Injuries can be detrimental to the success of your fantasy squad and can leave you scrambling for a plug-in starter. This is why you will need to work the fantasy football waiver wire to grab high-upside players to help fill these empty spots and reduce that Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic.
It’s Week 5 so it may be time to drop those late-round flyers you took a chance on and look elsewhere on the waiver wire. If you’re in need of an immediate upgrade, here are some Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help push your fantasy team in the right direction.
Players must be owned in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be included in the Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire pickups column. All ownerships for waiver wire players will be provided and will reflect that of Monday evening.
QB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Geno Smith, Seahawks (32.2%)
It’s shocking that Geno Smith has played this well on a team everyone assumed was tanking for first overall pick next year. He has solid weapons in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett so it makes sense why he is able to post double-digit fantasy performances in four of five games but his last two cannot be ignored. Smith can find value with his legs getting easy rushing touchdowns but has been able to get it going through the air lately. The Seahawks face some weaker secondaries in their next few games (LAC, NYG, ARI) which should bode well for Smith’s fantasy value and ownership moving forward.
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (9.9%)
Kenny Pickett provides an instant boost to the entire Steelers offense in fantasy football. Mitch Trubisky simply wasn’t getting the job done and failed to throw the ball down the field so Pickett got the start against the Bills in Week 5. His stats were skewed by pure garbage time points in the second half but he looks very composed for a rookie quarterback. His weapons are essentially endless from his receivers and tight end to his running back. His ownership will certainly see a huge increase once waivers process so if you’re in need of a QB, pull the trigger now.
Other options: Zach Wilson (14.4%), Justin Fields (27.0%), Carson Wentz (47.7%)
RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (47.7%)
With Rashaad Penny leaving the game in Week 5 and his injury being deemed “very serious,” Kenneth Walker III now finds the entire Seahawks backfield to himself. There shouldn’t be much competition for Walker, and he’s flashed in the few opportunities he’s seen. The drive after Penny went down, Walker came in and ran for a 69-yard touchdown, showcasing his speed. If the Seahawks offense continues playing like this, the entire offense becomes very intriguing fantasy-wise.
Brian Robinson, Commanders (44.4%)
Brian Robinson did register the lowest snap count out of all Commanders’ running backs but that’s to be expected considering it’s his first game in the NFL. Despite the low snap percentage, he led the team in carries (9). That backfield is going to be a headache for fantasy managers until Robinson carves out a more significant role but he flashed many times in the preseason and can very easily become the RB1 soon. J.D. McKissic will likely dominate passing downs still which will limit Robinson’s value but he can easily overtake Antonio Gibson’s spot.
Other options: James Cook (34.7%), Mike Boone (26.9%), Deon Jackson (1.3%)
WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
George Pickens, Steelers (50.6%)
With Kenny Pickett at QB now, George Pickens and all other Steelers pass catchers see an immediate fantasy boost. Pickens is extremely talented and has made some otherworldly catches in his short NFL career so far. After only seeing five targets through the first two games, he’s seen at least eight in his last two games and that volume should only increase. Pickett looked for him quite a bit against the Bills and if Diontae Johnson has the opposing CB1 on him, Pickens will be open. His ownership has been on the rise the last two weeks and he’s rostered in over half of leagues now but grab him off the waiver wire before it’s too late.
Khalil Shakir, Bills (0.6%)
The rookie Bills receiver Khalil Shakir got his first start in Week 5 and impressed. He hauled in three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown and easily solidified his role in the offense moving forward. The wide receiver room is banged up in Buffalo right now. If Isaiah McKenzie misses more time due to a concussion, Shakir may steal that slot position soon enough. Shakir has serious potential in this offense because he is a YAC merchant, which is something the Bills offense is missing.
Josh Allen gave him chances to make plays and he did, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to roster him now before his role increases.
Other options: Randall Cobb (3.4%), Nico Collins (11.9%), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (1.0%)
TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Taysom Hill, Saints (11.4%)
It’s painful seeing Taysom Hill post QB-like fantasy numbers when he’s still listed as a tight end in fantasy football. He dominated last week, totaling four touchdowns but that won’t happen every week. It’s hard to trust Hill because the Saints offense is hard to gauge and they have both Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton so he won’t get as many QB snaps as usual. Nonetheless, his ownership is going to rise once fantasy football waiver wire pickups process, but it’s very possible his fantasy managers are disappointed in a week or two when he posts a single-digit performance.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (20.2%)
Evan Engram isn’t a pretty fantasy football waiver wire pickup, because he’s always underproduced. However, Engram’s Week 5 volume is intriguing. It seemed like the Jaguars’ receivers couldn’t get open, so Trevor Lawrence had to look elsewhere. Engram saw 10 targets last week and posted a double-digit day, which is all you need from your tight end at this point. He’ll have two good opportunities to post solid fantasy performances in his next two matchups (IND and NYG).
Other options: Hayden Hurst (24.2%), Irv Smith Jr. (32.1%), Cole Kmet (37.6%)
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