Waiver Wire Week 6: Top Pickups, Drops and Expert Analysis

If you’re vigilant on the waiver wire, you might be lucky enough to grab an up-and-coming player a couple of weeks before he becomes fantasy-relevant, but that takes foresight, luck and, of course, extra space on your roster to stash away that player. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs is a good example of that this week.

What you can’t predict are the big, season-ending injuries and the subsequent fallout in both reality and fantasy. That could put a virtually unknown player with the potential of becoming a new starting running back with a significant uptick in volume at the top of everyone’s wish list.

When the Kansas City Chiefs lost star running back Jamaal Charles to a torn ACL in Week 5, the initial thought was to go after Knile Davis. In fact, the Charles owners who decided to handcuff him likely did so with Davis coming out of their drafts. Investing in Davis looks like the wrong move now, though.

Doing your due diligence when it comes to perspective additions is about more than just stashing away players for later. It’s about tracking a situation such as the Chiefs backfield and seeing that Charcandrick West moved ahead of Davis in the last few weeks and is the better option to grab to replace Charles going forward.

Picking up West is a move for the rest of the season, but as always, I’ll highlight the top pickups at every position both for the long term and the short term, based on injuries, snap increases and favorable matchups.

Quarterbacks

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Blake Bortles, Jacksonville

Percent Owned: ESPN – 27.5, Yahoo – 25

The Jacksonville Jaguars may be off to a 1-4 start, but they’re starting to see strong signs of life from Bortles. In the 38-31 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he completed 23 of 33 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception and added 21 yards on his lone carry.

What’s even more amazing is that he did this with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. According to head coach Gus Bradley, Bortles’ status will be updated later in the week. While you’d like to have him in your fantasy lineups in a decent matchup with the Houston Texans on Sunday, I’d still look to add Bortles even if he sits out.

Bortles has already found connections with wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns and got another boost with the return of tight end Julius Thomas, who is coming back from a hand injury. The record doesn’t look good, but Bortles and the offense do, so there’s legit fantasy value here. 

Week 6 Projection: 250-260 yards, 2 touchdowns

Jay Cutler, Chicago

Percent Owned: ESPN – 19.1, Yahoo – 32

I was high on Cutler heading into Week 5 thanks to a great matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. That excitement started to wear off as we approached the weekend when it became apparent that Cutler would likely play without wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (ankle). 

With both Jeffery and Royal out, Cutler still managed to throw for 252 yards with two touchdowns and a lost fumble in addition to totaling 15 rushing yards on four rushes. Wide receiver Marquess Wilson stepped up for the second straight week, posting six receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown in the comeback win at Kansas City.

Cutler has proved he can produce without his best weapons, but I’d feel a lot better about his fantasy prospects for Week 6 against the Detroit Lions if he had Jeffery and/or Royal back in the lineup. The Lions have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs in the first five weeks. 

Week 6 Projection: 265-275 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 14 yards rushing

Josh McCown, Cleveland

Percent Owned: ESPN – 4.2, Yahoo – 7

Since taking his starting job back from Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel in Week 3, McCown has gone 96-of-141 with 1,154 yards and six touchdowns to one interception. Last week, he beat the Baltimore Ravens, throwing for 457 yards and a pair of scores through the air and one on the ground.

McCown’s comeback and career story are great, but if you’re adding him this week, you’d be smarter to keep him on the bench, if possible. I give credit to him for taking care of business against the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, but it's about to get much tougher.

The major concern for McCown is his ability to keep up this strong play starting this week against the Denver Broncos and continuing against the St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are the only group not in the top six of defenses against fantasy QBs. They’re the easiest matchup as the 13th-toughest defense against QBs. Denver is the toughest, so keep expectations low for McCown.

Week 6 Projection: 235-245 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions 

Droppable Players: Matthew Stafford

Running Backs

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Charcandrick West, Kansas City

Percent Owned: ESPN – 0.3, Yahoo – 12

The basic stats won’t tell the whole story when it comes to why you should add West over running back Knile Davis, but a deeper look at the snap counts should hammer home West’s clear value over Davis.

For the season, West has just 12 carries for 48 yards and two receptions for nine yards on six targets. Davis rushed 11 times for 27 yards and a touchdown with one catch for 12 yards on two targets. While neither player has been particularly productive, favoring West is the right move to make.

In Week 5, West played 31 percent of the offensive snaps to 7 percent for Davis, and neither player got in the game until Jamaal Charles checked out for good with a torn ACL. In the two weeks prior, Davis didn’t take a snap on offense, while West had played 26 snaps. So, over the last three games, West leads Davis 44 to four in offensive snaps. 

This backfield could well turn into a running back by committee, especially if the Chiefs decide to sign Ben Tate and/or Pierre Thomas. Both players are getting workouts this week, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher. Either way, I’d expect West to lead the way. The Chiefs take on the Minnesota Vikings on the road. Minnesota has been average against running backs so far.

Week 6 Projection: 14 carries, 61 yards, 2 catches, 14 receiving yards

Charles Sims, Tampa Bay

Percent Owned: ESPN – 39, Yahoo – 19

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not one but two running backs among the top 20 for fantasy. Doug Martin has been great and carrying the offense over the last few weeks, but we’ve also seen Sims step up when the team has needed him. 

In last week’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sims had a season-high 12 carries for 51 yards and added four receptions for 85 yards. He doesn’t have a rushing touchdown this year, but he does have a pair through the air.

Tampa Bay is on its bye this week, so adding Sims means you won’t have his services in Week 6, but that’s just fine by me. Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston is still going through some growing pains, which puts even more importance on the backfield of Sims and Martin.

Week 6 Projection: Bye week

Chris Thompson, Washington 

Percent Owned: ESPN – 5.8, Yahoo – 5

Many of you are just learning about Thompson following a Week 5 matchup with the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, where he was an intriguing sleeper option because of his active role in the passing game. The Washington Redskins didn’t play from behind during most of the game, so any thoughts of an increased role for Thompson were ruined. 

However, with 42 percent of the offensive snaps, Thompson was ahead of fellow backfield mates Matt Jones (34 percent) and Alfred Morris (23 percent). In fact, it’s the second time in three weeks that he’s led the backfield in snaps. At this point, Thompson and Jones make Morris expendable, so you can drop him.

Thompson has 108 yards on 14 rushes and leads the Redskins backfield with 17 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets. Jones and Morris have combined for eight receptions, 56 yards and 10 targets. Adding Thompson is a wise move in points-per-reception (PPR) formats, but you may want to stay away from using him in Week 6. 

The New York Jets host the Redskins this week and have been great against fantasy running backs. They’ve given up the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Thompson has carved out a role in this offense, so you'd be wise to grab him even if you don’t need to use him against the Jets. 

Week 6 Projection: 4 carries, 16 yards, 4 receptions, 22 yards

Droppable Players: Jamaal Charles, Alfred Morris

Wide Receivers

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Willie Snead, New Orleans

Percent Owned: ESPN – 29, Yahoo – 44

Some of you grabbed Snead last week, but as you can see by the numbers, he’s still widely available in many leagues heading into Week 6.

In Week 5, Snead rewarded those who started him by catching six of 11 targets for 141 yards. He has at least six targets in the last four games and caught the eye of fantasy owners because he has shown a good connection with quarterback Drew Brees. That’s even more important since veteran wide receiver Marques Colston has a shoulder injury that could have some structural damage, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 

Following an ugly loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints come right back with a home game against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. With all the attention the Falcons offense has received, the pass defense has been solid, giving up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the first five weeks. Using Snead isn’t a terrible idea, because there’s a good chance he’ll be in the mix for some garbage-time production. 

Week 6 Projection: 5 receptions, 74 yards 

Josh Huff, Philadelphia

Percent Owned: ESPN – 0.3, Yahoo – 0

Patience isn’t a bad trait in fantasy football, if you can afford it. Owning any part of the Philadelphia Eagles offense has been frustrating, but the pieces are finally starting to come together with strong results.

Huff was an important part of the victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 6. He hauled in four of five targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. Following a pair of games without any targets, this was a positive sign for Huff, and his presence in the offense could be even more important if rookie wide receiver Nelson Agholor has to miss time with a leg injury.

Even though Huff is on almost every waiver wire this week, he should be added because of the great matchup with the New York Giants on Monday night. It’s certainly a beatable defense for Huff, and his value would jump if Agholor has to sit out. This is the time to get a piece of the Eagles offense.

Week 6 Projection: 5 receptions, 81 yards

Marquess Wilson, Chicago

Percent Owned: ESPN – 5.2, Yahoo – 7

The Chicago Bears took on the Kansas City Chiefs without wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (ankle) in Week 5, yet they came away victorious because Wilson stepped up in a big way.

For the second straight week, he put up strong fantasy numbers. Following a Week 4 performance against the Oakland Raiders that featured six receptions for 80 yards on nine targets, Wilson posted six receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the vulnerable Chiefs defense. 

The Bears head to Detroit to take on the winless Lions in Week 6, which looks like a great matchup for Wilson and the passing attack. Detroit has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. If Jeffery and/or Royal have to sit again, Wilson has proved he can be a reliable fantasy option when the matchup is good. The Lions fall into that category. 

Week 6 Projection: 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 touchdown 

Ty Montgomery, Green Bay

Percent Owned: ESPN – 6.7, Yahoo – 10

Getting some of the Green Bay Packers is never a bad idea, so you may want to add Montgomery following a solid performance against the St. Louis Rams in Week 5. He matched his season high with four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown on five targets.

Montgomery has now scored twice in the last three games, operating as the third wide receiver target behind Randall Cobb and James Jones. Over the last three games, Montgomery played 86 percent of the offensive snaps, 99 percent and 97 percent, so he’s clearly in the mix. 

Cobb and Jones are definitely weekly starters, but Montgomery isn’t there yet, although he should definitely be on fantasy rosters. Davante Adams remains sidelined by an ankle injury he aggravated back in Week 3 and has not been close to playing since then. 

In Week 6, the Packers host the San Diego Chargers. San Diego’s pass defense has been excellent, holding wide receivers to the third-fewest fantasy points this year. You’re better off keeping Montgomery on your bench, but be happy to have a talented piece of this offense.

Week 6 Projection: 3 receptions, 49 yards 

Stefon Diggs, Minnesota

Percent Owned: ESPN – 1.2, Yahoo – 2

Before the Minnesota Vikings' Week 5 bye, Diggs made his NFL debut with a solid performance against a great Denver Broncos pass defense. He wound up with six receptions and 87 yards on 10 targets in the loss, but following three games of inactivity, he took advantage of the absence of Charles Johnson (ribs).

Minnesota’s passing attack has gotten off to a slow start, so Diggs should be considered the deepest stash of the wide receivers on this week’s waiver wire. However, if Johnson has to sit again, Diggs would have a chance to make some noise against the terrible Kansas City Chiefs pass defense.

The Chiefs have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. I don’t have a lot of confidence in the Vikings’ passing game heading into Week 6, but because they're coming off a bye and the matchup is a great one, Diggs could be a sneaky, reach play if Johnson cannot suit up. 

Week 6 Projection: 5 receptions, 69 yards

Droppable Players: Davante Adams, Percy Harvin

Tight Ends

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Gary Barnidge, Cleveland

Percent Owned: ESPN – 37.5, Yahoo – 52 

I was wrong about Barnidge. It was hard to believe a tight end who made his debut in 2008 would break out seven years later, but that’s exactly what the veteran has done, and it’s put him on the fantasy radar for the first time in his career.

Barnidge has the third-most fantasy points at the tight end position through the first five weeks. He clearly has the eye of red-hot quarterback Josh McCown, although the soft part of Cleveland's schedule gives way to much tougher matchups, starting this week against the Denver Broncos. 

The Browns have pivoted, going from what looked to be a run-first offense to relying on a passing game that looks explosive and dangerous. For the season, Barnidge has 24 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns on 32 targets. Denver has allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, so the Broncos will challenge Barnidge to keep up this big-time production.

Week 6 Projection: 5 receptions 52 yards

Droppable Players: Owen Daniels, Coby Fleener

Defenses

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Minnesota Vikings

Percent Owned: ESPN – 18.2, Yahoo – 11

Through five weeks, the Vikings are tied for ninth in fantasy points per game. They won't get a strong challenge from quarterback Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.

Kansas City lost its best player, running back Jamaal Charles, to a torn ACL in Week 5, so that puts even more pressure on Smith to win with his arm. That’s been a recipe for disaster this year and in the past. 

Minnesota is worth using because the Chiefs have allowed at least three sacks in four of their five games, and forcing Smith to make bad throws or mistakes without Charles could be real bad news for KC.

Week 6 Projection: 2 interceptions, 4 sacks, 20-24 points allowed

Kickers

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Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona

Percent Owned: ESPN – 36.5, Yahoo – 29

Catanzaro’s ownership percentage is still ridiculously low for someone who’s been a top-10 option at the position through the first five weeks.

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t give Catanzaro any field-goal opportunities last week, but he did have six extra points. That gives him a league-high 23 extra points on the season. He’s made all seven of his field-goal attempts, which is a low number, but the extra points are carrying him so far.

The Cardinals take on the Steelers in Pittsburgh this weekend, and that’s not a brutal matchup for Arizona’s offense, which means Catanzaro should be solid yet again.

Fantasy leaders provided by NFL.com. Targets provided by ESPN.com. Snap counts provided by ProFootballFocus.com.