Week 5 of NFL action has concluded. Some teams are starting to separate themselves as leaders. Others are trying not to fall too far behind. The same goes for fantasy football teams and their managers. Luckily, they have another weekly installment of waiver wire pickups to subscribe to.
The waiver wire hasn’t been the most robust we’ve seen through five weeks. However, Week 6 has players with weekly starting upside for fantasy manager’s lineups. These starters very well may end up being league winners (see Kenneth Walker and Taysom Hill).
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 6: Running backs
1. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
The 2022 2nd round pick has only seen limited action for the Seahawks thus far. That changed when starting running back, Rashaad Penny, left the game with an injury. Kenneth Walker was thrust into the starting role mid-game and finished with 88 yards and 1 touchdown on 8 carries.
Only rostered in 38% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Walker is set to be Seattle’s starting running back for the rest of the season after further testing concluded that Penny has a broken fibula, a season-ending injury. He showed his explosiveness on his 69-yard touchdown run and should continue to flash his potential for the rest of the season. He is a priority add in all formats. He is worth starting and could be a league winner.
2. Joshua Kelley, Chargers
The third-year running back saw 10 rushing attempts and 2 receptions in the Chargers’ Week 5 matchup against the Browns. He turned this into 82 scrimmage yards and 1 touchdown. Another back mate Sony Michel only saw 1 rushing attempt. He turned this into 0 scrimmage yards.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, it appears as though Kelley has emerged as Los Angeles’ RB2. For now, he offers a floor as a change-of-pace back and a ceiling of a feature back if Austin Ekeler were to miss anytime. He is stashing in PPR formats, and worth adding in any format if you roster Austin Ekeler.
3. Caleb Huntley, Falcons
The second-year back saw his first game-time action in 2022 after spending all of 2021 on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. His most significant action came in weeks 4 and 5 with injuries prohibiting Cordarrelle Patterson and Damien Williams from playing. Through two weeks, he has 18 rushing attempts, 90 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown.
Only rostered in 1.2% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Caleb Huntley has had a larger role than expected. Most expected Tyler Allgier to be the biggest beneficiary of the carries, but that hasn’t been the case. Caleb Huntley is worth rostering in standard formats due to his limited pass-catching ability and is worth stashing in deeper leagues.
If he’s still available, Eno Benjamin
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 6: Wide receivers
The 2021 2nd-round pick saw his first full game for the Cardinals in Week 5. He was successful underneath, commanding 8 targets. He hauled in 7 of them for 68 yards and also received 2 handoffs.
Only rostered in 2.3% of NFL.com fantasy teams, Moore is worth rostering over the likes of AJ Green and Greg Dortch. Although DeAndre Hopkins returning in Week 7 will make for a busier wide receiver room, the departure of Andy Isabella via waivers helps. Moore is worth rostering in PPR formats.
2. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
When healthy, Jakobi Meyers is the Patriots’ #1 receiving option. Whether Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe was starting at quarterback, Meyers has been effective with 95-yard and 111-yard games so far in 2022.
Only rostered in 32.5% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Meyers is the pass catcher worth owning. Never having less than 80% snaps or 6 targets in a game, his high usage provides a steady floor for fantasy managers. He is worth rostering in all formats and a borderline WR3/flex starter in PPR formats.
3. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns
Despite the additions of Amari Cooper via trade with the Cowboys, rookie David Bell via the draft, and former running back Demetric Felton Jr. converting to wide receiver, and others, Donovan Peoples-Jones is still the Browns’ clear-cut number two receiver. His season-high usage is 11 targets with 6 receptions in Week 1 and his season-high yardage is 71 yards in Week 4.
Only rostered in 3.8% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the Browns have a tough schedule for the next few weeks. If they are down in any games, they will have to pass more in an attempt to come back. Also, Deshaun Watson will be back before fantasy football playoffs, which should help all Browns pass-catchers. He is worth stashing in PPR formats.
If he’s available, Tyler Boyd
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 6: Quarterbacks
1. Justin Fields, Bears
The Bears’ offense has been off to a slow start so far this season. They have been making adjustments week after week, though. In their losing comeback attempt against the Vikings, the Bears’ offense gained 291 total yards. Fields finished the game with an individual stat line of 15 completions on 21 attempts, 208 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 8 carries, and 47 yards. He also had a career-high 118.8 passer rating, 3rd highest amongst quarterbacks in Week 5.
Available in nearly 60% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the 2021 11th overall pick has had moving pieces for an offensive line and wide receiver corps all season. With rookie wide receiver Velus Jones being the recipient of last week’s only receiving touchdown, and N’Keal Harry being activated from IR, expect the Bears to move pass-droppers and ball-fumblers down their depth chart. His rushing upside also makes him worth stashing in one-QB leagues and rostering and streaming in two-QB leagues.
If he’s available, Jimmy Garoppolo
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 6: Tight Ends
Cade Otton, Buccaneers
With a concussion keeping Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate sidelined in Week 5, tight end mate Cade Otton saw expanded opportunities. On the field for 94% of snaps, Otton saw a healthy 7 targets in Tom Brady and Tampa Bay’s surgical 21-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He turned 6 of these into receptions for 43 yards.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the 2022 fourth-round selection flashed potential. In a Bucs offense that has been struggling to keep pass-catchers healthy, Otton was and will be a solid streaming option. He is worth stashing in all formats.
If he’s still available, Taysom Hill