Week 6 Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football's Top Breakout Candidates and Pickups

As we enter Week 6 of the NFL season, there are still plenty of savvy waiver-wire moves fantasy managers can make to get their teams on the up and up.

Of course, figuring out which players to start has been an ongoing battle this year, but that's a different issue. Let's focus first on making sure you have the right options on your roster.

In Week 5, three pass-catchers (two wideouts and a "sort of" tight end) emerged as options that have become impossible to ignore.

Projecting future production for all three is tricky in specific ways that we'll go over, but if you're dealing with injuries or just not happy with the production you've been getting from your roster, these players could inject some energy into your lineup.

For our purposes, players were considered "breakout" options if they are rostered in 40 percent of leagues or less. And actually, this week specifically, all three players are rostered in less than 30 percent of leagues.

That makes them real deep cuts, to be sure, but it also means they're more than likely available in your league.

Honorable Mention: Seahawks running back Ken Walker III is rostered in 42 percent of leagues, so he doesn't meet our criteria for inclusion on this list. However, he is absolutely one of the biggest adds heading into Week 6, so if he's available in your league, grab him.

Dyami Brown, WR, Commanders

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 09: Dyami Brown #2 of the Washington Commanders catches a touchdown pass over Caleb Farley #3 of the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at FedExField on October 09, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Rostered: 0 percent

Week 5 stats: 2 rec, 105 rec yds, 2 TDs; 24.50 pts

The Washington Commanders are not a good football team. In the powerhouse NFC East, where at most their division rivals have one loss, the Commanders have sunk to 1-4 to start the year.

However, bad football teams in real life can often be fantastic for fantasy players, specifically pass-catchers, because it's likely such teams are often playing from behind.

In Sunday's 21-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Brown was one of the few bright spots. He was targeted four times by Carson Wentz after leading all receivers in that category last week, but he made the most of his snaps. One of his touchdown grabs was one-handed!

Heading into Week 5, Washington was among the league's 10-lowest scoring teams (18.3 on average, per Team Rankings), but keep in mind that the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams also fall into that category, and we're willing to bet you're rostering players like Allen Lazard and Cooper Kupp. Let's see what else Brown can do in coming weeks.

Taysom Hill, 'TE,' Saints

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 09: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Caesars Superdome on October 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Rostered: 26 percent

Week 5 stats: 1/1, 22 pass yds, 1 pass TD; 112 rush yds, 3 rush TD; 34.08 pts

It's not like Taysom Hill is an unknown who burst on the scene in Week 5; we've known all year he had the potential to contribute to the Saints in creative and explosive ways with his unique quarterback/tight end hybrid position.

However, fantasy managers have been nervous to draft Hill this season, and that's completely understandable. After a 14.1-point day in Week 1 that encouraged some managers to pick him up, he posted 1.4 points in Week 2 and was inactive in Week 3 (causing those same managers to promptly drop him).

As such, it's no surprise that Hill is rostered in just 26 percent of leagues, but Week 5 may have convinced some fantasy managers they're ready to get hurt again.

On the ground, Hill amassed 112 rushing yards and found the end zone a whopping three times. He also threw for a touchdown.

According to NFL Research, Hill enters rarefied air of players who have three-plus rushing touchdowns, 100-plus rushing yards and a passing touchdown in a single game.

If you have some flexibility on your bench, it's at the very least worth putting in a claim for Hill this week and stashing him on your bench until we can get a better sense of how the Saints want to use him.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills

Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Rostered: 2 percent

Week 5 stats: 3 rec, 75 yds, 1 TD; 16.50 pts

Among the best kinds of players to recommend in weekly waiver-wire suggestions are rookies who are starting to break out. Why? It's much more likely to be indicative of a future pattern rather than a random flash in the pan. Teams have decided to give these players some freedom and see what they can do with it.

Buffalo Bills rookie wideout Khalil Shakir enjoyed his first NFL touchdown on Sunday. (Oddly enough, James Cook had his, too.)

With Jamison Crowder out for an undetermined amount of time and Isaiah McKenzie inactive in Week 5, Shakir stepped up and made the most of his opportunity, wreaking havoc from the slot. RotoBaller's Adam Koffler has been vaunting Shakir's potential all week; it turns out, people should have listened when they were putting in their Week 5 waivers.

It's okay, though; at 2 percent rostered, it's likely Shakir is available in your league, and now is a good time to claim him.

Scoring (points-per-reception) and rostered percentages via FantasyPros