6 Last-Minute Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements (Week 6)

Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.

Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 6.

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Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Sam Darnold (QB – SEA) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (20.6% Rostered)

Last week, Darnold had a top-five fantasy performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former USC star completed 82.4% of his 34 pass attempts for 341 yards, four touchdowns, and 27.6 fantasy points, setting season-highs in every category. Yet, the veteran has been one of the better fantasy quarterbacks since his poor Week 1 performance. Darnold has averaged 274 passing yards, 2.3 touchdowns, and 19.1 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, totaling two or more scores and at least 16.1 fantasy points in all but one contest.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars have played well on defense. While Jacksonville had only one turnover last week, they forced at least three in each of the first four games this season, including nine interceptions. However, the Jaguars have struggled to slow down opposing quarterbacks. They have given up 287 passing yards, 1.8 touchdowns, and 19.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks since Week 1. Furthermore, Patrick Mahomes had 26.7 fantasy points against Jacksonville last week despite having only one passing touchdown. Expect Darnold to keep up his recent hot play.

Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL) vs. Buffalo Bills (32.7% Rostered)

While Bijan Robinson is the focal point of the Falcons’ offense, Allgeier has had a role behind the former Texas star. He is the RB44 for the year, averaging 7.5 PPR fantasy points per game. Despite having nearly zero impact in the passing game, totaling two receptions for four receiving yards this season, the veteran has been a potential flex option for fantasy players. Allgeier has scored 11.1 or more fantasy points in two of the past four games, including Atlanta’s last matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 4.

Furthermore, he has had double-digit rushing attempts in all but one game this year, averaging 50.3 rushing yards and 9.5 fantasy points per game in those contests. Meanwhile, Buffalo has surrendered 98 rushing yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 24.2 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past three weeks, allowing at least 100 yards or two touchdowns in every matchup. The best way the Falcons can keep the Bills’ offense off the field is by running the ball. Therefore, expect Allgeier to have double-digit rushing attempts on Monday night.

Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC) vs. Miami Dolphins (22.6% Rostered)

Every waiver wire article this week covered the Chargers’ backfield at length. Hassan Haskins (46.3%) is rostered in too many ESPN leagues to qualify for this article. Yet, I would rather start Vidal this week. Both backup running backs have had little fantasy impact in their careers. However, Vidal was the better running back after Omarion Hampton got hurt last week. He averaged 4.5 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 2.9 PPR fantasy points in Week 5. By comparison, Haskins averaged 2.6 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 2.5 fantasy points.

Unfortunately, neither backup will likely have meaningful fantasy value over the next month with Hampton on injured reserve. However, Vidal and Haskins are potential flex options this week because of the matchup against Miami. The Dolphins have surrendered 133.6 rushing yards and 27.1 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fifth-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 206 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 32.4 fantasy points to Rico Dowdle. Don’t be surprised if Vidal and Haskins both score double-digit fantasy points against an awful Miami run defense.

Kendrick Bourne (WR – SF) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28.2% Rostered)

The 49ers have been obliterated by injuries this season. They won’t have George Kittle for the fifth consecutive game on Sunday. Furthermore, Ricky Pearsall likely won’t play after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. While Jauan Jennings is trending towards playing after being a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, Bourne is an appealing flex option in Week 6. Last week, the veteran was the star of San Francisco’s offense, totaling 10 receptions on 11 targets for 142 receiving yards and 24.2 PPR fantasy points, leading the team in every category.

Fantasy players shouldn’t expect another 20-point performance from Bourne this week, especially if Jennings plays. However, the veteran has a fantasy-friendly matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa has surrendered 31.2 fantasy points per game to two wide receivers this year, slightly above the league average. Yet, they have allowed at least two receiving touchdowns and 41.1 fantasy points to wide receivers in two of their past three games. Last week, the Buccaneers gave up 18 receptions for 266 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 56.6 fantasy points to the Seattle Seahawks’ wide receiver corps.

Tyquan Thornton (WR – KC) vs. Detroit Lions (16.5% Rostered)

Thornton has quietly been the best pass catcher on the Chiefs this season. He is the team’s highest-scoring fantasy wide receiver, ranking as the WR26 for the year, averaging 11.6 PPR fantasy points per game. While the former Baylor star has had five or fewer targets in all but one game, Thornton doesn’t need significant touches to make an impact because of his big-play abilities. He has scored 12 or more fantasy points in three of the past four weeks, including in Week 5, thanks to a 34-yard reception.

While the veteran’s fantasy value will take a hit when Rashee Rice returns from his suspension next week, Thornton is a solid upside flex option against the Lions. Detroit has surrendered 35.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the seventh-most in the NFL. Last week, they gave up 14 receptions for 214 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 53.4 fantasy points to the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver corps, all season-highs. Furthermore, Lions will likely be without multiple starters in the secondary because of injury, including their top two cornerbacks.

Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ) vs. Denver Broncos (30.1% Rostered)

Hopefully, this is the last week Taylor qualifies for this article, as the rookie should be rostered in significantly more than 30.1% of ESPN leagues. After seeing three targets over the first two contests, the former LSU star has averaged 8.3 targets per game over the past three weeks, totaling six or more in every outing. Last week, he had nine receptions on 12 targets for 67 receiving yards and 17.7 PPR fantasy points, setting career highs in every category. Furthermore, the rookie led New York in receptions and targets.

More importantly, Taylor has become a massive part of the passing attack, leading the team in targets over the past two weeks (19). He is one of three Jets with more than nine targets this season, totaling 28, joining Garrett Wilson (48) and Breece Hall (24). Meanwhile, Denver has struggled against teams that use their tight ends, surrendering four receptions on 7.7 targets for 48 receiving yards and 10.8 fantasy points per game to Tyler Warren, Oronde Gadsden II, and Dallas Goedert. Expect Taylor to have similar numbers in London.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.