- Several running backs, including Michael Carter and the duo of Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal, are top waiver wire targets due to injuries on their respective teams.
- Tight ends AJ Barner and Theo Johnson had multi-touchdown games and are widely available in fantasy leagues.
- Wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Ryan Flournoy are potential pickups after posting career highs in receiving yards in Week 5.
Things couldn’t have worked out any better for fantasy football managers who scooped up Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle off the waiver wire last week and put him in their starting lineups.
Dowdle, as you probably know by now, rushed for an NFL season-high 206 yards and found the end zone in his first start of 2025. He would likely be the top priority on this week’s waiver wire, but his roster rate (59% on Yahoo) has climbed above the threshold to be included on our Week 6 list. Even if former starter Chuba Hubbard returns this week against Dallas, Dowdle is worth adding if he’s available.
Meanwhile, there are a number of other options if you’re looking to upgrade your fantasy roster.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 6
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
RB Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (39% rostered)
The big question last week was Carter vs. Emari Demercado as the next man up in Arizona. That was answered definitively with Carter doubling up Demercado in offensive snaps 38-17 and in usage with 18 carries and five receptions for 73 total yards and a score. (It didn’t help Demercado’s case that he fumbled away a potential game-clinching touchdown.) Carter was the lead back on first and second downs and is in position to be the starter for the rest of the way. Those players are rarely found on the waiver wire, so move aggressively. (Recommended FAAB bid: $40)
RBs Hassan Haskins (3%) and Kimani Vidal (1%), Los Angeles Chargers
Injuries are also playing a role in the Chargers’ backfield – which already lost Najee Harris for the season and just this past week saw promising rookie Omarion Hampton go on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Enter the duo of Haskins and Vidal. They were both on the field for 14 snaps in Week 5 with Haskins gaining 13 yards on five carries and Vidal going 4-18. Figure on Haskins getting early-down and short-yardage work with Vidal serving as the change-of-pace back this week at Miami. (FAAB bids: Haskins $12, Vidal $6)
WR Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers (4%)
Bourne was a godsend for the injury-depleted Niners receiving corps last Thursday, hauling in 10 of 11 targets for a career-high 142 yards. Bourne and Demarcus Robinson served as the main wideouts with Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings both out. We’ll see if either can return this week on extended rest. If not, Bourne could be in for another heavy workload. (FAAB bid: $9)
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (9%)
Coker is a sneaky pickup if your league allows players on injured reserve to be added on waivers. Out all season with a quadriceps injury, the Panthers are expected to open Coker’s 21-day practice window this week. He would give QB Bryce Young another viable target to pair with with Tetairoa McMillan. (FAAB bid: $5)
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (12%)
If you need a tight end this week, do we have options for you! Leading the way is our resident fantasy zombie. Hill has terrorized fantasy managers throughout his career by vulturing touchdowns and occasionally putting up massive point totals. In his 2025 debut, he appeared exclusively at quarterback, rushing six times for minus-1 yard, but also completing a 19-yard pass. If he’s eligible at a tight end in your league, he’s worth rostering for what he might potentially do with more opportunities. (FAAB bid: $7)
TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets (14%)
The Jets rookie led all tight ends with 12 targets and nine receptions in Week 5. He’s seeing his role grow by the week and reached a season-high 60 snaps in a blowout loss to Dallas. If the Jets are going to keep falling behind and QB Justin Fields is going to have to throw 40 times a game, Taylor will be even more valuable. Unfortunately, the Broncos defense will likely provide more resistance this week than the Cowboys did. (FAAB bid: $7)
TE AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks (2%)
Barner set a career high with seven receptions for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Sunday, finishing as the top fantasy tight end for the week. He’s now produced four TDs in five weeks. Pick him up for his enticing matchup with Jacksonville in Week 6. (FAAB bid: $6)
TE Theo Johnson, New York Giants (11%)
Another two-TD tight end who’s widely available. QB Jaxson Dart seems comfortable connecting with another rookie, hitting Johnson six times for 33 yards and the two scores on Sunday. A pair of matchups against the Eagles sandwiching one against the Broncos will limit the ceiling for Johnson and fellow tight end Daniel Bellinger (4-52) over the next three weeks. (FAAB bid: $5)
WR Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys (0%)
Where did THIS guy come from? (A: Southeast Missouri State, if you were wondering) With CeeDee Lamb still out and KeVontae Turpin sidelined, Flournoy stepped into the complementary role alongside George Pickens and hauled in six passes for 114 yards. That, after totaling just 137 yards previously in his two NFL seasons. With QB Dak Prescott playing so well, Flournoy is worth a speculative add to grab at least a speculative a piece of the Cowboys offense. (FAAB bid: $5)
RB A.J. Dillon, Philadelphia Eagles (0%)
Saquon Barkley, fresh off a 30-yard game against Denver, showed up on the injury report Monday with knee soreness. It may be nothing … or it may explain something. Either way, Barkley is expected to play on Thursday against the Giants. Just in case anything concerning pops up between now and then (or afterward), those who have Barkley on their rosters should be aware that Dillion is the definitive handcuff. (FAAB bid: $3)
Fantasy football quarterbacks to stream in Week 6
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (31%)
C.J. Stroud is the only start-worthy fantasy quarterback on bye this week (pending Lamar Jackson injury news), but the matchups could make a couple of streamers rather enticing. Darnold has been carving up defenses lately, finishing as the QB3 in Week 5 after throwing for four TDs against the Buccaneers. He’s still available in enough leagues to warrant consideration against the Jaguars. (FAAB bid: $6)
QBs Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (19%)
Young allowed Dowdle to shoulder much of the load in an upset of Miami, but he has shown flashes during the season. The main selling point: The Panthers are playing the Cowboys, who have given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. (FAAB bid: $4)
QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (2%)
Speaking of fantasy zombies, Tuesday’s trade gives Flacco yet another NFL lifeline after he was benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel in Cleveland. While the 250-mile drive down I-71 doesn’t necessarily make Flacco a fantasy-relevant starter, it does bode well for Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins – who have largely struggled with Jake Browning at QB. (FAAB bid: $1)