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The 2024 fantasy football season is beginning to heat up, as are NFL offenses. Passing stats saw an increase in Week 5, meaning the number of fantasy-relevant players in deep leagues also increased. Bye weeks are now a factor, so deep-league fantasy managers will have to identify top streamers and one-week replacement options moving forward. As always in deep setups, that process can be challenging as the waiver wire thins out. We're here to help.
The top waiver-wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10- and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 people or more. Some of these Week 6 deeper-league waiver-wire suggestions could have value right away, while others are simply bench stashes that could help your fantasy team in the future.
We won't cover chalk waiver-wire pickups for shallower leagues like Rico Dowdle, Wan'Dale Robinson, Kirk Cousins, and Darnell Mooney. Without further ado, here are the top deeper-league waiver-wire targets for Week 6, including Roschon Johnson, Michael Wilson, Allen Lazard, Jalen Tolbert, Colby Parkinson, Daniel Jones, Alec Pierce, and more.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Running Back Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Roschon Johnson has rushed 17 times for 51 yards and three touchdowns over the last two weeks, and the Chicago offense is starting to show signs of life under No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. D'Andre Swift has posted 285 yards from scrimmage in his last two games, but Johnson appears to be taking over the goal-line role. If the Bears offense continues to flourish, Johnson is a solid low-end flex play in a week where you need him.
Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale both surpassed 12 PPR fantasy points in the win over the Buffalo Bills. Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) have been dealing with injuries, and the Akers-Ogunbowale committee has done a decent job of keeping Houston's offense on track. Even if Mixon returns in Week 6, his injury risk is increased moving forward. Both are worth stashing in deeper setups. Fantasy managers could also consider picking up Pierce, but it's unclear what his role will be when he returns.
Antonio Gibson was expected to be the featured back in Week 5 after head coach Jerod Mayo said the team is benching Rhamondre Stevenson. That did not happen, and Stevenson saw 16 touches against the Miami Dolphins, while Gibson saw just seven. However, the former Washington Commander thrived with a limited workload once again and is averaging 5.9 yards per carry to Stevenson's 4.6. He is playing well enough to warrant more opportunities.
Tyler Allgeier logged 10 touches in Week 4 and nine touches in Week 5. His current workload doesn't warrant starting him in lineups, but Atlanta is signaling it either doesn't want to give Bijan Robinson workhorse usage or his groin injury is limiting him. It's worth seeing if Allgeier continues to see around double-digit touches per game, but even if not, he's a top-tier handcuff RB for if Robinson has to miss any time this season.
Ty Chandler logged 16 total touches in the victory over the New York Jets in London, and starter Aaron Jones exited early with a hip injury. However, the Vikings are on a bye in Week 6, so if Jones' injury isn't serious, Chandler is a pure handcuff stash. If Jones misses time, Chandler could see close to bell-cow usage.
Jaylen Wright led the Dolphins in rushing yards (86) after De'Von Achane was ruled out of the Week 5 game against the New England Patriots in the first half. The rookie from Tennessee averaged 6.6 yards per carry on 13 attempts, while veteran Raheem Mostert averaged 4.2 YPC on 19 rushes. Miami has Week 6 off, but it will be interesting to see if Achane's injury causes him to miss any time. Either way, this is one of the most fragile backfields in the NFL, so Wright warrants a roster spot after flashing his abilities.
The Jaylen Wright breakout game has happened.
Also, shoutout Alec Ingold for his dominant performance. #dolphins pic.twitter.com/o94h82AnOR
— Ryder McConville (@RyderM25) October 7, 2024
Justice Hill has at least six touches in all five games this season. That fact doesn't put every running back on the fantasy football radar, but Hill is in one of the best offenses in the NFL, and he remains the passing-down back in relief of Derrick Henry.
Gus Edwards has been dropped by the masses following his slow start to the season. J.K. Dobbins is likely the clear RB1 in Los Angeles for now, but Edwards is still worth stashing as the clear RB2 in one of the most run-heavy offenses in the league. Given Dobbins' significant injury history, Gus Bus could be pushed into the starting role at a moment's notice.
Emanuel Wilson was quiet in the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams, but he continues to have a role behind Josh Jacobs as long as MarShawn Lloyd remains on injured reserve.
Blake Corum finally got some work in non-garbage-time! The third-round rookie from Michigan rushed five times for 25 yards and caught his only target for eight yards. He even got a goal-line touch, but he was unsuccessful in finding the end zone. Could head coach Sean McVay get him more involved after the Week 6 bye? It's possible.
Jeremy McNichols wasn't high on the fantasy football radar last week since Austin Ekeler returned to action following a concussion, but McNichols still rushed seven times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Rarely are three running backs on the same team worth rostering, but the Washington offense has been a hotbed for fantasy points, so McNichols is a great stash for fantasy managers hurting at RB.
Trey Benson remains a high-end handcuff stash since James Conner has never gone a season without missing at least one game. Even if Benson gets starter treatment for one week this year, it will be worth the roster spot.
Ray Davis, like Benson, could become the starting running back for a top offense if the ball-carrier in front of him (James Cook) goes down. Davis would likely share time with Ty Johnson in that case, but it would make him at least a flex consideration.
Isaac Guerendo is worth stashing in deep setups as long as Christian McCaffrey remains sidelined. Jordan Mason has taken on a true workhorse role in San Francisco, but it's always smart to stash backup running backs in elite offenses.
Keaton Mitchell may not return until late in the year after suffering an ACL tear last season, but if you have an empty IR spot to stash him in, you might as well do it.
Note: Any direct backup running back, especially one in a good offense, should be considered a bench stash in deep leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Jalen Tolbert might be headed toward a rare "Year 3 breakout" season, especially after Brandin Cooks landed on injured reserve. The 2022 third-round pick caught seven of his 10 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown against the stingy Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 5. He can be utilized in flex spots until further notice.
THE DALLAS COWBOYS!! Dak to Tolbert for 6️⃣!
📺: #DALvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Jg7btATnJO— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2024
Allen Lazard has at least eight targets in three of five games this year, including a season-high 10 in Week 5. He's already hauled in four touchdowns this season, and Aaron Rodgers continues to lean on him as a trusted pass-catcher.
Michael Wilson has averaged 7.3 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 60.0 yards per game over the last three weeks. He trails just Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride in total targets among Arizona pass-catchers, meaning he looks like the clear WR2. Zay Jones can return from suspension this week, but Wilson's role should be secure after a great start to 2024.
Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell are operating as Matthew Stafford's No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers in the absence of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp is likely to return in Week 7 after the bye, but it could take longer for Nacua. Both young wideouts could keep a role at least until both starting WRs are back in action.
Quentin Johnston had his worst game of the season (one catch, nine yards) in Week 4 before the Chargers' Week 5 bye, but hopefully, quarterback Justin Herbert used the week off to get healthy. Johnston caught three touchdowns in three games to open the season. He and Ladd McConkey will likely "take turns" operating as Herbert's WR1 in 2024.
Tre Tucker didn't deliver in Week 5, catching just two passes for 18 yards. However, all signs point toward Davante Adams being traded, so Tucker will remain a featured piece of the Las Vegas offense -- for whatever that's worth.
Ray-Ray McCloud III has earned at least five targets in four of five games and at least seven targets in three of five games. Atlanta flexed its passing game led by Kirk Cousins in Week 5, and it will be worth seeing if the offense remains a high-flying attack moving forward. If so, McCloud could be a weekly double-digit scorer in your PPR flex spot.
Christian Watson was out in Week 5 due to an ankle injury and is likely to miss a few more games. However, the Packers' relationship with Romeo Doubs is on the rocks, and he was suspended in Week 5. When Watson returns, he'll be a boom-or-bust play as always, but if Doubs and Green Bay can't get along moving forward, that gives Watson at least a slightly better chance to produce each week.
Alec Pierce's production seems far from sustainable, but the third-year wideout out of Cincinnati has 13 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns through five weeks. He's averaging a whopping 28.3 yards per reception, and whether Joe Flacco or Anthony Richardson is in the game for the Colts, he'll continue to see opportunities deep down the field.
Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and Ja'Lynn Polk are likely to settle into the No. 1, 2, and 3 wide receiver roles in New England, and the Patriots are reportedly considering turning the keys of the offense over to rookie Drake Maye. If Maye exceeds expectations to begin his career, at least two of the Pats wideouts will become deep-league flex dice rolls.
Darius Slayton netted eight catches for 122 yards and one touchdown in the absence of Malik Nabers on Sunday. When Nabers returns, Slayton is likely the third option in the passing attack behind the rookie and Wan'Dale Robinson, but the Giants' passing game surprisingly looks competent, so Slayton could be worth a stash.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Taysom Hill is dealing with broken ribs and missed the Week 5 game against the Chiefs, but when he's healthy, he should be rostered in deep setups. The tight-end spot is tricky and scarce, and getting a player who is eligible in your lineup as a tight end but sees goal-line carries can be a big advantage.
Tyler Conklin has 15 receptions in his last five games, which is plenty of reason to target him at the scarce position.
Tyler Conklin snagged it!#NYJvsMIN on NFLN pic.twitter.com/LB4aMwkQ8b
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 6, 2024
Colby Parkinson saw a whopping 13 targets against the Packers on Sunday. After the Rams' Week 6 bye, he could become a featured piece of the offense, as long as either Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua remains out.
Zach Ertz could only secure two of his eight targets in Week 5, but any tight end who sees that much volume is worth a shot on your roster. It's now far from a hate take to say Washington has an elite NFL offense led by Jayden Daniels.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues/Superflex Leagues
Derek Carr has been up and down as always, but the New Orleans offense is dangerous when it's at its best, and Carr is set to face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary in Week 6 that gave up 500 passing yards to Kirk Cousins in prime time.
Daniel Jones has scored at least 18.3 fantasy points in three of his five games this year, and he had his best performance in Week 5 without Malik Nabers. Jones quietly has looked good over the last few weeks, and he's set to face the Bengals, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to signal-callers.
Daniel Jones finds Slayton in the end zone 🎯
📺: #NYGvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/clbzazMC51— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Will Levis has virtually no fantasy floor but draws a friendly matchup against the struggling Colts defense in Week 6. Indianapolis has surrendered 262.2 passing yards per game (fourth-most), so if you're in a tough spot at QB this week, he's a decent desperation play, assuming his shoulder injury doesn't keep him out of the AFC South duel.
Backup Quarterbacks To Stash For Two-QB/Superflex Leagues
- Jameis Winston, Browns
- Drew Lock, Giants
- Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
- Mason Rudolph, Titans
- Tyrod Taylor, Jets
- Aidan O'Connell, Raiders
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