Week 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Chances are if you’re reading this, you got unlucky with an injury in last week’s matchup or you need to find a replacement for our first batch of bye weeks (SF, NO, NYJ, ATL). There have been plenty of injuries that have plagued the league in five weeks of action, with top-tier fantasy players out for extended periods of time or were unable to suit up Sunday morning, leaving 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 the Sunday morning pre-kickoff panic. 

It’s only been five games, so you can still stash those late-round flyers you’re attached to and think could boom moving forward in the season especially with multiple names added to the injury report this week. But if you need an immediate upgrade now, here are some Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire pickups that could help move your 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 

Justin Fields | Chicago Bears (32.2%)

Most rookie quarterbacks haven’t looked sharp so far through five games, but that’s to be expected. Justin Fields has some serious upside in fantasy football because of his running ability, and he is beginning to take more downfield shots. I wouldn’t rush him into your lineup any time soon, but once he adjusts and becomes more comfortable, he could be a very good fantasy quarterback. I’d stash him if you have an extra bench spot. 

Sam Darnold | Carolina Panthers (46.8%)

Sam Darnold certainly had a very quiet last week against the Philadelphia defense, scoring single-digit fantasy points and failing to keep the rushing touchdown streak alive. I wouldn’t be scared or nervous about this tough game though, because the upside is still there, especially in the running game. The Panthers have been without Christian McCaffrey the last two weeks and it looks like he may be returning this week, which will lighten the load for Darnold moving forward while also adding a very good security blanket to rack up easy yards through the air. He’s still having trouble taking care of the football, but he plays some weak defenses in the next few matchups, in WFT, NYG and ATL, who have all looked pretty terrible all season long. He’s still owned in less than 50 percent of all leagues, making it very possible he’s available as a plug-in starter for deeper formats for those QBs on a bye this week.

Taylor Heinicke | Washington Football Team (12.6%)

Taylor Heinicke had his quietest week of the season, only throwing 248 yards and two interceptions against the Saints, but his rushing upside remains intriguing. It’s ironic all three of my fantasy football waiver wire suggestions this week have rushing upside as quarterbacks, but that’s something you really look for in fantasy football. Washington faces KC and GB in their next two games, which are pretty weak defenses and give him plenty of upside to make some noise in fantasy. He’s only owned in 12 percent of leagues, making him a prime candidate in nearly all leagues.

RB Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups 

AJ Dillon | Green Bay Packers (55.5%)

After garnering over 75 total scrimmage yards in two straight games, it’s clear that A.J. Dillon is making a case to be a regular complement to Aaron Jones for the remainder of the season. He surprisingly made an impact in the passing game last week, catching four balls for 49 yards and a touchdown, but that can’t be depended on if you’re planning on rostering him in the future. He’ll always be the backup as long as Jones is healthy, but he’s making a case to be involved more, especially near the goal line. He’s rostered in nearly 60 percent of leagues already, because of his upside as a handcuff. This means he isn’t available in many leagues at this point, but he is surely worth the stash. 

Sony Michel | Los Angeles Rams (49.3%)

Sony Michel’s statline was only good on paper because Darrell Henderson Jr. was still dealing with a lingering injury and sat most of the second half last week, but it’s worth monitoring. Henderson doesn’t seem like he can handle a three-down back role without getting injured, so Michel could very well develop a larger role in the near future. He’s gotten the job done when his name has been called and, if Henderson continues to deal with injury, he could be a pretty solid fantasy back, especially if he carves out a role in the passing game. Owned in less than half of all leagues, many fantasy managers haven’t realized the potential of Henderson not lasting that long in his current role without injury. 

Devontae Booker | New York Giants (3.8%)

With Saquon Barkley injuring his ankle last week, Devontae Booker should carve out a pretty consistent role as the lead-back on the Giants. Once Barkley went down, Booker came in and carried the ball 16 times for 42 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 16 yards and a touchdown against a pretty solid Dallas defense. It seems that Barkley will be sidelined for at least a week. I’m sure Booker will be a hot fantasy football waiver wire candidate this week. 

WR Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups 

Hunter Renfrow | Las Vegas Raiders (55.2%)

Hunter Renfrow has been about as consistent as you could possibly be, catching at least five passes in every single game this season. He’s been targeted eight times in back-to-back games and continues to be Derek Carr’s security blanket to consistently move the chains. There are quite a few mouths to feed in the Las Vegas offense, and they haven’t looked as sharp as they did to start the season, but Renfrow has performed nearly the same in every game, so I don’t see why it’d slow down anytime soon. He is already rostered in 55 percent of leagues, so it’ll be tough to get him in most leagues, but there’s a solid chance you have the opportunity to add him. 

Kadarius Toney | New York Giants (12.2%)

The rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney was very quiet to start the season, but it seems the Giants are finally deciding to utilize their first-round pick in a consistent manner. Toney has been targeted 22 times in two games, hauling in 16 of those for over 200 yards. He has yet to find the endzone, but with the Giants wide receiver room dealing with way too many injuries, his role should only increase from here on out. He was ejected last week late in the game, which hindered his total fantasy output, but he looked very good and seems to be the main target with so many injuries. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions (4.3%)

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been targeted eight times in back-to-back games and seems to be developing a pretty strong relationship with Jared Goff. The Lions’ receiver room is pretty banged up now, making St. Brown a prime target in a team that is almost always playing from behind. He’ll likely garner some interest in deeper formats and is worth monitoring moving forward if he continues to strengthen his chemistry with Goff, but be aware that Tyrell Williams will be activated relatively soon. 

TE Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups 

Hunter Henry | New England Patriots (35.7%)

Hunter Henry’s value has steadily increased every week, garnering more targets and fantasy points each game. Sunday marked the first time Henry surpassed 50 yards receiving as well as his season-high in targets with eight. Mac Jones seems to depend on Henry to move the sticks and looks for him in the red zone, as the Patriots lack any real playmakers. The tight end position is scarce outside of the top five guys, as it seems most are too boom-or-bust to trust on a weekly basis, but Henry has scored in two straight games. 

Ross Dwelley | San Francisco 49ers (1.1%)

Ross Dwelley is certainly not an eye-popping waiver wire addition in fantasy football, but with George Kittle on IR for a few weeks now, he is intriguing. He’s owned in only one percent of leagues, which makes sense considering he’s a backup, but he’s worth the look in deeper formats for teams in need of something at the tight end position. With Jimmy Garoppolo possibly back next week, the value of all pass catchers would rise a little bit.