Rush Nation, Week Five was brutal for our squads. So many players got injured, either in the lead up, or during the weekend. And, we are now at the point of the season where we can safely put our teams into three buckets. They either are championship contending, in a shout for the playoffs but need some management/luck to get there, or ready to fall off a cliff and fall into the abyss. I would say the next couple of weeks, with the introduction of bye weeks, is the real pivot point now to try and escalate your teams, if possible, into the next bucket up. And so, with that being said, the Waiver Wire Week 6 is here.

QUARTERBACKS

Taylor Heinicke- 12.6% Owned vs. KC Week 6

Very slim pickings at Quarterback this week what with the Waiver Wire Week 6 consisting of players either on byes, or not good options. Heinicke really didn’t play well vs the Saints. However, it is his first game without a Touchdown. It’s also his lowest YPA average of the season (just 6 YPA). Against Kansas City, you can harm them vertically. They are weak in the secondary and can be attacked on. Washington will need to do that if they want to hang with the Chiefs.

Trey Lance- 30.1% Owned BYE Week 6

Ok, so for the first time over, I’m going over the 30% owned threshold, by 0.1%. However, for Lance, it’s worth it. And the reason is 2-fold. 1) He is the next duel threat QB that will really have a safe floor when it comes to his numbers and 2) there is no one else on the Waiver Wire Week 6 I would even add. 

RUNNING BACKS

Devontae Booker- 3.8% Owned vs. LAR Week 6

With Saquon Barkley leaving the game early first Quarter on Sunday night, Booker took over the backfield, and performed admirably. The YPC (2.6) was really uninspiring. However, he put up over 20 PPR points and had all the share of the backfield. Barkley looks unlikely to return this week, meaning Booker will have RB2 volume locked in next week vs the Rams. He is the top priority add for Waiver Wire Week 6.

Khalil Herbert- 4.7% Owned vs. GB Week 6

Khalil Herbert got 18 carries on Sunday, which was a bit of a surprise. He also got redzone carries. Damien Williams will continue to lead this backfield. However, he is also banged up. So that means Herbert will get 14-20 touches a game. And that means he should be owned. He will be irrelevant in 5-6 weeks time, but he should be rostered until then, or until that volume drops.

Darrell Williams- 7.6% Owned vs WAS Week 6

With Clyde Edwards- Helaire out for multi weeks with an MCL sprain, Darrell Williams now takes over the back field. He will be the lead back and carry RB2 numbers as a minimum. He has an extremely favourable matchup versus Washington this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Kadarius Toney- 12.2% Owned vs. LAR Week 6

Toney truly broke out Sunday night. 10-189 off 13 targets with an additional carry for 7 yards. That is a heavy workload. We might not see that workload again from Toney. However, he clearly is showing why the Giants took him in the 1st round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He did get ejected for throwing a punch, so watch out for any disciplinary action, either from the team or the league this week. However, he is clearly worth an add if he is going to get the volume that volts him into a top 36 Wide Receiver.

Tim Patrick- 29.7% Owned vs. LV Week 6

Patrick is as consistent a Wide Receiver as you can get on the Waiver Wire right now. Yes, he is in the shadows of Courtland Sutton. However, Patrick put up his 4th game of at least 12.7 PPR Fantasy Points of the season on Sunday with the most targets he has had all season (9).  Against Vegas, they will continue to pepper the Raiders with targets and make use the perimeters. Expect Patrick to have another WR3 type game this weekend.

TIGHT ENDS

David Njoku- 1.6% Owned vs. ARI Week 6

The Tight End position on the Waiver Wire right now. However, the number 1 Tight End in PPR on Sunday was David Njoku. The 2017 1st Round Pick has had a terrible run of injuries. However, he appears to be back to his best. And, he appears to be Baker Mayfield’s primary target. 7 Catches for 149 yards and a score in the loss to the Chargers. Expect another shootout this weekend against the undefeated Cardinals, meaning more work for Njoku. He is the Tight End to target on the Waiver Wire Week 6.

Dan Arnold- 1.3% Owned vs. Miami Week 6

With D.J. Chark done for the year and now on IR, those targets seem to have drifted to Dan Arnold. 8 targets, 6 catches for 64 yards. He did also lose a fumble, but was given the workload after this, which is a good sign. Arnold comes to London with the Jacksonville Jaguars and I am sure he will be looking to make a splash in the end zone if his number is called.

KICKER

Nick Folk- 8.3% Owned vs DAL Week 6

Folk has everything you want from a Kicker. He’s accurate, he has a long leg, and his QB is struggling to punch in Touchdowns on a regular basis. With the Cowboys coming to town in Week 6, Folk should see plenty of opportunities to kick FGs and PAT’s this weekend. His only missed Field Goal this season was a 60 yarder in the rain against the Buccaneers. Pick him up and start him with confidence.

D/ST

Packers D/ST- 20% Owned vs CHI Week 6

The Packers, outside of Week 1, are a solid, if uninspiring D/ST Choice. However, against a rookie QB who is not throwing the ball all that much, and a team struggling on offense, it should give the Packers D a chance to get some turnovers and put the squeeze on the Bears. For an alternative option, the Bengals this week vs Jared Goff the turnover machine and the Detroit Lions is in play.

Don’t forget, all of my picks come from those owned under 30% on ESPN.com Fantasy Football. If you want to hear other suggestions, subscribe to the 5 Yard Rush Podcast and listen to the Waiver Wire Podcast for other suggestions.

Also, tune into listen to all our podcasts this week as we work with you to deliver a ship for you this season. However, until next week Rush Nation, where I will be back for Week Four picks, Keep Rushing!

– Murf (@Murf_NFL)