Fantasy football free agent pickups Week 6

Week 5 of the NFL season culminates with a Monday night time matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders (8:15 ET, ESPN). Unfortunately, the weekend’s motion got here with a construction that has massive myth football implications: Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny suffered a fractured fibula on Sunday. The damage would require surgical treatment that may drive Penny to omit the rest of the season.

Before leaving the sport within the 3rd quarter, Penny had rushed for 54 yards on 8 makes an attempt. The tears in his eyes spoke louder than phrases as he used to be carted to the locker room. Penny used to be coming off a very good efficiency in Week 4 in opposition to the Lions, through which he rushed 17 occasions for 151 yards and two touchdowns. However, accidents have not precisely been type to Penny. Entering the season, he had performed in handiest 37 out of a conceivable 65 video games for his profession.

Kenneth Walker III (47.5% rostered in ESPN leagues) must be capable to fill the void. He completed out Week 5 with 8 speeding makes an attempt for a career-high 88 yards and a landing. Walker performed in 32 collegiate video games (20 at Wake Forest, 12 at Michigan State), completing with 3,069 yards and 36 touchdowns between the 2 colleges. Walker unquestionably turns into the highest waiver-wire pickup for this week, right away leaping into the RB2 dialog.

If anyone else had already snatched up Walker, both as an insurance plans for Penny or just as a bench stash, listed here are a couple of different RB choices to imagine grabbing:

Mike Boone, Denver Broncos (26.9%): On Thursday night time, Boone completed with 85 general yards on 10 touches in opposition to the Colts. There used to be unquestionably that Melvin Gordon III led the Broncos’ committee with 103 general yards and 18 touches. Boone, alternatively, performed on 30 snaps, in comparison to Gordon’s 41. With experiences that QB Russell Wilson is scuffling with a in part torn lat close to his proper shoulder, the Broncos may well be compelled to depend much more at the working sport sooner or later.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (3.9%): Najee Harris, who used to be the RB5 in ESPN reside drafts this summer season, has been a sadness this season. Harris has averaged simply 16.4 touches and a gloomy 10.3 myth issues in step with sport. Warren, then again, performed on 38 snaps in opposition to the Bills — yet one more than Harris, who used to be the one starter to be taken out of the sport all over the fourth quarter, even with the sport in opposition to Buffalo now not in achieve. Harris handled a Lisfranc damage in coaching camp and a foot damage to begin the season. He’s averaging a suboptimal 3.2 yards in step with speeding try. Fantasy managers must stash Warren now.

Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals (6.8%): Benjamin used to be the “last back standing” on Sunday after James Conner (rib), Darrel Williams (knee) and Jonathan Ward (hamstring) all suffered accidents. He completed with 53 general yards and a landing on 11 touches in opposition to the Eagles. Benjamin has gathered handiest 82 profession touches, as he performs in simply his 2d NFL season, however his luck in school says he is able to extra. If each Conner and Williams stay sidelined, Benjamin could be at the RB2 radar in opposition to the Seahawks.

Quick hits: J.D. McKissic (41.7%) supplies myth managers with a excessive flooring. He has averaged 8.2 touches and 10.0 myth issues in step with sport. With the beginning of bye weeks having arrived, McKissic may to find himself on your beginning lineup. … Atlanta’s backfield is crowded, however Tyler Allgeier (45.0%) nonetheless led the best way in snaps (39), routes run (19) and touches (13).

---

Now let’s check out our really helpful Week 6 ESPN Fantasy waiver-wire provides on the different ability positions.

Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (47.7%): Starting Wentz as your myth quarterback could make your abdomen as queasy as consuming sushi that you just purchased at a fuel station. In 3 of his 5 video games, he has scored 21-plus myth issues. In the opposite two video games, Wentz mixed for handiest 16 myth issues. Only the Jets (42.8) and Cardinals (43.8) reasonable extra passing makes an attempt in step with sport than the Commanders (42). Still, Wentz is a QB2 choice for myth managers thank you to approaching video games in opposition to the Bears and Packers.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (32.2%): So a ways this season, Smith has method exceeded expectancies, averaging 31.4 passing makes an attempt and 19.6 myth issues in step with sport. He’s now had 3 consecutive video games with a couple of passing touchdowns — the longest streak of Smith’s profession. Smith and the Seahawks’ offense will want to prepare dinner so much, because the Seattle protection is giving up 430.0 yards and 30.8 issues in step with sport.

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (27.0%): It’s protected to mention that the Bears’ offense hasn’t exceeded expectancies up to now this season, score thirty first total with handiest 274.0 general yards in step with sport. Against the Vikings on Sunday, Fields set a season excessive in passing yards (208) and myth issues (17.0) whilst keeping off any turnovers. Additionally, he has now rushed for 45-plus yards in 3 consecutive video games. In this week’s matchup in opposition to the Commanders, Fields is at the streaming radar. Looking forward, in Weeks Sept. 11 he’ll face the Dolphins, Lions and Falcons. That’s one thing to concentrate on in case you are making plans for upcoming bye weeks.

Wide receivers

Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (51.0%): QB Dak Prescott is predicted to go back from thumb surgical treatment in a few weeks, so Gallup may see a spice up in each offensive snaps and myth manufacturing. Gallup performed on 55% of the snaps and had 5 goals in opposition to the Rams, in comparison to Noah Brown, who performed on 76% however noticed simply two goals. As a reminder, in his 31 profession video games with six-plus goals, Gallup has averaged 69.2 receiving yards and 14.0 myth issues.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (50.6%): Pickens adopted up his breakout efficiency in Week 4 with every other very good day out in opposition to the Bills on Sunday. He performed on 57 snaps and ran 48 routes. Yes, Diontae Johnson (70) and Chase Claypool (68) each performed on extra snaps, however they each and every ran a equivalent selection of routes (52). For the second one consecutive week, it used to be the rookie who led the Steelers in receptions and receiving yards. There’s unquestionably that Pickens’ ability set is implausible and must be the focal point of Pittsburgh’s passing sport. Pickens has flex upside going ahead.

Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills (26.3%): McKenzie did not play on Sunday as a result of a concussion, however it is most likely he will go back in opposition to the Chiefs in Week 6. With Jamison Crowder (ankle) on IR, McKenzie will play an important position within the Bills’ offense. Josh Allen‘s efficiency on Sunday in opposition to the Steelers reminded myth managers how deadly Buffalo’s offense can also be. It used to be his 2d profession sport with no less than 400 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. For the approaching bye weeks, McKenzie is a smart participant to stash. He gathered 15 goals over Weeks 3-4 and has discovered the top zone in 3 of his 4 video games this season.

Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals (19.6%): Moore performed a miles larger position on Sunday, catching 7 of 8 goals for 68 yards. Moore performed on extra snaps and ran extra routes in opposition to the Eagles than did A.J. Green. It unquestionably looks as if Moore seems to be no worse than the No. 3 choice within the passing sport, after Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz. Now, DeAndre Hopkins can go back in Week 7, which would possibly in the end cut back Moore’s goal proportion, however the Cardinals’ pass-heavy offense nonetheless positions Moore for myth relevancy. For Week 6, a gathering with the Seahawks items a good matchup.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (8.6%): Pierce used to be the lone brilliant spot at the Colts’ offense Thursday. He set profession highs with 8 receptions (on 9 goals) and 81 yards. He seems to have nice rapport with QB Matt Ryan. Pierce is at the flex radar in opposition to the Jaguars in Week 6. I believe it is only a question of time prior to he is taking over as a starter in 2-WR units.

Quick hits: Darius Slayton (0.2%) led the Giants with 79 receiving yards in opposition to the Packers. New York used to be with out Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay and Wan’Dale Robinson. The position Slayton performs within the offense when the crew is absolutely wholesome is still observed, which makes him just a deep-league goal. … Dyami Brown (0.2%) stuck 2 of four goals for 105 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the Titans rather than Jahan Dotson. If Dotson is out once more, Brown is a pleasing pickup in deeper leagues. … Nico Collins (11.9%) could also be somebody to stay for your radar in deeper codecs. He led the Texans with 65 receiving yards on Sunday.

Tight ends

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings (32.1%): Smith used to be 3rd at the Vikings in the back of Justin Jefferson (13) and Adam Thielen (6) in goals on Sunday, serving to him publish a season excessive in receiving yards (42). Given what number of routes Smith generally runs (23.2 in step with sport), he is at the verge of a monster myth efficiency.

Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals (24.2%): In 3 of Hurst’s 5 video games this season, he has been centered seven-plus occasions. He’s averaging 9.5 myth issues in step with sport. He’s additionally scored a landing in two instantly weeks, making him a super selection if you are in search of a TE streamer in Week 6 in opposition to the Saints.

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (20.2%): On Sunday, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense struggled in opposition to the Texans. Engram didn’t. He stuck 6 of 10 goals for 69 yards. In the 2 video games this season through which he had eight-plus goals, he scored no less than 11 myth issues. One of the ones video games used to be in opposition to the Colts, whom the Jaguars will face once more in Week 6.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (11.8%): Hill is now the TE4 for the season after changing into handiest the 3rd participant since 1970 to have 100 speeding yards, 3 speeding touchdowns and a passing landing in the similar sport. Hill used to be began in handiest 3.3% of ESPN leagues, which isn’t that unexpected. Due to his inconsistent utilization, Hill is tricky to robotically insert into beginning lineups. However, since Chris Olave needed to depart Sunday’s sport as a result of a concussion, Hill would possibly get some further alternatives in opposition to the Bengals this week.