Each week I’ll provide you with a rundown by position of key
waiver wire adds. We’ll evaluate not just breakouts based
on past performance, but also who could deliver this week based
on a soft matchup. Stats will be provided based on a 12-team PPR
league, with players less than 75% (preferably less than 50%) ownership
being considered.
Stafford threw for 21-37, 222-2-0 against the Eagles, putting
up fine numbers against a tough pass rush. Up next, he gets the
Cardinals defense, which has given up the 4th most passing yards
and ranked 4th-worst against QBs.
Minshew came on for an injured Anthony Richardson (shoulder,
looks to miss at least one game, if not more) against the Titans,
throwing for 11-21,155-0-0. He’s been effective in three games
this year where Richardson has been out due to injury, throwing
for 63% completion rate and 2 TDs with 0 INTs. Up next is the
Jaguars pass defense that ranks 6th-worst against QBs, giving
up a combined 10 TDs to the position in five games.
C.J.
Stroud, HOU @ ATL: Stroud had a
solid, if unremarkable, game against the Falcons, going 249-1-0
with 2 yards rushing. Stroud still hasn’t thrown an interception
this year, setting a record for most rookie pass attempts without
one. Next up is a tough test against the stingy Saints pass defense
before a Week 7 bye, so he could be droppable if your main starter
is back.
Sam Howell,
WAS vs CHI: As expected, Howell had his best game of
the year against the Bears bad defense. Howell put up 388-2-1
throwing (37 of 51 attempts) and another 4-19-0 rushing. Howell
has shown he can be effective against poor defenses, but this
week he gets a middle-of-the-pack Falcons team so his ceiling
will be capped.
Starter Khalil Herbert went down with a reported high-ankle sprain
in the Week 5 win over the Commanders, and Travis Homer is nursing
a hamstring injury. Foreman has been a healthy scratch the last
fout games in favor of Johnson, but Roschon also suffered a concussion
and may not be available in Week 6. Johnson would be the preferred
add, but if he is ruled out this week, Foreman would look to dominate
touches against a Vikings defense that has been relatively tough
against RBs (top 10 fantasy points against), although they are
middle-of-the-pack in rushing yards allowed.
Demercado came in after James Conner left with a knee injury,
and had a solid day, going 10-45-1 rushing and 3-1-12-0 receiving.
Conner has dominated the RB touches for the Cardinals, so if he
were to sit, Demercado would likely face a big workload against
the Rams.
Jaleel
McLaughlin, DEN vs NYJ: McLaughlin
was expected to have a nice day through the air, and he delivered
with a 4-3-21-1 line to go with 9-68-0 on the ground. Javonte
Williams was sitting with a quad injury, so if he can’t go again
in a short week, McLaughlin could be an option against the Chiefs,
although Samaje Perine is still commanding a healthy snap share.
Gus Edwards,
BAL @ PIT: Edwards dominated the rushing touches (12-48-0),
but unfortunately, Justice Hill was the one to cash a red zone
TD against the Steelers. Hill also out-targeted Edwards 4-0, making
Gus an option only against poor rush defenses.
Boyd turned in a steady 7-6-39-0 line against the Cardinals.
While Ja’Marr Chase went nuclear with Tee Higgins out with a rib
injury, Boyd could see a lot of work again in Week 6 against a
Seahawks defense that is the league’s worst against WRs. If Higgins
is held out again in preparation for the Bengals’ Week 7 bye,
look for Boyd to have one of his best games of the season.
Osborn went 9-5-49-0 against the Chiefs, tying for the team lead
in targets. Justin Jefferson left the game with a hamstring injury
and looks like he will miss multiple weeks, so there are a ton
of targets up for grabs in the Vikings offense. Up next is a Bears
defense that has been mediocre against WRs but has allowed the
3rd-most total points, so the Vikings should be able to find the
end zone.
Palmer was on a bye in Week 5, but he’s still available in nearly
50% of Yahoo leagues. Week 6 is a tough test against the Cowboys,
but Palmer’s season is just getting started after Mike Williams
was lost for the year. This may be the last time he’ll be on this
list as the clear No.2 option in the potent Chargers passing attack.
Thomas went 11-9-77-1 against the atrocious Bears defense, leading
the team in targets, receptions and yards. Look for him to keep
it rolling in Week 6 against a Falcons defense that ranks 2nd-worst
against TEs, allowing 3 TDs to the position in five games (including
a 10-7-65-1 day to Dalton Schultz in Week 5).
Otton was on bye in Week 5, but Week 4 he went 4-3-13-1 against
a very tough (against TEs) Saints defense. Week 6, Otton gets
the Lions, who have allowed the most catches and 2nd most yards
to the position.
Michael
Wilson, ARI vs CIN: Wilson was totally
invisible against the Bengals, going 2-1-18-0 even though they
were down big late. Wilson was out-targeted 5-2 by Rondale Moore,
so the thought that he was the clear No.2 behind Marquis Brown
may not be correct.
Rashee
Rice, KC @ MIN: Rice didn’t see
a lot of targets, but made them count by going 5-4-33-1 against
the terrible Vikings secondary. Up next, he gets another favorable
draw against the Broncos that have allowed 6 TDs to WRs so far
in 2023.
Wan’Dale
Robinson, NYG @ MIA: Robinson led
the WR room again in targets, but only managed 18 yards on 5 receptions
with a paltry 3.2 aDOT on the year. Darren Waller was the biggest
beneficiary with the Giants playing from behind against Miami,
but Robinson figures to also be heavily targeted with the Giants’
sieve offensive line forcing quick throws from Daniel Jones. Up
next is a tough Bills secondary.
Zach Ertz,
ARI vs CIN: Ertz saved his fantasy day by scoring a TD
(TE TDs are the hallmark of the Bengals defense), going 4-2-10-1.
He’s mostly used as a safety valve around the line of scrimmage,
but still finished 3rd on the team in targets. Up next will be
a Rams defense that is also bottom-10 against TEs.
Dalton
Kincaid, BUF vs JAX: Kincaid struggled
along with the entire Bills offense in the first half against
the Jaguars in London, resulting in only 2 catches for 19 yards.
He outgained fellow TE Dawson Knox, but this appears to be a split
TE room with both players having seen 19 targets through the first
five games.
Defense/ Special Teams
Chiefs vs DEN
KC has gotten better over their four-game winning streak now
that Chris Jones is back in the lineup. The Chiefs have a fumble
recovery in every game this year, so they look to keep the streak
alive against a Broncos team that has given up the 2nd-most fumbles
in the league.
Falcons vs WAS
Atlanta has not generated a lot of sacks or turnovers to start
the year, but they've been solid (top 10 in scoring, top 5 in
passing yards). In Week 6 they get the Commanders, who have allowed
the 2nd-most sacks and 2 defensive TDs on the year, while averaging
2 turnovers per game.
Last week’s waiver adds:
Lions vs CAR: Detroit had a decent stat line
against the Panthers, creating 3 turnovers and 1 sack in a blowout
win.
Texans @ ATL: Houston was able to generate 2
fumbles against the Falcons, but they couldn’t hold on at
the end and lost 21-19.
Dolphins vs NYG: Miami had their best game of
the season, only allowing 16 points while creating 7 sacks. Up
next is a struggling Panthers offense.
