Week 6 Preview and Which Waivers Are Looming?

Week 6 is a reprieve on byes, with just Green Bay and Pittsburgh off, and there are a lot of potential fantasy candidates. Some were picked up on the waiver wire this week, and more will be claimed next Wednesday. The landscape will change due to injuries, scheme changes, and team outlook, so stay vigilant with waivers each week.

James Conner was placed on IR, and Emari Demercado filled in admirably last week after Conner's injury. Keaontay Ingram is still limited in practice and uncertain to play, so Demarcado looks like he will get plenty of work in Week 6. As we preview this week, I will point out a few other players who either were waiver pickups or might emerge as waiver players after this week.

No Explanation Needed

These are weekly starters expected to do their thing.

QB

RB

• With Devon Achane out, Mostert could be in line for huge production. Miami likes to rotate backs, but they fed one player multiple times last season when other backs were injured. Mostert was that bell cow nine times in 2022 and has a fantastic matchup here.
• Undrafted rookie Chris Brooks is listed second on Miami's depth chart right now and ran nine times for 66 yards in the destruction of Denver Week 3. He might split time here and be a big waiver player after Week 6. Not a bad lottery ticket if you have an open spot before Sunday, as is Salvon Ahmed. Jeff Wilson can start practicing and could return to a significant role soon.
• A few tough matchups here for McCaffrey and Montgomery, but I'll let you be the one to bet against them.
• Ekeler is expected back and should step into his usual role. I'm starting him with no worry if he's active.
• I list Barkley here, but he's still questionable to play despite optimism. The Bills have given up points to running backs, but I don't trust any other back on this team against Buffalo.

WR

• Evans hopes to play but isn't a lock after missing Week 4 before the team's bye last week. He had at least 60 yards and a touchdown in each of the three complete games he has played.
• A few tough matchups, like with the running backs, but some guys you just can't sit.

TE

Start-Worthy

These are mid-to-low level players who are worth looking at this week.

QB

• You can probably find better options than Young or Ridder; they are deep options for desperate owners, even after a big Week 5 for Ridder.
• I am NOT recommending Wilson, but the matchup is right.

RB

• Mattison is 19th in standard scoring and 18th in PPR among running backs. He has a great matchup in Week 6 against Chicago, though, and should be in starting lineups if you don't have a concrete plan already. On top of the third-most fantasy points to backs, the Bears are also allowing the third-most total points per game.

WR

• Ridley had eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Colts in Week 1, one of two big games on the season along with Week 5. Kirk was anonymous in that Week 1 game, but he has topped 50 yards every game since, with three of those over 75. They are both WR2 options this week.
• While tempted to call Addison a must-start, I'll leave him here with Osborn. Justin Jefferson will miss at least four games, but Minnesota will keep throwing the ball. Tight end Hockenson will soak up a lot of work, but Addison is in line for WR1 volume. A fantastic matchup with the Bears makes Osborn a WR2 in Week 6.
• I expected Moore to be way down this season because the Bears hardly threw the ball in 2022. While Chicago is just 28th in pass attempts per game, they are throwing over eight passes more per game than last season. That's been enough for Moore, who has three games over 100 yards and five touchdowns.
• Gallup had good games in Weeks 3 and 4, but his other three games don't combine to reach either of those weeks individually. He has a prime matchup with the Chargers this week and is a WR2/3 candidate. Brandin Cooks is under WR3 consideration even though he's done nothing this season.

TE

• Colby Parkinson and Fant have 10 and 11 targets, respectively, but Fant has caught 10 passes to just six for Parkinson. I don't want to play either, but Fant is a deep streaming option if you're desperate. Same for Otton.
• Thomas, Ertz, and Goedert could all work their way to weekly-starter status; I'm not ready to go there right now.

Bench-Worthy

These players have tough matchups, lack of volume, or something else holding them back this week.

QB

• Neither matchup here is good, but both quarterbacks have been productive. They will probably both finish between 13th-20th in scoring this week.

RB

• Henry and Robinson are near must-start status, but they each face a tough run defense. Henry has put up decent numbers but has been below 65 rushing yards in three of his five games. There's always a chance for huge volume and a touchdown, but Baltimore is stout. It's OK to start either player if you don't have a great replacement.
• Moss defied our expectations by having a huge day with Jonathan Taylor returning. This throws things into doubt: most assumed Taylor would usurp the top role, but Moss has over 100 total yards in three of his four games and four touchdowns. The uncertainty in touch share and good Jacksonville run defense have me struggling to trust Moss, even after he's been so great.

WR

• Carolina has been good against receivers but allowed running backs to blow them up. That's bad news with the Miami running game up next, and it might signal a slow game for Waddle if the team gets up early and dominates on the ground. Benching a player like Waddle is scary: there's always potential for big plays. It's worth looking at your options, though.
• Along with Waddle, Smith and Samuel each have a receiver teammate listed as must-start. Those three players are matchup-proof, but these three all have reason for pause with a tough opponent. Smith hasn't been able to produce at the same time as Brown; Samuel has acted more as a complement and gadget player with Aiyuk on the field; Waddle fights for targets with a certified freak.
• Reports say that Deshaun Watson will not play this week, and that makes Cooper a non-starter against a tough 49ers defense. He's a WR3 at best, but sit him unless you have no other option.

TE

• Kittle had seven catches for 90 yards in Week 3, but he hasn't had more than three catches in any other game. His three catches in Week 5 all went for touchdowns, a marvelous fantasy day, but Kittle has been very inconsistent on the season. I have trouble trusting him to find the end zone against a stout Cleveland defense.
• Most probably don't have the option to bench Waller, but he has struggled against good defenses, and the Bills have allowed the eighth-least receiving yards per game and second-least fantasy points per game to tight ends.
• Throw Jonnu Smith in with his teammate Pitts. Smith has never had more than the six receptions he had in both Weeks 4 and 5. Before Week 4, he hadn't topped the 67 yards he produced in Week 5 since 2020. Smith's sudden outburst is too random to trust, but he has out-produced Pitts on the season.

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