Week 6 Waiver Wire: Roster Upgrades You Need to Make

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Fantasy football kicks into high gear in Week 6, and this is the time of year when the right waiver-wire moves can boost your team into the playoffs.

Is Christian Ponder really a legitimate fantasy quarterback? 

Will Brandon Bolden continue to impress in New England?

Is Michael Crabtree a good flex option?

I'll answer these questions and more as I lay out the top waiver-wire upgrades you need to make to keep your fantasy season going strong.

 

Note: All fantasy stats courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Quarterback

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Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings

As strange as it seems, Ponder is a legitimate fantasy quarterback, and he's still available in 74 percent of fantasy leagues.

Like Smith, Ponder isn't going to have a monster game every week, but he has put up more than 17 points in three of the five games he's played so far this season. Heck, he even put up over 25 points against the 49ers in Week 3. 

Ponder seems to be getting more and more comfortable, too, and given the balance he has with Adrian Peterson and the running game, he's going to continue improving as the year goes on. He's a must-own player for your fantasy team. 

Wide Receiver

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Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Crabtree may be tough to find, as he's currently owned in 72 percent of fantasy leagues, but if he's available and you're having issues with your wide receiving corps, you need to take him now. 

Crabtree is Alex Smith's favorite target. Through five games, he has caught 27 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown. While the lone touchdown is an issue, I expect his touchdown totals to dramatically improve the rest of the way in 2012 as the 49ers continue to jell on offense. 

 

Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals

Unbelievably, Roberts is still available in 42 percent of fantasy leagues, despite the fact that he's averaging more than 10 points a game. 

Roberts has caught four touchdowns already this season, and the more he plays, the better he's getting. He is one of the NFL's most underrated wide receivers, and his ability to separate from defenders using exceptional route running is fun to watch. 

You must snag Roberts this week if he's available in your league. You'll be sorry if you don't, because one of your opponents will, and he could well be the difference when you face them. 

Running Back

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Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots

In the past two games, Bolden has carried the ball 30 times for 191 yards and a touchdown. 

It's clear that Stevan Ridley is the No. 1 running back for the Pats, but it's also clear that the team plans on platooning Bolden to spell Ridley on a regular basis. Both players are going to be a big part of the Patriots offense the rest of the season.

Bolden is still available in 62 percent of fantasy leagues, and if you're looking for some depth at the running back position, you need to make the move to land him now. 

Tight End

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Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

Chandler and the Bills were completely shut down in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, but that only makes the rest of his season more impressive. 

Excluding last week, Chandler averages over 10 points a game and has four receiving touchdowns. 

He's available in more than half of fantasy leagues, and if you don't own him by now, you should make it a point to snag him off the waiver wire for your playoff push. 

 

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