Waiver Wire: Week 6
Key pickups and roster moves after Week 5 of the NFL season.
Another week is in the books, and the waiver wire is buzzing with opportunity. Injuries to key starters have opened the door for backups to step into significant roles, while some rookies are beginning to carve out consistent workloads. Now is the time to be aggressive and make the moves that could define your season.
01Top adds
QB
QB · BAL
Tyler Huntley
- FAAB
- 4-6%
- Rostered
- 1.7%
With Lamar Jackson out, Huntley is set to take over the Ravens offense. In his first full game, he posted 24.04 fantasy points, including a rushing touchdown and 201 passing yards. He played 100% of the offensive snaps, showing he has full control of the quarterback duties moving forward.
QB · NYG
Jameis Winston
- FAAB
- 2-4%
- Rostered
- 4%
Winston has been a steady presence for the Giants, and in Week 5 he delivered 25.74 fantasy points on the back of 326 passing yards and three touchdowns. He's played over 94% of snaps in the last three weeks, offering a solid floor for managers in need of a quarterback.
RB
RB · PHI
Dameon Pierce
- FAAB
- 15-20%
- Rostered
- 2.4%
With Saquon Barkley out, Pierce stepped directly into the lead role, playing 77% of the snaps in his first game back. He handled 11 carries and saw 5 targets, indicating a three-down workload is his for the taking. That volume makes him a top priority add this week.
RB · GB
MarShawn Lloyd
- FAAB
- 12-18%
- Rostered
- 48.7%
Lloyd found the end zone twice in Week 5, racking up 16.7 fantasy points despite playing only 44% of the snaps. He has now scored three touchdowns in the last two games. That nose for the goal line and consistent playing time make him a valuable asset.
RB · HOU
Woody Marks
- FAAB
- 10-15%
- Rostered
- 48%
Marks' workload is the reason to move: his snap share climbed from 37% to 44% to 85% over the last three weeks. Against Tennessee, he handled 15 carries for 62 yards and caught all four targets for 23 more, producing 12.5 PPR points. That combination gives him flex appeal against Jacksonville, without assuming the expanded role is permanent.
WR
WR · PIT
Germie Bernard
- FAAB
- 10-15%
- Rostered
- 3%
Bernard's role has exploded, culminating in a 92% snap share in Week 5. He commanded 9 targets, catching 6 for 80 yards. With Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve, Bernard has emerged as the top receiving option in Pittsburgh and should be added everywhere.
WR · PHI
Darius Cooper
- FAAB
- 7-10%
- Rostered
- 8.9%
Cooper has stepped up with DeVonta Smith sidelined, playing 85% of snaps and scoring a touchdown in Week 5. Over the past two games, he has played 90% and 85% of snaps respectively, establishing himself as a fixture in the offense. He's a touchdown-dependent but viable pickup.
WR · NE
DeMario Douglas
- FAAB
- 5-8%
- Rostered
- 2.3%
Douglas is emerging as a reliable target in the Patriots offense, scoring two touchdowns in Week 5 for a 22.5-point performance. He saw his snap share hold steady at 49% and received 5 targets. As the clear beneficiary of A.J. Brown's absence, he is a solid add.
TE
TE · CAR
Darren Waller
- FAAB
- 3-5%
- Rostered
- 20.6%
Waller returns from Carolina's Week 5 bye, so this is a bet on his existing role—not a breakout from the latest slate. Through four games, he has 19 targets, 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns; his snap share rose from 44% to 51% to 53% in Weeks 2-4. Add him as a touchdown-dependent tight end option against Philadelphia, not a guaranteed weekly starter.
TE · LA
Tyler Higbee
- FAAB
- 4-6%
- Rostered
- 3.2%
Higbee caught five of six targets for 83 yards against Buffalo, delivering 13.3 PPR points without needing a touchdown. He has 25 targets and 224 receiving yards through four statistical appearances, giving this recommendation more substance than one big play. With Arizona next, he is a practical pickup for managers filling a tight end vacancy, though the matchup alone does not guarantee another strong week.
02Stash
RB · LAC
Kimani Vidal
His snap share has increased for three straight weeks, reaching 42% in Week 5, and he scored a touchdown. He's a high-upside stash
WR · MIA
Malik Washington
Washington has been a target monster, seeing 36 targets this season and playing 80% of snaps in Week 5. He's on a bye, but he's too involved to leave on the wire
WR · BUF
Keon Coleman
With DJ Moore out, Coleman's role is secure. He played 78% of snaps in Week 4 and scored a touchdown in Week 5. He is a solid bench piece with upside
03Streamers
QB · TB
Jalon Daniels
Daniels faces the Steelers next week. He's a dual-threat option who played 100% of snaps the last two weeks
TE · NO
Noah Fant
Fant has a friendly matchup against the Giants in Week 6. He played 67% of the snaps last week
Falcons D/ST — The Falcons face a Bears offense missing its starting quarterback and running back.
K · BUF
Tyler Bass
Bass gets a matchup with the Raiders. He's a reliable kicker on a good offense
04Drops
RB · LV
Mike Washington Jr.
After showing some promise earlier in the season, Washington's role has evaporated. He played only 8% of the snaps in Week 5 and received just one carry. With such limited involvement, he can be safely dropped to waivers
05Rookie report
Standouts
QB · TB
Jalon Daniels
- PPR
- 13.86
The undrafted rookie started his second straight game and threw for 189 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards on the ground. Playing 100% of the snaps, Daniels is proving to be a capable fantasy quarterback with a solid rushing floor.
WR · PIT
Germie Bernard
- PPR
- 14.4
The second-round pick had his breakout game, catching 6 of 9 targets for 80 yards and adding a 4-yard rush. He was on the field for 92% of snaps, a massive jump that signals his ascent to the top of the depth chart, especially with Michael Pittman Jr. out.
WR · CLE
Denzel Boston
- PPR
- 13.6
Boston found the end zone and caught 3 passes for 46 yards on 7 targets. The second-round pick played 91% of the snaps, showing he's a primary option in the Browns' passing attack. His consistent high usage makes him a reliable rookie performer.
TE · NE
Eli Raridon
- PPR
- 10.7
The third-round pick hauled in all 5 of his targets for 57 yards. He logged a 57% snap share, his second straight week over 55%. That growing role and perfect catch rate are promising signs for his development as a fantasy asset.
Disappointments
QB · LV
Fernando Mendoza
- PPR
- 2.22
The first overall pick struggled in his limited action, throwing for just 48 yards on 8 attempts. He played only 17% of the snaps, as the Raiders eased him in. It was a reminder that even top picks can take time to get acclimated.
RB · ARI
Jeremiyah Love
- PPR
- 2.2
The third overall pick had a quiet day, managing just 22 yards on 12 carries and failing to bring in his only target. While he played a solid 49% of the snaps, the production simply wasn't there against a tough Lions defensive front.
WR · TEN
Carnell Tate
- PPR
- 1.6
Despite playing 76% of the snaps, the fourth overall pick caught only one of his five targets for 6 yards. It's a concerning lack of production given his high draft capital and significant playing time.
TE · NYJ
Kenyon Sadiq
- PPR
- 0.3
The 16th overall pick caught 2 passes for just 3 yards on 3 targets. While it's tough for rookie tight ends, his 19% snap share and minimal output are disappointing for a first-round selection.
The rookie to watch next week is Kimani Vidal, whose snap share and usage are on a clear upward trend.
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