Backup running backs are in the spotlight this week, as several handcuffs will be among the top Week 6 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. Devontae Booker and Darrel Williams stand out after particularly nasty injuries to Saquon Barkley and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, respectively, but second-stringers Rhamondre Stevenson, Khalil Herbert, Alex Collins, Samaje Perine, and AJ Dillon also stepped up this week just in time for the byes. Streamers will be important this time of year, which is why plenty more WRs (Marquez Callaway), TEs (Hunter Henry), and QBs (Carson Wentz) will be added after waivers clear around 4-5 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings in ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Our full free agent list features even more matchup-based streamers, including several TEs and D/STs, which can be found at the end of this list. If you're freaking out because Younghoe Koo is on bye, then you can check out our Week 6 kicker rankings and/or hopefully become a mature adult soon.
MORE WEEK 6: Full waiver list | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
This feels like a week where there's going to be a lot of competition for the top pickups, so be prepared to use a top claim if you want Booker or Williams. It's unclear how long Barkley is going to be out, so Booker might wind up being nothing one more than a one-week fill-in. If that's not good enough for you, opt for Williams, who figures to get at least three starts before CEH comes back.
There likely aren't any other players worth top claims, though Kadarius Toney will undoubtedly get bid up and Michael Carter could also command some attention even though he's on bye next week. In deeper leagues where those players are already owned, you can probably wait things out and see what you can get in the free agent scramble.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 6
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.
Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will miss a few weeks because of an MCL injury, paving the way for Williams to take over as Kansas City's lead running back. He hasn't done much this season with limited touches, but he showed what he could do last season in the playoffs when Edwards-Helaire was hurt, racking up 130 rushing yards (26 carries), 25 receiving yards (five catches), and a TD in the Chiefs' first two playoff games. Expect similar results this year with favorable matchups upcoming against Washington, Tennessee, and the Giants.
Carson Wentz, QB, Colts. Wentz had a unexpectedly huge night against the Ravens on Monday, throwing for 402 yards and two TDs. He's now had multiple TDs in three-of-five games and can seemingly take advantage of favorable matchups. He gets one in Week 6 when Indianapolis takes on Houston, making him a prime streaming option. A matchup against Tennessee in Week 8 might make him worth hanging onto, as well.
MORE WEEK 6: Full waiver list | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears. Herbert had two more carries and played more snaps than Damien Williams last week. The latter outproduced him, largely because of his receiving work and a short touchdown, but it seems clear Herbert will be part of the offense as long as David Montgomery (knee) is out. Perhaps things will change this week if Chicago is trailing against Green Bay as expected, but Herbert is still worth a free agent add as a potential flex now that the bye weeks are here.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Alex Collins, RB, Seahawks. It seems likely that Chris Carson (neck) will be back soon, so it's possible Collins doesn't have much value going forward. But he showed last Thursday when he totaled 72 yards on 17 touches that he'll be Seattle's primary back whenever Carson is out. He's worth adding as a handcuff, as Carson is no lock to make it through the rest of the season.
Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys. Gallup injured his calf in the season opener and was expected to return to three-to-five weeks. We're coming up on the end of that timetable, and while there hasn't been much news on Gallup's progress, we have to think he'll be back soon. Stash him now and enjoy the WR3 production after the Cowboys' Week 7 bye, as matchups against Minnesota, Denver, Atlanta, and Kansas City await in Weeks 8-11.
For additional waiver and free agent suggestions, including Devontae Booker, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kadarius Toney, Marquez Callaway, Hunter Henry, and more, check out our full Week 6 list.
