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

The 2026 NFL season has been a tricky one to navigate for fantasy managers. Injuries have been a significant and persistent part of the equation, and we saw more players go down in Week 5.

The list of players who suffered injuries over the weekend includes David Montgomery, Deebo Samuel, Roman Wilson, and Michael Penix Jr.

Byes are also part of the picture at this point in the season. This week, the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings will be off. Naturally, managers will be looking to backfill lineups with sleepers off the waiver wire.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the top pickups and drops for Week 6, based on recent production, projected roles, and point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Quarterback

AP Photo/John Locher

Kirk Cousins

Add: Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders finally turned to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza this past week. However, they did so because of the score and not because of Kirk Cousins' performance.

Cousins has been a steady signal-caller for the Raiders, and he's been a solid streamer in fantasy. He has topped 20 points in three of his five outings and has another strong matchup this week.

Las Vegas will host the Buffalo Bills, who have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Cousins is still only rostered in 45 percent of leagues.

Drop: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

While Cousins has been steady, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has not. The offseason addition of Jaylen Waddle has not elevated his fantasy floor as many might have hoped, and last week's change in play-calling didn't help either.

Sean Payton took play-calling away from offensive coordinator Davis Webb ahead of Week 5.

Nix and the entire Broncos offense have been disjointed all season, and the third-year signal-caller has only reached 20 points once. He's not trustworthy, and he certainly can't be trusted against a stout Seattle Seahawks defense this week.

Running Back

AP Photoo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Add: Dameon Pierce, Philadelphia Eagles

There's a chance that Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will return from his hamstring injury this week. Coach Nick Sirianni told reporters that he's "hopeful" that Barkley and DeVonta Smith will return for Week 6, per ESPN's Tim McManus.

With Barkley's status still uncertain, though, Dameon Pierce is a strong add for the week. Tank Bigsby is on injured reserve, while Will Shipley suffered a foot injury on Sunday, leaving Pierce as the last healthy option.

This week, the Eagles will host a Carolina Panthers team that has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. He's rostered in only two percent of leagues.

Drop: Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

When the season started, it certainly felt like Kenneth Gainwell could be a high-end complement to Bucky Irving for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For whatever reason, though, he simply hasn't become a big part of Zac Robinson's offense.

Tampa leaned on the run heavily in Week 5, but Gainwell (four carries) was firmly behind both Irving (21) and Sean Tucker (5) in the running rotation. Gainwell did have three catches, but a limited receiving role isn't enough to make him a dependable option, even in PPR.

Gainwell is a handcuff, nothing more.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Kendrick Bourne

Add: Kendrick Bourne, Arizona Cardinals

On Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals agreed to trade wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans. With Harrison out, Kendrick Bourne becomes the new No. 2 receiver opposite Michael Wilson.

While Bourne won't have an extremely favorable matchup this week against the Los Angeles Rams, his workload should pull him through for fantasy managers. On Sunday, he caught five of eight targets for 70 yards.

Bourne is rostered in just three percent of fantasy leagues.

Drop: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't traded wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. yet, but they may consider it before the November 10 deadline. That's how far out of the game plan the 2024 first-round pick has fallen.

Thomas caught a touchdown pass in Week 4, but he has just nine catches for 109 yards on 18 targets this season. 80 of those yards came in the first two weeks, and Thomas hasn't reached 20 yards in a game since.

It's simply not worth keeping Thomas in the hope that something changes.