Welcome to Week 6 everyone. Leagues are starting to separate the upper echelon and the bottom feeders and it's important to not stay complacent in this time. There are gems to be found and more importantly, owners with bye week conflicts to trade with.
Once again, we have some injuries to report. Eddie Lacy (ankle), Steve Smith (high ankle sprain), and Jeremy Hill (chest) were the main victims of the injury bug, which makes this a quiet week compared to the first four games.
Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 5. Each price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget. Be sure to also check out our weekly waiver wire analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all Week 5 options.
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 6 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
James Starks (GB, RB) - $5-7
21% owned in Fleaflicker
The biggest injury to report was in the late night contest, as Eddie Lacy had to leave the game with an ankle injury. Starks entered and was rather ineffective, seeing 12 carries for 33 yards and three catches for 19 yards. Starks has had numerous opportunities in the past when Lacy has messed time or been ineffective, and each time he's disappointed fantasy owners. Lacy is reportedly OK for Week 6, making this an add for Lacy owners and RB-desperate owners in deep formats.
Devontae Booker (DEN, RB) - $4-7
28% owned in Fleaflicker
CJ Anderson came out storming to start the year, but it's Booker who has impressed lately. Booker has begun chipping in CJA's carries, getting six rushes for 23 yards, but more importantly is the pass involvement. Booker saw six targets and caught four for 35 yards.
Currently Booker has little value in fantasy. But if Anderson were to go down, Booker has shown he can be a three-down back and see a minimum of 15-20 touches. That makes him a valuable handcuff to stash for RB-needy teams.
Bobby Rainey (NYG, RB) – FAAB Bid: $4-7
8% owned in Fleaflicker
Rainey continued to impress in Rashad Jenning's second missed contest, rushing five times for 22 yards and catching six passes for 52 yards. He's proven to be a useful PPR asset, reaching double-digits the past two games. His value is tired directly to Jennings, but should Jennings miss Week 6 Rainey enters the FLEX consideration.
Also Consider: Kenneth Dixon (BAL, RB) - $4-7, Josh Ferguson (IND, RB) - $1-2, Mike Gillislee (BUF, RB) - $1-2
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Wide Receivers
Sammie Coates ($15-18) was one of our Week 5 targets. If he is available, he is the No. 1 option this week.
Cameron Meredith (CHI, WR) - FAAB Bid: $10-15
3% owned in Fleaflicker
At 3% ownership, it's safe to say none of us believed the Bears when they said Meredith would replace Kevin White in the No. 2 slot. He certainly showed everyone wrong, seeing 12 targets (led team) for nine catches and 130 yards with a touchdown. Meredith showed excellent route running and speed, making his a viable fantasy asset going forward. Eddie Royal is primarily a slot receiver, allowing Meredith to see playing time going forward. With a Meredith-Royal-Alshon Jeffrey-Zach Miller-Jordan Howard core, the Bears suddenly look dangerous on offense.
Jeremy Kerley (SF, WR) - FAAB Bid: $7-12
9% owned in Fleaflicker
Yes, owning 49ers in not a fun experience, but we need to give Kerley a shot. Kerley saw 13 targets and caught eight for 102 yards with a touchdown. He now has seen 22 targets the past two weeks and turned them into 190 yards and two touchdowns. As the slot receiver in the Chip Kelly's offense, he is getting peppered with targets on a weekly basis. He is a WR3 in PPR formats and has FLEX appeal in standard formats.
Chris Hogan (NE, WR) - FAAB Bid: $4-7
45% owned in Fleaflicker
It's not often you can still find shares in the Tom Brady-led Patriots, but Hogan represents the last opportunity. He showed promise in the preseason and he delivered on Sunday, catching four-of-five targets for 114 yards. That included a 43 and 63 yard pass, the latter being a beautiful deep ball from Brady. Brady hasn't had a legitimate receiver he can trust opposite Edelman, and Edelman is designed for the short/intermediate routes. This creates a legitimate opportunity for Hogan to shine. He is on the WR3/WR4 map going forward.
Also Consider: Brandon LaFell (CIN, WR) - $2-4, Adam Thielen (MIN, WR) - $3-5, Davante Adams (GB, WR) - $1-2
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Tight Ends
Last week was the last chance to grab the solid tight ends. If Zack Ertz ($10), Martellus Bennett ($10), or Hunter Henry ($5) are available, nab them first.
C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU, TE) - FAAB Bid: $3-5
2% owned in Fleaflicker
Sunday was a rough day for the Texans offense, notably Will Fuller and Deandre Hopkins, but Fiedorowicz had a chance to shine. Ryan Griffin left with a shoulder injury and C.J. proceeded to see eight targets, hauling in four for 61 yards. If Griffin misses Week 6, Fiedorowicz has a great matchup with a porous Colts defense and would be a TE option in 12+ leagues.
Charles Clay (BUF, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1-2
44% owned in Fleaflicker
Clay has had a quiet start to 2016 but was Tyrod Tayler's No. 1 target on Sunday, catching all five passes for 73 yards. The loss of Sammy Watkins has forced Taylor to look elsewhere, and Marquise Goodwin is not a reliable enough WR to pair with Robert Woods. This allows Clay some targets for owners desperate for tight end help. The 49ers have allowed the 26th most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Also Consider: Lance Kendricks (STL, TE) - FAAB Bid: $1
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN) - FAAB Bid: $5-7
68% owned in Fleaflicker
There may be a chance Mariota was dropped after his sluggish start to 2016, but it's time to make those owners pay. Mariota threw for three scores and ran for another on Sunday along with 163 passing yards and 60 rushing. He's a dual threat QB and defenses are stacking the box for Demarco Murray, giving Mariota a serious chance to make teams pay. He gets the porous Browns in Week 6, making him a QB1 this week.
Brian Hoyer (QB, CHI) - FAAB Bid: $3-5
28% owned in Fleaflicker
If you need QB help and haven't grabbed Hoyer, I cannot help you. He is the No. 4 QB since Cutler went down and has consecutive games with 300 yards and two touchdowns. This week he gets the Jaguars who have allowed 25th most points to quarterbacks this year. Keep riding the Hoyer train.
Also Consider: Trevor Siemian - $1-2
FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Defense
Steelers D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3
52% owned in Fleaflicker
The Steelers have seven sacks in the past two weeks and continue to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Ryan Tannehill has looked horrendous to start 2016 and the Dolphins have no running game to speak of. The Dolphins have allowed the 26th most points to opposing defenses.
Titans - FAAB Bid: $1-3
10% owned in Fleaflicker
The Titans looked terrific on defense last week, racking up six sacks with two interceptions versus the Dolphins. They now have four interceptions in their past two games and get the lowly Cleveland Browns in Week 6 who just lost Cody Kessler with no viable backup. This is going to be a popular stream in Week 6.
Bills D/ST - FAAB Bid: $1-3
70% owned in Fleaflicker
Bills Mafia continues to wreak havoc and has scored double digit fantasy points in four of the first five weeks. The 49ers are reportedly considering replacing Blaine Gabbert and Sunday will not help his case. Bills will remain a top 5 defense going forward and should be universally owned.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!