We are now six weeks into the season, knocking off roughly a third of the campaign for fantasy football managers, which means the standings will begin to take shape even more over the next few weeks.
After the first week of byes featured four teams getting time off, Week 6 includes only two teams. Teams on a bye in Week 6 include the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.
We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark 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 Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
This one is a bit tricky because Johnson is currently in the concussion protocol. However, starter Khalil Herbert is expected to miss a few weeks due to an injury he suffered Thursday night. Johnson, when cleared, is likely going to be the leader in that backfield and could earn his way toward a bigger role even when Herbert returns. Veteran D’Onta Foreman should have a role and also is worth a look in deep leagues.
Availability: 59%
FAAB: 25%
2. RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
How much McLaughlin will be used when Javonte Williams returns from injury isn’t clear, but there’s a chance the latter misses another game considering the short turnaround Denver has this week. McLaughlin has shown plenty of explosiveness not found elsewhere in this backfield, so he’s probably a flex option even after Williams returns.
Availability: 41%
FAAB: 15%
3. RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s officially time we move Warren ahead of Najee Harris in rankings. He has outscored Harris in three of the last four weeks despite seeing fewer opportunities. The Steelers are on a bye, so it’s understandable to avoid rostering Warren, but he needs to be rostered moving forward as an RB3.
Availability: 40%
FAAB: 15%
4. WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Coming out of the bye week, Palmer is expected to be the No. 2 wide receiver for the Chargers. He can provide a solid floor as a WR3/4 option on a strong offense as long as he keeps rookie Quentin Johnston at bay. The return of Austin Ekeler will have an impact, but Palmer can provide some depth during bye weeks.
Availability: 47%
FAAB: 12%
5. WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
It seems to be only a matter of time before Rice takes on a bigger role. Despite running just 10 routes in Week 5, the rookie was third in receiving yards and brought in a red-zone target for a touchdown. He’s outproducing everyone not named Travis Kelce on a per-snap basis, and it might be best to get in early on this rookie wideout to prepare for a potential breakout.
Availability: 61%
FAAB: 10%
6. RB Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
It was Hill who found the end zone this week. Sifting through this backfield is going to be a nightmare but it may not be a terrible idea to add some depth with touchdown upside with more bye weeks coming up. Gus Edwards will still factor in, but Hill is seeing enough work to warrant flex appeal in deeper leagues.
Availability: 72%
FAAB: 5%
7. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
We’ve had Downs listed as a stash for a few weeks now, and he came through with a strong performance in Week 5. The rookie led the team with six receptions and 97 yards in a divisional win. With Anthony Richardson likely on the shelf for at least a month, Downs can grow as a favorite target from the slot for Gardner Minshew.
Availability: 91%
FAAB: 5%
8. RB Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
The rookie back continues to work his way into a solid role behind Derrick Henry. In Week 5, he saw a season-high 12 opportunities, which included five targets. Spears found the end zone for the first time this season as well. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he continues to carve out a role worthy of flex consideration.
Availability: 74%
FAAB: 5%
9. QB Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
It is likely that Richardson will miss at least a month after suffering an AC joint sprain in Week 5, which means Minshew takes the reigns until the rookie returns. He has been solid in relief of Richardson this season so he can provide QB2 value in superflex formats and during bye weeks. The upcoming schedule isn’t all that enticing, but Minshew has proven to be capable of running Shane Steichen’s offense.
Availability: 99%
FAAB: 3%
Grab-n-Stash
RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard has now seen more carries than Miles Sanders in consecutive games. Sanders has been incredibly inefficient while dealing with fumbling issues and a nagging groin injury, so Hubbard’s role could grow in the coming weeks. He’s not start-worthy yet, but we could get there if Sanders continues to struggle.
Availability: 68%
FAAB: 3%
RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
His production hasn’t jumped off the page, but the Seahawks are coming out of their bye week, and Charbonnet has been heading in the right direction in terms of his usage. There’s built-in upside in the case of a Kenneth Walker injury so Charbonnet is a solid bench asset to have right now.
Availability: 48%
FAAB: 3%
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
The rookie has been solid to begin the season and even though Christian Watson seems to have returned, Reed will still hold his role as the slot receiver. He’s shown enough promise to warrant consideration as a breakout candidate during the second half.
Availability: 71%
FAAB: 3%
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Johnston may not be worthy of holding a roster spot outside of teams who are 5-0 or 4-1 and have strong depth elsewhere. He’s an upside stash in hopes he figures things out to eventually take over the No. 2 wide receiver role, but we need more information before we truly buy in.
Availability: 33%
FAAB: 3%
Streamers of the Week
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions: Detroit has been middle of the pack against quarterbacks, and Mayfield has provided QB2 value in most games. This could be a shootout, so Mayfield is in play this week.
Availability: 81%
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals: With Cooper Kupp back, Stafford finally reached multiple touchdown passes in a game. Now, he gets to take on a defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Availability: 43%
TE Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders at Atlanta Falcons: Coming off a strong performance that included a 9-77-1 receiving line, Thomas is an option as he takes on a Falcons defense allowing the second-most PPR points per game to the position.
Availability: 85%
TE Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams: It wasn’t pretty, but Ertz did find the end zone in Week 5. We’ll run it back with the veteran considering the Rams are allowing the fifth-most PPR points per game to tight ends thus far.
Availability: 50%
Houston Texans D/ST vs. New Orleans Saints: The Texans defense has been surprisingly solid this season and they take on a Saints offense that ranks 27th in points per drive this season.
Availability: 72%
Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. Washington Commanders: Atlanta takes on a Commanders offense that has allowed the second-most sacks and sixth-highest pressure rate this season.
Availability: 91%
PK Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals: The Seahawks are coming off the bye week, and this could turn into a high-scoring affair after it appears the Bengals have found their form. Myers has made all nine of his field-goal attempts this season.
Availability: 82%
PK Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers: We should expect a bounce-back from the Cowboys offense in a potential shootout with the Chargers. Aubrey has double-digit fantasy points in all but one game.
Availability: 35%
