Just like that, Week 5 is behind us and we are almost a third of the way through the 2021 NFL season. The fantasy football playoffs begin in nine weeks or so, depending on when your playoffs are. Now is the time to begin getting aggressive. Don’t be afraid to use that high waiver priority. This weekend gave us some openings on the waiver wire where that aggressiveness may pay off. Don’t be afraid to sell high on players as well, or buy low on struggling stars. I compiled this list based on players under 50% and using the ESPN rostered percentage. Check them all out here in Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 6.
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks, 0% rostered
Geno Smith is set to be the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks for the next 4-8 weeks. Russell Wilson had finger surgery and is going to miss an extended period of time. Geno threw for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Rams after he entered the game. If you rostered Wilson, or need a quarterback in a Superflex or 2QB league, Geno has the talent around him to be fantasy-relevant.
Davis Mills, Houston Texans, 0% rostered
Davis Mills was supposed to get shut down this week by Bill Belichick. He must not have gotten the memo as he threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He is a decent add in Superflex or 2QB leagues if you need a quarterback, especially if you rostered Wilson or Daniel Jones. Check and see if Mills is out there on the waiver wire in your dynasty leagues.
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Consistency Score: Running Backs
Consistency Score: Wide Receivers
Consistency Score: Tight Ends
Consistency Score: DST
Running Backs
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears, 5% rostered
With David Montgomery out, Damien Williams became the top waiver add. Khalil Herbert stepped in this Sunday with a statement. He rushed 18 times for 75 yards. The stat line is nothing flashy, but the fact that he had 18 carries alone versus Williams’ 16 showed it was a true split. Also of note, Herbert was used in the red zone. If you need a running back, Herbert is a priority add on the waiver wire.
Devontae Booker, New York Giants, 4% rostered
We all saw the picture of Saquon Barkley’s ankle. It’s a tough break for a great player. The early word is he’s week to week, which makes the loss not that bad, but now that gives a chance for Devontae Booker to get his carries. Hopefully, it is in fact just a bad sprain and he returns in a few weeks. Booker filled in with 16 rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown on the ground, combined with three catches on four targets for 16 yards and a receiving touchdown. Depending on how long Barkley is out, Booker slides in as a low-end RB2/Flex play and is worth looking at on the waiver wire.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers, 56% rostered
I normally keep higher percentage players off this list, but AJ Dillion needs to be rostered all over. Dillon is making Aaron Jones managers sweat with eight rushes for 30 yards, catching all four of his targets for 49 additional yards, and one touchdown to top it off. While Jones saw 14 carries and five targets, this is a share that is eating into his workload, and something to for sure monitor.
Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs, 8% rostered
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s sprained MCL expecting to have him out for a few weeks, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon enter as the favorites for an increased role in the Chiefs backfield. Williams should see the bulk of the carries, with McKinnon seeing some work as well. Williams rushed five times for 27 yards, and saw five targets, with three catches for 18 yards. Meanwhile, McKinnon only rushed one time and saw just two targets.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots, 6% rostered
Damien Harris battled through chest and rib injuries on Sunday, as well as losing a goal-line fumble. This opened the door for Rhamondre Stevenson to have a crack at the starting role. With Brandon Bolden essentially working in the James White role, Stevenson did not fare too well, only rushing 11 times for 23 yards, but we all know how Bill Belichick operates with his running backs when they lose the ball. Stevenson could be in line for an increased workload next week.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks, 42% rostered
With Chris Carson dealing with a neck injury, Alex Collins fills in as the starting running back. Carson’s status for Week 6 is up in the air, meaning Collins could fill in again as the starter. He saw 15 carries for 47 yards and caught two passes on three targets for 25 yards. Even if Carson is back, we don’t know how the neck is, making Collins a must-stash option.
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Wide Receivers
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants, 12% rostered
Well, this was out of nowhere! Kadarius Toney saw a season-high 13 targets and brought in 10 catches for 189 yards. Now granted, he took a swing at a player with a helmet on, and also has an ankle injury that may keep him out of a game, but he is now a must-add. Kenny Golladay is injured. Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard will continue to miss time as well. The Giants need to get their playmakers involved, and Toney is looking like he could become one. There’s a good chance he’s on your waiver wire.
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Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals, 37% rostered
Rondale Moore was a human highlight reel on Sunday bringing in a spectacular catch from Kyler Murray. With this offense being boom or bust outside of DeAndre Hopkins, it’s hard to trust one of AJ Green, Christian Kirk, or Rondale Moore consistently, but Moore has shown to be a playmaker on offense. He brought in five of six targets for 59 yards and added three carries for 38 yards. He had a touchdown catch called back, so it could have been an even bigger performance. As bye weeks come up, Moore has the talent and upside that you might want out of a bye week replacement.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos, 30% rostered
How Tim Patrick isn’t rostered more than 30% is a question that I don’t have the answer to. Maybe it’s just the wide receiver position being as deep as it is, but that’s probably it. Outside of Week 4, he has put up double-digit fantasy points every single week. He brought in seven catches on nine targets for 89 yards last week and with Jerry Jeudy still out, Patrick has stepped up and should be rostered all over.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, 4% rostered
Amon-Ra St. Brown is expected to see more opportunities with Quintez Cephus breaking his collarbone. St. Brown has back-to-back weeks with eight targets, catching seven this past week for 65 yards. With an expected role increase, St. Brown is an under-the-radar grab and a preseason favorite of mine. The Lions are in need of a consistent wide receiver option and St. Brown has as good of a chance as any of these receivers.
Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints, 39% rostered
Jameis Winston is playing great football right now and getting better as the weeks go on. He targeted Marquez Callaway eight times last week and he brought in four of those for 85 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Callaway is a nice add in 12 team leagues coming into bye weeks.
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs, 42% rostered
With the news of Tyreek Hill being injured (not expected to miss any games), Mecole Hardman is a player to look out for. He saw 12 targets Sunday, catching nine of those for 76 yards. With Josh Gordon making his debut, Hardman made a performance to keep his role in this offense. I would look at Hardman in any format right now as a low-end WR3/Flex play.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens, 13% rostered
Rashod Bateman was not activated off IR this week, which will keep him likely away from many waiver claims. This is a rookie who got a lot of attention this summer, and someone who will likely make their debut next week. He is a very good stash at this point in the season.
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Tight Ends
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns, 2% rostered
Well, this was not Austin Hooper! David Njoku broke out in a big way on Sunday catching all seven targets that were thrown his way for 149 yards and a touchdown. It is yet to be seen if this will be sustainable, but this was a pleasant surprise for a Browns offense that was clicking on Sunday (sadly with a loss). Keep an eye on this situation, Njoku has the talent to keep this up. He’s seen such a drop in value that he might even be someone on the waiver wire in dynasty leagues as well.
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars, 1% rostered
At least Urban Meyer didn’t forget how many targets Dan Arnold got this Sunday. He caught six of eight targets for 64 yards. Coming from Carolina, Arnold is catching passes from Trevor Lawrence now, and building chemistry. If you’re streaming tight ends he is someone to take a look at on the waiver wire.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, 36% rostered
Jonnu Smith got the big contract from the Patriots this offseason, but it’s Hunter Henry making the noise. He caught six of eight targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. Jonnu Smith isn’t being used in the passing game as we all thought, and Henry seems to be the tight end to the roster in New England.
For more options, or questions about these waiver wire claims, you can reach me on Twitter @NMimi.
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