Finding the right Fantasy Football Week 6 waiver wire targets can make or break your season. With injuries, breakout performances, and shifting depth charts after Week 5, the waiver wire is packed with must-add players who can give your roster an edge. Whether you’re looking for a running back to replace an injured starter, a wide receiver with breakout potential, or a quarterback stream for Week 6, we’ve got you covered with the top waiver wire pickups you need to prioritize.
Michael Carter, RB (ARI)
Rostered: 39%
With both Trey Benson and James Conner on injured reserve, Michael Carter has stepped into a true early-down role that fantasy football managers can’t ignore. While Emari Demercado generated buzz due to his role in Week 4, Carter dominated the work that matters, handling 18 carries and running 18 routes while playing over 57% of the snaps. The Cardinals’ coaching staff clearly trusts him in Conner’s old role, and his involvement as both a runner and receiver gives him a solid weekly floor. Even though Demercado ripped off a long run, it came on third down and ended in a costly fumble, further cementing Carter’s lead-back status. In fantasy football leagues where he’s still available, Carter is one of the top waiver wire priorities heading into Week 6.
Arizona’s offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, has preferred a two-man backfield all season, but Carter has emerged as the early-down staple with the most valuable touches. The fact that he handled goal-line work and caught five passes only boosts his appeal, especially during a stretch filled with bye-week gaps. Carter profiles as a borderline RB2 with upside depending on game script and matchup, particularly with the Cardinals’ offense leaning heavily on volume-based production. Managers who grabbed him off the waiver wire last week were rewarded with immediate usability, and he should remain in starting conversations until Benson returns. Given the uncertainty surrounding Arizona’s depth behind him, Carter offers both weekly value and long-term insurance in fantasy football formats.
Hassan Haskins, RB (LAC)
Rostered: 1%
Fantasy football managers digging into the waiver wire for a potential starting running back should keep a close eye on Hassan Haskins. With Omarion Hampton exiting Week 5 with a foot and ankle injury and spotted in a walking boot afterward, the Chargers’ backfield could open up as early as this week. Haskins operated as the primary early-down backup before Hampton went down, out-snapping Kimani Vidal leading up to the injury and immediately stepping back in afterward. At 6’1”, 220 pounds, he profiles as the likely goal-line option if Hampton misses time, which gives him touchdown upside fantasy managers covet in spot starts. His college resume at Michigan showed that he can handle volume, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
While Kimani Vidal has generated more hype, Haskins has clearly been ahead of him on the depth chart based on recent snap usage. Vidal only played 1 snap with the 1st team after Hampton’s injury, compared to Haskins’ 8. The Chargers could lean on a rotation if Hampton sits, but Haskins appears to be the early favorite for carries in neutral game scripts. Even if he ends up in a timeshare, his size and role around the goal line give him immediate fantasy football relevance as a potential starter. He’s the type of running back you stash now before clarity hits, because his waiver wire price will spike the moment Hampton is officially ruled out. Managers in deeper leagues or those hurting at RB should act now rather than wait.
Jaxson Dart, QB (NYG)
Rostered: 39%
Jaxson Dart has quietly become one of the more interesting waiver wire quarterbacks in fantasy football thanks to his rushing floor and volume-based usage. In two starts, he’s averaged 55 rushing yards per game while attempting 40 passes in Week 5, showing the dual-threat profile that sustains weekly fantasy value. Despite averaging only 5.2 yards per attempt as a passer, his 18.7 fantasy points per game as a starter puts him on the streaming radar. Losing Malik Nabers hurts his ceiling, but the Giants’ tendency to play from behind ensures he’ll continue to see heavy dropbacks and scrambling opportunities. With fantasy football managers desperate for stability at quarterback during bye weeks, Dart is trending up.
The upcoming schedule is challenging, with matchups against the Eagles twice and the Broncos sprinkled in, but his combination of passing volume and rushing ability gives him a safe floor. Managers in superflex leagues or those dissatisfied with low-ceiling QB2s should strongly consider adding him from the waiver wire. Compared to options like Sam Darnold or Tua Tagovailoa, Dart offers a higher ceiling over the rest of the season thanks to his athleticism and usage. If he maintains his current scoring pace and gets even modest improvement through the air, a top-12 fantasy quarterback outcome isn’t out of reach. Even if you don’t start him immediately, he’s worth stashing before he delivers a 30-point outing.
Mason Taylor, TE (NYJ)
Rostered: 13%
Mason Taylor has emerged as one of the most exciting tight end waiver wire targets in fantasy football after back-to-back productive outings. Over the past two weeks, he’s commanded a massive target share, 25.9% in Week 4 and 26% in Week 5. With nine receptions for 67 yards in Week 5 and a TE1 finish in Week 4, Taylor has carved out a reliable role as the Jets’ No. 2 option behind Garrett Wilson. His snap share has consistently hovered around 80% or higher, making his usage elite compared to other waiver wire tight ends. Even in a tough matchup, his upcoming schedule includes more favorable opponents in Carolina and Cincinnati.
Taylor’s growing connection with his quarterback and expanding role in the red zone make him more than just a streaming option. His week-to-week targets have increased steadily, and the Jets clearly are expanding his weekly responsibilities. With the position lacking upside, Taylor offers top-10 rest-of-season upside at TE if his trajectory continues. Managers frustrated with inconsistent veterans should grab him off the waiver wire before it’s too late. He’s not just a fill-in; he’s positioning himself as a potential every-week starter.
Brashard Smith, RB (KC)
Rostered: 3%
Brashard Smith is the type of speculative waiver wire pickup that can completely shift your RB rook. The Chiefs’ backfield has struggled to generate explosive plays, with both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaging mediocre yardage and lacking big-play bursts. Meanwhile, Smith has shown juice on limited snaps, leading the team in yards after contact per attempt. With Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both speaking positively about the rookie, there’s real buzz that his role could grow as early as Week 6. His 4.39 speed and pass-catching ability give him a skill set the Chiefs otherwise lack in their backfield.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect standalone value immediately, but Smith is the rare bench stash who could skyrocket if he earns even 8–10 touches per game. He has already seen his snap count rise from five to 19 before the Week 5 matchup, and the coaching staff has hinted at expanding his opportunities. Given the Chiefs’ unpredictable but high-upside offensive ecosystem, Smith is exactly the kind of waiver wire lottery ticket savvy managers chase. If he overtakes Hunt or eats into Pacheco’s role, he’ll be flex-worthy in PPR and half-PPR formats with Jerrick McKinnon-type upside.
Jalen Coker, WR (CAR)
Rostered: 10%
Jalen Coker is one of the better forward-looking waiver wire stashes in fantasy football as he nears his return from injured reserve. Before going down with a quad injury, he was locked into a starting role opposite Tetairoa McMillan and had earned the trust of the coaching staff throughout the offseason. With a revolving door of second options in Carolina’s passing game, Coker can reclaim a meaningful role immediately. In his last six games of 2024, he posted an 18.3% target share and averaged nearly 56 receiving yards per game, flashing weekly Flex upside. The Panthers‘ offense has also shown signs of life, which boosts Coker’s appeal once he’s activated.
Carolina faces the Cowboys in Week 6, a defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers through the first few weeks, making Coker a sneaky stash before he’s widely discussed. His versatility allows him to play both outside and in the slot, and Dave Canales’ history of feeding slot receivers could unlock additional volume. Fantasy football managers looking to stay ahead of the waiver wire curve should roster Coker before he returns to full practice. He’s the type of mid-season addition who can become a weekly Flex option by November. With Bryce Young in need of a reliable secondary target, Coker could emerge quickly once healthy.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB (PIT)
Rostered: 33%
Kenneth Gainwell was one of the biggest surprises of Week 4 and immediately put himself back on the fantasy football radar as a priority waiver wire addition. With Jaylen Warren out, Gainwell dominated snaps, touching the ball 25 times and scoring twice while racking up 134 total yards against the Vikings. His performance was not only efficient, it was arguably more dynamic than anything Warren has shown this season. While Warren is expected to return in Week 6, Gainwell’s breakout may force a more even committee moving forward. That makes him a high-value handcuff who also carries standalone Flex potential in the right matchup.
Even if Gainwell returns to a secondary role, he’s one injury away from reclaiming feature-back usage in a run-friendly offense. His involvement as both a rusher and receiver gives him multiple paths to fantasy production, which is exactly what managers need on their benches. With bye weeks beginning and injuries mounting, Gainwell should already be rostered in 12-team formats, and deeper leagues should treat him as a must-add. He offers both insurance and upside, the two qualities that define the best waiver wire running backs. If Warren’s knee flares up again, Gainwell instantly jumps into top-20 RB territory.
Kendre Miller, RB (NO)
Rostered: 6%
Kendre Miller is steadily becoming one of the most important waiver wire stashes in fantasy football as his role in the Saints’ offense grows. While Alvin Kamara remains the starter, his snap share has dropped significantly over the past two weeks, particularly on early downs and in short-yardage situations. Miller has capitalized, logging 10 carries in Week 5 and even handling all of the short-yardage snaps over Kamara. His usage in Weeks 4 and 5, including 65 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo, shows the team trusts him with meaningful touches. With Kamara’s name floating in trade rumors, Miller’s path to a larger workload is closer than most realize.
Even without a Kamara injury or trade, Miller is flirting with standalone Flex value based on recent trends. He’s healthy for the first time in his NFL career and offers a physical rushing style that the Saints seem eager to integrate. If New Orleans continues decreasing Kamara’s early-down role, Miller could see 10–12 touches per game by midseason. Every fantasy football roster needs contingency upside, and Miller fits the profile of a league-winning waiver wire add if circumstances break his way. Managers should stash him now while his roster percentage is still low.
Isaiah Bond, WR (CLE)
Rostered: 6%
Isaiah Bond is flying under the radar on the waiver wire despite carving out a prominent role in the Browns’ passing game. With Cedric Tillman and DeAndre Carter on injured reserve, Bond has stepped into a top-two wide receiver role and posted a 19.4% target share over the last two weeks. He finished second on the team in targets in Week 5 and out-targeted the rest of the receiver group combined. The upcoming matchups against the Steelers and Dolphins are making him even more intriguing. The matchups themselves make Bond a sneaky Flex play in deeper PPR formats. As Dillon Gabriel settles in under center, Cleveland’s passing volume could tick upward.
Bond also benefits from a favorable rest-of-season schedule, with the Browns having the second-easiest slate for wide receivers. Any rookie wideout earning this kind of usage early deserves immediate attention from fantasy football managers scanning the waiver wire for breakouts. While the Browns’ offense isn’t explosive, opportunity often outweighs efficiency when bye weeks hit. Bond isn’t a locked-in starter yet, but he’s trending upward and could become a weekly Flex with one strong outing. Smart managers will stash him now before his production catches up to his usage.
Green Bay Packers, DEF
Rostered: 42%
The Packers’ defense returns from the bye looking to reestablish itself as a reliable fantasy football unit after being tormented by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys in Week 4. While Green Bay has been a below-average fantasy option to this point, ranking 23rd with just 5.3 fantasy points per game, this is the perfect get-right spot against Jake Browning and the Bengals. Cincinnati’s offense has looked completely lost without Joe Burrow, scoring only 37 points across its last three games, while Browning has thrown eight interceptions. The Packers’ pass rush and secondary both have bounce-back potential at home, especially after defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had extra time to adjust during the bye. Fantasy managers looking for a Week 6 streaming defense or a waiver wire stash should strongly consider Green Bay, as their matchup against a turnover-prone Bengals offense presents real double-digit upside.
Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions
- Bryce Young QB (CAR) – 19% rostered
- Tyler Allgeier RB (ATL) – 31% rostered
- Isaiah Davis RB (NYJ) – 6% rostered
- Kimani Vidal RB (LAC) – 0% rostered
- Darnell Mooney WR (ATL) – 33% rostered
- Troy Franklin WR (DEN) – 30% rostered
- Kendrick Bourne WR (SF) – 4% rostered
- Theo Johnson TE (NYG) – 11% rostered
- Harold Fannin Jr. TE (CLE) – 27% rostered
- Brenton Strange TE (JAC) – 49% rostered
- Taysom Hill TE (NO) – 7% rostered
- New England Patriots DEF – 16% rostered
- Las Vegas Raiders DEF – 2% rostered
- Chris Boswell K (PIT) – 45% rostered
- Daniel Carlson K (LV) – 12% rostered
Droppable Players
- Jerry Jeudy WR (CLE)
- Chris Rodriguez RB (WAS)
- Sean Tucker RB (TB)
- Emari Demercado RB (ARI)
- Geno Smith QB (LV)
Don’t Drop these Guys Just Yet
- Kyler Murray QB (ARI)
- Juwan Johnson TE (NO)
- Woody Marks RB (HOU)
- Wan’Dale Robinson WR (NYG)
- Tyjae Spears RB (TEN)
- Chris Godwin WR (TB)
