Waiver Wire Pickups
Week 6 is somehow here already in the 2023 NFL season. It’s hard to believe that it’s already Week 6. It’s time to start making that push for the playoffs. Whether that’s looking ahead to some waiver claims or making some trades, now is the time. Plus, you have to start accounting for some bye weeks going on. Congratulations on surviving this far into the NFL Season. It’s been a bloodbath littered with injuries, under-performances, ghosting, and even wilder finishes. Due to these injuries and poor performances from players, you need some new players on your roster. That’s why you’re reading this article. I’ll give you some names that you should see if they are on your waivers and consider picking them up. The league I’ll be basing these on is a 1QB, six-point passing touchdown, PPR, and 12-team league, although I’ll include some deeper league shout-outs. This is a tough week for waivers with not much available on the wire.
The waivers are based on Yahoo’s system and roster percentages. Waivers typically process Tuesday or Wednesday night so go get those claims in! I wish you luck with Week 6 and may the NFL overlords give us some great football, no missed kicks, and plenty of healthy players with no injuries. Truly, it’s kind of depressing and crazy that Week 5’s here already. Enjoy the fantasy football and NFL season while you can!
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Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford
Los Angeles Rams, 57% rostered
Stafford now has Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua as his two top passing options. Good things are in store for Stafford’s fantasy future. He was the QB14 last week and should see that be a floor for him as he’ll be forced to throw often with the Rams’ weak defense. Plus, Stafford now faces the Arizona Cardinals. They’ve given up the third most points to quarterbacks this year, just look at how Burrow did. And, Stafford is a perfect quarterback to start when your main quarterback is on a bye week. He isn’t flashy or elite, but he gets the job done and won’t lose you any weeks.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard
Carolina Panthers, 31% rostered
Hubbard has been a far better running back than Miles Sanders so far. He is rushing better per attempt and has out-carried Sanders 23-20 over the last two weeks. The Panthers coaching staff is starting to believe in him and reward his strong play with more touches. With so many injuries and byes at the running back position, Hubbard is a legitimate option to start if you’re in a pinch. He may have been the RB40 this week with just 35 yards rushing on nine attempts, but Sanders was RB63. You take what you can off waivers this late in the season, plus at least Hubbard has upside for more touches if Sanders gets hurt or he continues to outperform him.
Tyjae Spears
Tennessee Titans, 26% rostered
Spears once again finished as an RB1 with an RB9 finish in Week Five. Derrick Henry was RB29. Spears averaged a healthy 4.9 yards per carry on seven attempts and had a touchdown. He then caught four passes for 35 yard on five targets. The Titans offense is mostly a mess right now with only Hopkins as a true target for Quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Watch for Spears to continue putting up flex numbers as he sees at least four targets and five rushes a game. With his speed and lethal agility, Spears is a threat to score on any touch. Plus, Spears has seen at least four targets in four of the five games so far. Pick him up before you watch him be a league winner for someone else.
Honorable Mentions: Jaleel McLaughlin, Emari Demarcardo, D’Onta Foreman
Wide Receivers
Curtis Samuel
Washington Commanders, 17% rostered
Samuel has yet to truly bust in any game this season. He has had at least six PPR points in every game with 18+ in each of his last two games. He’s getting targets plenty from quarterback Sam Howell. His 16% target share is tied with Jahan Dotson on the Commanders and just two percent behind Terry McLaurin’s target share. He’s a true flex option going forward that finished as the WR14 this past week. Samuel is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands who can gain plenty of yardage quickly. Perhaps Washington has finally unlocked him after we’ve been waiting since his last season in Carolina.
Jameson Williams
Detroit Lions, 58% rostered
I get that Williams was on a pitch count for his first game back and barely saw the ball. However, you saw what could be with Williams. They got him involved in swing passes and in space. While he caught two passes for two yards on three targets, it was still great to see that he got three targets on just 47% of the snaps. As the Lions get him involved in the offense more, the potential for some massive plays is there. He could be a league-winning wide receiver that takes over the deep field for the Lions. Plus, he will see softer coverages once Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs are back.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Mingo, Josh Reynolds
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith
Atlanta Falcons, 16% rostered
Head Coach Arthur Smith seems determined to make Jonnu Smith a big thing again. He’s playing on at least 80% of the snaps weekly and just last week caught six passes for 67 yards. His short-yardage routes are better for quarterback Desmond Ridder. He is continuing to target him often so take advantage of that. Smith was the TE12 entering Week 5. He’s the TE13 now on the season. His 27 targets are the 13th most while his 21 receptions are eighth most. It sure seems like he’s here to stay and during the bye weeks, a backup tight end that is reliable is a luxury to have for trade bait or to cover your own starting tight end.
As always, I’m more than happy to talk on Twitter. Let me know your thoughts on these players if you managed to trade for/away from them. If you need thoughts on any trade, my DMs are open on 18/7. I respond to everyone.
I get that Williams was on a pitch count for his first game back and barely saw the ball. However, you saw what could be with Williams. They got him involved in swing passes and in space. While he caught two passes for two yards on three targets, it was still great to see that he got three targets on just 47% of the snaps. As the Lions get him involved in the offense more, the potential for some massive plays is there. He could be a league-winning wide receiver that takes over the deep field for the Lions. Plus, he will see softer coverages once Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs are back.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Mingo, Josh Reynolds
