I’ve mentioned many reasons why different players can become relevant throughout the season, listing injury as one. In Week 5, we saw a few injuries that could lead to more volume and opportunities for backup players.
I’ll help you decide which fantasy football waiver wire pickups you should be making that could benefit your fantasy teams now, later in the season, or just for the upcoming Week 6.
Note: Free-Agent Acquisition Budget dollar bid prices for Week 6 based on a season-long budget of $100. Adjust your percentage and scale accordingly for your league’s unique FAAB allotment and your remaining FAAB dollars.
(Roster % is based on Yahoo! Fantasy leagues information.)
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 6: Top Pickups
Devontae Booker, RB, New York Giants (5% rostered)
An ankle injury to Saquon Barkley against the Cowboys led to opportunities for Devontae Booker. He ran the ball 16 times for 42 yards and a touchdown and caught 3 of his 4 targets for 16 yards and a score.
It was an impressive showing in a limited and unexpected workload for the Giants’ backup running back.
Saquon Barkley was seen in crutches and a boot on his left ankle after the game. Reports from early Sunday night are saying he suffered a low-ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week.
Devontae Booker is expected to handle the volume in the Giants backfield if Barkley must miss time. Ankle sprains are tricky and impact all players differently.
Booker is worth an add in all fantasy formats given the recent injury history of Saquon Barkley.
- Devontae Booker Week 6 FAAB Bid: $12
Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants (16% rostered)
Kadarius Toney had high expectations coming into the 2021 season. He was not fantasy-relevant through the first 3 weeks.
In Week 4, he saw 9 targets and totaled 78 yards. No one expected what he would do in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys. Toney caught 10 of 13 targets for 189 receiving yards before getting ejected with 5 minutes left in the game for throwing a punch.
Sunday marked a true breakout performance for Kadarius Toney.
It is worth noting that Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton were out for the second game in a row, and Kenny Golladay left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury.
The targets naturally funneled to Toney, but he looked amazing every time he touched the ball. He made some impressive catches and caused many defenders to miss tackles with his footwork.
Daniel Jones suffered a concussion in this game. Backup quarterback Mike Glennon stepped in and continuously targeted Kadarius Toney.
Even if Jones were to miss time — or if Toney should be suspended for any reason stemming from that incident — Toney showed why he should be one of the most targeted players on the Giants and this week’s fantasy football waiver wire.
The potential for Golladay to miss time would balance out the potential returns of Shepard and/or Slayton in coming weeks, which would preserve Toney’s role.
- Kadarius Toney Week 6 FAAB Bid: $10
Marquez Callaway, WR, New Orleans Saints (30% rostered)
Marquez Callaway is beginning to find his groove in the Saints offense. He now has 200 receiving yards on 10 receptions and 3 touchdowns in his last 3 games. He leads all Saints wideouts in targets (21), receptions (13), and touchdowns (3).
We have seen big-play ability from Callaway, totaling 74 receiving yards with just 2 targets in Week 4. Now, he earned more target share in Week 5 and did not disappoint. Callaway caught 4 of his season-best 8 targets for his season-best 85 yards, and his season-best 2 touchdowns.
Callaway is trending in the right direction and doesn’t have much competition among the wide receiver group. As he continues to grow as a player, so will his target share and production.
- Marquez Callaway Week 6 FAAB Bid: $9
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks (1% rostered)
If you told me before the season started that I would recommend picking Geno Smith up from the waiver wire, I would have thought you were crazy. It goes to show you just how fluid the NFL can be.
Obviously, I am not recommending you acquire Smith if you are in 12-team, single quarterback leagues. This is a play for 2QB, Superflex, and/or deeper leagues.
Russell Wilson suffered an injury to his right middle finger and already had corrective surgery on Friday. According to the doctor who performed the surgery, Wilson suffered a rupture to his extensor tendon and a fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint.
A lot of big words to describe an injury that will likely keep Wilson sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Geno Smith stepped in for Wilson and gave the Seahawks a fighting chance against the Rams. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 131 yards, a touchdown, and one interception.
The weapons Smith has to throw to in Seattle’s offense paired with his ability to run with the ball, make him an intriguing option if you are in need of a quarterback.
- Geno Smith Week 6 FAAB Bid: $6
NEW — Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (17% rostered)
The running back position has been volatile this season. It’s important to have some depth with some players who will see increased opportunity.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday and is expected to miss a few weeks. Darrel Williams appears to be next in line for the Chiefs backfield. This could turn into a “hot hand” approach, but if Williams becomes the workhorse, he could provide decent fantasy production for your injured starters or to fill bye weeks.
- Darrel Williams Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $6
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 6: Best Players To Stash
NEW — Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions (3% rostered)
When it comes to deciding who to acquire off waivers, you want some kind of consistency. Amon-Ra St. Brown has two consecutive weeks with 8 targets. He has totaled 13 receptions for 135 receiving yards in his last 2 games.
Jared Goff is ranked No. 5 in pass attempts this season. This is the type of situation you want your wide receivers to be in. With St. Brown’s target share increasing, he should see solid fantasy production moving forward.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $5
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 6: One-Week Streamer Plays
NEW — Cincinnati Bengals (9% rostered)
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has actually been a viable option for fantasy football this season. They haven’t allowed a crazy number of points and have done a great job getting to opposing quarterbacks.
The Bengals have 13 sacks, 4 interceptions, and a fumble recovery through 5 weeks. They matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 6, who have given up the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season.
- Cincinnati Bengals Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $3
NEW — Green Bay Packers (25% rostered)
The Packers defense has double-digit fantasy points in 4 consecutive weeks, establishing a knack for turnovers. Through 5 weeks, the Green Bay Packers defense has 10 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.
They have a great matchup in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears, who have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to defenses in 2021.
- Green Bay Packers Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $3
