With five weeks into the books, the fantasy football season is in full swing, which means managing the waiver wire will become more crucial with every passing game.
Teams on a bye in Week 6 include the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!
We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.
Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.
Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.
Priority Free Agents
1. RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Brooks remains the top add if he’s available. His practice window hasn’t opened yet, but he could be a massive upgrade during the second half. While Chuba Hubbard may have a say in the matter, Brooks brings fresh legs into the second half of the season.
Availability: 35%
FAAB: 30%
2. RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
This one is for those of you in casual formats: If Dowdle is somehow available, he needs to be added. He’s completely taken over the backfield in Dallas and finally had a breakout game Sunday night. He’s a fringe RB2 moving forward.
Availability: 44%
FAAB: 20%
3. WR Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
While much of the talk will surround Drake London, Mooney has emerged as a dependable WR3 option. He has a 24% target share on the season and just posted a 9-105-2 line on 16 targets.
Availability: 52%
FAAB: 15%
4. WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
It seems the departure of Davante Adams is inevitable, which makes Meyers the likely leader in the wide receiver room. Though it’s a somewhat depressing passing game that will be funneled through rookie tight end Brock Bowers, Meyers has proven capable throughout his career of being a solid flex option.
Availability: 46%
FAAB: 10%
5. RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Partially due to game script late in the fourth quarter, the second-year back led the backfield in snaps and doubled Travis Etienne‘s carries 13-6. He again proved to be far more productive and explosive on the ground, taking 13 carries for 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 5. Etienne still saw seven targets, but Bigsby is on the rise as an RB3 most weeks.
Availability: 77%
FAAB: 8%
6. QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
Though Fields’ output in Week 5 was middling, he’s proving to be a starting asset in fantasy lineups. He’s averaging 8.8 rushing attempts per game, and he’s finding ways to get it done with his arm as well. The offense will limit his upside, but Fields has been dependable over the last three weeks.
Availability: 41%
FAAB: 10%
7. WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Coming out of the bye week, it wouldn’t be a surprise if McConkey began taking over as the target leader in the Chargers offense. He has only one game with a target share below 27%, and his connection with Justin Herbert is apparent. His upside is limited due to the offense and his role in the slot, but McConkey could build up to a solid WR3 option the rest of the way.
Availability: 45%
FAAB: 8%
8. WR Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Though Shakir missed Week 5 due to an ankle injury, and it’s still unclear when he will be back, he’s a worthy add as one of the top target leaders for Josh Allen. Don’t go crazy, because his upside is limited as a slot receiver, but he’s a solid WR3 option when healthy
Availability: 32%
FAAB: 8%
9. TE Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Teams who are desperate for tight end production can bump Kraft higher up on this list while making a slight increase in FAAB. Don’t go too crazy, though, because the tight end position is still as volatile as it’s ever been. Still, Kraft is a mid-TE1 the rest of the way, especially with Christian Watson (ankle) injured and Romeo Doubs on shaky ground after being suspended one game by the team.
Availability: 38%
FAAB: 8%
10. WR Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are expected to return at some point this season, so both Whittington and Atwell are more of in the realm of short-term rentals. They’ve been posting strong usage over the last two weeks, but the fact that they are entering a bye week and the inevitable returns of the other star wideouts bump them down a bit.
Availability: 89% (Whittington), 81% (Atwell)
FAAB: 5%
11. RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The backfield will continue to belong to Rachaad White, but Irving continues to prove he’s the more explosive asset. He is an RB3 option considering he’s unlikely to take over the backfield with White healthy, but there’s built-in upside if the latter does miss time for any reason.
Availability: 43%
FAAB: 5%
Grab-n-Stash
RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets: The backfield belongs to Hall, but Allen is still worthy of a stash. His second-half schedule could make him a flex option as well.
Availability: 48%
FAAB: 5%
WR Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders: Tucker came back to reality in Week 5, but he’s still an intriguing dart throw amid the Davante Adams saga.
Availability: 81%
FAAB: 3%
RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: He’s solely a handcuff but would rocket to RB2 status if James Conner missed time.
Availability: 76%
FAAB: 1%
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: It’s difficult to know Downs’ true status. He’s great when Joe Flacco is in the lineup, but that could end this week. He’s still a worthy back-of-the-bench add.
Availability: 60%
FAAB: 1%
RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings: He’s entering a bye week, but Aaron Jones is dealing with a hip injury, so Chandler could see a bigger role if it’s a significant issue.
Availability: 72%
FAAB: 1%
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants: Tracy shined in his spot start, but it’s unclear when Devin Singletary will return from a groin injury. At any rate, he could’ve earned himself more work after his strong Week 5 outing.
Availability: 77%
FAAB: 3%
Streamers of the Week
QB Kirk Cousins at Carolina Panthers: We shouldn’t expect 500 yards and four touchdowns every week, but Cousins is turning into a nice weekly streamer.
Availability: 49%
QB Will Levis vs. Indianapolis Colts: Levis has been shaky this season, and he may be dealing with a shoulder injury. If he’s healthy coming out of a bye week, though, he has a great matchup against the Colts.
Availability: 9%
TE Erick All at New York Giants: The Bengals rookie tight end posted just two catches on two targets, but the landscape is barren. He led the Bengals tight end in snaps.
Availability: 97%
TE Tyler Conklin vs. Buffalo Bills: This changes if Aaron Rodgers (ankle) can’t go, but Conklin is still one of the top streaming options for those in need.
Availability: 70%
Philadelphia Eagles D/ST vs. Cleveland Browns: The Browns made the Commanders defense look elite. Now, the Eagles host Cleveland coming out of the bye week.
Availability: 66%
Houston Texans D/ST at New England Patriots: Houston will be on the road against a Patriots offense that hasn’t surpassed 13 points in each of the last three weeks.
Availability: 41%
PK Austin Seibert at Baltimore Ravens: In what could be a high-scoring game, Seibert enters this matchup a perfect 12-for-12 this season.
Availability: 84%
PK Brayden Narveson vs. Arizona Cardinals: With the Green Bay Packers‘ high-flying offense, Narveson could have plenty of chances to kick against the Cardinals.
Availability: 74%
