Week 6 Waiver-Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available

Maybe some of you have played the video game Destiny. For those of you who haven't, there are random loot drops in the game called engrams. Rather than automatically being a specific type of gun or armor, you take engrams back to a being called the Cryptarch, who translates these materials into anything from a gun or armor to some sort of material or glimmer, the game's currency.

But the tricky thing about this blasted Cryptarch is that he rarely—and I mean rarely—gives you the best sort of loot. Before developer Bungie patched the game, even if you secured a legendary engram (the second-best class of gear in the game), he would give you junk you already had. And even after the patch, you still often get either materials rather than a legendary object or occasionally gear for a different class of character than you are playing with, which is useless to you. 

It's incredibly frustrating, but in recent days it's reminded precisely of what it's like to play the waiver wire in fantasy football. 

You think you've identified a top waiver target. You've done your research, you've studied the matchup and you think you're about to score a boatload of points. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes you've added a dud. Consistently, you're engaged in a crapshoot. 

I can't help you turn your purple engrams in Destiny into legendary items. But I can help you turn your waiver priority into the best possible player. Let's take a look at my top five waiver adds for this week.

1. Andre Williams, RB, New York Giants

Andre Williams is without doubt my top waiver addition this week.

I like that in garbage time and relief duty the past two weeks he's scored 25 fantasy points. I like that the Giants seem committed to the run. And I love that, with Jennings potentially out a few weeks with a sprained MCL, per Dan Graziano of ESPN, that Williams has solid matchups:

• Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles, giving up 19.6 fantasy points to opposing running backs per week, 19th in the NFL.
• Week 7: Dallas Cowboys, giving up 15.6 points to opposing running backs per week, 14th in the NFL (and just allowed Arian Foster to rush for 157 yards and two scores).

With a Week 8 bye, it seems likely Jennings will be back in action in Week 9 at the latest. But for the next two weeks, savvy fantasy owners can get an RB2 for the small price of waiver placement. Make him your priority this week.

2. Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego Chargers

Even if Donald Brown plays this week, it's pretty obvious that Branden Oliver is the more explosive, dangerous player in this backfield. Replacing Brown on Sunday after the starter went down with a concussion, Oliver finished with 23 touches, 182 yards from scrimmage and two scores.

A combination of Darren Sproles and Doug Martin, Oliver runs with a fearlessness and burst that adds a different dimension to the offense than Brown ever did. And even if Oliver loses touches to Brown, there should be plenty of fantasy value to go around against an Oakland Raiders defense allowing 21.3 points to opposing backs per week, 28th in the NFL.

It remains to be seen if Oliver will have long-term value with Ryan Mathews likely to return soon. But for this week, at least, he has RB2 potential and should be on your priority list this week. 

3. Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

There were hints early in the week that Montee Ball's injury might be a significant one that could cost him a huge chunk of the season. That would have made Ronnie Hillman the de facto top waiver target of the week given Denver's explosive offense. 

But it appears Ball's injury isn't as serious as initially feared, and Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported on Tuesday that Ball wouldn't require surgery and would miss several games. 

"It's been a rough couple of months," Ball told Klis. "But I'm going to stay mentally strong. There's no doubt I'll be back, and when I do there will be plenty of season left."

Generally speaking, getting a running back likely to carry the majority of the load for a team—especially on an offense as good as Denver's—would be truly enticing. But consider that in the next three weeks, the Broncos play the New York Jets (sixth in rush defense), San Francisco 49ers (third) and San Diego Chargers (ninth).

More importantly, the Jets allow just 11.2 points to opposing running backs per week (sixth), the Niners just 10.4 (third) and the Chargers 14.2 (12th). Put in that context, Hillman still has value, but he doesn't have the appealing matchups that Williams and Oliver have both this week and moving forward. 

He's worth an add, but you aren't getting anything more than a flex consideration for the next three weeks.

4. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

I like Mohamed Sanu. I like that he has eight or more fantasy points in three straight games. I like that he throws for the occasional touchdown. I like that in a balanced Cincy offense, he often has pretty favorable matchup to exploit. And I like that in most leagues and formats, he's probably available on your waiver wire.

I'm not terribly worried about Marvin Jones returning, as Sanu has a healthy 26 targets on the season and has become a key part of this offense. He's nothing more than a weekly flex consideration in deeper leagues, but for owners scouring the wire, he's a nice add.

5. Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

If you like the targets Sanu is getting, you'll be thrilled with Rueben Randle.

The Giants receiver has been targeted 40 times this season, two more than Victor Cruz. Disappointingly, he's only turned those looks into 23 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns, but it's clear Eli Manning isn't afraid to look his way.

Also keep in mind that against Philadelphia in Week 5 last year, Randle had six receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns. With the Eagles worried about Victor Cruz and perhaps Larry Donnell in the red zone, Randle should have some favorable matchups on the outside against Philly's suspect corners. 

All point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. 

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than Russell Wilson imitating a chicken with its head cut off.