The big running back injuries keep coming and the breakouts apparently aren’t going to stop this year. Rashaad Penny (leg) was the latest starting RB to exit early, paving the way for backup Kenneth Walker III to run wild in the Seahawks’ backfield. Walker wasn’t even the star of his own game, though. That honor goes to hybrid Taysom Hill, who dominated with over 100 rushing yards and four total TDs. Along with Cardinals’ handcuff Eno Benjamin, who took over for an injured James Conner (ribs), both Walker III and Hill will be among the top Week 6 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds.
Our full free agent list features more potential contributors, though none match the potential of Walker, Benjamin, and Hill. Wide receivers Dyami Brown and Jakobi Meyers made waves with 100-yard games, while Josh Reynolds, Darius Slayton, Randall Cobb, and Alec Pierce also had strong performances this week. Backup RBs Mike Boone and Deon Jackson (remember them?) impressed last Thursday night and could see increased snaps again in Week 6. Also, because Week 6 marks the beginning of the byes, we’ve expanded our streamer recommendations to QBs and TEs to go along with D/STs. All streamers can be found at the end of the list.
WEEK 6 WAIVERS: Full list
If you’re in one of the 58 percent of Yahoo leagues where Walker is available, then you’ll want to use a top waiver claim on him. Depending on reports about Conner and Darrel Williams (knee), Benjamin could also be a top claim. Hill is a tougher call. He obviously has a lot of upside, but his touches are unpredictable and he’s basically just a TD-or-bust player. That has value at tight end, but it’s probably not worth a high waiver claim unless you’re desperate.
Other than Walker, Benjamin, and possibly Hill, the rest of the players on this week’s list are best left for the free-agent wire. Some could merit low claims in deeper leagues, but you don’t want to burn a high claim on a streamer, a handcuff RB, or a boom-or-bust WR.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 6
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks. Walker took over in Seattle’s backfield after Rashaad Penny suffered a fractured tibia in Week 5, and he didn’t do much outside of a 69-yard TD run. Of course, that shows the kind of potential and upside the talented rookie has. Penny has a long history of health issues, and this might be the most serious yet. Walker stands to see 15-plus touches per game in Seattle’s surprisingly decent offense for the foreseeable future. Expect his ownership rate to skyrocket from its current 42 percent ahead of next week’s matchup against Arizona.
Taysom Hill, QB/TE, Saints. Hill is a tough player to own/start, but after his Week 5 explosion (22 passing yards, passing TD, nine carries, 112 rushing yards, three rushing TDs), you can bet he’ll be in lineups in leagues where he’s TE-eligible. You can’t count on significant touches every game (which is why he shouldn’t be played as a QB in single-QB leagues), but he’s now scored in three of his four outings this year. Between the limited touches and unpredictable rushing/receiving yards (83, 14, 21, 112 in his four games this year), Hill is the definition of a TD-or-bust player. However, that doesn’t make him all that different from most mid-tier and lower-tier TEs. With bye weeks upon us, Hill can have value in all matchups, including next week against the Bengals.
WEEK 6 WAIVERS: Full list
Eno Benjamin, RB, Cardinals. James Conner (ribs) exited at the end of the first half in Week 5, and with Darrel Williams (knee) also dinged up, Benjamin dominated RB touches in the second half, totaling 53 yards and a TD on 11 touches (eight carries, three receptions). If Conner can’t go next week, it will likely be Benjamin leading the way in a favorable matchup against Seattle, though Williams, if healthy, could have flex value, too. If both Conner and Williams are out, Benjamin will be a solid RB2.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots. Meyers missed Weeks 3 and 4 due to a knee injury, but he came back in a big way in Week 5, catching seven-of-eight targets for 111 yards and a TD. Even with Bailey Zappe at QB, it’s clear Meyers is the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver and a reliable PPR flex, and he should continue posting decent numbers next week in a tougher matchup against Cleveland.
Dyami Brown, WR, Commanders. Filling in for rookie Jahan Dotson (hamstring), Brown hauled in two-of-four targets for 105 yards and two TDs against Tennessee on Sunday. Brown has popped for big plays before, but consistency always eludes him. It’s tough to imagine Brown having much value when Dotson returns (either in Week 6 or 7), but few teams throw as much as the Commanders, so it’s possible Brown retains deep-league flex value if Dotson is out again next week when Washington plays the Bears.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including some potential streaming options, check out our full Week 6 list.
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