Best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 6

There aren’t many obvious “must-haves” in our top Week 6 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, but there is at least one big one: Giants handcuff RB Devontae Booker. Unfortunately, Saquon Barkley suffered a nasty ankle injury, so Booker will be command a top waivers claim, especially with the byes arriving this week. Barkley wasn’t the only starting running back who exited a game early, as Patriots’ bruiser Dam​ien Harris (chest) also got dinged up. That potentially paves the way for rookie sleeper Rhamondre Stevenson to finally get his shot, too. He joins the likes of Booker, Kadarius Toney, David Njoku, and Hunter Henry as a projected top add this week.

Our full free agent list features a bunch of depth options, including AJ Dillon, Samaje Perine, Khalil Herbert, Marquez Callaway, and Ricky Seals-Jones. Of course, with the byes here, streamers will be of the utmost importance, and we have plenty of Week 6-specific suggestions QB, WR, TE, and D/ST, which can be found at the end of this list. 

Booker will definitely command a top claim, as the initial read on Barkley is that he’ll miss multiple weeks. Depending on the prognosis for Harris, Stevenson might also command a high-to-mid-tier waiver claim. Other than that, though, you’re probably better off holding onto your waiver position. Toney probably won’t make it to free agency, but it’s tough to say he’s worth a top-five claim, as he figures to see a decline in production when New York’s WR corps gets healthy

Whether to use a claim this week might come down to your record and desperation at a certain position. It might feel wasteful to use a top-five claim on someone like Njoku or Hunter Henry, but if you’re in dire straights at TE for whatever reason, they might be worth it. Chances are, you can get one of them as an FA if they haven’t already been picked up in your league, but you never know when other TE-needy owners are also eying them. Of course, if there are multiple TEs you think are worthwhile, then there’s no need to burn the claim. It’s all about doing the research and weighing your options. There will be more injuries going forward, so having a high claim will come in handy at some point.

Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 6

Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.

• #1

  Devontae Booker, RB, Giants

  Saquon Barkley made it through the first four weeks and looked to be getting stronger, but the injury bug so many fantasy owners were worried about in the preseason reared its ugly head in Week 5. Barkley had his ankle rolled up on against the Cowboys. It immediately swelled to a nasty level and he was carted off. It’s unclear what Barkley’s long-term diagnosis is, but grabbing Booker is a must. He figures to be the starter for the foreseeable future, and while he’s not exactly a high-upside guy, he showed his value with 19 touches, 58 total yards, and two TDs against the Cowboys. Every back has value with decent volume, and with the byes coming up, someone like Booker will be a flex consideration most weeks. His next two matchups against the Rams and Panthers aren’t great, but he could really break out in Week 8 against the Chiefs. — Matt Lutovsky

• #2

  Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants

  Toney has starred in the absence of Sterling Shepard (hamstring) and Darius Slayton (hamstring), and he saw even more targets in Week 5 when Kenny Golladay (knee) exited early. Toney finished the day with 10 catches (13 targets) for 189 yards. He also attempted a pass and and had a carry inside the 10 on a wildcat snap. It’s unclear when New York’s WR corps will be healthy, but Toney has shown enough to deserve more playing time when everyone is back. Even next week against the Rams, he’ll have flex value. — ML

• #3

  Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots

  It was only a matter of time before Stevenson got a chance in a New England, and with Damien Harris losing another key fumble on the goal line and hurting his chest, it appears that time is now. Stevenson’s final numbers against the Texans weren’t anything special (nine carries, 23 yards), but he broke several tackles on a TD run that was ultimately called back. More important, if Harris misses time because of the injury or because he’s in Bill Belichick’s doghouse, Stevenson will be the leader in the backfield by default. He’s at least worth adding on that chance, especially with a matchup against Dallas upcoming. — ML

• #4

  Alex Collins, RB, Seahawks

  Collins’ value depends solely on the health of Chris Carson (neck), but he does appear to be the primary back in Seattle in his absence. In Week 5, he accumulated 17 touches for 72 yards against a tough Rams’ defensive front. In fantasy football, we know the RB position is as scarce as it gets, so he’s a top waiver pickup if Carson misses any more time down the stretch. He does have a tough matchup with Pittsburg in Week 6, though– Jackson Sparks

• #5

  Michael Carter, RB, Jets

  Carter was once again the lead back for the Jets, producing 52 yards on 13 touches and scoring a rushing touchdown against the Falcons. It’s becoming clearer that he’s the primary back and has now scored in two straight games. He’s on a bye in Week 6, but he’s worth stashing. –JS

• #6

  Samaje Perine, RB, Bengals

  Joe Mixon played through an ankle injury in Week 5, but he ceded more snaps than usual to Perine. The handcuff responded with 83 total yards on 15 touches (11 carries, four receptions), which were four more touches than Mixon. Perine also got into the end zone on a short catch. Given Mixon’s recent injury history, Perine is a must-own handcuff, and if he continues getting this kind of workload, he’ll have flex value even if Mixon is active, especially next week against Detroit. — ML

• #7

  AJ Dillon, RB, Packers

  Is Dillon finally going to get a Jamaal Williams-level workload? After a quiet start to the year, Dillon saw 12 touches for 79 total yards and a touchdown in Week 5. Aaron Jones is still the main man in this backfield, but Dillon could have flex value during the bye weeks if he’s going to see 10-plus touches. He’s worth stashing whether you own Jones or not, and he could even have value next week against the Bears. — ML

• #8

  Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots

  Henry enjoyed his best game as a Patriots, catching six-of-eight targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. He’s emerging as the top tight end over Jonnu Smith in New England and should be viewed as the more attractive player. He plays Dallas in Week 6, who plays a “bend but don’t break” style. That said, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to put up a solid line. — JS

• #9

  David Njoku, TE, Browns

  Njoku had a good Week 1 (three catches, 76 yards), then mostly disappeared for the next three games. He showed up in a big way against the Chargers in Week 5, catching all seven targets for 149 yards and a touchdown. It’s tough to get overly excited about someone like Njoku, even after a game like that, but it’s clear he has major upside in any given game. At TE, that has value. so Njoku is worth a free agent pickup. He’ll get the Cardinals,one of the top TE defenses in the league, in Week 6.– ML

• #10

  Marquez Callaway, WR, Saints

  Callaway has been a major disappointment this year, but he came up big in a highly favorable matchup in Week 5, catching four-of-eight targets for 85 yards and two TDs. To be fair, one of those touchdowns was a 49-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half, but Callaway was still clearly involved and productive. The Saints have a bye next week, and Michael Thomas (ankle) and Tre’Quan Smith (hamstring) might return in Week 7, both of which would cut into Callaway’s workload, but perhaps he would also see more favorable coverage. Either way, he’s worth adding as a depth piece now that the byes are here. — ML

• #11

  Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders

  Renfrow once again saw a flurry of targets (8) and caught six passes for 56 yards. He has a safe PPR floor and is most valuable in that format. He figures to have a tough matchup with Denver in Week 6, but again, his floor is very safe with the amount of easy-catch opportunities he gets. — JS

• #12

  Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals

  Remember this guy? It’s understandable if you don’t after a quiet Week 3 and 4. In Week 5 against San Francisco, Moore saw eight total touches for 97 yards and came within a foot of scoring. We know he’s a dynamic athlete, and his ceiling is high each and every game. We also know his floor is low, so be prepared for boom-or-bust weeks if you pick him up. — JS

• #13

  Mark Ingram, RB, Texans

  Ingram didn’t have a noteworthy performance against the Patriots other than the fact he led Houston with 16 carries. The RB position is getting thinner, so that’s still something to pay attention to. He’s only attractive in standard leagues and plays the Colts in Week 6. — JS

• #14

  Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears

  All eyes went to Damien Williams when David Montgomery got hurt, but Khalil Herbert seems to have just as much of a role in the offense (at least on the ground). He out-carried Williams 18 to 16 and rushed for 75 yards. He’s not someone you want to plug and play right away, but he’s worth watching, especially since Williams was dealing with a thigh bruise heading into this week. The Bears host Green Bay in Week 6, so Herbert could build on his solid outing. — JS

• #15

  Josh Gordon, WR, Chiefs

  We’ve already said plenty about Gordon’s fantasy outlook, but here’s a reminder that’s worth taking on a flier on after signing with the Chiefs. Yes, Gordon’s best days are long behind him, but he couldn’t have gone to a better situation. He’ll be no better than a third option for the NFL’s scariest offense, but that could still yield some big games given the quarterback he’ll have throwing him the ball. At 30, he might not be completely washed up, so if he can stay on the field (a big “if”), Gordon could have value. — ML

• #16

  Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos

  Patrick caught seven-of-nine targets for 89 yards in Week 5 against the Steelers. At first, he looked like more of a standard-league play, but he’s come on in PPR leagues in recent weeks. As long as Jerry Jeudy (ankle) is out, Patrick will continue to have value, especially in a Week 6 matchup with Las Vegas. — JS

• #17

  Randall Cobb, WR, Packers

  Cobb only had two catches on three targets against the Bengals, but he’s still worth watching as the potential No. 2 WR in this offense with Marquez Valdez-Scantling (knee) on IR. The Packers play Chicago in Week 6, who has given up the fourth-most fantasy points to WRs. — JS

• #18

  Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles

  Reagor has received at least five targets in four-of-five games this season, and for that reason alone, he’s a low-end streaming option against a struggling Buccaneers secondary. — JS

• #19

  Carson Wentz, QB, Colts

  Houston’s defense lacks talent at all three levels, so Wentz has a chance to put up his best performance of the year in Week 6. — JS

• #20

  Sam Darnold, QB, Panthers

  We sad “bad Sam” in Week 5, as he threw for only 177 yards and three interceptions. His season-long prospects don’t look as promising as they did a few weeks ago, but he’s still a streamer consideration as the Panthers host the Vikings in Week 6. — JS

• #21

  Taylor Heinicke, QB, Washington

  Heinicke had one of his worst performances of the year in Week 5, but New Orleans has one of the top defensives in the league. In Week 6, he’ll face a Kansas City defense that has been a bottom-five unit against fantasy QBs. — JS

• #22

  Trey Lance, QB, 49ers

  It was an underwhelming debut for Lance through the air, passing for 192 yards, no touchdowns, and aninterception. However, he showed what he can do on the ground — which is exactly why we’ve been excited about his upside. He rushed 16 times for 89 yards and saved himself from what would’ve been a disastrous fantasy showing. He’s just scratching the surface of what he can do as a passer, so stay patient. We’ll see how long Jimmy G will be out, and while he will be the starter when healthy, it’s fair to wonder how long that will last. The 49ers are headed into a bye week, so just stayed tuned with this situation. Either way, Lance remains worth stashing. — JS

• #23

  Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Washington

  Seals-Jones trailed only Terry McLaurin for targets in Washington’s first game without Logan Thomas. He caught five-of-eight looks for 41 yards and couldn’t ask for a much better matchup than Kansas City in Week 6. — JS

• #24

  Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles

  Ertz only caught one ball for seven yards in Week 5, but he was targeted six times — a respectable number for a “backup” tight end. He’s a top streaming option in PPR leagues against the Buccaneers for Week 6. — JS

• #25

  Dan Arnold, TE, Jaguars

  Arnold saw eight targets in Week 5 and caught six for 64 yards. The Jags traded for him and evidently plan to feature him in the offense. He’ll play Miami in Week 6, who have been in the bottom half of defenses against fantasy TEs this season. — JS

• #26

  Jared Cook, TE, Chargers

  The Ravens have given up the most fantasy points to TEs this year, so Cook is a top streaming option in Week 6. He’s getting more comfortable with Justin Herbert and is in one of the league’s best offenses. — JS

• #27

  C.J. Uzomah, TE, Bengals

  Uzomah only saw two targets in Week 5, but he’s proven to be capable of huge games and faces a mediocre Lions’ defense in Week 6. — JS

• #28

  Jack Doyle/Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Colts

  Alie-Cox and Doyle are set to play against a bad Texans’ defense in Week 6, so either could be a streaming option. — JS

• #29

  Indianapolis Colts DST vs. Texans

  Regardless of the team, anybody playing against Houston’s offense will warrant consideration in fantasy football. The Colts’ defense showed it can take advantage of lackluster offenses against Miami in Week 4. — JS

• #30

  Dallas Cowboys DST @ Patriots

  Dallas has been a stronger defense than expected and has forced at least one turnover in each game. Just Trevon Diggs himself has intercepted a pass in every game. Mac Jones has been impressive, but he still is a rookie that certainly has the chance to turn over the football. — JS

• #31

  Green Bay Packers DST @ Bears

  Green Bay was solid against a bad Steelers’ offense in Week 4 and a decent Bengals offense in Week 5, so why can’t they do the same against a bad Bears offense in Week 6? — JS

• #32

  Cincinnati Bengals DST @ Lions

  The Bengals are back to being a decent streaming option in Week 6against the turnover-prone Lions. — JS

• #33

  Miami Dolphins DST @ JAX

  The Dolphins’ defense has been mightilydisappointing, but they still possess the talent to turn it aroundand Brian Flores comes off the Bill Belichick coaching tree — a man notorious for shutting down rookie QBs. They’ll get Trevor Lawrence in Week 6. — JS