The waiver wire has started to thin out, especially at running back.
An injury to Minnesota's Dalvin Cook created our only waiver wire running back for Week 6.
With games being postponed each week due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having a fantasy football bench has never been more important.
Let's take a look at who should earn your top waiver spots and highest percentage of FAAB in Week 6.
Note: We've limited their recommendations to players owned in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. All data as of Monday.
Week 6 Waiver Wire Pickups
Running Backs
Alexander Mattison, Vikings
Ownership: 39%
We've mentioned him on several prior waiver wire columns, and the time has finally arrived.
Dalvin Cook left Sunday night's game against Seattle with a groin injury in the third quarter. That opened the door for Mattison, who finished with three receptions and 136 total yards.
With Minnesota's bye coming in Week 7, Mattison will likely be the starter next week when the Vikings host the 0-5 Atlanta Falcons.
Mattison will be the premier running back waiver wire claim this week.
Wide Receivers
Henry Ruggs, Raiders
Ownership: 44%
Ruggs was one of our top waiver pickups last week and certainly proved us right.
In the Oakland's huge 40-32 upset win at Kansas City, Ruggs turned just two receptions into 118 yards and a touchdown.
Las Vegas has a Week 6 bye, before enjoying a very wide receiver-friendly schedule. Here are their upcoming opponents with schedule adjusted-PPR points allowed to wide receivers per 4for4:
- Week 7: Tampa Bay (11th most)
- Week 8: at Cleveland (3rd most)
- Week 9: Denver (6th-most)
Ruggs' under 50% ownership in Yahoo leagues puts him atop the waiver column for the last time this season.
Brandin Cooks, Texans
Ownership: 43%
Cooks rebounded from a zero reception game in Week 4 to post eight receptions, 161 yards and a touchdown in Houston's 30-14 win against Jacksonville.
Cooks led the Texans in targets, receptions and receiving yards in the dominant performance fantasy players had been waiting to see for quite some time.
With former head coach Bill O'Brien now fired, this could be a positive sign moving forward for the 27-year-old wideout. He has a very attractive schedule from Weeks 10-12 against Cleveland, New England and Detroit.
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Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
Ownership: 40%
Hardman only produced two receptions for 50 yards, but could see an increase in opportunity due to a hamstring injury to teammate Sammy Watkins.
The next two games for Kansas City are against the seventh and sixth-most friendly defense to opposing wide receivers per aFPA.
Hardman's big-play ability makes him a reasonable WR4/Flex play as long as Watkins is out.
Laviska Shenault, Jaguars
Ownership: 34%
The explosive rookie from Colorado has equaled or increased his targets and receptions every week this season.
4,4,6,6,8 Targets
3,3,5,5,7 Receptions pic.twitter.com/WixFo9FeNf— Mike Randle (@RandleRant) October 12, 2020
Shenault led the Jaguars in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in Jacksonville's 30-14 loss at Houston. He has favorable upcoming matchups against Detroit and at Los Angeles before the Jaguars Week 8 bye.
With D.J. Chark suffering an ankle injury this week, Shenault could ascend to the leading wideout spot for the Jaguars.
He is now a legitimate WR3 or better for a Jaguars team that will be facing a ton of negative game scripts.
Christian Kirk, Cardinals
Ownership: 34%
Kirk has quietly worked his way back into the Arizona offense after posting five receptions and 78 yards on seven targets. He should be given strong consideration with an amazing upcoming schedule:
Week 6: at Dallas (30th against opposing WRs)
Week 7: Seattle (32nd)
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: Miami (26th)
Week 10: Buffalo (22nd)
Week 11: at Seattle (32nd)
Kirk looks fully covered from a groin strain and should be considered as a WR4/Flex on all fantasy formats.
Preston Williams, Dolphins
Ownership: 22%
We all waited patiently to see the Preston Williams from last season. Our wish was granted in Miami's stunning 43-17 win at San Francisco.
Williams tallied four receptions, 106 yards and this 32-yard touchdown catch from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Ryan Fitzpatrick with an absolute 🎯 under pressure to Preston Williams 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GvH3GhoFs7
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 11, 2020
Williams was outperforming DeVante Parker last season before his torn ACL in Week 9. He should be given strong attention in all formats as a bye week replacement and potential WR3 during the fantasy playoffs.
Chase Claypool, Steelers
Ownership: 16%
The second-round Notre Dame product enjoyed the overall WR1 fantasy performance from Week 5. Claypool dominated Philadelphia for seven receptions, 116 total yards, and four touchdowns. His four scores are an NFL record for touchdowns in a single game by a rookie.
It was a remarkable performance that puts him at the top of the waiver wire list regardless of position.
A back injury to starting wide receiver Diontae Johnson puts Claypool as a potential starter in one of the most explosive offenses in the league.
Besides his incredible performance, Claypool has two additional things making him this week's top wide receiver waiver claim.
First, his bye week just occurred in Week 4. Second, he has a great upcoming schedule against Cleveland in Week 6 and at Dallas in Week 9.
Claypool is a great pickup for teams struggling at wide receiver without players such as Chris Godwin, Michael Thomas, Courtland Sutton and potentially D.J. Chark.
Travis Fulgham, Eagles
Ownership: 3%
Fulgham followed up his overall WR33 performance at San Francisco with a monster 10 receptions, 152 yards and a touchdown game at Pittsburgh. He dominated the passing game opportunity share with 13 targets, more than double any other Eagles receiver.
His role moving forward is uncertain. Veteran wideouts DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery should return shortly, as should first round pick Jalen Reagor.
Next week's matchup against Baltimore is difficult, but the subsequent games against the Giants and Cowboys should provide opportunities.
Fulgham is at least worth a stash to see how his target share changes when Philadelphia's wide receiver core is fully healthy.
Demarcus Robinson, Chiefs
Ownership: 1%
Robinson is worth a look given the uncertainty of Watkins' hamstring injury.
With upcoming games against Buffalo, Denver, the Jets, and Carolina before their Week 10 bye, Robinson could find WR5/6 opportunity if Watkins remains out.
He's not a priority claim, but is worth a look in deeper leagues as a result of being tethered to quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Jeff Smith, Jets
Ownership: 1%
Smith only totaled three receptions for 23 yards, but did see 11 targets in another Jets loss.
With 20 targets over the past two weeks, he's worth a mention, but should only be even remotely considered if Sam Darnold returns as quarterback.
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Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham, Bears
Ownership: 40%
Graham caught his fourth touchdown of the season in Chicago's 20-19 win against Tampa Bay on Thursday.
The veteran tight end added five receptions for 33 yards, giving him a respectable 17 receptions on the season.
At the shallow fantasy tight end position, Graham should be considered a potential starter with favorable upcoming matchups against Carolina, the LOs Angeles Rams and New Orleans.
Jordan Akins, Texans
Ownership: 8%
Akins cleared the concussion protocol but was held out of the Texans' 30-14 win over the Jaguars with an ankle injury.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with backup tight end Darren Fells on a 44-yard touchdown reception that was the result of broken coverage.
Akins is the clear TE1 in this offense, and should go under the radar after missing this game. He has two favorable upcoming matchups against the Titans and Packers.
Irv Smith, Vikings
Ownership: 6%
It was good to see a fantasy favorite Irv Smith start to produce for the Vikings.
Smith saw season-highs in targets (five), receptions (four) and receiving yards (64) in Minnesota's 27-26 loss at Seattle.
He is worth starting consideration in Week 6 when the Vikings host the winless Falcons.
Gerald Everett, Rams
Ownership: 1%
Everett enjoyed his best performance of the season with four receptions and 90 receiving yards in the Rams comfortable 30-10 win at Washington.
It will always be difficult to know whether Everett of Higbee will get the majority of opportunities, making it best to leave Everett on the waiver wire until he becomes more consistent.
