Several big RB injuries have handcuffs among our top Week 6 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds, but uncertain playing time likely has fantasy football owners wondering if any are truly worth claiming. Chances are, the add/drop period will really heat up after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in most ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Of course, if you really want one of those potential replacement backs (Emari Demercado, Roschon Johnson, D’Onta Foreman, or Jeff Wilson Jr.), you’ll likely need to put in a claim. If you’re trying to improve your waivers position and don’t need a lotto-ticket RB, our full waivers list has plenty of other worthwhile options, including Tyjae Spears, Justice Hill, Josh Downs, Rashee Rice, Logan Thomas, and more. We also have Week 6 streaming suggestions for QB, TE, and D/ST, all of which can be found at the end of this list.
Right now, none of Demercado, Johnson, Foreman, or Wilson Jr. is guaranteed to have a big role in Week 6. One of Johnson or Foreman will, but which one depends on Johnson clearing concussion protocol. Because of that, we have a tough time recommending using a high waiver claim on any, but Johnson is the one with the highest ceiling, as Bears’ starter Khalil Herbert (ankle) is expected to miss three-to-five weeks.
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Guys like Spears, Hill, Downs, Rice, and Thomas have plenty of long-term appeal, but they’re not worth waiver claims unless you’re in deep leagues and they’re somehow still available. At this point in the season, bye-week fill-ins should be found on the free agent wire, as they’re are always several comparable options that don’t require dropping in the waiver order.
WEEK 6 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner
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.
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Dolphins. Wilson Jr. (ribs) has been on the IR all season, but the Dolphins are expected to open his 21-day practice window this week. With De’Von Achane nursing a knee injury, Wilson Jr.’s return looms large for Miami’s productive backfield. The veteran back averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored four TDs last year, getting double-digit touches in six-of-eight contests. He’ll likely be in for a similar role this season if Achane misses time. Wilson Jr. is a priority pickup given what we know about the current state of the Dolphins’ backfield. If he returns in Week 6, he’d be a potential flex against a Carolina defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Bears. Foreman has been a healthy scratch the past four games after an underwhelming Bears’ debut in Week 1 (seven touches, 24 yards), but with Khalil Herbert (ankle) out for at least a few games and Roschon Johnson in concussion protocol, Foreman figures to get the call up to the active roster. If Johnson is out, Foreman will likely handle 12-15 touches against a mediocre Vikings’ run defense in Week 6. If he performs well, he could hang onto the starting job over Johnson for the entirety of Herbert’s absence. Either way, Foreman is worth grabbing if you’re hurting at RB this week.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs. Rice saw a drop in snap share in Week 6, but he made the most of his five targets, catching four for 33 yards and a score. The Chiefs seem to love throwing to him around the goal line, and with no other Chiefs’ WR stepping up, Rice should continue seeing frequent targets and touchdown opportunities. Consider him a WR3/flex on Thursday against Denver’s 29th-ranked pass defense.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings. Who says handcuffs are just for RBs? Osborn stepped up with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) ailing last week, catching five-of-nine targets for 49 yards. With Jefferson likely out this week against Chicago’s 31st-ranked pass defense, Osborn should be busy once again. Grab him and enjoy the WR3-caliber production for as long as Jefferson is on the shelf.
Logan Thomas, TE, Commanders. Thomas is coming off his best game of the year, catching nine-of-11 targets for 77 yards and a score. In the three full games in which he’s played this year, he’s averaged just over seven targets, five catches, and 53 yards per game. That’s good enough for low-end starter status in PPR leagues, especially in favorable matchups like this week’s tilt in Atlanta.
For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including top pickups Emari Demercado, Roschon Johnson, Tyjae Spears, and more, check out our full Week 6 list.