Kenneth Walker III and Taysom Hill made headlines after Sunday’s action, and there’s no doubt they’ll be chief among the top Week 6 fantasy waiver pickups and free agent adds. However, with the bye weeks upon us, plenty of fantasy teams will need backups, and that’s why guys with cloudier outlooks will be highly sought after as potential free agent adds after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
In addition to the top pickups, our full free agent list features several WR3 types, including Jakobi Meyers, Josh Reynolds, Darius Slayton, Alec Pierce, and George Pickens, and plenty of potential flex RBs, like Eno Benjamin, Mike Boone, Deon Jackson, and Damien Williams. Finally, because we’re in the bye weeks, we have Week 6 streamer recommendations for QBs, TEs, and D/STs, all of which can be found at the end of this list.
WEEK 6 WAIVERS: Full list
Walker is an easy call for a top waiver claim, and Benjamin is probably worth a similar-level claim barring positive reports on James Conner’s rib injury before Tuesday night. Hill will likely be claimed in most leagues, but he’s only worth a high claim if you’re truly desperate at TE. Based on what we’ve seen this season, he remains a TD-or-bust player, though the Saints could find a way to use him more and get him 10 touches per game.
Make no mistake, there will be a lot of pickups this week. If you need a specific player and have a low claim, you might as well just use a waiver move so you don’t get snaked in free agency. However, if you’re looking at a cluster of similar WR3/flex types, then you can probably hold back and try to move up the waiver list as quickly as possible.
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.
Eno Benjamin, RB, Cardinals. The Cardinals have said they are being “very cautious” with James Conner (ribs), who exited early in Week 5. Benjamin took over and totaled 53 yards and a TD on 11 touches (eight carries, three receptions). With Darrel Williams (knee) also banged up, Benjamin stands to be the lead back in a favorable matchup with the Seahawks next week if Conner can’t go.
WEEK 6 WAIVERS: Full list
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Chiefs. MVS has quietly seen steady targets this year, averaging just under six per game through the first four weeks. but he set a season high with six catches, eight targets, and 90 yards in Week 5. Travis Kelce is the clear top target in Kansas City, but Valdes-Scantling is right up there with JuJu Smith-Schuster as the top wideout. He has more big-play upside, too, so he’s always in play even in tough matchups like next week against Buffalo.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Deon Jackson, RB, Colts. Jackson easily outplayed Phillip Lindsay (14 touches, 54 total yards) on Thursday night, handling 17 touches and racking up 91 total yards. Jackson doesn’t have any value if Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is due back in Week 7, but if both Taylor and Nyheim Hines (concussion) are expected to be out, Jackson will be a high-upside flex against the Jaguars. Even if Taylor is out and Hines returns, Jackson has some low-end flex value.
Mike Boone, RB, Broncos. There’s no doubt Melvin Gordon operated as the “lead back” for the Broncos in Week 5, as he played 56 percent of snaps and handled 18 touches (15 carries, three catches). Boone was still plenty involved, though, playing 41 percent of snaps and touching the ball 10 times (seven carries, three catches). Boone totaled 85 yards and averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry, which is in line with his career mark (5.6), so there’s still a lot of upside here. The big worry is Latavius Murray, who was inactive on Thursday after playing in London the previous Sunday with the Saints, will take some of Boone’s touches in the future. As of right now, though, Boone is a must-have in 12-league teams. He’s an injury (or fumble) away from starting, and he can be a flex with his current role.
Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals. Moore caught seven-of-eight targets for 68 yards in Week 5, and given the volume, Moore will be worth owning in PPR leagues for at least another week. DeAndre Hopkins can return in Week 7, and he figures to eat into Moore’s targets, but in the Cardinals’ uptempo offense, it’s possible the versatile Moore retains value. A favorable matchup against Seattle in Week 6 sets him up for success.
For more waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Kenneth Walker III, Taysom Hill, Jakobi Meyers, and more, check out our full Week 6 list.
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