Week 6 Fantasy Sleepers: Waiver-Wire Stars You Can't Live Without

If you have positions to fill because of the bye in Week 6, then there are a few players on the waiver wire that you absolutely cannot live without.

Deeper leagues don't even have to search all that hard for Week 6 replacements, as there has been a ton of production from lesser-known players so far this season. With production like that, it'll be easy for most owners to find a replacement for a position they need filling.

Chances are the quarterback pool in your league isn't too deep, but there are a ton of options at both running back and wide receiver if you need help in those areas. 

If you don't pick these guys up off the waiver wire, then you might end up kicking yourself by the end of the season.

Zac Stacy, RB, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams have struggled to find a consistent running back since Steven Jackson left for the Atlanta Falcons. Isaiah Pead, Daryl Richardson and Zac Stacy have received most of the carries, though Stacy's strong Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars warrants some consideration from fantasy owners.

He rushed 14 times for 78 yards and, while the numbers aren't flashy, they are quietly productive. As a bye week replacement or potential flex option, Stacy is a great option. Stashing him on the bench wouldn't be a bad idea either, as he has the potential to be a consistent runner this season.

Richardson will likely split carries with Stacy, but Richardson hasn't been all that productive so far. He has just 162 rushing yards through four games this season (he missed Week 3 at Dallas) and has yet to score a touchdown.

Fantasy owners might be iffy about picking up Stacy because of the "running back by committee" strategy in St. Louis, but know that Stacy has set himself at least a small step ahead of the others with his performance against Jacksonville.

It may take one or two more good weeks before everyone jumps on the bandwagon, but would you really want to be the owner that misses out on quality performances because you wanted to wait it out?

Garrett Graham, TE, Houston Texans

Garrett Graham played a decent role in the Houston Texans offense even before the injury to Owen Daniels, but now that the team's top tight end is scheduled to miss some time, Graham will be stepping into a larger role.

He already has 15 catches and three touchdowns this season, as Matt Schaub has enjoyed going to his tight ends in the end zone. By comparison, Daniels has 24 catches and three touchdowns. It's safe to say that the tight ends are a key component of the Texans offense.

With Daniels out, Graham will receive even more targets and end-zone routes in the passing game. Even if he only catches three balls per game, his propensity to score touchdowns makes him immensely valuable in fantasy leagues.

Sure, owners in PPR leagues would hope for a few more catches, but it's hard to argue with touchdowns.

Graham has value for at least the next month and potentially through the remainder of the season. As you saw when Daniels was active, Graham was still catching passes and scoring points.

If he's available, grab him.

Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers

Rookie Keenan Allen has really established himself as a reliable receiver for Philip Rivers over the past two weeks. In that span, he has 11 receptions (15 targets) for 195 yards and a touchdown. Previously, he had just three receptions (four targets) for 30 yards.

Owners in need of a wide receiver need to grab Allen now. With another solid performance on Monday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts, he'll be gone. That's what nationally televised football will do for an up-and-comer.

Injuries to Danario Alexander and Malcolm Floyd have opened the door for the rookie out of Cal, and he should find consistent targets moving forward. Even though the Chargers primarily like to pass for short yardage in the middle of the field, Rivers has never been afraid to air it out downfield.

As with any rookie receiver, you can expect some growing pains along the way. If you get him active now while he's hot, though, you should be able to get some good numbers from him for at least this next game.

Rivers' emergence this season as a semi-efficient quarterback makes his top receivers worth owning in fantasy. Seeing as Allen is now one of them, he shouldn't go unowned in deeper leagues.