Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire pickups
See which players are worth adding to your fantasy football roster ahead of Week 6's action.
With another week of football comes a few more reasons to keep a close eye on this week’s injury report. For instance, Chargers starting back Omarion Hampton (ankle) has already been placed on the IR, while the status of big names like Lamar Jackson and CeDee Lamb, and most of the 49ers offense, remains unclear.
Whether you’re looking for short-term production or long-term upside, here are the best waiver wire pickups to target this week.
Current ownership percentage based on Yahoo fantasy football leagues at the time of publishing.
Week 6 waiver wire cheatsheet
Week 6 quarterbacks
QB injury update
🚫 Nope: Joe Burrow (CIN)
🫤 Looking iffy: Lamar Jackson (BAL); Brock Purdy (SF)
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Kyler Murray (ARI)
🏖️ On a bye: C.J. Stroud (HOU), Carson Wentz/J.J. McCarthy (MIN)
Quarterbacks to add in Week 6
Sam Darnold (SEA), 31% rostered — Top Priority
Darnold had his best game of the season in Week 5, throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns against Tampa Bay. He’s averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game over the past month, ranking near the top of the league in QBR while leading Seattle’s improved passing attack. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and a promising group of young receivers, Darnold’s outlook is bright. Facing a Jaguars defense on short rest, he’s a solid QB1/2 option moving forward. Suggested FAAB: up to 10%
Others to stream: Matthew Stafford (LAR), Trevor Lawrence (JAC), Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)
Others to stash: C.J. Stroud (HOU)
Week 6 running backs
RB injury update
🚫 Nope: Trey Benson (ARI); Antonio Gibson (NE); Omarion Hampton (LAC), Bucky Irving (TB),
🫤 Looking iffy: Chuba Hubbard (CAR); Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG);
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Jaylen Warren (PIT)
🏖️ On a bye: Jordan Mason (MIN); Woody Marks (HOU)
Running backs to add in Week 6
Michael Carter (ARI), 39% rostered — Top Priority
With Trey Benson sidelined, Carter took control of the Cardinals’ backfield, logging 58% of the snaps and handling 23 touches for 73 total yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes, giving him solid PPR value. Emari Demercado’s costly fumble won’t help his case for more work, so expect Carter to keep the lead role for now. The matchups ahead are tougher, but Carter profiles as a low-end RB3/flex with volume-driven upside. Suggested FAAB: 15–20%
Rico Dowdle (CAR), 59% rostered — Streamer
Dowdle exploded for 234 total yards and a score in Week 5, filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard. The veteran showed power and vision, posting an eye-popping 169 yards after contact — the most by any RB in a game this year. If Hubbard remains out, Dowdle is an easy RB2 play against his former team, the Cowboys. Even if Hubbard returns, Dowdle has earned a larger role going forward. Suggested FAAB: 10%
Kendre Miller (NO), 31% rostered — Upside Stash/Streamer
Miller continues to eat into Alvin Kamara’s workload, showcasing more burst and efficiency (5.2 yards per touch over the past two games). He’s forcing more missed tackles and could soon overtake Kamara as the more explosive option in New Orleans’ backfield. With Kamara’s role declining, Miller is now worth considering as a RB3/flex who could ascend to RB2 status later this season. Suggested FAAB: 10%
Others to stream: Tyler Allgeier (ATL), Kareem Hunt (KC)
Others to stash: Hassan Haskins (LAC), Kimani Vidal (LAC), Kenneth Gainwell (PIT)
Week 6 waiver wide receivers
WR injury update
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: Mike Evans (TB)
🫤 Looking iffy: Jauan Jennings (SF); CeDee Lamb (DAL); Ricky Pearsall (SF); Darius Slayton (NYG);
🙏 Cautiously optimistic: Terry McLaurin (WAS); Darnell Mooney (ATL)
🏖️ On a bye: Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison (MIN); Nico Collins (HOU)
WRs to add in Week 6
Kendrick Bourne (SF), 4% rostered — Top Priority
With Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings sidelined, Bourne stepped up as the 49ers’ top target, catching 10 passes for 142 yards on 11 targets in Week 5. His status as the WR1 depends on teammate health, but if Pearsall and Jennings remain out, Bourne is a must-start WR3 with WR2 upside against Tampa Bay. Even if the others return, he’s worth a speculative add in deeper leagues. Suggested FAAB: 10%
Josh Downs (IND), 47% rostered — Streamer
Downs tied his season high with eight targets and caught six passes for 54 yards in Week 5. While he hasn’t found the end zone yet, he’s clearly developing chemistry with Daniel Jones and could emerge as a reliable bye-week fill-in during favorable matchups. Downs offers modest but steady PPR value as a WR4/flex in deeper leagues. Suggested FAAB: 3–5%
Others to stream: Romeo Doubs (GB), Tre Tucker (LV), Ryan Flournoy (DAL, if Lamb is out)
Others to stash: Darnell Mooney (ATL), Jayden Higgins (HOU), Christian Kirk (HOU)
Week 6 tight ends
TE injury update
🏴☠️ Not bloody likely: George Kittle (SF)
🫤 Looking iffy: Brock Bowers (KC); Brenton Strange (JAX)
🏖️ On a bye: T.J. Hockenson (MIN), Dalton Schultz (HOU)
Tight ends to add in Week 6
Mason Taylor (NYJ), 14% rostered — Top Priority
Taylor has quickly become a focal point of the Jets’ passing game, drawing 25 targets over the past three weeks. He’s scored double-digit fantasy points in consecutive games and is emerging as Justin Fields’ second option behind Garrett Wilson. With an 18.9% target share and strong usage in the red zone, Taylor is a legitimate TE1 going forward. Suggested FAAB: 10%
Others to stream: Theo Johnson (NYG), Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE)
Others to stash: A.J. Barner (SEA)
Week 6 waiver wire defense/special teams
🏖️ On a bye: Texans (HOU), Vikings (MIN)
Packers (GB), 48% rostered — Streamer
Green Bay gets a get-right matchup against the Bengals and backup QB Jake Browning, who has thrown eight interceptions and taken constant pressure behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. The Packers’ defense should rebound at home and ranks as a top streaming option for Week 6. Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Colts (IND), Patriots (NE), Raiders (LV)
Week 6 waiver wire kickers
🏖️ On a bye: Kaʻimi Fairbairn (HOU), Greg Joseph (MIN)
Matt Prater (BUF), 34% rostered — Streamer
With Tyler Bass still on injured reserve, Prater has been nearly automatic for Buffalo, converting 10 of 11 field goals and all 15 extra points. He gets an appealing dome matchup against Atlanta in a game projected for high scoring (48.5 total). Prater has scored at least seven fantasy points in every game this season, making him a reliable option. Suggested FAAB: 1–2%
Others to stream: Brandon McManus (JAC), Matt Gay (LAR), Chris Boswell (PIT)