Week 6 Waiver Wire Top Pickups and Drops After Evaluating Week 5 Box Scores

The 2025 NFL season hasn't quite gone as most expected. The Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs all have losing records after five weeks, while the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars have looked like two of the best teams in football.

Things have been equally unpredictable in the fantasy world, where injuries have sidelined some of the biggest stars. Injuries will continue to be an issue in Week 6, as will the Texans and Minnesota Vikings both being on bye.

Fortunately, a few sleepers should be available on the waiver wire who can help managers get through the week. Let's dive into some of the top pickups and drops for point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Add: Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

Managers in need of a streamer or spot-starter at quarterback this week should take a look at Mac Jones. While there's a chance that Brock Purdy will return from his toe injury, he's considered week to week, and the San Francisco 49ers aren't going to rush him back.

With Mac Jones on the roster, they have no reason to. The former New England Patriots starter is 3-0 this season and is coming off of a 342-yard, two-touchdown game. This week, he'll face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold just gashed the Buccaneers for 341 yards and four touchdowns, albeit with an interception and in a loss.

Jones is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Add: Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Darryl Webb

Finding running backs on the wire has been extremely difficult this season, and things aren't getting any easier as the year progresses. The Arizona Cardinals are having their own issues with running backs, as James Conner is out for the year and backup Trey Benson is on injured reserve.

Emari Demercado had an explosive would-be touchdown run in Week 5 but dropped the ball just before he crossed the goal line. It's hard to imagine Arizona will trust him with a high volume moving forward.

Michael Carter saw the most volume in Week 5, logging 18 carries and five receptions. He only tallied 73 scrimmage yards with those opportunities, but he did find the end zone.

Carter has a tough matchup this week against the Indianapolis Colts, who have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs. However, he could be a low-end flex play based on volume alone. He's available in roughly 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Add: Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

The Chiefs lost on Monday night, but at least their offense is starting to show signs of life. Kansas City scored 28 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and could have had more points if not for Patrick Mahomes' goal-line interception.

Kansas City will need all the offense it can muster against the Detroit Lions this week. Detroit is averaging just under 35 points per game this season, and that's after scoring just 13 in the opener.

Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown isn't the focal point of the offense, but he could see a high volume in a shootout with the Lions—he had four catches for 48 yards on Monday.

The Lions have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, and they just lost standout cornerback Terrion Arnold to injury. Brown is rostered in 52 percent of ESPN leagues but only 48 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Top Drops for Week 6

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants

Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been out with a shoulder injury and remains limited in practice this week. With the Eagles coming to town on Thursday, there's a good chance that he misses another game.

At this point, Tracy isn't worth stashing. Rookie Cam Skattebo has become the lead back and is unlikely to relinquish that role. Tracy is now a backup on an underwhelming offense with a rookie quarterback.

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

Speaking of rookie quarterbacks, the Cleveland Browns' pivot to Dillon Gabriel did seem to breathe a little life into the offense on Sunday. However, it wasn't enough to resuscitate Jerry Jeudy's fantasy stock.

Jeudy caught just two passes for 15 yards against the Vikings and continues to be a massive disappointment after last year's breakout campaign.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have been a mess this season, but Mark Andrews practically disappearing from the box score has been a total surprise. He started slowly a year ago too but eventually returned to form as a top fantasy option.

This year, Andrews has had two or fewer catches in three of his five outings, and with Lamar Jackson (hamstring) ailing, his stock isn't likely to instantly rebound. Andrews does have two games with seven-plus receptions, but managers with steadier TE options can look to drop or trade him.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.