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.
Note: This column will be updated tomorrow at the conclusion
of Week 6.
Dart has struggled as a passer, with a high of 202 passing yards
in his three starts. But he's been getting it done with
his legs. Against a tough Eagles defense, he went 195-1-0 passing
and 13-58-1 rushing -- his 3rd straight game with at least 50
yards rushing. That gives him a safe floor even against another
tough defense (DEN) this week.
If you picked Young up last week, you were rewarded with a nice
game in a shootout with the Cowboys: 3 touchdowns, 199 yards passing.
We haven't seen the rushing floor of last year, but he's
had 3 multi-TD games so far in 2025. Up next he gets another plus
matchup against a Jets defense that has given up 11 passing TDs
in their first five games.
Flacco got traded from the Browns to the Bengals and was immediately
inserted into the starting role. He promptly went 219-2-0 in a
comeback effort against the Packers. Up next is another AFC North
matchup against a Steelers defense that has given up the 3rd-most
points to QBs.
Rodgers has been efficient, even though he hasn't been
asked to throw too much this year. He threw for 235-2-0 in a comfortable
win over the Browns in Week 6. Now he'll get a juicy matchup
against a dreadful Bengals defense that has allowed the 8th-most
points to opposing QBs, and tied for the 3rd-most TDs.
Dillon Gabriel, CLE @ PIT: Gabriel struggled to move the offense
against the Steelers, despite throwing the ball 52 times, managing
only 221 passing yards. Up next he gets another positive matchup
against the Dolphins, but he will be tough to trust until his
accuracy downfield improves.
Sam Darnold, SEA @ JAX: Darnold had another solid outing, passing
for 295-2-0 on only 16 completions in a win over the Jaguars.
He has an insane 9.5 yards per attempt. Up next is a tough assignment
against the Texans before their Week 8 bye.
Vidal dominated touches in the first game without Omarion Hampton,
who will be out for at least four games (if not more). Vidal managed
18-124-0 on the ground and 4-3-14-1 through the air as the Chargers
eked out a win over the Dolphins. Up next is a much tougher test
against the Colts, but Vidal's touch count should keep him relevant
regardless.
Houston was on bye this week, and Marks had a slow game the week
prior in a blowout win over the Ravens. He may have been dropped
in your league, but he should be picked back up for a great matchup
against a Seahawks defense that has allowed the 9th-most points
to RBs, and the most receptions to the position. Nick Chubb may
receive the bulk of early-down work, but Marks should have standalone
value and receive the most targets.
Emari Demercado left Week 6 with an ankle injury which allowed
Carter to split backfield work with Knight, and was the clear
passing down back, rushing for 9-34-0 and seeing 5-2-30-0 through
the air. Knight was the lead and goal-line back, rushing for 11-34-1
(his 2nd straight game with a TD) and caught a pass for 20 yards.
Both will likely be utilized heavily again in a game against the
Packers this week.
Last week's waiver adds:
Rico Dowdle,
CAR vs DAL: Dowdle blew up in his revenge game against his former
team, going for 30-183-0 on the ground and 5-4-56-1 through the
air in a last-second win over the Cowboys. Up next is a solid
matchup against the winless Jets, where Dowdle should be featured
again if Chuba Hubbard isn't ready to roll.
Hassan Haskins
/ Kimani Vidal,
LAC @ MIA: See above for Vidal. Haskins took a clear backseat
to Vidal, getting out-touched 21-7 in a win over the Dolphins.
It appears he's the backup for now.
Kenneth
Gainwell, PIT vs CLE: Gainwell was relegated to the RB2 role
with Jaylen Warren back, but still managed to catch all 6 targets
for 14 yards. Up next is a great matchup against the Bengals,
but with Warren back in the mix, Gainwell will be difficult to
trust.
Kareem Hunt, KC vs DET: Hunt rushed for 6-23-0 and caught his
lone target for 11 yards in a game where Patrick Mahomes had the
only rushing touchdown and spread the ball around to 8 different
receivers. Hunt will likely be asked to do more this week against
the Raiders.
Ayomanor saw the 2nd most targets amongst WRs in a loss to the
Raiders, going for 5-3-27-0. Jefferson (6-4-75-0) tied with Chig
Okonkwo (6-6-46-0) for the team lead in targets after Calvin Ridley
left early with a hamstring injury. Up next is another great matchup
against a Patriots defense that has allowed the 5th-most TDs to
opposing WRs, so if Ridley sits, Ayomanor and Jefferson should
benefit.
Bourne had another nice game with Ricky Pearsall out (although
Jauan Jennings was back for this one), putting up a 9-5-142-0
receiving line in a loss to the red-hot Bucs. Bourne should be
rostered everywhere (especially if Pearsall sits again) in a matchup
against the Falcons this week.
Boutte is 3rd on the team in targets (behind Stefon Diggs and
Hunter Henry), but led the team this week in a win over the Saints,
catching all 5 targets for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns. Up next
is a great matchup against a Titans team that has given up the
7th-most yards to WRs.
Robinson leads the Giants in targets, receptions, and yards with
Malik Nabers (knee) done for the year. He piled up a 7-6-84-1
receiving line in a win over the rival Eagles on Thursday Night
Football. He should be busy again as a short area specialist against
a tough Broncos pass defense.
Fannin has been the TE2 to David Njoku, but he's still 3rd on
the team in targets (behind Njoku and Jerry Jeudy) on the season.
The rookie had his best game of the season against the Steelers,
putting up a 10-7-81-0 line. Njoku left in the 4th quarter with
a knee injury, so if he sits, Fannin would be a priority pickup.
This week is a juicy matchup against the Dolphins, who have allowed
the 8th-most points to TEs.
Gadsden had his best day as a pro, going for 8-7-68-0 in a win
over the Dolphins. His snap count has increased every week since
being active Week 3, and it appears he has taken over the TE1
role. Up next is a tougher task against the Colts, but if Quentin
Johnston is out again, he should be a key target alongside Keenan
Allen and Ladd McConkey.
Tonges has been filling in admirably since George Kittle has
been on IR, seeing 23 targets and scoring 2 TDs in the last three
games. Up next is a tough task against the Falcons, but tight
end has proven to be a key position for the 49ers offense and
he could still be involved even if Kittle returns this week.
Ryan Flournoy,
DAL @ CAR: Flournoy was 3rd on the team in targets, but only managed
a 6-3-30-0 receiving line in a back-and-forth loss to the Panthers.
He should remain involved as the WR2 to George Pickens for as
long as CeeDee Lamb is out, however, Lamb may be back this week.
Josh Downs, IND vs ARI: Downs had a nice day in a win over the
Cardinals, scoring his first TD and catching 6-of-7 targets for
42 yards. Up next is a stingy Chargers defense.
Tre Tucker, LV vs TEN: Tucker led the team in receptions and
yards in a needed win over the hapless Titans, putting up a 5-5-70-0
line. It will be a tougher game against the division-rival Chiefs
this week.
TE Mason Taylor, NYJ vs DEN: Taylor struggled (as did all Jets
pass catchers) with Justin Fields completing just 9 passes in
a tough loss to the Broncos in London. He should bounce back this
week in a much better matchup against the Panthers, who have allowed
the 2nd most points to the position.
TE Evan Engram, DEN @ NYJ: Engram had another solid day in an
uncomfortably close win over the winless Jets, catching 5-of-6
targets for 42 yards. Up next is a tougher assignment against
the Giants.
The Patriots had a solid outing in a road win over the Saints,
getting 2 sacks and a turnover while holding them to 19 points.
Up next is a juicy matchup against the struggling Titans, who
have allowed the 2nd-most points to opposing defenses and just
gave up 6 sacks and 3 turnovers to the Raiders.
Chiefs vs LV
The Chiefs defense had a solid day in a win over the Lions, holding
their potent offense to only 17 points. Up next they get a great
matchup against the rival Raiders who have given up the 5th-most
points to opposing defenses, including the most interceptions.
Panthers @ NYJ
The Panthers defense did just enough to get the win in a shootout
against the Cowboys, but they’ve shown themselves to be
capable against weaker opponents. Bring on the winless Jets, who
have allowed the 4th-most points to opposing D/ST, including leading
the league in sacks allowed after giving up 9 to the Broncos in
Week 6.
Other D/ST to consider: Browns vs MIA
Last week’s waiver adds:
Packers vs CIN: The Packers managed only 1 sack
and held the Joe Flacco-led Bengals to 18 points in a win over
the Bengals. Up next is a great matchup against the Cardinals,
who may be starting Jacoby Brissett again.
Rams @ BAL: The Rams defense led the way in
a big win over the Ravens, getting 4 sacks and 3 turnovers while
allowing only 3 points. Up next is a tougher test against a spry
Jaguars offense.
