Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 6 (Fantasy Football)

October has arrived, and after a sluggish start to the season, offenses are finally finding their rhythm. This shift kicked off Thursday night with Kirk Cousins throwing for over 500 yards and four touchdowns in the Falcons’ thrilling overtime win against the Buccaneers. While I enjoy the summer months, there is something about October that stands out. Pumpkins start appearing on doorsteps, leaves change color, beer tastes even colder, and the crisp air gives us all the excuse we need to start growing out our beards without raising any eyebrows at home or at work. But most importantly, October means we are entering the heart of the fantasy football season. We now have actionable data and a clearer picture of which teams are thriving or struggling this year, giving us a better shot at identifying unexpected breakout players. With that in mind, here are the top waiver pickups for Week 6, ready to give your team the edge it needs for the long road ahead.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Running Backs

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys – I have been beating the drum for Rico Dowdle since the offseason, and while it may have seemed like a bold stance and weird flex early on, it is looking more justified with each passing week. After limited usage in the season opener, Dowdle has emerged as the most valuable Dallas running back to roster in fantasy football. Following a mini breakout in Week 4, he delivered the best performance of his career on Sunday night in prime time. Given bell-cow usage for the first time, Dowdle turned 20 carries into 87 yards, adding two receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. He now has receiving touchdowns in back-to-back games, demonstrating his ability as a dual-threat playmaker. His consistency is also improving, as he has averaged over four yards per carry in four straight games and double-digit yards per target in consecutive weeks.

This breakout performance was even more impressive against Pittsburgh’s typically stout run defense, further raising the excitement around Dowdle’s future. However, his night was not without drama as he nearly cost the team the game with a fumble that was fortunately recovered during their last-second comeback. Despite this misstep, it appears unlikely to affect his playing time and role. Dowdle should be rostered in all leagues and can be considered a low-end RB2 for a tough Week 6 matchup against the Lions before Dallas enters its Week 7 bye. All eyes will be on how the Cowboys manage his workload moving forward.

Recommended FAAB: 15-25%.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – After being featured in last week’s article for his breakout performance, Tank Bigsby delivered another explosive outing in Week 5, helping the Jaguars secure a much-needed first win of the season against the Colts. Bigsby ignited the running game with 13 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 28-yard reception on his only target. Though he was held in check for much of the game, a 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter showcased his big-play potential.

Over the last two weeks, Bigsby is averaging nearly 96 rushing yards per game, steadily chipping away at Travis Etienne’s prior bell-cow role. In this game, Bigsby logged seven more carries than Etienne, bringing a much-needed blend of power and explosiveness to the backfield. While some of his numbers are boosted by splash plays, his 7.8 yards per carry is a striking contrast to Etienne’s 3.09. Though Etienne remains in the mix, Bigsby’s back-to-back statement games have earned him a larger share of the workload and he needs to be rostered in all leagues. His next opportunity to build on this momentum comes in Week 6 against the Bears in Chicago.

Recommended FAAB: 10-25%.

Tyrone Tracy, RB, New York Giants – Many hoped rookie Tyrone Tracy could overtake Devin Singletary during training camp, but the veteran running back has started the season strong. However, when Singletary was ruled out of Week 5 with a groin injury, Tracy stepped into the spotlight. Despite concerns that the Giants’ offense would struggle mightily against the Seahawks, Tracy emerged as a key contributor in their surprising victory.

Taking over lead-back duties, Tracy impressed with 18 carries for 129 yards, averaging nearly eight yards per attempt, while adding one catch for one yard. Known more for his receiving skills after transitioning from wide receiver to running back in college, his success on the ground was a bit unexpected. When Singletary returns, he is likely to reclaim his role, but Tracy’s performance may have earned him more opportunities moving forward. While Tracy’s limited involvement in the passing game makes him a risky fantasy option when both backs are healthy, his Week 5 breakout clarifies who would step in if Singletary misses more time. Tracy is an intriguing speculative pickup heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Bengals as his future role remains uncertain.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears – Roschon Johnson initially appeared on the waiver radar due to D’Andre Swift’s slow start, but even with Swift playing well lately, Johnson has remained a viable fantasy option. In Week 5’s win over the Panthers, Johnson was not very efficient with his touches, rushing 10 times for 25 yards, but he managed to find the end zone twice. This followed a Week 4 performance where he also scored despite limited production.

The reality is that Johnson’s fantasy value is heavily touchdown-dependent. He is not doing enough on the ground or through the air to be a reliable starter, and without a score, he is likely to disappoint fantasy managers. In deeper leagues, he can be a dart throw during bye weeks, but his role would need to expand for him to become more trustworthy. For now, he is worth an add in deeper leagues as a high-upside insurance back with the potential for more opportunities as the season goes on.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Despite a strong finish to last season, where he played a key role in many fantasy championship runs, Ty Chandler has had a slow start to 2024. The arrival of veteran Aaron Jones in Minnesota has been the primary reason for Chandler’s reduced role. However, when Jones went down with a hip injury early in Sunday’s win over the Jets, Chandler stepped in as the lead back. Unfortunately, his season-high 16 touches only resulted in 14 carries for 30 yards and two catches for nine yards.

Although this outing was underwhelming, Chandler has shown enough in past opportunities to remain intriguing if he were to reclaim a lead role. With Minnesota’s upcoming bye week giving Jones time to recover ahead of Week 7’s matchup against the Lions, Chandler’s short-term fantasy value is limited. He is worth considering in deeper leagues, but given the bye week, it might be wiser to prioritize other options for now.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Wide Receivers

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts – Josh Downs was highlighted in last week’s article, but his priority was lower than it should have been due to speculation about Anthony Richardson returning in Week 5. When Richardson was officially ruled out, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco stepped in for another start. Flacco, showing no signs of rust from his strong finish last season, has looked elite in his last two games with Indianapolis. While many of the Colts’ receivers have thrived with Flacco under center, none have benefited more than Downs.

Emerging as Flacco’s go-to target in Week 5, Downs hauled in nine of 12 targets for 69 yards, leading the team in both receptions and targets. Over the past two games, he has racked up 17 catches on 21 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. While it is uncertain how his production will look when Richardson returns, Downs’ recent performances are impossible to overlook. If Flacco remains the starter, Downs is a must-start due to his high volume. Even if Richardson takes over again, Downs should be rostered in all leagues. Heading into Week 6 against the Titans, he should be viewed as a solid flex play with upside.

Recommended FAAB: 10-20%.

Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys – After a quiet rookie season, Jalen Tolbert started to hint at a year-two breakout, but his role expanded significantly when Brandin Cooks went down indefinitely with a knee injury. Tolbert already flashed his potential in Week 2 with six catches for 82 yards but truly shined in Sunday’s thrilling win over the Steelers. Leading the team with 10 targets, Tolbert caught seven passes for 87 yards, including a dramatic game-winning touchdown.

Now firmly in the WR2 role, Tolbert has become a key part of an offense that, despite showing improvement in the run game, remains pass-heavy. With defenses focusing on stopping CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, Tolbert benefits from exploitable coverage, creating more opportunities for targets and big plays. His next test to solidify his breakout comes in Week 6 against Detroit’s beatable secondary before Dallas heads into their Week 7 bye.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Once considered one of the league’s top wide receivers during his early years with the Steelers, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s career has been a roller coaster in recent seasons. From being cut by New England this offseason to several other underwhelming campaigns, it is easy to forget that in 2022, he caught 78 passes on 101 targets for 933 yards and three touchdowns with Kansas City. Despite his recent decline and knee issues that might rival those in a nursing home, Smith-Schuster is still somehow only 27 years old.

With Rashee Rice out for the season due to a knee injury, there were questions about who would step up in Kansas City’s passing game alongside Travis Kelce and rookie Xavier Worthy. In his first real chance to shine, Smith-Schuster delivered, putting up a vintage performance in Monday night’s win over the Saints, catching seven of nine targets for 130 yards. While it is just one game, Smith-Schuster certainly rose to the occasion in Week 5. It is unlikely he will be this productive every week, but there is still reason to believe he could emerge as a top target in this offense. Playing alongside Patrick Mahomes gives him strong appeal as a pickup this week, with the potential to build on this performance after the team’s Week 6 bye.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders – Already featured in last week’s article, Tre Tucker continues to expand his role in the Las Vegas offense and flash his potential. Although he did not do much in Week 5’s blowout loss to Denver, Tucker still earned five targets for the third straight game. It is rare to highlight a player with just two catches for 18 yards as a priority pickup, but with a potential Davante Adams trade looming, Tucker is primed for a much larger role in the passing game for Las Vegas moving forward.

Before his quiet Week 5, the speedy receiver totaled 12 catches on 15 targets for 137 yards over his previous two outings. While most of the attention in the Las Vegas passing game has shifted to Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers in Adams’ absence, Tucker has the chance to emerge as a valuable fantasy asset down the stretch. He should be rostered in deeper leagues as he looks to build on his role in a Week 6 matchup against the Steelers.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams – After a breakout performance in Week 4, all eyes were on rookie Jordan Whittington to determine if his usage was sustainable or just a flash in the pan. Fortunately, he followed up with an even better showing in Week 5’s loss to the Packers, catching seven of 10 targets for 89 yards. Now with 13 receptions on 18 targets for 162 yards over the last two games, Whittington appears to have gained Matthew Stafford’s full trust — a connection that has historically been great for fantasy value.

While the Rams’ Week 6 bye might slow Whittington’s momentum, it comes at a perfect time for the team to regroup and recover from key injuries. Cooper Kupp is expected to return after the bye and will likely command a large share of the targets, but as long as Puka Nacua remains sidelined, Whittington could still serve as the second option in the offense. With Kupp drawing unparalleled defensive attention, Whittington might even benefit from easier defensive coverage, despite fewer opportunities. For now, he is more of a speculative pickup worth monitoring closely, but his potential is evident.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Michael Wilson boasts the blend of size and athleticism that we covet in young wide receivers, but his role was uncertain heading into this season after Arizona drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round. While Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride remain the top options in the passing game, Wilson has been quietly earning more targets and making the most of them, which warrants attention.

In Week 5’s win over the 49ers, Wilson caught five of six targets for 78 yards, leading the team in receiving. Over his last three games, he has quietly drawn 22 targets, but it is still too early to fully trust him as a reliable fantasy option. For now, Wilson is a speculative pickup in deeper leagues, but if he continues to see volume and capitalize on his opportunities, he could develop into a valuable depth piece. His next chance to build on this positive momentum comes in a Week 6 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons – While much of the spotlight will go to Drake London and Darnell Mooney after Thursday night’s thrilling overtime win, another Atlanta receiver has been quietly delivering consistent performances. If Mooney is somehow still available in your league, stop reading this and grab him immediately. However, we are not talking about KhaDarel Hodge, despite his miraculous game-winning catch. Instead, let’s shift our focus to Atlanta’s speedy slot receiver with one of the coolest names in the league, Ray-Ray McCloud.

McCloud had his best game of the season, hauling in six of nine targets for 66 yards. This marks the third time this year he has seen seven or more targets and surpassed 50 receiving yards. Although his touchdown potential is limited, with just one in seven seasons, McCloud’s steady role in the offense and growing connection with Kirk Cousins make him a dependable flex option or bye week fill-in. Will Cousins throw for 509 yards on 58 attempts every week? Highly unlikely. With that said, if Cousins continues his strong play, McCloud should remain a key piece of Atlanta’s passing attack. With a favorable matchup against Carolina’s struggling defense in Week 6, McCloud should be poised for another solid fantasy outing.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers – Tucker Kraft headlined last week’s priority tight end pickups, and all eyes were on him to see if he could build on his Week 4 breakout. Rewinding to that game, Kraft hauled in six of nine targets for 53 yards and a touchdown, finishing the week as the TE2. While there was optimism about his role with Christian Watson sidelined, few could have predicted the monster performance he delivered in Week 5. Kraft finished as the TE1 on the week, catching four of five targets for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s win over the Rams.

While he may not produce at that level every week, Kraft’s breakout should not be taken lightly, especially in a year where the tight end landscape has been chaotic, with several top names struggling. Without overstating his potential, Kraft’s rise feels similar to Trey McBride’s breakout last season, which few saw coming at the time. Although Green Bay has several capable receivers to share targets with, as long as Jordan Love continues playing at a high level, there should be enough food on the table for everyone to eat. If he is still available in your league, Kraft is the top priority pickup this week and should be rostered across all formats, especially with a favorable matchup against the Cardinals in Week 6.

Recommended FAAB: 10-20%.

Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets – Despite the Jets’ offensive struggles, Tyler Conklin has quietly built solid chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, emerging as a dependable starting option in recent weeks. In Sunday’s game against his former team in London, the big-bodied tight end caught six of nine targets for 55 yards. Conklin now has 23 targets over the past three games and remains a key part of the passing attack, even though he has yet to find the end zone this season.

Though the Jets’ offense is in disarray, Conklin serves as the reliable safety valve Rodgers needs. His first touchdown feels overdue, and with a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on deck, Conklin has a good chance to keep his momentum going.

Recommended FAAB: 5-10%.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Final Thoughts

While my focus is on keeping everything in my articles centered around fantasy football, this past week reminded me how fragile life can be. My family and I have recently faced a series of unfortunate events, which has shifted my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the beautiful things in life. If you are going through tough times right now, know that you are not alone. It is easy to get lost in the small stresses of daily life and forget what truly matters. I encourage patience and kindness, as we never know what someone else is battling. In a world filled with so much negativity, I urge you to spread love and be a source of light when times are dark.

Fantasy football, though one of those “smaller things” in life, can also be a comforting distraction. As I continue to focus on what matters most and support my family through these challenges, writing these articles and continuing to play fantasy football has helped keep my mind in a positive place. Even in the toughest times, life keeps moving — and so will we. And, on a much lighter note, I hope you kick your matchup’s butt in the week ahead!