Before we dig into this week’s most attractive fantasy football waiver wire options, let’s have a quick word about stashes.
Loosely defined, a stash is a player with little to no immediate fantasy value but the potential to develop into a useful asset. In shallow leagues with only a handful of bench spots, you might not be able to stash away such a player. But in leagues where the supply of bench spots is more generous, rostering one or two such players is generally a good idea.
An example of such a player is Chiefs running back Brashard Smith.
A seventh-round rookie, Smith had 1,659 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns in his final college season at SMU and offers sub-4.4 speed and dual run-catch ability. Chiefs backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt haven’t pumped much life into the Kansas City running game this year, giving Smith a chance for a greater role.
But if you’re going to roster a stash-type player, you owe it to yourself to be patient with him.
The whole point of acquiring such players is that you can add them cheaply and have a chance at a handsome profit later on. Fantasy managers are defeating the purpose of a stash if they swap out one stash for another on a near-weekly basis.
If circumstances have changed, then it’s a different story. If your stash player is injured, or lost a fumble and stopped getting offensive snaps, maybe it’s time to cut bait. But don’t get rid of a stash player simply because they haven’t panned out yet and you’re growing impatient.
The grab-and-stash strategy isn’t for everyone. Some fantasy managers are restless and like to constantly churn the bottom of their roster. They won’t wait for a stash player to gain value because they’re always looking for shiny new objects.
And honestly, this isn’t a poke at such managers. Some people simply have an aggressive managerial style. That style can absolutely be successful. But if that’s how you like to manage, Brashard Smith might not be for you.
If you’re more of a laissez-faire manager who’s willing to play the long game and give cheap investments time to accrue value, then stash away, my friend.
Now, let’s get to this week’s top waiver wire options — and top stashes.
- More Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 6
Week 6 Waiver Grade: C-
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Running Backs
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Michael Carter (RB – ARI): 39% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, GB, BYE
- True Value: $22
- Desperate Need: $36
- Budget-Minded: $14
Analysis: Going into Week 5, it was unclear how the Cardinals were going to divide the running back workload in the absence of Trey Benson, who was placed on injured reserve (IR) last week after sustaining a knee injury in Week 4. (Benson himself was starting in place of James Conner, who was lost to a season-ending foot injury.) Michael Carter, who began the season on Arizona’s practice squad, played 57.4% of the Cardinals’ offensive snaps in Week 5 and had a team-high 18 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. Carter also led the backfield in pass routes (18) and had five catches for 22 yards. As if the usage gap between Carter and Emari Demercado wasn’t big enough, Demercado did himself no favors by lollygagging at the end of what should have been a 72-yard touchdown run and then dropping the ball before he crossed the goal-line, blowing a chance to salt away a game that the Cardinals wound up losing 22-21. Carter figures to lead the Arizona backfield again in Week 6 and should be startable until Benson’s return — even in a tough matchup against the Packers in Week 7.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT): 36% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @CIN, GB
- True Value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-Minded: $4
Analysis: When Jaylen Warren was scratched with a knee injury before the Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Vikings in Ireland, Kenneth Gainwell stepped in as the starter and had 19-99-2 rushing and 6-35-0 receiving in the Steelers’ 24-21 win, finishing as the RB3 in half-PPR fantasy scoring for the week. Warren will reportedly be back when the Steelers return from their bye to host the Browns in Week 6. Still, Gainwell’s electric performance against Minnesota may have earned him a usage boost going forward. The Browns are a tough matchup this week, but Gainwell could be Flex-worthy in a soft Week 7 matchup against the Bengals. And if Warren’s knee issues linger, Gainwell could become immensely valuable.
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL): 31% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @SF, MIA
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $3
Analysis: One of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy, Tyler Allgeier would have immense value if Bijan Robinson were to miss time, but Allgeier is already providing something close to standalone value. Through their first four games, the Falcons were the sixth run-heaviest team in the league, running the ball on 48.1% of their offensive snaps. Allgeier has had double-digit carries in three of those games, including a 16-76-1 rushing performance against the Vikings in Week 2 and a 16-51-1 rushing day against the Commanders in Week 4.
Kareem Hunt (RB – KC): 39% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, LV, WSH
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $3
Analysis: Admittedly, Hunt isn’t the sexiest fantasy asset out there. He’s 30 years old and is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. But Hunt is averaging 9.8 touches a game and has been used in goal-line situations this season. He punched in a pair of touchdowns Monday night against the Jaguars and has three touchdowns on the season. A decent workload in a good offense has value during the bye weeks — if only a small degree of value.
Brashard Smith (RB – KC): 14% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, LV, WSH
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: The Chiefs’ running game has been lackluster for most of the season. Isiah Pacheco hasn’t rushed for more than 45 yards in a game. His backfield platoon partner, Kareem Hunt, is averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The Kansas City backfield could use more juice, and perhaps Brashard Smith can provide it. Smith has 4.39 speed and pass-catching ability. Smith played only six snaps against the Jaguars on Monday night but had one 4-yard carry and caught three passes for 32 yards. There’s been chatter about Smith getting more work in the weeks to come. There might not be many more chances to acquire him inexpensively.
Kendre Miller (RB – NO): 31% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NE, @CHI, TB
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: The Saints have ramped up Kendre Miller’s usage over the last two weeks. In Week 4, Miller played 31% of the offensive snaps and had 11-65-1 rushing in the Saints’ loss to the Bills. In Week 5, Miller played 39% of the snaps and had 10-41-0 rushing and 1-8-0 receiving in a win over the Giants. After being plagued by injuries during his first two years in the league, Miller is finally getting a foothold in the Saints’ offense. Miller doesn’t have standalone value yet, because Alvin Kamara is still the undisputed lead back in New Orleans, and the Saints don’t have enough offensive punch for two of their backs to be fantasy-viable. But Miller is at least flirting with Flex value, and he’d become quite valuable if anything happened to Kamara. One minor concern is that Taysom Hill‘s return to action after last season’s knee injury could put a dent in Miller’s rushing volume. Hill had six carries Sunday in his first game back.
Hassan Haskins (RB – LAC): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, IND, MIN
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Chargers RB Omarion Hampton has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, leaving the Chargers scrambling to fill the void. Haskins, who played for Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh at the University of Michigan, figures to be part of the replacement plan, though he’s likely to share work with Kimani Vidal and perhaps others. (The Chargers could potentially re-sign Gus Edwards.) The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Haskins is bigger than Vidal and is the best bet to handle goal-line work. In his final college season at Michigan in 2021, Haskins ran for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns. But Haskins is a plodder with minimal pass-catching ability, so he’s unlikely to play on passing downs. Haskins is worth an investment if you have a screaming need at running back, but realize that he probably won’t have the backfield to himself while Hampton is out. Also consider that the Chargers’ offensive line has been decimated by injuries.
Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC): 0% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, IND, MIN
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Vidal figures to help fill the hole in the Chargers’ backfield created by the foot injury that landed Omarion Hampton on IR. Vidal and Haskins each played 14 snaps in Week 5. Vidal had 4-18-0 rushing and 1-1-0 receiving on one target. Haskins had 5-13-0 rushing and 1-2-0 receiving on one target. Haskins had out-snapped Vidal 14-2 before Week 5. Vidal, Troy University’s all-time rushing leader, is faster than Haskins and has better pass-catching chops, so there’s a decent chance Vidal will get passing-down work.
Running Back Stash Candidates
- Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI)
- Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)
- Isaiah Davis (RB – NYJ)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – SF)
Bears rookie Kyle Monangai runs like his life depends on it. It’s possible he soon makes a serious run at D’Andre Swift‘s starting job, and maybe Monangai’s role will expand now that the Bears are coming out of a Week 5 bye. Swift is averaging -0.39 rushing yards over expected per carry, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He was underwater in rushing yards over expected per carry last year, too, ranking dead last in that category among all qualifying backs. Monangai might constitute an upgrade.
Tyjae Spears came off the IR in Week 5. He played 17 snaps and had 4-14-0 rushing in the Titans’ upset of the Cardinals. Titans head coach Brian Callahan said during the offseason that he wanted to get Spears more involved. Now that Spears is healthy again and has had a ramp-up game, perhaps he’ll start to carve out a bigger role.
Isaiah Davis is the top backup to Breece Hall now that Braelon Allen is expected to miss two months or more with a knee injury. Davis doesn’t have standalone value, but he’s now a valuable handcuff who should probably be rostered in larger leagues.
Brian Robinson Jr. is a lottery ticket as the handcuff to the oft-injured Christian McCaffrey, who’s been carrying an enormous load for the 49ers early this season. Backup running backs have thrived when thrust into temporary starting roles in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Wide Receivers
Written by Derek Brown
Troy Franklin (WR – DEN): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, NYG, DAL
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Troy Franklin has two top-36 wide receiver finishes this season (WR7, WR36). He entered Week 5 with a 72.8% route share, a 19.7% target share, a 30.6% air-yard share, 1.78 yards per route run (49 receiving yards per game) and a 21.3% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Franklin walked away from Week 5 with a strong 79% route share, but he only had a 12.8% target share and 35 receiving yards, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Franklin should provide solid Flex value this week against a Jets secondary that, aside from cornerback Sauce Gardner, scares no one. Franklin follows that up with plus matchups against the Giants and Cowboys, who entered Week 5 having given up the most and fifth-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers, respectively.
Kendrick Bourne (WR – SF): 4% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, ATL, @HOU
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: If you picked up Kendrick Bourne last week, whether out of desperation or on a hunch with all of the injuries to the 49ers’ receivers, and started him, take a bow. Bourne had a wonderful game in the 49ers’ upset of the Rams. He soaked up a 22.4% target share (11 targets), finishing with 142 receiving yards (3.74 yards per route run) and a 25% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. I obviously won’t tell you that Bourne will continue this type of production, but the 49ers’ pass-catchers are severely banged up. Wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are still nursing injuries, and tight end George Kittle is at least another week away from returning. Bourne, at the very least, could be a plug-and-play Flex option this week if Pearsall and Jennings remain out. The Buccaneers’ secondary is dealing with a rash of injuries and just got shredded by Sam Darnold and the Seahawks.
Darius Slayton (WR – NYG): 47% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @DEN, @PHI
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: If Darius Slayton is still out there in your league, he should be rostered. No, his stat line from Week 5 wasn’t eye-popping, but the box score lacks some key context from his game against the Saints. Slayton left the fourth quarter of the game with a hamstring issue, so take his 15% target share and 31 receiving yards with a grain of salt. What’s also missing are the big plays that Slayton and Jaxson Dart left on the field. Slayton dropped what should have been a chunk gain, and Dart underthrew Slayton on a go ball that would have been a huge play and walk-in touchdown. Slayton has a horrible three-game stretch upcoming. Even if he’s healthy, you’re probably not looking to start him the next three weeks. But after those games, Slayton’s schedule opens up, and he’ll obviously have an enhanced role in the Giants’ passing game with Malik Nabers out for the season. If you are looking to stash a possible strong Flex play for Weeks 10-15, Slayton is your guy.
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL): 33% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @SF, MIA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Before Atlanta’s Week 5 bye, Darnell Mooney left the Falcons’ last game with a hamstring injury. He’s expected to be ready to go this week, but we’ll still need to monitor practice reports and the news. Mooney has been dealing with injuries all season, but when he’s on the field, he’s a sizable part of the Falcons’ passing offense. He’s had a 22% target per route run rate and 20.3% first-read share this season, per Fantasy Points Data. With Michael Penix Jr. playing better and the Falcons’ passing attack remaining condensed, Mooney still holds volume-based Flex appeal.
Marquise Brown (WR – KC): 45% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, LV, WSH
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Since Week 2, Marquise Brown has been a volatile player who’s difficult to trust, but his upcoming matchups could help him pay off handsomely for your flex spot. Detroit (10th-most), Las Vegas (eighth-most) and Washington (sixth-most) all sit comfortably inside the top 10 for most PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers, per Fantasy Points Data.
Isaiah Bond (WR – CLE): 6% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, MIA, @NE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The former University of Texas speedster has become a full-time player for the Browns with a 19.4% target share and 43.5 receiving yards per game over the last two weeks. I’m not cutting back flips in jubilation to buy into the Cleveland passing attack, but the Browns’ upcoming matchups could help elevate Isaiah Bond into fringe Flex relevance. The Steelers and Dolphins have allowed the 12th-most and ninth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers, respectively, this season.
Christian Kirk (WR – HOU): 31% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @SEA, SF
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Christian Kirk is coming off his best game as a Texan, and it still isn’t much to write home about. He had a 14.8% target share and led the team in receiving yards, but it was still only 64 yards. C.J. Stroud played arguably his best game of the season, but considering his body of work to this point of the season, that probably says more about the Ravens’ pass defense than Stroud. Kirk has cemented himself as one of the team’s starting wide receivers and could be a viable Flex option with some big-play potential, as he has been the second option in the deep passing game behind Nico Collins. I’m not rushing to play him after the bye, but as far as Flex plays go, you could do worse.
Wide Receiver Stash Candidates
Luther Burden remains locked in to a ~20% route share behind Olamide Zaccheaus. He has made the most of his opportunities with 3.19 yards per route run and 0.76 fantasy points per route run, per Fantasy Points Data, but it’s unclear how long Ben Johnson will continue to hold his talented rookie back. He’s worth stashing, because if Johnson ever gets out of the way and unleashes Burden, the talent is there for him to possibly become a mainstay in your fantasy lineup.
Quarterbacks
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 19% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DAL, @NYJ, BUF
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Bryce Young is the preferred streaming option at quarterback this week, thanks to a matchup against a Cowboys pass defense capable of making average quarterbacks look like Tom Brady. Young might not even qualify as average, however. He’s averaging 5.4 yards per pass attempt and has topped 200 passing yards in only one of his five games this season. But Young has a Week 6 date with a Dallas defense that’s being torched for 304 passing yards per game this season. The Cowboys have allowed 12 touchdown passes and are yielding 8.4 yards per pass attempt. Young’s matchup against the Jets in Week 7 isn’t a bad one either.
Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG): 39% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @DEN, @PHI
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: It appears Jaxson Dart is going to provide fantasy managers with consistent rushing value, but his passing output seems destined to be a mixed bag. In his NFL debut in Week 4, Dart completed 13-of-20 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ upset of the Chargers, adding 10-54-1 rushing. In the Giants’ Week 5 loss to the Saints, Dart was 26-of-40 through the air for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 7-55-0 rushing. So far, Dart is averaging just 5.2 yards per pass attempt, which isn’t pretty. Of course, Dart also lost his best receiver, Malik Nabers, to a season-ending knee injury during Dart’s first professional start. The schedule lays down a gauntlet for Dart these next three weeks, with two games against the Eagles and one against the Broncos. In Weeks 9 and 10, he’ll get easier matchups against the 49ers and Bears. Dart is worth rostering but perhaps not worth starting for a few weeks.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL): 24% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @SF, MIA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: After being pulled from a nightmarish start against the Panthers in Week 3, Michael Penix Jr. rebounded by completing 20-of-26 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the Falcons’ Week 4 win over the Commanders. The rifle-armed Penix has playable matchups against the Bills and 49ers the next two weeks before getting a smash matchup with the Dolphins in Week 8. Alas, Penix doesn’t offer much in the way of rushing value. In seven career starts, he has 42 rushing yards and two touchdown runs.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @CLE, @ATL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Tua Tagovailoa has played well over his last two starts, with an efficient 177 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in Week 4, and 256 yards and three touchdowns against the Panthers in Week 5. Granted, those are relatively soft matchups, but Tagovailoa has now thrown multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games. You could use Tagovailoa in a pinch this week against the Chargers, but you might want to sit him against the Browns in Week 7.
Spencer Rattler (QB – NO): 7% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NE, @CHI, TB
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Spencer Rattler continues to acquit himself well, minimizing big mistakes and keeping the Saints competitive in games. He’s certainly not a front-runner for MVP, but Rattler has thrown for at least 200 yards in four of his five starts, and his 7:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio is respectable. Rattler offers some value with his legs, rushing for 123 yards so far. Favorable matchups against the Patriots, Bears and Buccaneers the next three weeks make Rattler a viable streaming option in October.
Joe Flacco (QB – CIN): 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, PIT, NYJ
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Unsatisfied with what they’ve been getting from Jake Browning, the Bengals traded for Joe Flacco on Tuesday in their continued quest to get competent quarterbacking in the absence of the injured Joe Burrow. In four starts for Cleveland, Flacco completed 58.1% of his throws, averaged 203.8 yards per game and 5.1 yards per attempt, had two touchdown passes and six interceptions, and was sacked nine times. The Browns benched Flacco before their Week 5 game against the Vikings in London and gave rookie Dillon Gabriel his first NFL start. The 40-year-old Flacco has been terrible when pressured this season, and that figures to be an issue in Cincinnati, too. The Browns have allowed a pressure rate of 22.7% this season, ninth-highest in the league. The Bengals have allowed a pressure rate of 24.3%, fourth-highest in the league. Maybe playing with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will revive Flacco. If you invest, don’t invest much. Flacco has a tough matchup with the Packers this week and just a few days to learn a new playbook and get in sync with new teammates. Flacco faced the Packers in Week 3 and completed 21-of-26 passes for 142 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Matchups against the Steelers and Jets in Weeks 7-8 are more promising, but caution is warranted here.
Tight Ends
Written by Derek Brown
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ): 13% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, CAR, @CIN
- True Value: $11
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-Minded: $6
Analysis: Mason Taylor finally had the breakout game I’d been waiting for in Week 4. He followed it up with a monster outing in Week 5. In Week 4, Taylor was the TE11 in fantasy, soaking up a 25.9% target share with 65 receiving yards (2.50 yards per route run) and a 33.3% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. In Week 5 against Dallas, he had a 26% target share with nine receptions and 67 receiving yards. He led the Jets in targets, cementing his status as the team’s clear No. 2 option in the passing game behind Garrett Wilson. Taylor offers TE1 plug-and-play value. Yes, this week’s matchup against Denver is tough, but he follows that up with cakewalks against Carolina and Cincinnati before the Jets’ bye week. If you are dealing with some frustrating veteran such as T.J. Hockenson or Mark Andrews at tight end, you should be rostering Taylor. He could be a more consistent volume earner and producer moving forward.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE): 27% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, MIA, @NE
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Harold Fannin Jr. entered Week 5 with a 14% target share, 1.62 yards per route run (40 receiving yards per game) and a 17.6% first-read share, per Fantasy Points Data. Against the Vikings on Sunday, he had only a 12.1% target share with 13 receiving yards and a touchdown. The score saved his fantasy day. Fannin could enjoy a nice run in the next three weeks, with dates against the Steelers, Dolphins and Patriots. Each of these defenses comfortably sits inside the top eight teams for most fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.
Theo Johnson (TE – NYG): 11% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @DEN, @PHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Theo Johnson has scored three touchdowns over his last two games. Will he keep up that pace the rest of the season? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a strong streaming option at tight end moving forward. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has had a 20% target share while averaging 4.5 receptions and 20 receiving yards. His role in this offense is growing, and his rapport with Jaxson Dart looks good.
AJ Barner (TE – SEA): 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, HOU, BYE
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Seahawks had to take to the air in Week 5 to try to keep pace with the Buccaneers. AJ Barner had the best game of his career, securing all seven of his targets (21.8% target share) for 53 receiving yards and a score. Barner has played at least 80% of the snaps in four out of five games this season, so he is clearly the Seahawks’ starting tight end. He’ll be game script sensitive moving forward, as the Seahawks do not want to pass a ton unless their hand is forced. Barner could still return streaming value, as his touchdown equity in this offense is real, with four scores in his last four games.
Defenses
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Green Bay Packers: 42% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @ARI, @PIT
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: The vaunted Green Bay defense didn’t look that special the last time we saw it, with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott picking apart the Packers in a 40-40 tie in Week 4. But after a bye week, the Packers should come out breathing fire at home against the hapless Bengals. Micah Parsons and Co. will bring the heat against Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, who’s thrown two interceptions and taken six sacks in his first two starts in place of the injured Joe Burrow. Cincinnati has scored just 13 points in its last two games.
New England Patriots: 16% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @TEN, CLE
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: The Patriots’ defense has been better in the fantasy realm than in reality so far this season. New England’s defense entered Week 5 tied for seventh in fantasy scoring but 28th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average). It might not be a top-shelf unit, but the Patriots’ defense should continue to produce fantasy points throughout October thanks to a string of soft matchups. The Pats face the Saints, Titans and Browns the next three weeks. Barring an unforeseen quarterback change, the most experienced quarterback the Patriots will face during that stretch will be second-year Saints signal-caller Spencer Rattler, who’s made 11 NFL starts. Consider spending an extra buck on the New England defense and riding it for the next three weeks.
Las Vegas Raiders: 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @KC, BYE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders are on a four-game losing streak and coming off a 40-6 obliteration at the hands of the Colts. Las Vegas has given up 106 points over its last three games. So, what’s appealing about the Raiders’ defense? It’s a Week 6 matchup against the Titans, whose offense has been an abomination so far this season. The Titans have scored 76 points over their first five games. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward has been sacked 19 times, has thrown three interceptions and has coughed up two fumbles. As mediocre as the Raiders’ defense has been, it’s a perfectly reasonable streaming option for Week 6.
Indianapolis Colts: 48% Rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, @LAC, TEN
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Colts’ defense has been a surprisingly fantasy-friendly unit. It entered Week 5 ranked sixth in defensive fantasy scoring and then held the Raiders to six points on Sunday, sacking quarterback Geno Smith four times and forcing him into two interceptions. The Colts are a playable Week 6 option at home in a neutral matchup against the Cardinals.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 12% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SEA, LAR, BYE
- True Value: $0
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Jacksonville defense has produced double-digit fantasy points in three of its first five games and entered Week 5 ranked second in fantasy scoring behind only Seattle, which happens to be Jacksonville’s opponent this week. The Seahawks haven’t been an especially great matchup for fantasy defenses since Seattle is so run-heavy. But the Jaguars have shown a knack for takeaways, forcing a league-high 14 turnovers through their first five games.
Kickers
By Pat Fitzmaurice
Chris Boswell (K – PIT): 45% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, @CIN, GB
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The most underrated component of evaluating kickers for fantasy is the willingness of individual head coaches to settle for field goals. You’d think Detroit’s Jake Bates would be a top fantasy kicker because the Lions score so many points. But Lions head coach Dan Campbell is perhaps the most aggressive coach in the league when it comes to going for it on fourth down, which robs Bates of field goal opportunities. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, on the other hand, doesn’t mind settling for three points. Although Chris Boswell has attempted only seven field goals in his first four games of 2025, he had 44 field goal attempts in 2024. Only Brandon Aubrey of the Cowboys had more. It’s hard to score touchdowns on the Cleveland defense, so Boswell might be called upon several times when the Steelers host the Browns in Week 6.
Jason Myers (K – SEA): 28% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, HOU, BYE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Jason Myers is averaging 10.6 fantasy points per game and gets playable matchups against the Jaguars and Texans the next two weeks. Seattle’s offense has been on fire, with the Seahawks averaging 33.3 points per game since Week 2.
Daniel Carlson (K – LV): 12% Rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @KC, BYE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders’ offense could muster only six points against the Colts in Week 5, with Daniel Carlson banging home short field goals of 24 and 37 yards. There should be greater scoring potential for Carlson and the Raiders this week in a home game against the Titans. Tennessee has allowed 28.2 points a game and has given up at least 20 points in every contest.
Matt Prater (K – BUF): 33% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, BYE, @CAR
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Before putting in a claim on Matt Prater, check the status of Bills kicker Tyler Bass, who’s been on the IR with a hip/groin injury. Bass was eligible to come off IR in Week 5, but the Bills have not yet opened his window to return. The 41-year-old Prater is 10-of-11 on field goals and 15-of-15 on extra points this season and has an attractive Week 6 matchup against the Falcons in a dome.
Brandon McManus (K – GB): 6% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, @ARI, @PIT
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Packers have been having issues with blocked kicks, but Brandon McManus is still a strong streaming option this week in a home game against the stumbling Bengals.
Fool’s Gold
Xavier Hutchinson had two touchdowns in the Texans’ 44-10 destruction of the injury-plagued Ravens, but he was targeted only three times and had just 18 receiving yards. Although Hutchinson actually led Houston receivers in Week 5 snaps (47) and tied Nico Collins for the team lead in routes run (25), the Texans’ passing game hasn’t been productive enough to make any Houston pass-catcher other than Collins startable. Plus, Hutchinson may lose snaps to one or both of the Texans’ two rookie receivers, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, in the coming weeks.
A popular pickup after his eight-catch, 145-yard, three-touchdown game against the Commanders in Week 3, Tre Tucker has had 6-75-0 on eight targets in the two games since. Tucker might draw some interest after having a team-high 62 receiving yards in Week 5, but star tight end Brock Bowers was out on Sunday, and Tucker has had an unimpressive 14% target share the last two weeks. Tucker was among the league leaders in routes run in 2024 and produced only 47-539-3 receiving.
Ryan Flournoy was the Cowboys’ leading receiver in their win over the Jets on Sunday, catching six passes for 114 yards on nine targets. In 15 previous NFL games, Flournoy had 14 catches for 137 yards and no touchdowns. He may continue to contribute until CeeDee Lamb comes back from an ankle injury, or until KaVontae Turpin returns from a foot injury, but it would be difficult to trust Flournoy in your lineup this week.
Drop Recommendations
Droppable
- Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)
- Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)
- Chris Rodriguez (RB – WSH)
- Jeremy McNichols (RB – WSH)
Jerry Jeudy has 6-80-0 receiving on 19 targets over his last three games. Although third-round rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel acquitted himself well on Sunday in his first NFL start, the lack of juice in the Cleveland passing game renders Jeudy unplayable for fantasy.
Some fantasy managers picked up Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, thinking he might have Flex-type value while CeeDee Lamb is out with an ankle injury. But Lamb won’t be out much longer, and Tolbert hasn’t been especially productive in the two games Lamb has missed. Tolbert had 4-61-0 receiving on six targets versus the Packers in Week 4, but he was held without a catch against the Jets in Week 5 and had only one target, even though teammate George Pickens was locking horns with Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner most of the day. Tolbert can be dropped.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt seized control of the Washington backfield with 150 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the Commanders’ Week 5 win over the Chargers, leaving Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols unworthy of roster spots on fantasy teams.
Droppable With a Chance of Regret
T.J. Hockenson is accumulating receptions but not doing much with them. The veteran tight end has 19 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown. Hockenson’s ceiling is limited, considering that the Vikings have been getting mediocre quarterback play from J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz and that Hockenson has to share targets with receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Hockenson has low-level fantasy value, but if you’ve found a better solution at tight end (like Darren Waller, for instance), you might be able to drop Hockenson for a more useful contributor.
Juwan Johnson was a thing early in the season, but he’s had five receptions for 45 yards in his last two games, and his appeal is lessened by the return of Saints tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau, who had been out with injuries. Johnson is borderline rosterable.
Don’t Drop Yet
Woody Marks was a wildly popular waiver wire pickup last week after playing more snaps than fellow Texans running back Nick Chubb in Week 4 and totaling 119 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against the Titans. But Marks was unable to capitalize on a matchup against the injury-depleted Baltimore defense in Week 5, carrying the ball seven times for 24 yards and failing to catch his one target. Chubb had the better day against the Ravens, rushing 11 times for 61 yards and a touchdown. But Marks out-snapped Chubb again in Week 5, this time by a 27-24 margin. Resist the temptation to bail out on Marks after a disappointing performance.
Zach Ertz has 5-59-0 receiving on seven targets over his last three games and didn’t have a catch in the Commanders’ Week 5 win over the Chargers. But Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels missed two of those games, and Daniels threw only 26 passes in Week 5. Hold Ertz for favorable matchups against the Bears and Cowboys the next two weeks.
The Joe Burrow injury obviously diminishes the fantasy value of Tee Higgins, but not to the extent that you should cut him. Bench him? Fine. But Higgins is too talented to walk the plank despite the Bengals’ myriad of offensive problems.
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