsen

ESPN: Less than 27% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports “there’s confidence” Greg Olsen (foot) will play in Week 6 against the Redskins. The tight end position is just so bleak right now that any new face to the position is worth adding. Olsen obviously has been dealing with a ton of injuries as of late, but if he can stay healthy abide for a short period of time, he will be worth picking up. Ian Thomas has been a disappointment thus far.

Geoff Swaim

ESPN: Less than 8% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

There’s a real possibility that Swaim is the best receiver on the Dallas Cowboys. At least seven fantasy points in three straight games, Swaim is passing the eye test as Dak Prescott’s safety blanket at the tight end position. Swaim takes on Jacksonville in Week 6, who gave up 100 yards receiving to tight end Travis Kelce in Week 5.

Austin Hooper

ESPN: Less than 50% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

Hooper is second of all Atlanta skill-position players in offensive snaps played through 2018. So far that volume has led Hooper to have two fantasy productive outings with three not so productive outings. The most recent being in Week 5, where Hooper had 9 receptions for 77 yards on twelve targets. However, as we approach Week 6, the matchup could be even better for Hooper than Week 5. While the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed the second most fantasy points to the tight end position Tampa Bay allows the most fantasy points to the position.

Niles Paul

ESPN: Less than 0% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

Austin Seferian-Jenkins was placed on injured reserve on Monday, and that opens things up for Niles Paul. Against the Chiefs, Paul caught seven passes for 65 yards on nine targets while stepping in for Seferian-Jenkins during the second half. Blake Bortles heavily leaned on Paul in the second half. 25.71% targets/snaps played for Paul in Week 5. He’s got the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 who allowed six receptions for 65 yards to Houston tight end Ryan Griffin.

C.J. Uzomah

ESPN: Less than .5% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

Another Tyler tight end for the Bengals goes down. First, Tyler Eifert and now Tyler Kroft falls victim. I though Kroft would fill in at tight end with Eifert missing. But with his latest injury, fantasy owners need to turn to C.J. Uzomah. He led the team in snaps at the tight end position in both Week 4 and Week 5. According to Adam Levitan on Twitter: Andy Dalton dropped back 34 times yesterday. Routes run by CIN TEs: CJ Uzomah 28, Tyler Kroft 9. With Pittsburgh next on the matchup, Uzomah is a player that is worth adding and streaming in Week 6. The Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed the second most fantasy points to the tight end position through 2018.

David Njoku

ESPN: Less than 70% owned

FAAB Spend: 1%

Many fantasy owners began to lose faith in Njoku as the season started, but this needs to be changed. Njoku is coming off a career-high 11 target game where he had six receptions for 69 yards. He also played in a season-high 90% of the snaps. The big thing to point out here is this was one of the toughest matchups he would face all year and he delivered. With Baker Mayfield under center, the upside is there with Njoku.

*TE Priority* Hooper, Brate, Njoku, Olsen, Uzomah, Paul, Swaim

Defense/Special Teams Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

Packers DST vs San Francisco

ESPN: Less than 42% owned

Chargers DST @ Cleveland

ESPN: Less than 58% owned

Dallas DST vs Jacksonville

ESPN: Less than 27% owned

– Andrew Erickson is a fantasy writer for Gridiron Experts. Follow me and vote in my twitter poll!

Who Will Be The Most Added Player On The Waiver Wire For Week 6?#FantasyFootball #WaiverWire — Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) October 9, 2018

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