Pigskin Papers: 2023 Waiver Wire Week 6
Sam Howell - Streaming Special
(Published October 9, 2023)
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Welcome to the Waiver Wire, Week 6. Enjoying the season so far? Week 5 brought some important shifts in the fantasy landscape, and as always, there were some notable injuries. It’s a long season, folks—there will be new obstacles to navigate each week. As fantasy managers continue to work through all of that, plus the Bye Weeks, successfully playing the Waiver Wire is a high priority. Just like last week, the pool of available free agents isn’t all that great. Still, there are players who can help you, either now or down the road, and especially at RB.
A few quick strategy reminders:
(1) It’s important to plan ahead for future Bye Weeks. I like grabbing streamers at the “onesie” positions (QB, TE, K, D/ST) a week early, so I recommend looking ahead to the Week 7 Byes and the schedule.
(2) Even if you don’t get your first choice(s), it’s a great idea to look at the processed waivers as soon as you can, and consider adding players who were dropped or players who were lower priorities and didn't get claimed. Second-chance waivers can matter.
*****WEEK 6 BYES: Packers, Steelers******
OK, let’s get to the Waiver Wire for Week 6!
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate their short and long term prospects. I also do my best to reveal the players that are coming off a big week who are fool’s gold. Finally, I endeavor to find streamers who might help you in a pinch. Note that this advice is primarily intended for Season-Long leagues, and NOT Dynasty leagues.
Some of the players I’ll talk about won’t be available in your league. As a general rule, I list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10 team league with 6 bench spots will have a much larger free agent pool than a 14 team league with 8 bench spots. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.”
Week 6 Waiver Wire:
QB: Every season, there are a few QBs who surprise us by ending up in the Top 10 at the position. Last year, there were a lot of them: Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith, and Jared Goff. I don’t know who will end up being the big surprises across this full season, but through 5 weeks, these QBs are Top 10 in fantasy points per game (FPPG): Brock Purdy and Russell Wilson. Not too far behind, and viable in fantasy, are Sam Howell, C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, and Josh Dobbs. I’m sure none of these players are available in Superflex Leagues, and even in 1-QB leagues, most are rostered. I’ve been pumping up Love, Purdy, Stroud, and more recently Dobbs. If any of these QBs are still available, and you need help at the position, grab them. I have the most confidence in Purdy staying in the Top 10 all year. Howell is the most likely to be available, and his rushing should help buoy his numbers. Others to consider:
I’ve mentioned Matt Stafford several times already this year. If he’s still available, he’s a nice long-term add, and especially with Kupp, Nacua, and Atwell all being deployed together. He’s going to have gaudy passing numbers.
If you’ve got a short-term need, you could do worse than Gardner Minshew, who’ll get the start in Week 6 and perhaps for more than that, depending on AR’s recovery timeline. The Colts are at Jacksonville this week, which is a fairly neutral matchup.
Was Emari a One-Week Wonder? We’ll See…
RB: If the Zack Moss manager in your league panicked and cut the cord too quick, it’s your job to pounce. He’s still going to have a role and he’s playing as well as almost any RB in the NFL. Jaleel McLaughlin should be added if he slipped through the cracks last week, and he’ll have value even when Javonte Williams is back. I can’t imagine either of these things happened in too many leagues, so here are some other players who actually might be available:
Jeff Wilson, Jr. has been activated off IR, meaning he’s close to returning. With rookie sensation De’Von Achane likely to miss multiple weeks (and possibly heading to IR), Wilson is a priority target in Miami’s high-octane offense. As a Dolphins’ fan, I’m beyond bummed to hear the Achane injury news. Get back soon!
D’Onta Foreman has been a healthy scratch the last couple of weeks, but with Khalil Herbert likely out multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, and Roschon Johnson in the concussion protocol, Foreman should get some run on an offense that’s suddenly showing some real life. I wouldn't go crazy with my FAAB, but if you’ve got an acute need in the immediate future, he’s a good add. If Johnson is available, he’s a priority target for sure, and I’d take him over Foreman as he has much better season-long value.
Tyjae Spears has been in this column multiple times already, and continues to get more work than the Derrick Henry managers would like to see. He’s also doing more with his touches and bringing a different dynamic to the Titans’ plodding offense. Henry will continue to get plenty of work, but there’s an outside chance that the Titans could try to move him near the deadline (he’s a free agent after this season). That alone is reason enough to have Spears on your roster.
Ever heard of Emari Demercado? Neither had I, before this week. Hey, I’ll admit it. Turns out he’s an UDFA from TCU, who was Kendre Miller’s primary backup last season. More on Miller below. Anyway, when James Conner went down with a knee injury on Sunday, and with backup Keaontay Ingram missing his second straight game (neck), he got every RB carry. He also had one catch, and ended the day with a 10-45-1 rushing line. Early word on Tuesday is that Conner could miss multiple weeks, and while Ingram could be back soon, any RB with a potential path to high volume (even for just a few weeks) is worth grabbing. Ingram is also definitely worth adding, as he’d likely get the most opportunities if healthy. Check for the latest injury news on him before you make your claims
Justice Hill re-emerged this week in the Ravens’ backfield. My advice at this point is just to avoid this hot mess. You could end up playing Ravens’ RB Roulette all season long while blowing through half of your FAAB in the process. That said, they’re very efficient at running the ball. Of the entire group, Hill probably has the highest upside if he can stay healthy.
Other depth adds, if you’re in the market (and I’ve got them ranked in this order): Zach Charbonnet, Kendre Miller, Chuba Hubbard (who out-touched a still-gimpy Miles Sanders this week), Jordan Mason, Ronny Rivers, and Michael Carter.
Josh Reynolds has Stepped Up for the Lions
WR:
K.J. Osborn is the most obvious add this week, among WRs with low roster percentages. News broke Tuesday morning that Justin Jefferson is headed to IR, meaning he will miss at least 4 games. Ugh—say it ain’t so, and so it goes in fantasy football. Even when JJeff returns, Osborn is a good WR4 with WR3/flex upside. It’s a pass-happy offense, and the Vikings are often chasing points.
Josh Reynolds has carved out a nice role on a very good offense, and I think he’ll continue to contribute even when everyone is healthy. I’ll make this prediction: He’s going to out-snap, out-target, and out-score teammate Jameson Williams over the remainder of the season. I like him for solid WR 3/4 bench depth and that’s why he’s a repeat mention this week.
Josh Downs had a strong performance this week (6-97 on 6 targets), which was his second productive output in the last 3 outings. He’s been targeted more when Gardner Minshew is under center, and Minshew is starting in Week 6, and possibly longer. The rookie is a decent depth add, with upside as he gets more acclimated.
I’m not recommending Chase Claypool, but I understand it if you want to speculate. The Dolphins lead the NFL in scoring, and Claypool’s blend of size and speed could make him a useful piece and especially in the red zone. At the same time, Miami’s non-RB target shares funnel hard to Tyreek and Waddle, and Claypool (and his effort) have been wildly inconsistent throughout his career.
A few other depth adds and longer-term stashes to consider are D.J. Chark, Curtis Samuel, Rashee Rice, and Nelson Agholor. All except Agholor have been mentioned in this column before, and all have decent upside.
Logan Thomas - Tantalizing Fantasy Managers Since 2020
TE:
Logan Thomas had a throwback performance this week, and that’s going to tempt a lot of fantasy managers to put in a claim for him. If you want to go that route, sure. TE is a wasteland. Two notes of caution: (1) Thomas is healthy now, but he’s missed 15 games over the past 2 seasons; and (2) his big outing came against an awful Bears team, in a game where the Commanders were chasing points. Still, he’s had a decent floor so far this season. Just know the injury risk you’re taking.
Speaking of chasing performance, Dalton Schultz also turned in his first big game of the season in Week 5 (7-65-1 on 10 targets). Tank Dell leaving with a concussion may have helped him to get those numbers. Anyway, I think a lot of people are going to end up starting multiple TEs AFTER their big weeks and not ever getting the performance they’re running after. Still, you know what they say about Tight Ends. Anyone with a pulse is worth a shot.
I cautioned against rostering Jonnu Smith last week, and he put up another solid stat line (6-67), in Kyle Pitts’s best and busiest game of the season no less. I still don’t trust this production, but the TE position is so weak, he might be worth a look.
Bench depth to consider: Gerald Everett, Cade Otton, and Tyler Conklin.
PK Streamers, Week 6: Y. Koo (vs. WAS), B. Maher (vs. ARI)
D/ST Streamers, Week 6: LV (vs. NE), MIA (vs. CAR), LAR (vs. ARI)
That’s a wrap! Good luck with your Week 6 Waiver claims.
DH
***This column (Waiver Wire) appears each Monday, and the Weekly Fantasy Preview each Thursday. Please bookmark the site and come back often. You can also follow on Social Media - on Instagram (thepigskinpapers) and Twitter (@PigskinPapers). I appreciate your patronage and welcome your feedback. You can post in the comment boxes or email pigskinpapers@gmail.com.***
