For the second straight week, we ran into more COVID-19 issues with the postponement of the Broncos-Patriots and Bills-Titans games. Many injuries hit the league again this week as well, making the Week 6 fantasy waiver wire pickups that much more important.
I said it last week and I’ll say it again: active fantasy managers win their leagues. If you were here the previous five weeks, you know the drill. In order to stay in contention for the fantasy playoffs with all these injuries plaguing your team, you have to work the waivers and grab players who are on the rise.
With that being said, here are my top Week 6 waiver wire pickups that are on the rise in fantasy value, and could in turn put up good fantasy points.
I also have some drop-worthy candidates, but by no means are must-drops.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the fantasy football Week 6 waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins (19.9%)
Why did the Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa when they have the 37-year-old magician, Ryan Fitzpatrick? Just kidding. But, Fitzmagic has surpassed 20 fantasy points in four straight games now and has thrown seven touchdowns for 1153 yards and ran for two touchdowns as well during that stretch. The Dolphins play the Jets in Week 6 followed by a bye, but he is well worth the pickup at this point. The Jets are allowing the third best completion percentage to quarterbacks this season at 72.1%, leaving the door wide open for another magic show for Fitzpatrick. There’s no reason he shouldn’t at least be your backup with the numbers he’s been putting up.
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers (42.6%)
Would you believe me when I told you that by halftime against the Falcons in Week 5, Bridgewater had 261 passing yards for two touchdowns while completing 20/27 of his passes? Yeah well, it happened. Unfortunately, he barely threw in the second half ending with 316 total yards by the end of the game. Bridgewater started off shaky but has improved each week in completion percentage and yards per game. He plays Chicago, New Orleans, and Atlanta in his next three matchups. Chicago is allowing 11.2 yards per completion to opposing offenses thus far and the Panthers are full of speedy guys, leaving Bridgewater with the opportunity to score 20+ fantasy points for three straight games.
Jared Goff, Rams (47.1%)
Over the past few games as Goff’s put up 23+ fantasy points in three of his last four games. In Week 5 against Washington, he threw for 309 yards for two touchdowns and one interception while also getting a goalie touchdown. He plays San Francisco in Week 6, a banged up defense that just allowed 436 total yards of offense to the Dolphins last week. After the Niners, they take on the Bears followed by the Dolphins, two matchups that Goff can easily put up great fantasy numbers on.
Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups
Alexander Mattison, Vikings (41.6%)
Mattison came in after Cook went out with an injury and carried the ball 20 times for 112 yards while reeling in three receptions for 24 yards. If Cook misses next week, Mattison is looking at an expanded role as the main guy in the backfield. The Vikings play Atlanta in Week 6 who is allowing 4.2 yards per carry thus far. The Falcons defense is horrible this season in both the run game and pass game, so Mattison could be heavily involved next week. If the Vikings play it safe against the 0-5 Falcons, Mattison is in line for another 20+ carry night which could lead to a hefty return of fantasy points for your team.
J.D McKissic, Washington (14.8%)
The Washington quarterback room is full of check down throwers. Alex Smith’s first completion was to McKissic. In Week 5 against the Rams, McKissic only carried the ball once, but caught six receptions for 46 yards. The week before he had seven catches for 40 yards. His usage as a runner isn’t there at all, but he’ll be a big part of this offense moving forward if he keeps the receiving numbers up. He plays the Giants and Cowboys in his next two matchups, two defenses that are mightily struggling this season. At just under 15 percent owned, there’s a good chance he’s available.
Chase Edmonds, Cardinals (46.5%)
The Arizona backfield is one big question mark because the running backs usages are all over the place each game. Edmonds only carried the ball three times against the Jets but ran for 36 yards and a touchdown. Edmonds is utilized in the passing game as he has 18 receptions for 129 yards through five games. For a comparison, Drake has only six receptions for 12 yards through five games. The Cardinals play Dallas and Seattle in their next two games which are both suitable for Edmonds through both the run game and pass game. I’d stash him for now and see if the backfield issue clears up, but his usage is there in the passing game.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups
Travis Fulgham, Eagles (0.1%)
Who? Ten catches for 152 yards and a touchdown from Travis Fulgham? It took me a second to figure out who this guy was, but I’m glad I did and you will be too. With the Eagles without Alshon Jeffery, Desean Jackson, and Jalen Reagor, they have resorted to the practice squad players. After catching the game-winning touchdown in Week 4 against the 49ers, he came into Week 5 looking for blood. He put up 31.2 fantasy points, second-highest on the day out of all wide receivers. As long as the Eagles wide receiving corps is banged up, Fulgham will see plenty of usage aside from this breakout performance. The Eagles play Baltimore next week so it might be a good idea to sit him next week. But the Eagles play the Giants then Cowboys so Fulgham has some upside to be a factor in the passing game.
Chase Claypool, Steelers (8.8%)
Chase Claypool also had himself a breakout day, totaling a whopping four touchdowns. The rookie many are calling “Mapletron” saw an increased role, with Diontae Johnson again getting banged up. We’ve seen how Ben Roesthlisberger feeds the players he trusts, and it’s clear that Claypool now has Big Ben’s trust. Even with the full receiving corps healthy, Claypool should have a role going forward.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (41.9%)
Despite being the third option in the passing game, Higgins’ target share is impressive. He’s been targeted 24 times in three games and caught thirteen of them for 179 yards for two touchdowns. Bengals QB Joe Burrow ranks second in the league for passing attempts with 207 total so the usage will be there for all receivers. The Bengals play Indianapolis and Cleveland in their next two games. The Colts have allowed 159 passing yards per game, league best, so this might be a harder matchup for Higgins to do well in fantasy, but Burrow throws the ball so much, I don’t think it matters. Higgins will still see five or more targets and likely reel in almost all of them. He isn’t a must-start by any means in any league, but he’s worth the stash as his matchups after these next two get a bit easier.
Laviska Shenault Jr., Jaguars (32.0%)
Another rookie wide receiver who sees high usage in their offense is Laviska Shenault Jr. In Week 5 against the Texans, he had seven catches for 79 yards on eight targets. Originally, it seemed like he’d be a big part of the run game as he carried the ball seven times through the first two games, but has only carried it two times through the last three. But, it’s still a good sign that Minshew is targeting him regularly. The Jaguars play Detroit in Week 6 who have allowed nine passing touchdowns, sixth worst in the league. He’s rostered at just 32 percent, and if D.J Chark’s injury forces him to miss time, Shenault will see even more targets. Roster him.
Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (1.8%)
With O.J Howard out for the rest of the season, Brate’s spot from last season opened up. He caught five catches on six targets for 44 yards against the Bears last week. Brady is known for targeting his tight end, and Gronk doesn’t look nearly as good as he used to be, so Brate could become the new Gronk. If Godwin is out next week, Brate looks even better. He plays Green Bay next week, who has been solid against tight ends, but the two tight end sets will open up the passing lanes. It’s almost guaranteed he’s available in your league at just under 2 percent ownership.
Jimmy Graham, Bears (53.4%)
The Bears offense is by no means high-powered but for fantasy purposes, Jimmy Graham is great to own. He is their main red-zone target and sees regular targets since Nick Foles was upgraded to starter. He’s seen ten targets the past two games for seven catches and a touchdown. The Bears play CAR, LAR, and NO with their next three matchups. The Panthers have been stingy this season against the tight end position but the Rams rank 20th and the Saints rank dead last. The Bears-Panthers game could end up being a good one with high-scoring, and if so, Graham will be a big part of that. With a tough matchup in Week 6, it’d be safe to bench him, but hold onto him for good matchups coming up.
Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers (37.6%)
Ebron has been utilized much more than expected this season thus far with 20 targets through four games. Last week against the Eagles, he caught five catches for 43 yards. The Steelers play the Browns next week, a bottom-ten team against tight ends this season so Ebron could return some solid fantasy points. If the Steelers defense struggles again like they did last week, they could be down and needing to pass the ball. He has some good matchups coming up as well so if you need a plug-in player because of a bye, he’s worth the look.
Drop Candidates
QB: Dak Prescott, Jimmy Garoppolo, Philip Rivers
RB: Nyheim Hines, Kerryon Johnson, Sony Michel
WR: Marques Valdes-Scantling, Breshad Perriman, Danny Amendola
TE: Jack Doyle, Logan Thomas, Drew Sample
More Articles
Chase Claypool Fantasy Outlook High Following Monster Performance
Damien Harris’ Fantasy Outlook High
