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Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups: Michael Carter Takes Control

More injuries piled up in Week 5. If your roster is left with questions, we're here to help you find the answers.

There's also a streaming defense to consider, plus underperforming players that you can consider dropping.

These guys are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

• Priority Target
• Immediate Help
• Deep-League Flex Plays
• Upside Stashes
• Injuries to Note
• Top RB Handcuffs
• Top Streaming Defense
• Top Streaming Kicker
• Drop Candidates

Priority Targets of the Week

Michael Carter, RB, Cardinals 

Blind Bid Recommendation: 25-35%

What Changed?

Carter seized control of Arizona’s backfield last week, accounting for 18 of the team’s 25 RB rushes and commanding five of the six targets sent to RBs. He also punched in a 1-yard TD. 

What’s the Outlook?

Carter was inefficient with his 23 opportunities. If he doesn’t improve, Arizona could move into more of a committee with Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. 

Barring some word on a shift this week, though, Carter remains the clear best bet for touches in a Week 6 visit to Indianapolis. That makes him the top free agent to target this week and a potential low-end RB2 for your lineup.

Carter remained available in 60% of Yahoo leagues to open the week.

Kendre Miler, RB, Saints

Blind Bid Recommendation: 12-18%

What Changed?

Miller’s playing time and touches have increased as the 2025 season has progressed:

• Week 1: 5 touches
• Week 2: 6 touches
• Week 3: 9 touches
• Week 4: 11 touches
• Week 5: 11 touches

Miller played a season-high 26 snaps (39%) in Week 5. Conversely, Alvin Kamara played a season-low 37 snaps (56%) against New York. And for the first time this season, Miller logged more carries than Kamara. 

What’s the Outlook?

The Saints appear to be managing Kamara’s workload. After 27 touches in Week 2, his usage fell to 19 in Weeks 3–4 and just 12 touches in Week 5.

Miller was also more efficient last week, averaging 4.1 yards per carry and totalling 8 yards on his lone reception. Kamara averaged 3.4 yards per tote and 7 yards per catch. 

The Saints look to be shifting toward a tandem backfield, with Miller handling more carries and Kamara featured on passing downs. 

Miller is playing his way into a viable weekly role. We expect that trend to continue, with Miller taking more of the early-down work. He enters Week 6 on the cusp of RB4 territory, but with an expanding role, can become a weekly flex play with RB3 upside.

Need Help Now?

Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks

Blind Bid Recommendation: 6-8%

What Changed?

The idea that Darnold was only a product of Kevin O’Connell’s coaching in Minnesota is fading.

After a 341-yard, 4-TD performance against Tampa Bay, Darnold enters Week 6 just outside QB1 territory and remains available in many leagues. 

He has thrown 2+ touchdown passes in three of his past four games and leads a Seattle offense ranked eighth in total yards (358.4 per game).

What’s the Outlook?

The upcoming schedule favors Darnold and the Seahawks’ passing game. In Week 6, Seattle travels to Jacksonville, followed by an unappealing game against Houston. But after their Week 8 bye, Darnold and company face Washington and Arizona. 

He’s a smart add now for managers planning for bye weeks or looking to replace an underperforming starter like Kyler Murray.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Steelers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 6-8%

What Changed?

Gainwell took advantage of Jaylen Warren’s knee injury in Week 4, producing 134 yards of offense and scoring twice in Pittsburgh’s win. 

However, Warren is expected to return to the lineup this week, which will drop Gainwell back to his No. 2 role. 

The good news: That role still gives Gainwell a chance to be fantasy-relevant. Before Week 4’s breakout, Gainwell was playing 41% of Pittsburgh’s snaps and 7.2 PPR points per game.

What’s the Outlook?

Even if he’s splitting time, Gainwell warrants weekly flex attention. He has an 11% target rate and has played 77% of Pittsburgh’s 2-minute snaps. Gainwell also plays in short-yardage situations, commanding 33% of the RB carries inside the 5-yard line, even with Warrne active.

Should Warren miss additional starts, Gainwell would be a top-20 RB. 

Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

Franklin opened the season as Denver’s No. 2 WR and has performed well enough to put some distance between himself and Marvin Mims. 

Franklin has just five fewer targets than Courtland Sutton. His 32 targets rank 29th in the league, and his 19% target share is second on the team. Meanwhile, Mims has not played even half of Denver’s snaps since Week 1, while Franklin has played 58% or more in every Denver game.

What’s the Outlook?

Franklin has been a steady part of a Denver offense that ranks eighth. He has run a route on 81% of his snaps and commanded 4-plus targets and recorded multiple receptions in every game. 

The TDs haven’t followed yet, but his usage and volume are encouraging. Franklin profiles as a solid WR4 or flex option, especially during bye weeks.

Theo Johnson, TE, Giants

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

In their first game without Malik Nabers, the Giants shifted to more “12" personnel. Johnson played a season-high 60 snaps and tied for the team lead with 7 targets.

Johnson parlayed the extra snaps into a career-best 6 receptions and produced his first multiple-TD outing. He has now scored 3 TDs in two games with QB Jaxson Dart under center.

What’s the Outlook?

In two games with Dart as the starter, Johnson averages 6 targets per game. His 21% target share in those two games leads the team.

New York’s next three games include a pair of matchups with the Eagles and a trip to Denver, but Johnson’s usage and budding rapport with Dart make him a strong weekly option. He’s worth a strong bid on the waiver wire. 

Mason Taylor, TE, Jets

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Taylor started his rookie season slowly, drawing just three targets over the first two games.

But his involvement has taken a big upturn in the last two games. Since Week 3, Taylor has averaged 8.3 targets. In his last two outings, Taylor is averaging 7 receptions for 66 yards, second only to WR Garrett Wilson. 

What’s the Outlook?

The fact that QB Justin Fields started both of those games only increases Taylor’s value. However, a lot of that production can be attributed to garbage time. The Jets padded their stats against Miami and Dallas in Weeks 4 and 5. 

Still, Taylor is running a route on a solid 77% of his snaps and ranks second on the team with an 18% target share season-to-date. Since Week 3, he’s second on the Jets with a 22% target share. 

If you are concerned about Theo Johnson’s price tag after his blow-up game, Taylor is a good consolation prize that should be considerably cheaper. 

Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Brock Bowers missed Week 5 with his lingering knee injury. Mayer also missed Week 5 with a concussion. That narrowed the Raiders down to playing Ian Thomas and Albert Okwuegbunam, who combined to command 25% of the team’s targets in Week 5. 

On Monday, HC Pete Carroll said that Bowers is “week-to-week”, which puts his Week 6 availability in doubt. 

Moreover, Bowers has not looked like himself since injuring his knee in Week 1, and he’s been told that only rest can heal it. The Raiders’ 1-4 start could motivate the team to force its young star to the bench until he’s back to full strength.

What’s the Outlook?

When Mayer clears concussion protocol, he will be in a solid position to start if Bowers misses another game. 

Las Vegas TEs account for 43 of Geno Smith’s 159 targets this season, a 33% target share. If Bowers misses Week 6, Mayer would step in and offer TE2 value against the Titans. He’s a decent insurance policy if you roster Bowers. 

Deep-League Flex Plays

Kendrick Bourne, WR San Francisco 49ers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

Bourne took advantage of injuries that rendered Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings inactive. Bourne caught 10 of 11 targets for 142 yards against the Rams in the Thursday night victory.

From Weeks 1-4, Bourne ranked third in San Francisco’s receiving corps in route rate (71%) and target share (11%). 

He presents only modest weekly value once the 49ers are fully healthy. 

What’s the Outlook?

If Bourne is available, he’s likely to be overvalued due to his breakout game. He’s firmly entrenched as the Niners’ No. 3 WR, but that role hasn’t been consistently productive in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. 

When healthy, Bourne would be fifth in the target pecking order in San Francisco, behind Pearsall, Jennings, RB Christian McCaffrey, and TE George Kittle. 

However, if Pearsall and/or Jennings are out, Bourne becomes a strong WR3/flex option and would warrant a more aggressive bid in the 10-15% range.

Kimani Vidal/Hasaan Haskins, RB, Chargers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 4-6%

What Changed?

Omarion Hampton suffered an ankle injury and landed on IR. Hampton had racked up 17 first-half touches in Week 5 before the injury occurred early in the third quarter. 

After Hampton exited, the Chargers split work between Hasaan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. 

Both backs logged 14 snaps in relief of Hampton, with Haskins earning five carries and Vidal taking four. 

The team, of course, previously lost Najee Harris to an Achilles’ tear.

UPDATE: The Chargers also signed veteran Nyheim Hines to their practice squad. We'll see whether he can work his way into the offense. Hines hasn't played in a game since 2022.

What’s the Outlook?

Expect the Chargers to rely even more on QB Justin Herbert. L.A. is far stronger at WR than they are at RB without Hampton. 

We’re hoping for some clarity from Chargers coaches or beat writers on the backfield plan for Week 6 (and beyond). Short of that, we can only guess on another work split in a matchup with the Dolphins. 

Haskins played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and led the Big Ten with 20 TDs in 2021. Last season, when Gus Edwards got injured in Week 16, Haskins out-carried Vidal in LA’s last two regular-season games. Listed at 6-2 and 228 pounds, Haskins makes more sense as a between-the-tackles grinder. 

Vidal is a better receiver. He caught 92 passes at Troy. He showed improvement in pass protection this summer and caught a pass in Week 5. However, it came in the fourth quarter with Trey Lance in the game. 

Hasskins has been active in every game and played ahead of Vidal last week. He should be the priority on the waiver wire. Vidal can also be targeted in deeper leagues.

Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7% 

What Changed?

Horton has only received 14 targets, but he is making the most of those opportunities. Including his kick return score, Horton has scored 4 TDs in his last four games. 

For the season, Horton’s 11% target share leaves a lot to be desired. However, the looks he gets are high-value targets. Horton leads the team with a 43% end-zone target share. For comparison, teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba is at 14%.

In last week’s shootout, Horton played a season-high 30 snaps. 

What’s the Outlook?

Horton is a volatile week-to-week option, but his TD prowess puts him on the radar in deep leagues. Seattle’s upcoming schedule opens the door for Horton to continue to see his playing time grow. 

The Seahawks travel to Jacksonville in Week 6, then emerge from their Week 8 bye with matchups against the Commanders, Cardinals, and Rams, who all rank in the bottom half of the league in adjusted PPR points allowed to WRs. 

View him as a risk/reward WR4/flex option worth a speculative bid on the waiver wire. 

Xavier Legette, WR, Panthers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Legette was atrocious in Carolina’s first two games. He turned 15 targets into just 4 catches for 8 yards. 

A hamstring injury sidelined Legette for two weeks, but he returned to action in Week 5 and had his best game since Week 9 of the 2024 season, catching 2-of-3 targets for 31 yards and his first TD of the season.

What’s the Outlook?

On a positive note, he ran the second-most routes and remained on the field when Carolina was in two-wide formations. He played 55 snaps (79%), while Hunter Renfrow was only in on 30 snaps (43%). 

That was encouraging usage for Legette after a rough start and a two-week layoff. He appears to be entrenched as the No. 2 WR on a team that will see plenty of fantasy-friendly game scripts down the stretch. And Carolina has the fourth-easiest remaining strength of schedule for WRs. 

Ryan Flournoy, WR, Cowboys

Blind Bid Recommendation: 2-3%

What Changed?

After playing 15 snaps and drawing two targets in Week 4, Flournoy saw an expanded role in Week 5. Kavontae Turpin (ankle) was ruled out, which opened the door for Flournoy to have the best game of his career. 

Against the Jets, Flournoy set career highs in targets (8), catches (6), and yards (114). But he was not Turpin’s direct replacement. 

Flournoy only ran 33% of his routes from the slot against the Jets. For the season, 65% of Flournoy’s routes have come from the perimeter. 

What’s the Outlook?

Flournoy’s value is dependent on the health of CeeDee Lamb and Turpin. However, his breakout performances could vault him ahead of Jalen Tolbert on the depth chart. 

That makes Flournoy a player worth pursuing in deeper leagues. 

If Lamb and Turpin miss Week 6, Flournoy will be on the flex radar in Carolina. 

Upside Stashes

Isaiah Davis, RB, Jets

Blind Bid Recommendation: 4-6%

What Changed?

The Jets expect Braelon Allen to miss 2-3 months with a sprained MCL. That makes Davis the No. 2 RB behind Breece Hall, and his Week 5 usage looked encouraging. 

Davis played 44% of New York’s snaps against Dallas. He logged just one carry but set new season-high marks with 4 targets, 3 catches, and 28 receiving yards. 

What’s the Outlook?

He’s now locked in as Breece Hall’s backup and should see a respectable amount of playing time each week. 

Before he was injured, Allen was in on 24% of New York’s snaps and accounted for 20% of the team’s rushes. Look for Davis to have similar usage, putting him in a position to earn 8-10 opportunities per game. 

Davis falls short of weekly flex value, but should see enough touches to warrant a bench stash. 

Sean Tucker, RB, Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-4%

What Changed?

Tucker saw his involvement increase in Tampa’s first game without Bucky Irving, who is expected to miss at least one more game.

Tucker ran a distant second behind Rachaad White in Tampa’s 38-35 win in Seattle, playing 12 snaps and touching the ball six times. 

What’s the Outlook?

Tucker averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season, including a 14-carry, 136-yard outing in New Orleans.

As long as Irving is out, Tucker will see a handful of touches and is an injury away from taking over as the every-down RB in a potent Tampa offense. 

Brashard Smith, RB, Chiefs

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-4%

What Changed?

Andy Reid is slowly getting Smith more involved in Kansas City’s offense. He played a season-high 19 snaps in Week 4 and has now caught 3 passes in back-to-back games. 

Against Jacksonville, Smith was limited to 6 snaps but managed to make an impact. He earned 4 touches, including snagging all 3 of his targets for 32 yards. 

What’s the Outlook?

Smith also sports a 26.8-yard average as a kick returner. 

He is averaging 9.8 yards per reception compared to Kareem Hunt’s 7.3 and Isiah Pacheco’s 5.1-yard averages. Andy Reid has praised Smith’s work ethic and said he plans to get the rookie more involved to keep defenses guessing. 

That makes Smith the ideal stash who can be added to rosters now for a minimal bid. 

Injuries to Note 

Lamar Jackson (hamstring)

Jackson missed Week 5, marking his first injury-related absence since 2022. He’s truly questionable for Week 6. Note: Baltimore, now 1-4, will go on a bye in Week 7.

Omarion Hampton (knee)

Hampton was placed on IR on Monday. He’ll be eligible for return in Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh.

Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot)

A banged-up Irving is expected to miss more time, per ESPN.

Brock Bowers (knee)

Bowers struggled to play through a bone bruise/PCL injury in his left knee before resting in Week 5. Consider him week to week. 

Terry McLaurin (quad)

HC Dan Quinn said he’s “optimistic” about the Week 6 return of Terry McLaurin.

Chuba Hubbard (calf)

HC Dave Canales indicated that Hubbard has a chance to return for Week 6. But after a huge Rico Dowdle game, it sounds like Hubbard’s role might be reduced.

Ricky Pearsall (knee)

Pearsall’s PCL injury cost him Week 5. Consider him truly questionable for Week 6.

Brock Purdy (toe)

Purdy encountered a setback with his toe injury and could miss “additional games,” per insider Ian Rapoport. That would keep Mac Jones in the starting lineup.

Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs)

Jennings hasn’t suited up since posting 24 yards in Week 4. There’s a chance for him to return Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Darius Slayton (hamstring)

Slayton sustained a hamstring injury late in Sunday’s loss to New Orleans. He was then listed as DNP in Monday’s walkthrough ahead of a Thursday game vs. Philly. Slayton isn’t someone we’d count on in fantasy lineups.

Spencer Shrader (knee)

Shrader tore his right ACL and MCL, forcing a trip to IR. He’s fantasy’s top-scoring kicker through five weeks.

RB Handcuff Top 10

The Seahawks continue to use both Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III. Charbonnet has now played 54% of snaps, while Walker is at 44%. However, Charbonnet has taken 94% of the 2-minute snaps and 83% of the snaps inside the opponent’s 5-yard line. 

Rachaad White proved his fantasy worth in Bucky Irving’s absence Sunday and appears set for at least one more start. He’ll be worth stashing once Irving’s back healthy and can even still work as a desperation play in PPR formats.

Kendre Miller logged more rushing attempts than Alvin Kamara for the first time. Miller’s usage continues to grow, and he’s been more effective as a runner. He’s a priority add if you roster Kamara, and Miller looks even better in non-PPR formats.

Braelon Allen is expected to miss 8-12 weeks. That sets up Isaiah Davis to be the Jets’ No. 2 RB for potentially the rest of the fantasy season. In his first game in that role, Davis played 32 snaps and caught three of four targets for 28 yards. 

Top Streaming Defense

Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay faces a struggling Week 6 opponent in an ideal rebound opportunity. The Packers are 14.5-point favorites against a Cincinnati team that has lost three straight since Joe Burrow’s Week 2 injury.

The Bengals are reeling, surrendering 391.2 yards and 31.2 points per game -- both third-worst in the NFL -- with 11 turnovers, including 8 interceptions.

This plays into the hands of Green Bay’s defense, which thrives on forcing mistakes, boasting the league’s second-best pass rush per Pro Football Focus. The Packers are led by Micah Parsons, PFF’s top-rated pass rusher.

Fresh off a Week 5 bye, the well-rested Packers had extra prep time for a faltering opponent. Projections have Green Bay scoring 29 points while allowing just 14.5. This is a smash spot for a Packers’ defense that was probably dropped in a ton of leagues due to last week’s bye. 

Top Streaming Kickers

1. Andres Borregales, Patriots
2. Matt Prater, Bills 
3. Joshua Karty, Rams

Drop Candidates

Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks

Smith’s accuracy and decision-making have declined in 2025. He’s produced only one top-12 fantasy finish, while TE Brock Bowers is battling a knee injury.

Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos

Outside of a six-catch, 69-yard Week 4, Mims has posted games of 3, 2, 1, and 2 catches. In Week 5, rookie Pat Bryant topped Mims in route rate (53% to 44%).

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Raiders

Consider Thornton a poor man’s Jameson Williams … in a much worse offense. The rookie owns only 5 catches (on 16 targets) through five games. He’s the clear third WR for a struggling Vegas passing game, and fellow rookie WR Jack Bech saw his playing time grow in Week 5.

Luke McCaffrey, WR, Commanders

Even with McLaurin sidelined, McCaffrey has drawn low target shares of 9% and 13%. McLaurin should return for Week 6 or Week 7.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals

In three games with Jake Browning, Gesicki has tallied a 50% route rate and an 11% target share. It’s not enough to keep him fantasy-relevant.

Spencer Shrader, K, Colts

Shrader suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s win over Vegas. We’re awaiting word on a replacement for Week 6.

Next Up

Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Puka Nacua, Emeka Egbuka, and More

Next Article  

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15+ years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). He finished 1st in FantasyPros Draft Accuracy competition in 2024. Kevin's work has been featured in The Mercury News, NBC Sports/Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.