Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN) - Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Just when it felt like Marcus Mariota had put everything together, Buffalo came and ate him alive. Mariota's 21.5 PPR fantasy points per game ranked 12th, sandwiched between old-foe Jameis Winston and GOAT Tom Brady. You know what Mariota did against the Bills, though? Put on a dud. Mariota finished the day with a paltry 8.6 fantasy points, coming down to earth after a season-best performance against Atlanta a week early. Should you trust him as a waiver wire add, then?

Yes, you should. Buffalo is not the best team to measure a quarterback against this season. The Bills have the third-best defense against QBs, allowing just 13.9 points per game to the position. They have only surrendered three passing touchdowns-- that's league-best other than the otherworldly Patriots, who have yet to give up one and they limited Brady to 150 yards even picking him once in Week 4. In a tough game, Mariota finished with just 183 yards on 13 completions for no touchdowns. Is this his true talent level? I doubt it. I don't think he can put on weekly performances such as that of Week 4 (18-of-27, 227 yards, three touchdowns) but he can easily produce in the middle of those two outcomes.

Mariota is averaging 223 yards per game and has already seven passing touchdowns without a single interception. He's only four scores shy of his 2018 mark and although he's not risking passes more than he has in the past (his 7.9 yards per attempt go only 0.3 yards further than last season's average of 7.6), he's limiting mistakes. For someone available in more than 85% of the leagues, Mariota's upside is very high. His floor shouldn't drop under 15 points per game and his ceiling is at 30, although that won't happen too frequently.

With Denver next on the Titans schedule, I'd advise to pass on starting Mariota against the Broncos but still acquire him from waivers if you have room in your roster. After Week 6 is over, the matchups against the Chargers and most of all Tampa Bay look much more favorable to Mariota and he could become a good option if you're streaming the position weekly. And if he has done well by then, Carolina and high-scoring-bringer Kansas City will be waiting in Weeks 9 and 10.