Week 6 Waiver Wire: Examining Top Fantasy Football Targets

Five weeks into the 2016 season, there's still time to salvage what's left of your fantasy football campaign if you're off to a disappointing start.

Granted, it's becoming more difficult to upgrade your roster through the waiver wire. Most of this year's breakout fantasy stars have probably already had their coming-out parties and are thus unavailable.

However, the free-agent market isn't entirely bereft of potential replacements for underwhelming players on your squad. Below are 10 players available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com's fantasy leagues on Monday night who could help you over the next few weeks.

Week 6 Waiver Wire Options

Pos.	Player	Team	Percent Owned
QB	Marcus Mariota	Tennessee Titans	32.0
QB	Sam Bradford	Minnesota Vikings	12.8
RB	James White	New England Patriots	38.5
RB	Jay Ajayi	Miami Dolphins	48.3
RB	Bobby Rainey	New York Giants	4.0
WR	Sammie Coates	Pittsburgh Steelers	39.8
WR	Jeremy Kerley	San Francisco 49ers	8.0
WR	Davante Adams	Green Bay Packers	9.7
TE	Jessie James	Pittsburgh Steelers	20.6
TE	C.J. Fiedorowicz	Houston Texans	0.1

Sam Bradford, QB, Minnesota Vikings

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Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was roundly criticized when the team traded for Sam Bradford. Sending the Philadelphia Eagles first- and fourth-round picks was a steep cost for an oft-injured quarterback who had yet to meet expectations in the NFL.

So far, Bradford's performance has provided vindication for Spielman and the rest of the Vikings front office. Through four games, he has 990 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He's also completing his passes at a career-high 70.4 percent rate.

Bradford will fall back to earth at some point, but it's not as if his recent success is all smoke and mirrors. Pro Football Focus' Sam Monson showed that the 28-year-old is excelling under pressure:

PFF's Steve Palazzolo added that Bradford isn't wasting time in the pocket, either:

Adrian Peterson isn't returning anytime soon, so the passing game will continue to be a focal point of Minnesota's offense. Bradford will have ample opportunity to continue posting strong numbers.

Based on his NFL career, fantasy owners should expect some regression. He'll be worth at least a QB2 slot on your roster.

Bobby Rainey, RB, New York Giants

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Going into Week 6, finding a good running back on the waiver wire isn't easy. As a result, owners will have to reach a bit if they want to find any help at the position.

In limited action, Bobby Rainey has been a productive member of the New York Giants offense. He has 44 rushing yards on nine carries and 14 receptions for 119 yards.

New York's backfield has been hammered by injuries. Shane Vereen will miss at least half the season, and Rashad Jennings missed Week 5's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

When Jennings returns, Rainey is likely to play a lesser role in the running game. ESPN.com's Jordan Raanan wrote that the 28-year-old will continue to be involved in other ways, though:

"

Rainey is going to remain a significant part of the Giants offense, whether it’s on screen passes, draws or dump downs. Quarterback Eli Manning and his coaches remain insistent on taking what defenses are giving them. In fact, it has reached the point of borderline defiance, making Rainey’s role an important one.

"

Jennings hasn't been much of a receiver out of the backfield over his career, which is why the Giants signed Vereen in 2015. While Rainey might offer little value in terms of his rushing stats, he could assume Vereen's duties as the primary receiving threat at running back.

Especially in deeper or point-per-reception leagues, Rainey could emerge as a flex option.

Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Depending on when you're reading this, Sammie Coates may no longer be available in your league. His stock was already rising before Week 5, when he caught six passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

The second-year wideout has assumed Martavis Bryant's duties as the Pittsburgh Steelers' most dynamic threat down the field. The NFL shared a replay of his 72-yard touchdown reception Sunday against the New York Jets:

Over the last three weeks, Coates has seen his targets increase from four to eight to 11. Following Sunday's victory, he mentioned how gaining Ben Roethlisberger's trust has provided a major boost to his confidence.

"Knowing I have his trust makes me feel a whole lot better about myself," he said, per ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. "I'm still growing, I'm still learning."

Coates won't overtake Antonio Brown as Roethlisberger's favorite target. As potent as Pittsburgh's offense is, there should be more than enough touches for Brown to stay an elite fantasy wideout while also making Coates a must-start.