Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups Highlighted by Rico Dowdle, Kendrick Bourne, Michael Carter

The 2025 NFL season is taking its toll on fantasy rosters.

As if fighting with the injury bug wasn't already difficult enough, fantasy managers are now also trying to cover up bye-week absences.

With roster vacancies piling up, waiver-wire targets are becoming more sought-after by the second. We're here to help you get in ahead of the rush by spotlighting three of our favorite waiver-wire targets—rostered in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo leagues, per FantasyPros—for Week 6.

Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers (58% Rostered)

AP Photo

Dowdle just showed how waiver-wire pickups can be weekly winners. Pressed into a featured role by Chuba Hubbard's absence, Dowdle ran all over the Miami Dolphins en route to a 26-touch, 234-scrimmage yard, one-score masterpiece on Sunday.

Did fantasy managers already miss out on the best game of Dowdle's season? There's a good chance, yeah.

But he can still be plenty productive without being this dominant again. He was already pushing Hubbard for playing time—in Week 4, Hubbard had 10 carries to Dowdle's nine—and Dowdle is quite clearly the preferred choice to take on a huge role should Hubbard miss any more time with his calf injury.

If Dowdle becomes more efficient with his carries, he could earn Flex consideration even when Hubbard is healthy and be a no-brainer starter when he isn't.

Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (4%)

AP Photo

A rash of injuries helped Bourne climb atop San Francisco's receiving core. A solid connection with quarterback Mac Jones dating back to their shared tenure in New England gives Bourne a non-zero chance of staying there for a while.

That relationship played a huge part in the injury-riddled Niners' win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Mac Jones completed 33 passes, and only four of them went to a wide receiver not named Bourne. The former Patriots teammates connected on 10-of-11 attempts for 142 yards.

While fantasy managers shouldn't expect this type of performance every week, Bourne should be heavily featured as long as the Niners remain without George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk. And that feels especially true if Jones is under center, which feels distinctly possible for the foreseeable future with Brock Purdy battling a nagging toe injury.

Bourne may not offer season-long utility in fantasy, but he can absolutely be an asset right now if you need one.

Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals (39%)

AP Photo

With James Conner out for the season, and Trey Benson on injured reserve, it was clear the Cardinals were going to have to turn toward someone new with their running game.

What was less clear is who would get the opportunity: Carter or Emari Demercado. That has apparently been cleared up now, and Carter could have a massive opportunity moving forward.

Carter was heavily featured on Sunday, handling 18 of the team's 29 carries and collecting all five of his targets. Demercado, meanwhile, had three rushes and zero targets and gave away a critical fumble on what should have been a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Hopefully, Carter can be a little more efficient with his chances, as his 23 touches only yielded 73 scrimmage yards (and, importantly, a touchdown). Still, volume like this can't be ignored, particularly when it looks like it will sustain for at least a little while.