TST's NFL Week 6 Waiver Wire

Greetings from San Diego! We've closed yet another chapter of the NFL season, and this week's waiver-wire column highlights a handful of must-add players, especially as injuries mount and bye weeks start to take their toll. 

In no particular order, here are my top 12 waiver wire options to add for Week 6. My one rule that I have set for this is that a player must be rostered in less than 60 percent of ESPN leagues to be eligible in my column.

1. Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers - Rostered: 18%: I consider Young one of my top players to pick up this week with a solid matchup ahead against the Cowboys. Young, who has been disappointing to say the least, faces the league’s worst pass defense - one that’s allowed the most FPTS (27.12), most passing yards (1520) and second-most touchdowns (12) to quarterbacks. Looking ahead to Week 7, Young could also be a viable option against the Jets, who also have a sorry secondary of their own. So, if you’re in a bind at the QB position, Young presents a solid streaming option for the next couple of weeks.   

2. Sam Darnold - Seattle Seahawks - Rostered: 14.4%: Darnold has stacked some strong fantasy performances over the past few weeks. Since Week 4, Darnold has been the QB10, QB18 and most recently, QB2. He has a chance to keep that momentum going this week on the road against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has averaged the 11th-most FPTS against quarterbacks and has allowed the fifth-most passing yards (1302) in the league. The concern, however, is Jacksonville’s defense has forced a league-leading 10 interceptions this season, including a pick-six against the Chiefs on Monday night. I’d only consider adding Darnold if your quarterback is on a bye or if you’re simply looking for a one-week streaming option.    

3. Michael Carter - Arizona Cardinals - Rostered: 41.9%: If Carter is still available in your league, he should be your No. 1 waiver-wire claim this week. Making his first start of the season in place of the injured Trey Benson, Carter finished Week 5 as the RB14 with 15.8 FPTS. Despite averaging 2.8 yards per-carry, he handled a hefty 18 carries and caught five passes for 22 yards. With backup Emari Demercado fumbling away a near-touchdown last week, Carter could be in line for even more work as Demercado may have landed in Jonathan Gannon’s doghouse. This week’s matchup against the Colts isn’t ideal - they rank as the sixth-best run defense in fantasy, but Carter is still worth a pickup despite the tough matchup.

4. Hassan Haskins/Kimani Vidal - Los Angeles Chargers - Rostered: 0.5% (Haskins), 0.1% (Vidal): With rookie Omarion Hampton headed to IR for at least the next four games, it’s unclear who will emerge as the lead back in the Chargers’ backfield. Both Haskins and Vidal logged 14 snaps apiece, with Haskins (5) getting one more carry than Vidal. Vidal finished with 18 rushing yards, while Haskins totaled 13. If choosing between the two, I’d give a slight edge to Haskins, as he’s more likely to see work near the goal line. I also expect the Chargers to make corresponding roster moves, possibly elevating someone from the practice squad or adding a free agent. Either back is worth waiver-wire consideration for those who roster Hampton or need running back help in Week 6.

5. Tyler Allgeier - Atlanta Falcons - Rostered: 31.6%: I don’t understand how Allgeier isn’t rostered in most leagues. Outside of his one-carry outing in Week 3 against the Panthers, Allgeier has averaged 14 carries per game and has topped 24 rushing yards in every other appearance. Not only has his workload increased, but he’s also in one of the most valuable handcuff situations in fantasy if Bijan Robinson were to miss time. Do yourself a favor and pick him up if he’s available. Even if you can’t start him right now, he’s worth the stash.

6. Romeo Doubs - Green Bay Packers - Rostered: 44.9%: Before the bye, Doubs was coming off his best game of the season, catching six passes for 58 yards and three touchdowns. While the Packers’ offense still lacks a true alpha, Doubs stands out as the most experienced receiver and one of Jordan Love’s go-to targets. This week, he faces a Bengals defense that’s struggled to contain wideouts, allowing the tenth-most fantasy points to the position this season.

7. Jalen Coker - Carolina Panthers - Rostered: 8.5%: Coker is expected to begin his 21-day window to return next week, according to head coach Dave Canales. Dealing with a quadriceps injury, Canales noted that Coker’s speed is back to normal levels, but “it’s about the capacity” now. Originally, his return was projected around Week 7, though it could happen sooner. When he does come back, Coker should immediately become a serviceable target for Young, who desperately needs weapons beyond Tetairoa McMillan.

8. Kendrick Bourne - San Francisco 49ers - Rostered: 6.5%: Most people, myself included, didn’t give the 49ers much of a chance to beat the Rams on Thursday night. Bourne clearly took those expectations personally and delivered a career performance in San Francisco’s win. Looking like Jerry Rice out there, he hauled in 10 of 11 targets for 142 yards. With fellow receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall struggling to stay healthy, Bourne has proven he can be trusted and is an excellent waiver-wire pickup this week. 

9. Mason Taylor - New York Jets - Rostered: 8.2%: Taylor has quickly emerged as the Jets’ No. 2 option in the passing game. Last week, the rookie led the team in catches and targets and finished second in yards behind Garrett Wilson. Through five games, Taylor has compiled 20 receptions for 175 yards and is expected to be the next-best pass-catcher in the offense. He’ll look to score his first touchdown in Week 6 against the Broncos. Pick up Taylor before someone else does.  

10. Theo Johnson - New York Giants - Rostered: 5.6%: Johnson was largely an afterthought in the Giants’ offense with Russell Wilson. But since Jaxson Dart took over and the unfortunate injury to Malik Nabers, Johnson has emerged as the top target in the Giants’ short game, posting 9 receptions for 50 yards and 3 touchdowns on 12 targets. Last week, he hit a season high in catches (6) and targets (7). While he faces a tougher matchup this week against the Eagles, Johnson is still worth adding, especially if you can’t acquire Taylor.

11. Las Vegas Raiders D/ST - Rostered: 1.0%: This may be the only time I ever recommend picking up the Raiders defense, who face the Titans in Week 6. Led by Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ D-line should have a big day against a Titans O-line that has allowed the second-most sacks and surrendered seven turnovers this season. If you need a viable streaming option, the Raiders are worth adding this week.

12. Tennessee Titans D/ST - Rostered: 0.6%: Vice-versa, this is the only time I’ll vouch for the Titans defense. A step up from their recent struggles, they face a Raiders O-line that has allowed 16 sacks — the eighth-most in the league. Quarterback Geno Smith has been a major issue, throwing a league-high nine interceptions. Expect an ugly, low-scoring game, which usually leads to a strong fantasy outing for the defense. The Titans are streamable this week.