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.
Dalton had a solid day against the division-rival Falcons in
Week 6, throwing for 221 yards and 2 TDs. Up next he’ll
face a shootout with the Commanders, who have allowed the most
passing TDs in the NFL.
Darnold had a rough outing before their Week 6 bye, getting single-digit
fantasy points against the Jets. Prior to that, he had four solid
outings. In Week 7, he gets a tough Lions defense that should
require him to pass often. Post Week 7, his schedule softens up
considerably with three games against bottom-10 defenses against
QBs (Rams, Colts, Jaguars).
Jones struggled Sunday night, going 205-0-1 through the air and
11-56-0 on the ground against a Bengals defense that has been
pretty forgiving to QBs. Up next is another positive matchup against
their division-rival Eagles.
Kirk Cousins, ATL @ CAR: Cousins didn’t have to do too
much against the lowly Panthers, throwing for 225 yards and a
touchdown. He should be called upon more against the Seahawks
in Week 7.
Drake Maye, NE vs HOU: Maye got his first start of the season
against the Texans, and managed 243-3-2 throwing with 5-38-0 rushing
for a solid fantasy day. Up next is a matchup against the Jags
and their league-worst defense against QBs.
With Singletary out again, Tracy was the workhorse back against
the Bengals, going 17-50-1 on the ground and 6-6-57-0 through
the air. If Singletary misses, Tracy will face another big workload
against a middle-of-the-pack Eagles defense.
With Aaron Jones dealing with a hip injury, Chandler may get
the start. He’s shown the ability to manage a three-down workload
and would be a volume-based addition against a Lions defense that
has shut down opposing runners.
Davis got the start due to a James Cook injury and made the most
of it: 20-97-0 on the ground and 3-3-55-0 through the air. It’s
unknown if Cook’s injury will extend into Week 7, but if
so, Davis will be a must-add as a workhorse back on a good offense.
The Titans are a tougher defense against RBs but Davis should
see enough touches to overcome it.
Tucker filled in for an injured Rachaad White, and exploded for
14-136-1 on the ground and 3-3-56-1 through the air as the Bucs
routed the Saints. If White comes back against the Ravens, Tucker
won’t be usable. If not, Tucker has shown he can be explosive
in a complementary role with Bucky Irving.
Johnson came in for an injured Travis Etienne (hamstring), and
went 6-28-0 on the ground and 2-2-16-0 through the air in a blowout
loss to the Bears in London. They’ll face a much closer contest
when they face the Patriots this week. Tank Bigsby appears to
be the early down hammer, but Johnson is preferred on passing
downs and saw almost as many carries. Considering how badly the
Jaguars offense has been, Johnson should definitely see some work
this week.
Vidal spelled J.K. Dobbins with Gus Edwards (ankle) injured,
and delivered 4-11-0 rushing and 2-2-40-1 receiving. Edwards has
been placed on IR, meaning Vidal should take on more work against
a Cardinals defense that has allowed the 8th-most points to RBs.
Tank Bigsby,
JAX @ CHI: Bigsby had a disappointing day (7-24-0 rushing) against
the Bears, considering Etienne left the game early. But, since
the Jaguars were getting blown out, D’Ernest Johnson saw more
snaps as the passing-down back. Bigsby will be called on for more
in Week 7 against the Patriots.
Alexander
Mattison, LV vs PIT: Mattison had another solid day with Zamir
White on the shelf, rushing for 14-33-1 and catching all 5 targets
for 33 yards. Up next is a much easier draw against the Rams,
who have allowed the most rushing yards per game to opposing RBs.
Rico Dowdle, DAL vs DET: Dowdle saved his fantasy day in a blowout
loss to the Lions by catching 5 passes for 30 yards, as he only
had 5 carries for 25 yards rushing. Dallas is on bye this week.
Douglas just keeps producing. This was his third game of the
season with 9 targets, going 9-6-92-1 for his best fantasy day
of the year in Drake Maye’s first start. Up next he gets
a Jaguars defense that is reeling, allowing the most fantasy points
to opposing WRs.
Downs had another busy afternoon against a tough Titans secondary,
going 9-7-66-1. Up next is another tough draw against the Dolphins,
but as a trusted slot receiver for Joe Flacco, Downs should be
heavily targeted again.
Watson came back from missing most of the last two games and
promptly scored a touchdown, catching 3 passes for 68 yards. If
he’s healthy, he should dominate looks alongside Jayden
Reed. Up next should be a tougher matchup against the Texans before
the Packers get the Jaguars and Lions before their bye.
The Chiefs were on bye Week 6, so some people may have forgotten
about JuJu. The prior week, he was 2nd on the team in targets
(after Travis Kelce), delivering an 8-7-130-0 line. JuJu appears
to be edging out Xavier Worthy for the No.2 receiving option now
that Rashee Rice is done for the year.
Wilson managed to spike a touchdown against the Packers, catching
2-of-4 targets for 21 yards. With Marvin Harrison Jr. likely out
due to a concussion, Wilson should be the WR1 against the Chargers,
who represent a tough matchup. Trey McBride should still lead
the team in targets, but Wilson should have decent enough volume
to be fantasy relevant; he’s scored double-digit PPR points in
three of his last four games.
Lazard had a nice day against the Bills, going 7-6-114-1 in a
tight loss. He’s now scored in four of six matchups, with
double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this year. Up
next is a tough matchup against the Steelers, but it’s clear
Aaron Rodgers trusts him as his WR2.
Means came in for an injured Chris Olave (concussion), and grabbed
5-of-8 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown in Spencer Rattler’s
first game. If Olave is out in Week 7(likely as they play on Thursday
Night), Means could benefit. Denver is typically a tough matchup
for WRs but they will likely be missing star CB Patrick Surtain
due to concussion.
Ertz led the Commanders in receiving yards with a 5-4-68-0 line
against a Ravens team that has been forgiving to TEs, and he gets
another plus matchup against the Panthers Week 7.
Otton has quietly amassed 27 targets over the last four games,
and was able to spike a touchdown against the Saints in the Bucs’
blowout win in Week 6. Up next he gets a great matchup against
the Ravens, who haven’t allowed a TE to score but have given
up the most yards and receptions to the position.
Dallas Goedert (hamstring) left early in the Week 6 clash against
the Browns, and Calcaterra came in and caught all 4 targets for
67 yards. If Goedert is unable to go against the Giants, Calcaterra
could make a great emergency fill-in for the TE2 in yards this
season.
Wan’Dale
Robinson, NYG vs CIN: Robinson dominated targets again, but
only went 11-5-50-0 against the Bengals. Up next is a much easier
assignment against the Eagles, but he’s likely no longer available
in your league after being a target hog for Daniel Jones.
Darnell Mooney,
ATL @ CAR: Mooney came back to earth against the Panthers, going
5-3-38-0 in another division win for the Falcons. Mooney is clearly
the WR2 for Kirk Cousins, and 2nd on the team in targets. Up next
will be a tougher matchup against the Seahawks.
Jakobi Meyers, LV vs PIT: Meyers was a late scratch against the
Steelers with an ankle injury. He should have a more favorable
matchup against the Rams in Week 7.
Jalen Tolbert,
DAL vs DET: The Cowboys couldn’t get much going in a blowout loss
to the Lions. The game was out of hand by halftime, yet Dak Prescott
still only threw for 178 yards. They’ll have the bye week to try
to regroup, but Tolbert should still be the WR2 behind CeeDee
Lamb.
UPDATE:Tyler Conklin,
NYJ vs BUF: Conklin
was stymied by the Bills defense, catching 2 of 3 targets for
only 10 yards. With Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard each getting
a TD and over 100 yards receiving there wasn’t much left
for Conklin.
Defense/ Special Teams
Bengals @ CLE
The Bengals-D did what they had to against the Giants, holding
them to 7 points while generating a turnover and 2 sacks. Up next
they get the reeling Browns in the Battle for Ohio, a team that
has given up the most sacks and has scored the 3rd fewest points
per game.
Falcons vs SEA
The Falcons contained the Panthers, getting 2 interceptions and
holding them to 20 points. Up next is a Seahawks team that has
been scoring points, but has given up the 3rd-most turnovers and
4th-most sacks in the league.
Rams vs LV
The Rams were on bye this week, but the week prior they made
life difficult in a loss to the Packers, getting a defensive TD,
2 sacks and an interception. This week they get the visiting Raiders,
who have given away the most turnovers in the league (including
back-to-back games with 3 turnovers) and who are allowing the
4th-most points to defenses.
Other DST to consider: Packers vs HOU, Raiders @ LAR
Last week’s waiver adds:
Texans @ NE: The Texans beat up on the lowly
Patriots in Drake Maye’s first start, getting 4 sacks and
4 turnovers. They’ll get a much tougher test against the
Packers in Week 7.
Eagles vs CLE: The Eagles held the Browns to
only 16 points and generated 5 sacks. Up next they get a Giants
team that has allowed the most defensive TDs and gives up the
8th-most points to opposing defenses, so if you picked them up
last week you can ride them again.
Colts @ TEN: The Colts couldn’t take advantage
of a plus matchup against the Titans, even though they held the
Titans to only 17 points and got an interception. They get another
great matchup against the Dolphins, without Tua.
