Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
for that elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp.
The waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players that
might be available in 12-team PPR leagues. I’ll also provide
a brief update on the players I covered the previous week.
Week 6 Byes: Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Tennessee
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith, SEA
– What a run Geno is on to start the season. The situation is ripe
as the Seahawks defense can’t stop anyone, they just lost their
top running back to a broken leg and this week’s opponent (ARI)
is easy to throw on. The upcoming schedule looks good also, minus
a Week 10 matchup against Tampa Bay. If he’s somehow still floating
around on your waiver wire, grab Geno.
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF – Garoppolo isn’t going to get
there with his legs but with George Kittle back in the mix he
does have his full complement of receiving weapons and Atlanta
is giving up the 10th most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Justin Fields, CHI – Hold your nose. It’s gross but
the Commanders aren’t the toughest matchup in the world
and we’re getting into Bye weeks now with Detroit, Houston,
Las Vegas and Tennessee all off this week. I don’t see a
ceiling here but in two-quarterback leagues, Fields is in play
this week.
Other QBs to consider (Week 6 opponents in parentheses):
Daniel Jones,
NYG (BAL)
UPDATE (players recommended last week):
Trevor Lawrence, JAX – It was a struggle for Lawrence (25/47,
286-0-2; 4-29-0) and the Jags who couldn’t find the endzone
against Houston. Given the low scoring this week at the QB position,
Lawrence is the QB17 heading into Monday night.
Carson Wentz, WAS – Hopefully you recognized the rough
spot Wentz was in the last couple weeks (PHI, @DAL) but took a
chance on him this week (359-2-1, 5-15-0) as he’s currently
the QB3 heading into Monday night. In the right spot, he’s
an ideal QB2 on your roster.
Kenny Pickett,
PIT – The Steelers got blitzed by Josh Allen and the Bills passing
game right from the start. Pickett (327-0-1, 1-10-0) did manage
to throw for over 300 yards but zero TDs means he’ll finish the
week as a mid-range QB2.
Kenneth Walker,
SEA – The injury to Rashaad Penny is a season-ender which means
Walker is in line for the majority of running back touches in
Seattle moving forward. Some DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer (when
healthy) will be sprinkled in and I’d expect a free agent signing,
but this will be Walker’s backfield for the remainder of the season.
Eno Benjamin,
ARI – If you’re an Arizona running back you likely got nicked
up in Week 5 as James Conner (ribs), Darrel Williams (knee) and
Jonathan Ward (hamstring) all spent time in the blue tent. That
leaves Benjamin who could see increased opportunities against
the suspect Seahawks defense.
Joshua Kelley,
LAC – Kelley makes for a speculative bench stash after seeing
a 25% snap share in Week 5 over Sony Michel (3%). If he can hold
onto the backup spot behind Austin Ekeler, he could have some
value as we get into the meat of the fantasy season.
Update:Jaylen Warren, PIT
– The Steelers backup running back had his best performance
(5-24-0; 4-49-0) this past in a blowout loss to the Bills. He’s
not taking over for Najee Harris but he could see an increased
role over the next few weeks if Harris continues to be meh.
Tyler Allgeier,
Caleb Huntley
ATL – Allgeier saw 13 carries for 45 yards but wasn’t included
in the passing game and third string Avery Williams (3-11-1) scored
the lone running back TD. Huntley (8-34-0) was used in a backup
role. Allgeier is the back to own of this group but he won’t be
a recommendation in tough matchups like this one against the Bucs.
Mike Boone,
DEN – Boone (7-38-0, 3-47-0) got 10 touches Thursday night against
the Colts while playing behind Melvin Gordon (as expected). This
should be his role moving forward. Latavius Murray was inactive.
Mark Ingram,
NO – Ingram (9-16-0) is only in play when Alvin Kamara is out.
Kamara dominated touches (29) against Seattle including 6-91-0
in the passing game.
Raheem Mostert,
MIA – It’s been tough getting a read on the Miami backfield but
it looks like the move to Mostert over Edmonds is going to stick.
Raheem posted a 18-113-1, 1-9-0 line against the Jets on Sunday
and currently sits as the RB14 in PPR leagues heading into Monday
night.
Deon Jackson,
IND – Jackson (13-62-0; 4-29-0) was forced into use when Nyheim
Hines left during the first series Thursday night due to concussion.
With Jonathan Taylor expected back in Week 6, Jackson will likely
be third in the pecking order behind Phillip Lindsay as long as
Hines is out.
Devin Duvernay,
BAL – The Ravens offense can only support one wide receiver so Duvernay
is only an option if/when Rashod Bateman is out like he was in Week
5. Upcoming schedule for the Ravens: @NYG, CLE
Khalil Shakir,
BUF – We know the third wide receiver spot in the Buffalo offense
is a viable fantasy position as Cole Beasley has demonstrated in
the past. If/when Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) is sidelined then
Shakir should assume that role. If McKenzie plays in Week 6 against
the Chiefs, then Shakir can be left on your bench.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KC – MVS has been on the field
quite a bit but hasn’t done much in the boxscore, and as
a result, has ended up on the waiver wire in some leagues. Against
the Bills in Week 6, the Chiefs may need his services if the game
gets into a shootout.
TE Cade Otton,
TB – Otton saw increased usage in Week 5 with Cameron Brate (concussion)
on the sidelines. If Brate continues to miss time, then the rookie
tight is worth a look, especially given the shakiness of the position.
Update:Wan’Dale
Robinson, NYG – The Giants are struggling for playmakers
at the wide receiver position and while Robinson hasn’t
seen the field since Week 1, he should be thrust into action as
soon as he’s ready.
George Pickens, PIT – Pickens (6-83-0) is the real deal.
He’s going to struggle and be inconsistent as he deals with
a rookie quarterback, but in games with projected negative game
script he can be rolled out as an easy WR3. He’s the WR18
heading into Monday night.
Isaiah McKenzie,
BUF – McKenzie (concussion) was made inactive Sunday morning.
In his place, rookie Khalil Shakir (3-75-1, 5 targets) is the
WR15 heading into Monday night.
Rondale Moore,
ARI – Moore (7-68-0; 2 carries, -7 yards) has kicked Greg Dortch
to the bench and should be a solid Flex option next week against
the Seahawks. The return of DeAndre Hopkins in Week 7 will alter
Moore’s ceiling. Moore is the WR22 heading into Monday night.
Hunter Henry,
NE – Jonnu Smith (knee) was inactive and Henry (4-54-0) saw his
best fantasy output of the season, even with Bailey Zappe at quarterback.
Henry is the TE13 heading into Monday night.
