Week 5 had some major injuries, and Week 6 presents a BYE week for managers to deal with. Consider targeting some of the players on this list for Week 6 waiver claims and be sure to check out Faraz and Zach’s podcast episode for a full breakdown.
Kenneth Walker: Although he is heavily rostered this is far too important not to mention. Walker is still on the waiver wire in some leagues and Rashaad Penny has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Walker is going to assume the early down duties on this Seattle offense that has blown away all expectations so far this season. The team selected him in the second round of the draft and has high expectations for the talented rookie who flashed his ability on a 69-yard TD run in Week 5’s game after he assumed the RB1 role. Walker can be viewed as an RB2 with serious RB1 upside, we see what Breece Hall has been doing in what was an abysmal Jets offense just 1 year ago, Walker was selected just a few picks after Hall and had a comparable level of pedigree to Hall coming out of college.
Rachaad White (stash): White is the last true every-down handcuff that still is widely available on the waiver wire. We see the results Fournette has been able to yield in the RB1 role for Tampa despite his inefficiency as a runner. White is already starting to slowly improve his snap share and has been getting passing work as the backup (8 catches on 9 targets over the last 2 games). Rachaad could be an RB1 if Fournette had to miss any time, pick him up and don't drop him.
Geno Smith: At this point, Geno Smith’s success is no fluke. He has been balling and doing it consistently week in and out. The Seattle offense looks serious and he has been maximizing the talented weapons that they have at their skill positions. Geno is PFF’s #1 ranked QB through 5 weeks.
Eno Benjamin (short term): James Conner has a rib injury, and Darrel Williams has a knee injury, the extent of either injury is vague at the moment which makes Eno Benjamin a valuable pickup. Should both be injured or limited, his role could be an RB2 with upside. Keep in mind that this is a regular injury for James Conner, he could be back this week.
Jakobi Meyers: We mentioned Meyers last week, and he produced in Week 5 putting up 7 catches for 111 yards and scoring a touchdown. Like we said last week, he is too talented to be left on waivers, he has had a 38% target share in his last 2 games with 2 different QBs. He should be the priority WR add.
Isaiah McKenzie: Mckenzie couldn’t clear the newly updated concussion protocols in time for Week 5, which allowed Khalil Shakir to step in and produce right away in what was an absolute annihilation by the Bills offense. Look for McKenzie to reclaim his role as soon as Week 6 and step back into the Buffalo Bills slot role that has yielded results all season regardless of who has played in it.
Michael Gallup: With the Cowboy’s defense dominating, the offense didn’t have to pass the ball much, but Gallup still managed a 33% target share from the small amount of passing offense that was utilized. He could have more upside than McKenzie, he’s never put it together as a consistent fantasy option but finally having a sizable role as the WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb could see him put up solid numbers as the season progresses.
Rondale Moore: With AJ Green returning to the field, Moore was able to return to his designated role as the slot receiver where he received a 21% target share. We will see how the targets are dispersed when Hopkins returns in Week 7, but for now, he is a WR3/Flex option for Week 6
Taysom Hill (short term): There’s no telling how long this will last for Taysom Hill who has been notorious for being an unreliable fantasy option with random Boom weeks, but the TE position is such a wasteland again this year that if you are without a reliable option Hill could be playable.
Mike Boone: Boone looked better than Melvin Gordon who has looked past his prime all season, and he was the primary passing-down back for the Broncos last week. If Gordon continues to be ineffective, or fumbles again, it is very possible that Boone could take touches away from him. Boone only played 11 fewer snaps than Gordon so the discrepancy may not be as large as originally anticipated.
Alec Pierce: Alec Pierce seems to have solidified his role as the WR2 in Indianapolis. His targets and catches have increased in 3 consecutive weeks and he seems to be following the common rookie WR trend of improving as the season progresses. With Matt Ryan having 37 or more pass attempts in 4 of 5 games there is further opportunity for growth and potentially a safe floor player here.
Zay Jones: Zay was able to return from injury and although he didn’t get the results he had earlier in the season, the targets were there and it was an overall sluggish game for the Jacksonville offense. He out-targeted Christian Kirk and seems to have an important role in the offense as his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence grows.
Jaylen Warren (stash): Najee Harris has been ineffective all season thus far, and Warren has started to eat into his workload a bit. This is just a stash for if Najee was to get hurt, but Warren has looked good when they have given him work.
Wan’Dale Robinson: The Giants offense was running with practice squad receivers in Week 5, and Robinson was able to return to practice last week hinting toward his possible availability as soon as Week 6. He could immediately step into a high-volume role when he returns because of the lack of talent available to the Giants, and the draft pedigree that this new regime chose to utilize on Robinson.
Corey Davis: Davis is the Jets' leading receiver through 5 weeks and has over 74 yards in 3 of those games. He is a decent bye week fill-in for the coming weeks.
Josh Kelley (stash): This can be shifted from one week to the next, but it appears that Josh Kelley is Austin Ekeler’s backup. Keep in mind that the Chargers handcuff role has always been tricky so take it for what you will.
Gus Edwards (stash): Edwards returned to practice last week and it can be expected that he will return to the team within a few weeks. It is clear that JK Dobbins will be in a timeshare with another back so Edwards should have a solid role.
Hunter Henry (short term): With Jonnu Smith sidelined for week 5 Henry became a full-time player. If Smith misses further time and you are in need of a viable TE start grab Henry if Taysom Hill is unavailable.
Latavius Murray (stash): It’s unclear if Latavius was added as insurance or whether they are aiming for him to compete with Mike Boone and Melvin Gordon. He is worth a speculative add to see what happens this week and going forward.
Khalil Shakir: He was highly praised in training camp and preseason, and he looked solid in his first NFL start. There’s a chance that he could improve and become better than McKenzie but it is anyone’s guess how soon that could happen. Worth an add based on talent and how dominant this offense has been.
QB Streamers
Geno Smith
Carson Wentz
Jimmy G
Justin Fields
Daniel Jones
Kenny Pickett
TE Streamers
Taysom Hill
Hunter Henry
Robert Tonyan
Evan Engram
Hayden Hurst
D/ST Streamers
NO D/ST v.s. CIN
NE D/ST @ CLE
CIN D/ST @ NO
CLE D/ST v.s. NE
CAR D/ST @ LAR