The FAAB bids will be flying this week in leagues where Kenneth Walker III is available, but even if he's already stashed on a roster, the bye weeks and other assorted injuries create roster holes that need to be filled. The best way to do that is on the waiver wire. Walker will certainly be the top Week 6 fantasy waiver pickup, but he's far from the only widely available player who can contribute. Cardinals' handcuff Eno Benjamin and Colts' handcuff Deon Jackson could also merit claims, and you know someone is going to overbid on QB/TE Taysom Hill. Pass-catchers like Darius Slayton, Jakobi Meyers, Alec Pierce, and Hayden Hurst will also be important. Regardless of whether you're planning on making waiver claims or waiting for free agent adds, you need to have your FAAB budget in order.
As we'll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let's break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 6 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Ray Kuhn, Fantasy Alarm
Carson Wentz (WAS). On an overall basis, Washington is not a very good football team, but that is very different than how things reflect upon them from a fantasy perspective. Out of five weeks so far this season, Wentz has been terrible in two weeks. In the other three, he has eclipsed the 300-yard mark with nine passing touchdowns. This week, Wentz takes on the Bears and that should lead to another solid showing. Projected FAAB Bid: 2-3% of total FAAB budget
Jimmy Garoppolo (SF). Garoppolo is never going to be a quarterback that truly lights things up and carries you over the top. At the same time, though, things are going pretty well for San Francisco at the moment. Garoppolo has value as a game manager who will not hurt your squad. If you are looking to plug a hole at the quarterback position, Garoppolo can help this week in a favorable matchup against Atlanta. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2% of budget
WEEK 6 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 6 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Kenneth Walker III (SEA). With Rashaad Penny (leg) sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Seahawks backfield now truly belongs to the rookie Walker. Seattle’s offense has surprisingly been pretty good this season, and after being drafted in the second round of April’s draft, big things were expected from Walker this season. This week was the busiest of Walker’s young career, as he turned eight carries into 88 yards, including an impressive 69-yard touchdown run. The fact that Walker has a clear hold on the job for Seattle goes a long way here as there is not much competition at the moment. Projected FAAB Bid: 18-20% of total FAAB budget
Eno Benjamin (ARI). It shouldn't be a surprise, but James Conner has been inconsistent and dealt with nagging health issues. That placed Benjamin on my radar before Sunday’s game, but the health issues surfaced again on Sunday with Conner leaving before halftime due to a rib injury. With Darrel Williams then injuring his knee, it left Benjamin as the last man standing for Arizona. Benjamin parlayed that into a season-high eight carries and three receptions. He totaled 53 yards and a TD. Depending on the health of Conner, it is unclear what Benjamin’s role will be next week against Seattle, but we do know it will be expanded. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-10% of budget
J.D. McKissic (WAS). There is not much excitement here in McKissic, especially with the return of Brian Robinson, but bye weeks are coming. That means there will be even more holes than normal to fill on rosters, and the third-down back does bring a certain level of security with him. Washington will generally either be trailing or in a position where they need to throw, and that will translate into targets for McKissic. While we might not be working with an incredibly high ceiling, there is a solid floor here in PPR leagues, as shown by McKissic catching five of his seven targets for 37 yards this past week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2% of budget
MORE RB CONSIDERATIONS (1-2% bids): Deon Jackson (IND); Mike Boone (DEN)
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 6 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Jakobi Meyers (NE). After being targeted 19 times in the first two weeks (13 receptions for 150 yards), Meyers found himself sidelined the next two weeks with a knee injury. That absence likely led to the receiver finding himself on his share of fantasy waiver wires, but Meyers returned in a big way last week. We do have to issue the caveat that it came against Detroit’s passing defense, but it is hard to argue with a 38-percent target share and the fact that Bailey Zappe was locked into Meyers all afternoon. Meyers was able to turn eight targets into seven receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown and there is no doubting who the No. 1 receiver for New England is. Projected FAAB Bid: 10-12% of total FAAB budget.
Alec Pierce (IND). Pierce had his share of buzz as it got closer to the regular season, but the rookie then had to wait until Week 3 to pick up his first career reception. In fairness to Pierce, the Colts’ offense as a unit was not in good shape over the first two weeks, but both Matt Ryan and the rookie receiver appear to have found their groove. It is no coincidence that Pierce’s success is tied to Ryan looking more comfortable, but it's hard to argue with 15 receptions for 222 yards over the past three weeks. Last week, Pierce was the best receiver across the board for the Colts, posting eight receptions for 81 yards on nine targets. Michael Pittman will also be a large factor in the passing game for Indianapolis, but there is enough room for both receivers to be viable fantasy options. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5% of budget
Darius Slayton (NYG). Something had to give in Giants’ receiving corps, as the G-Men are quite simply lacking options for Daniel Jones. After having flashes of success in the past, Slayton was a forgotten man entering the season and, really, up until last week. Slayton was targeted seven times and caught six passes for 79 yards, and with no one else really emerging among the receiving corps, I would look for him to continue to be involved moving forward. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3% of budget
MORE WR CONSIDERATIONS (1-2% bids): Josh Reynolds (DET); Isaiah McKenzie (BUF); Randall Cobb (GB); Marquez Valdes-Scantling (KC); Rondale Moore (ARI)
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 6 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Taysom Hill (NO). Hill is not eligible at TE on all sites, but he is on Yahoo (among others), so let us ride with him here. We also know how rough the position has been this season, so it's getting awfully hard to ignore what Hill is doing. That is certainly the case after his Week 5 performance, and while we do not want to go chasing stats, a nine-carry effort in which Hill gained 112 yards while finding the end zone three times is pretty significant. Hill also threw for a fourth touchdown, and the versatile Saint will likely continue to have a role in some facet each week for New Orleans. Projected FAAB Bid: 3-5% of total FAAB budget
Hayden Hurst (CIN). Hurst found the end zone for the second straight week on Sunday, catching six of his seven targets for 53 yards. While he does not stand out as truly explosive, Hurst does appear to be a relatively consistent option. The Bengals are a strong offense, so if we are looking for options off the waiver wire, there is enough to work with. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2% of budget
Week 6 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn't spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week's potential streaming pickups:
- Chicago Bears (vs. Commanders)
- Washington Commanders (@ Bears)
- Carolina Panthers (@ Rams)
- Cleveland Browns (vs. Patriots)
- New England Patriots (@ Browns)
- Cincinnati Bengals (@ Saints)
- Arizona Cardinals (@ Seahawks)
