Week 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Top Pickups After Week 5
Rico Dowdle leads names to pickup after huge performance vs Dolphins
Week 5 delivered some explosive performances and potential league-winners emerged from the woodwork. Whether you’re looking to bolster your roster or desperately seeking help due to injuries, this week’s waiver wire has options across all positions. Let’s break down the top targets you should be prioritizing when waivers clear.
Must-Add Players
Rico Dowdle, RB - Carolina Panthers
Week 5 Stats: 23 carries, 206 yards, 1 TD vs. Dolphins
Dowdle absolutely erupted against Miami, showcasing the talent that helped him hit over 1000 yards last season with Dallas. What makes this pickup even more enticing? He faces his former team in a revenge game during Week 6. Chuba Hubbard has been the lead back for the Panthers, but with his injury, Dowdle is earning more work with performances like this. His combination of volume and efficiency makes him the top priority on this week’s waiver wire.
Ryan Flournoy, WR - Dallas Cowboys
Week 5 Stats: 6 receptions, 112 yards on 9 targets
With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, Flournoy seized the extra opportunity and ran with it. While he’s undoubtedly a volatile FLEX option who won’t be a long-term solution once Lamb returns, his upside in the short term is there. If Lamb misses another week or two, Flournoy could be a difference maker at FLEX in your lineup. This is a classic “strike while the iron is hot” waiver pickup, nothing more.
Mason Taylor, TE - New York Jets
Recent Target Share: 6, 7, 12 targets in last three weeks
Taylor has quietly become the WR2 in this offense despite being a tight end. That target share is elite for the position, and his consistency over the past three weeks suggests this isn’t a fluke. He’s emerging as a high-end TE2 for the rest of season with legitimate weekly upside. In yet another year where streaming tight ends is the norm for most fantasy managers, finding consistency at the position is gold.
Intriguing Secondary Options
Kendrick Bourne, WR - San Francisco 49ers
Week 5 Stats: 10 receptions, 142 yards vs. Rams (TNF)
Bourne torched the Rams on Thursday night, but his value is directly tied to the health of Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. The 49ers offense has been decimated by injuries this season, but as long as Pearsall and Jennings remain banged up, Bourne will continue to see significant target volume. He’s a solid short-term add if you need immediate help, but monitor the injury reports closely.
Theo Johnson, TE - New York Giants
Week 5 Stats: 6 receptions, 33 yards, 2 TDs on 7 targets
With Malik Nabers out for the season, Johnson’s outlook just got significantly more interesting. While his Week 5 performance was heavily TD-dependent, the target share could increase substantially moving forward as the Giants look to fill the void left by Nabers. He’s worth adding in most leagues as the Giants will need someone to step up in the passing game, and Johnson’s athletic profile gives him weekly upside at TE.
AJ Barner, TE - Seattle Seahawks
Recent Performance: Top-10 TE in 3 of 5 weeks, 7 targets and 2 TDs in Week 5
Barner has been quietly productive, playing around 80% of snaps in four of five games this season. That snap share combined with his target volume makes him a reliable streaming option at tight end. He’s not going to win you weeks, but he provides a safe floor with touchdown upside in Seattle’s pass-heavy offense.
Deep League Stashes
Luke McCaffrey, WR - Washington Commanders
Week 5: 2 targets, flashing big play ability
McCaffrey continues to flash the big-play ability that made him an intriguing prospect, but the targets just aren’t there yet. He’s only worth rostering in deeper leagues (14+ teams) where you can afford to stash upside. If Washington’s offense continues to click and he carves out a larger role as the season goes on, or if McLaurin’s injury continues to linger, he could become relevant later in the season.
Desperation Adds Only
Kimani Vidal/Hassan Haskins, RB - Los Angeles Chargers
Situation: Omarion Hampton seen in walking boot after Week 5
With Hampton dealing with what appears to be a high ankle sprain, the Chargers backfield becomes a potential mess. Vidal would be the preferred pickup if you’re desperate for running back help, but this could easily turn into a frustrating committee situation. Unless you’re truly desperate at the position, this backfield might be more headache than value. Proceed with extreme caution.
Final Thoughts
Week 6’s waiver wire is headlined by potential impact players in Dowdle and short-term solutions with upside in Flournoy. The tight end position continues to offer streaming value with Taylor, Barner, and Johnson (whose outlook just improved dramatically with Nabers’ season-ending injury) all worth considering depending on your league’s depth.
Remember, the key to winning your league isn’t just about making the right draft picks, it’s about staying active on waivers and finding the breakout players before your competition does.
Ready to dominate your fantasy leagues? Subscribe to JHEN Fantasy for weekly waiver wire analysis, start/sit advice, trade evaluations, and expert insights that give you the edge you need to bring home a championship. Don’t leave your fantasy success to chance… join the JHEN Fantasy community today!