Waiver Wire – Week 6 2023

After the chaos of four teams on the Week 5 bye, the situation gets a little easier in Week 6. Only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers have this week off. So, if nobody is taking any notice, perhaps check the waiver wire to see if any of those players could be picked up for cheap! Pittsburgh play an in-form Rams at the in Week 7, whereas the Packers face the struggling Broncos in Denver.

As always, these roster percentages are taken from the ESPN Fantasy database. 

Quarterbacks

Sam Howell (WC) – 17.4% Rostered – @ ATL

Sam Howell has been unleashed this season. The game results have varied, but Howell’s play has been relatively consistent – aside from that four-interception blip against the Bills. Week 4 had the Commanders’ Quarterback come away with a respectable statline of 388 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also added a further 19 yards off 4 carries.   

An upset result left a sour taste in the Commanders’ mouth. And they will travel to Atlanta hoping to wash it out. The Falcons are middle of the pack for conceding fantasy points to Quarterbacks, but they did just concede 249 yards and a touchdown to rookie C.J. Stroud in a closely fought game. 

Running Backs

Tyjae Spears (TEN) – 25.1% Rostered – vs. BAL

All eyes will have been on DeAndre Hopkins when it comes to Titan squad additions. But rookie Running Back Tyjae Spears has shown some fizz on the plays he’s been involved in. Week 5 garnered him 34 yards and a rushing touchdown on 7 carries, as well as 4 receptions for 35 yards. That’s a brilliant haul for the backup back.

The snap counts beginning to even out between him and Derrick Henry. So, while Spears’ percentage stays high, he should keep getting opportunities on a team historically known as a run-first offense. 

Justice Hill (BAL) – 23.9% Rostered – at TEN

On the other side of the ball stands the other choice for this Waiver Wire article. Justice Hill may have fumbled the ball during the Week 5 game with the Steelers, but he also scored a touchdown. Plus, he’s also seeing the majority (if not all) of the receiving work coming out of the backfield – incredibly useful for PPR leagues. 

Tenessee have, up until this point, been stingy against Running Backs. But they’ve just been torn up by Zack Moss and the Colts offense in Week 5. With all the versatility in the Ravens backfield, the Titans will have a lot on their hands. And Hill could benefit here with his pass-catching chops.  

Wide Receivers

Curtis Samuel (WC) – 14.7% Rostered – @ ATL

I think it’s alright to say that Curtis Samuel may have taken over the number two Wide Receiver position from Jahan Dotson. And, considering he’s scored more points than Dotson in every game this year, it’s a surprise that Samuel is still on the waiver wire! 

After 6 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown on Thursday Night, Samuel looks primed for another big game against the Falcons who left holes for Robert Woods and Dalton Schultz in the short passing game. They’ve been quite low down on fantasy points conceded to Wide Receivers, but their defensive game plan looks like it’s designed to stop big plays. But if Samuel can find those gaps that he did on Thursday, then this could be a big PPR game for him. 

Josh Downs (IND) – 11% Rostered – @ JAX

Downs saw three passes from Anthony Richardson before the Quarterback went out injured. And he saw a further three from stand-in Gardner Minshew. With 97 yards from all six receptions, that’s some solid usage for the Wide Receiver! And whichever QB returns for Week 6 will continue to look for Downs as part of the passing offense. 

They face a Jacksonville Jaguars team who will be travelling back to America after two weeks away. They’ve conceded 25.7 fantasy points to the position. Could this be a perfect opportunity for Downs to take advantage of that jet lag??

Tight End

Jonnu Smith (ATL) – 9.6% Rostered – vs. WC

THE HYPE IS REAL. Smith came out of the game against the Texans with another good statline. Multiple receptions and decent yardage is great news for any PPR and Tight End premium leagues. And he should still be available in many of your leagues. 

They go to the Commanders in Week 6, who conceded a touchdown and a lot of yards to Cole Kmet. And while he remains a favoured target in this offense, just let the good times roll!

Kicker

Nick Folk (TEN) – 12% Rostered – vs. BAL

The Titans’ kicker has been 100% with his field goal attempts this year, and the Ravens have conceded the sixth most fantasy points to the position. If the offense keeps rolling, then Folk could continue to keep that perfect percentage. And, at only 12% rostered, he should be available on the waiver wire. 

Defense

Bucaneers D – 21.6% Rostered – vs. DET

They’ve had a week off to get some key defensive players back. And a week to plan for this Detroit team.  They rank in the top ten defenses this year – and the Lions were missing some key weapons this week. The heart and soul of the Buccaneers team will look to make a big impression in this game.

Rob – @5YardRob