Week 5 isn’t technically in the books yet with the Bills and Titans scheduled to play Tuesday. However, we still have waiver wire pickups to make, so let’s get right to it and highlight some players to strongly considering adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo leagues.
Fantasy Football: Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (59% available)
The Vikings suffered a big scare Sunday night against the Seahawks when Dalvin Cook left the game with a groin injury. He did eventually return, but he didn’t last long before leaving the contest for good. That left Mattison busy, and he cashed in, turning 20 carries into 112 yards. The goods news is that Cook’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, so he has a shot at playing in Week 6 against the Falcons. However, with the Vikings on a bye in Week 7, they could be cautious and hold Cook out to give him the added rest. If he doesn’t play, Mattison could easily be an RB1 in a run-heavy offense against the horrible Falcons’ defense.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 1 (15% – 20% of FAAB budget)
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (56% available)
Last call here on Jackson, who won’t be available in this many leagues after this week. With Austin Ekeler (hamstring) on IR, Jackson and Joshua Kelley are set to lead the Chargers’ backfield moving forward. Jackson was leaps and bounds better than Kelley on Monday night, rushing 15 times for 71 yards and catching five of six targets for 23 yards. The downside with adding Jackson is that the Chargers are on a bye in Week 6, so you’ll have to wait a little while longer before being able to insert him into your lineup.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 2 (15% – 20% of FAAB budget)
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers (83% available)
Talk about a performance that came out of nowhere. Through the first three weeks of the season, Claypool had a relatively minor role within the Steeler’s offense. He had a big performance in Week 2 with 88 yards and a touchdown, catching all three of his targets along the way. However, he only had a total of nine targets through three contests. All that changed in Week 5 when Diontae Johnson (back) left the game early against the Eagles. That left Claypool with a whopping 11 targets, which he caught seven of for 110 yards and three touchdowns. He also had three carries for six yards and another score. While he’s definitely someone to consider adding, be sure to temper your expectations. Johnson’s injury isn’t believed to be series, so Claypool could return to a limited role as early as this week. With that being said, he’s clearly shown that he’s only one injury a way from providing significant production.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 3 (10% – 15% of FAAB budget)
D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns (58% available)
Kareem Hunt led the way in the Browns’ backfield Sunday with Nick Chubb (knee) out, receiving 20 carries and four targets. Johnson was also involved, turning eight carries into 32 yards and catching his only target for four yards. Make no mistake about it; Hunt is going to be the main man for the Browns until Chubb returns. However, they are one of the most run-heavy offenses in the league, so Johnson is worth a look in deeper leagues, especially as bye weeks start to ramp up.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 4 (10% of FAAB budget)
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins (78% available)
Williams needed a big performance Sunday in the worst way. Through his first four games, he only caught six of 17 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. Although his five targets against the 49ers weren’t exactly anything to write home about, he made the most of them with four catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. He showed plenty of promise before he tore his ACL last year, so he might have just needed some time to round back into form. He could have another big showing in Week 6 against a Jets defense that has allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game in the league.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 5 (5% – 10% of FAAB budget)
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys (97% available)
The biggest injury in the NFL last week was the Cowboys losing Dak Prescott (ankle) for the season. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league and was off to a fantastic start while trying to help their offense cover for their struggling defense. As far as backups go, at least the Cowboys have one of the better ones in Dalton, who will now lead them for the rest of the season. He has tons of weapons around him, so it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see him play well. While he’s not someone to target in 10 or 12 team leagues, he’s someone to pursue in deeper formats or in superflex leagues.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 6 (3% – 5% of FAAB budget)
Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (60% available)
It looked like Graham’s days of being a productive player were long gone after his two-year stint with the Packers produced a total of 93 catches for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns. The five touchdowns were especially concerning considering he had recorded at least 10 touchdowns in a season four times during his career. Now a member of the Bears, he’s once again become a major threat in the red zone after hauling in four touchdowns through five games. His yardage totals will likely leave a lot to be desired, but his touchdown potential will make him a borderline top-12 tight end on a weekly basis.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 7 (3% – 5% of FAAB budget)
Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins (75% available)
The Dolphins made an interesting decision Sunday when they made Jordan Howard a healthy inactive. He wasn’t exactly getting a ton of work, but he did register three touchdowns and he had 16 carries over their first three games. With him out, Breida received a season high nine carries against the 49ers, which he turned into 28 yards. He also caught a pass for an additional 31 yards. He should be the primary backup to Myles Gaskin moving forward, and if anything happens to Gaskin, he’s likely next in line for a starting role. If you have an extra spot at the end of your bench, adding him now could pay off in the long run.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 8 (3% – 5% of FAAB budget)
Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles (97% available)
It’s been a mess at wide receiver for the Eagles. Jalen Reagor (thumb) is on IR, DeSean Jackson (hamstring) was injured in Week 3, and Alshon Jeffery (foot) has yet to play this season. That’s left added targets for Fulgham, who finished with 57 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. That was only a glimpse of what was to come considering he torched the Steelers in Week 5 by catching 10 of 13 targets for 152 yards and a touchdown. Although Week 6 presents a tough matchup against the Ravens, Fulgham’s target share alone could make him someone to consider starting if Jackson and Jeffery remain out.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Priority: 9 (3% – 5% of FAAB budget)
Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.
Looking for more NFL DFS picks content? We have loads of articles, data, cheatsheets and more on the Awesemo NFL home page. Just click HERE.
