The Waiver Wire 10/13
Welcome to the Week 6 Waiver Wire, folks.
Apologies for the lack of a real podcast today, but as you heard on the abbreviated public service announcement, I'm not talking very well at this juncture. I'm getting better and should be back to normal soon. I appreciate all the well wishes. Now let's get to work.
This article is a living post as always. I'm going to settle into some film review this afternoon and will add any pertinent updates by about 6pm EST.
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It's already been a challenging season, with all of the injuries, not to mention the total collapse of the Chargers offense. In Week 5, we added the first two byes of the season to our collective acid reflux. That number doubles in Week 6.
Week 6 Byes
- Bengals
- Lions
- Dolphins
- Vikings
Yeah, Dolphins aside, that's going to leave a mark. Just the Lions alone will have a bunch of teams scrambling.
The Quinshon Judkins injury needs to be followed but don't go blowing a ton of cash tonight, as this will shake out over the course of the week, and we may have a cheap pickup later on. There's a lot of that going around in various backfields, so chase things that are real versus things that may or may not come to pass. It's not the worst week to keep your powder dry (save some FAAB) if you have the luxury.
Marshawn Lloyd, Packers (61% in Yahoo leagues) and Zach Charbonnet (61%) would lead the RB ratings this week, but they are too unlikely to be available. The data suggest they are worth searching in your league just to be safe. At receiver, check on Xavier Worthy (59%), who has some breakout potential coming off his bye week and with Tyquan Thornton no longer stealing deep targets.
QB
- Kirk Cousins, Raiders
- Jameis Winston, Giants
- Aaron Rodgers, Steelers
- Daniel Jones, Colts
- Michael Penix
- Malik Willis, Dolphins
It's nothing inspiring. Cousins is playing for a good OC/HC and his numbers show it. The schedule is tough. Rodgers gets Tampa this week, so he's viable. The same goes for Jameis Winston, who gets a matchup with the fast-paced Saints.
The Falcons Week 6 passer may or may not be Penix, who took a shot to the ribs last night. So wait until we know his status before going after him and his matchup with the Bears. Daniel Jones is unexciting but at least he gets the Titans.
Malik Willis is getting a lot of grief, but I have been impressed with him at times. There are some very good matchups left on the schedule after this week's bye. In deeper formats, he might be a nice add for depth.
RB
- Woody Marks, Texans
- Kimani Vidal, Chargers
- Dameon Pierce, Eagles
- Kendre Miller, Saints
- Corey Kiner, Patriots (Henderson high ankle)
- Mike Washington & Dylan Laube, Raiders
- Roschon Johnson, Bears
- Samaje Perine, Bengals
Woody Marks leads most of the lists I've seen this week and that's fine, but he's taken in every league I play in, and above 50% on Yahoo, so he's a starting point more than this week's destination. Get him if he's out here, sure. Kimani Vidal is the Chargers RB playing the best ball. Not that the other two are playing bad. It's the team. Regardless, all three backs are playing, so all three should be rostered, especially in deeper formats. Vidal's got game.
The Eagles are dropping backs like crazy and it's possible that Dameon Pierce is the only available back this week. It's also possible that Saquon Barkley returns, so be careful. I'm not sure WHY Dylan Laube out-snapped and out-touched Mike Washington by such a large amount, but it's worth watching this week. It's only actionable in deep formats if you want to add Laube. Washington's handcuff status should remain intact. My guess is that Laube's return home (he went to UNH) had something to do with his garbage time touchdown, but you never know. Samaje Perine is on his bye, but he ate so aggressively into Chase Brown's role last week, that he needs to be mentioned. If he is available in deep formats, he can be added on spec.
WR
- Jordyn Tyson, Saints
- Makai Lemon, Eagles
- Germie Bernard, Steelers
- Ja’Kobi Lane, Ravens
- Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (viable if Lamb is out)
- Christian Kirk, 49ers
- Kendrick Bourne, Cardinals (Harrison Jr. trade)
- Isaiah Bond, Browns
- Jerry Jeudy, Browns (stash for trade potential)
- Patriots Receivers
- Jalen Royals & Cyrus Allen, Chiefs
- Tyreek Hill, FA
Jordyn Tyson is a week away at the bare minimum. It would not surprise me one bit if he is held out until after the team's Week 8 bye. Still, think about what an impact player is worth form Week 9 on, because Tyson could be just that. The better your team has performed, the easier it will be to add him and wait. For struggling teams, he could have some value as a trade chip if you can stash him for a week.
Lemon is coming off of his best game, but it still wasn't enough to get excited about. The good news is that the return of Devonta Smith will do little to harm Lemon's interior role. His playing time has been ticking up all year long and crested in Week 5 at 81% of the offensive snaps. He should continue to run at 70% and above going forward. The question is, do the Eagles figure out their offense? Lemon is a major talent who is getting open and playing plenty, so he makes a great stash. Congrats to Germie Bernard on being the last man standing for the Steelers, along with DK Metcalf that is. This should be at least a two-week run of opportunity and perhaps more if the rookie performs well. He's a top tier target if you can go after him in deeper formats and he's viable everywhere. His matchup with Tampa this week should bear fantasy fruit. For those in immediate need, he's probably a better add compared to Lemon, but Lemon's ceiling is a far bigger one. Horses for courses.
Ja'Kobi Lane is a guy who could return soon, so a stash makes sense. He could have some nice potential once he and Lamar are back on the field together. Rashod Bateman has done little to keep Lane off the field upon his return. Kendrick Bourne is unexciting but his role should be locked in now, with Marvin Harrison Jr. in Houston. I doubt we see an uptick in terms of production but his early run of relevance should continue.
Patriots receivers can be added at various league levels with varying degrees of upside. None can be counted on but all have some value if you have to go there.
- DeMario Douglas
- Kyle Williams
- Efton Chism
AD Mitchell will be a hot waiver add, but a few things. He's now competing with more players for targets, and Garrett Wilson has reestablished himself as a lead man. I doubt AD carries the same target load he did in the early going. He's a viable flex in most formats but not a strong one. Both Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals are in for playing time bumps, but it's hard to figure who will benefit the most in the wake of Tyquan Thornton's season ending injury. Both are worthy stashes, and based on playing time so far, Royals has the edge. This is a big situation to watch, because Patrick Mahomes could conceivably make somebody a star here. Let's keep our ears to the ground on this one.
The Browns guys should have some value with KC Concepcion (concussion) out. Bond is a deep league flex while Jerry Jeudy has some trade potential and would look very good in a 49ers uniform. Not a bad stash option.
Tyreek Hill is a pure stash and the only way he's exciting for fantasy is if he lands in Kansas City. Still, not the worst idea I've ever heard. There are many potential ways this fails to happen. He may not be ready, ever. His legal issues may envelop his season. The Chiefs may not need him and on and on. Christian Kirk's also a stash and it's not like I envision him staying healthy, especially the way Shanahan runs his receivers into hits, but he is likely to have a run in a week or so, because the 49ers are barren to the point of signing Brandin Cooks, who is a viable deep ad this week despite his putrid fit with Brock Purdy. Not to say that Purdy isn't playing some of his best ball. He is.
TE
- Brenton Strange, Jaguars
- Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
- Chig Okonkwo, Washington
- Darren Waller, Panthers
- AJ Barner, Seahwaks
- Terrance Ferguson, Rams (Week 8)
Brenton Strange has recentered himself inside the Jags' pecking order. He's a solid low end starter if you need one. Chig Okonkwo got back into the swing last week and looked good. His QB is back and ready to rumble, so Chig is a solid add in most formats. Waller is a solid option and is available in most places after his bye week. AJ Barner is consistently active and involved, but has not yet hit big in '26. In fairness, his QB situation has been a week-to-week thing and he could heat up at any point. He's an add in deeper formats if you need some help.
I'm adding Ferguson as a reminder. He's a nice stash at some point, but you need to hold him until Week 8 or perhaps longer. Just an upside option to keep tabs on.