Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 5.
Week 6 Byes: LA Rams, Miami, Kansas City, Minnesota
Cousins ripped the Buccaneers for 509 yards and 4 TDs in a win
on Thursday Night Football. Up next is the Panthers, who have
allowed the most passing TDs to opposing QBs and 6th-most points
overall.
Jones had a nice day against the Seahawks, throwing for 257 yards
and 2 TDs and adding 11-38-0 on the ground. Up next is a Bengals
team that just got lit up by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens and
has allowed the 3rd-most passing TDs to quarterbacks.
After Jacoby Brissett had another rough outing against the Dolphins,
the Patriots may be thinking about turning to their highly drafted
rookie. If he plays, he’d face a Texans team that has allowed
the 6th-most passing TDs. He may not start this week, but his
time is coming with Brissett’s poor start to the season.
Justin Fields, PIT vs DAL: Fields had a solid fantasy day against
the Cowboys, throwing for 2 TDs and rushing for 27 yards. Up next
is a matchup against the Raiders.
Derek Carr, NO @ KC: TBD as we await results from Monday Night
Football.
Joe Flacco, IND @ JAX: Flacco had a nice day against the Jags,
throwing for 322 yards and 3 TDs, albeit in a loss. Up next is
a tougher assignment at the Titans, but if Anthony Richardson
is healthy, he will probably get the start.
Bigsby out-carried and out-gained starter Travis Etienne, and
exploded for 101 yards and 2 TDs, adding a 28-yard reception.
We may have a dreaded RBBC in Jacksonville, as Etienne handled
the bulk of the RB receiving work. This week is a decent matchup
against a Bears defense that has allowed the 3rd-most rushing
TDs to running backs.
Mattison drew the start with Zamir White out with a groin injury,
and managed 15-38-0 rushing paired with 3-2-23-0 receiving (adding
a 2-point conversion). It won’t get much easier against the Steelers
in Week 6, but if White is out again, Mattison should still see
a heavy workload.
Dowdle went 20-87-0 on the ground and 2-2-27-1 through the air
against a tough Steelers rush defense, as it appears he has taken
over the Dallas backfield. Up next is another strong rush defense
in the Lions, but with a high touch count, he can still deliver.
Tracy got the start with Devin Singletary out with an injury,
and put together a solid 18-129-0 rushing line against a decent
Seahawks defense. Up next is another middle-of-the-pack defense
in the Bengals, but if Singletary is out again, Tracy will be
worth a look.
Kareem Hunt, KC vs NO: TBD as we await results from Monday Night
Football.
Chase Brown, CIN vs BAL: Brown continued to split reps with Zack
Moss, but he could be due for even more work in Week 6 if Moss
is sidelined due to an ankle injury. Still, he managed a nice
12-46-0 rushing line and a 3-3-8-1 receiving line against the
stingy Ravens defense.
Bucky Irving,
TB @ ATL: Irving seems to have forced a timeshare with Rachaad
White, putting up a 9-44-0 rushing line compared to White’s 10
carries. He also saw 2 targets compared to White’s 3, so he’s
not just the early-down hammer. Up next is another challenging
matchup against the Saints.
Antonio Gibson,
NE vs MIA: Gibson ended up getting the ‘start’ ahead of fumble-prone
Rhamondre Stevenson, but only managed 6-52-0 rushing and 1-1-4-0
receiving and received less than half the touches of his counterpart
against a weak rush defense. Up next is a much tougher test against
the Texans.
Trey Sermon, IND @ JAX: Sermon carried the load with Jonathan
Taylor out, and delivered for fantasy managers with a 10-38-1
rushing line to go with 6-6-25-0 receiving. He gets a much tougher
assignment against the Titans in Week 6 if Taylor remains out.
Douglas led the team in targets again in a low-scoring affair
against the hapless Dolphins. He managed a 9-6-59-0 line in a
game the Patriots were controlling. In Week 6 they’ll face
a Texans defense that has given up the 4th-most receiving TDs
to WRs in a game where the Patriots will probably be forced to
throw.
Robinson had another solid day against the Seahawks, putting
up a 9-6-36-1 receiving line. He’s clearly the WR2 in the Giants’
offense, but that’s fine in PPR leagues as he’s tied for 3rd in
the NFL in targets. Up next is a Bengals defense that got torched
by the Ravens in Week 5.
Mooney blew up on a day when Kirk Cousins threw for over 500
yards and 4 TDs, grabbing 9 receptions on 16 (!) targets for 105
yards and 2 TDs. Up next is another favorable matchup against
the Panthers, who have allowed the 2nd-most receiving TDs to wide
receivers.
Meyers saw another 9 targets for the 3rd-straight game, grabbing
6 for 72 yards. With Davante Adams wanting out of Las Vegas, Meyers
should be the primary beneficiary, even though the QB situation
is less than ideal. Up next is another tough matchup against the
Steelers, but with his volume it shouldn’t matter.
Tolbert got the start opposite CeeDee Lamb with Brandin Cooks
going on IR. He responded with a 10-7-87-1 line against a tough
Steelers secondary. Up next is a dream matchup against the Lions,
who have allowed the 2nd-most points to opposing WRs.
Ertz saw 8 targets against the Browns, but was only able to catch
2 for 10 yards. That should change this week against the Ravens,
who have allowed the most catches and yards to opposing TEs.
Conklin had another nice day, going 9-6-55-0 in a loss in London
to the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers attempts have increased in every
game this year, but look for that trend to reverse in Week 6 after
his 55 attempts this week. Up next is a tougher matchup against
the Bills, but Conklin has 23 targets in his last three games,
which is 3rd amongst TEs over that span.
Xavier Legette, CAR @ CHI: After exploding for 66 yards and a
TD against the Bengals, Legette caught only 1 pass for 8 yards
before leaving in the 2nd quarter with a shoulder injury. We’ll
see if he can go against the Falcons in Week 6.
Dontayvion
Wicks, GB @ LAR: Wicks saw 7 targets but only managed to grab
2 for 20 yards against the beatable Rams defense, which was disappointing
considering Christian Watson (ankle) and Romeo Doubs (suspension)
were both out. He should rebound against the Falcons in Week 6.
Jerry Jeudy,
CLE @ WAS: Jeudy had an inexplicable 1 reception for 16 yards
in a blowout loss to the league-worst defense (vs WRs) of the
Commanders. Deshaun Watson doesn’t seem capable of supporting
more than Amari Cooper. Despite getting blown out, Watson managed
only 28 pass attempts. The Eagles are another cupcake matchup
in Week 6 but it's doubtful Jeudy can capitalize.
Josh Downs, IND @ JAX: Downs had another solid day as the underneath
king for Joe Flacco. Catching 9 of 12 targets for 69 yards, Downs
has shown the ability to get open when needed. Week 6 against
the Titans will be a much tougher assignment.
Justin Watson, KC vs NO: TBD as we await results from Monday
Night Football.
Brenton Strange,
JAX vs IND: Strange filled in again for an injured Evan Engram,
and managed to spike a touchdown against the Colts, going for
4-4-24-1. He’s not putting up gaudy numbers, but he’s been a capable
fill-in when called upon. The Bears are a much tougher assignment
in Week 6 and Engram may be ready to return.
Tucker Kraft, GB @ LAR: Kraft had another big day against the
Rams, catching 4 of 5 targets for 88 yards and 2 TDs. He has a
much more difficult schedule coming up, starting with this week
against the Cardinals, but he’s tied for the NFL lead amongst
TEs with 3 TDs.
Defense/ Special Teams
Texans @ NE
The Texans harassed the Bills in Week 5, but didn’t get
many fantasy points to show for it. That should change in Week
6 against the Patriots, who are 2nd-worst in the league in points
scored and sacks allowed.
Eagles vs CLE
The Eagles were on bye in Week 5, but in Week 6 they get to beat
up on the Browns, who have scored the 4th-fewest points and allowed
the most sacks in the NFL.
Colts @ TEN
The Colts struggled to contain the Jaguars in Week 5, but in
Week 6 they’ll face the Titans, who have given up the most
fantasy points to opposing defenses thanks to turnover machine
Will Levis.
Other DST to consider: Chargers @ DEN
Last week’s waiver adds:
Seahawks vs NYG: The Seahawks managed to return
a fumble for a TD against the Giants, adding 3 sacks. They have
a much tougher test against the 49ers in Week 6.
Broncos vs LV: Denver returned one of their
3 interceptions for a TD in a blowout win over the division rival
Raiders. In Week 6 they get a tougher divisional opponent, the
Chargers.
