Waiver Wire Targets: Week 6

The difference in your week one game may have been changed based on one injury or one player putting up a dud. In order to prevent that from happening next week and each week following, here are a couple guys at each position who are owned in 50% of leagues or less according to NFL.com:

Quarterback:

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers – Owned in 36.9% of leagues

Anyone who ignored Jameis on waivers last week because of his bye week, now would be the time to pick him up. He has the talent around him to have similar success to what we saw from Fitzpatrick in the first couple weeks. Jameis is the starter for the Bucs and he is their future. He could be a great pickup this week since he has yet to show his full potential.

C.J. Beathard, 49ers – Owned in 0.6% of leagues

Despite being a turnover machine this past weekend, Beathard was still able to put up over 20 fantasy points. He is averaging 19 points in the two weeks he has played this year which is good enough for the 13th best QB over that span. If he can continue at that pace, he is an excellent plug and play option for people who may have a bye coming up.

Baker Mayfield, Browns – Owned in 17.7% of leagues

Baker Mayfield has now led the Browns to two wins in three games. He is proving to be everything the Browns were expecting him to be when they took him first overall. While he hasn’t been as successful from a fantasy perspective, he has improve each game so far. He should continue to improve as the season goes on which will make him a great player to stash on the bench while he continues to work through some of his rookie mistakes.

Running Back:

Wendell Smallwood, Eagles – Owned in 0.8% of leagues

With Jay Ajayi done for the season, Smallwood was able to step in on Sunday and pick up the slack. It will be interesting to see how they distribute snaps when Clement and Sproles return from their injuries, but don’t be surprised if Smallwood is given the first chance to take over Ajayi’s role in the offense. Smallwood has topped 15 points twice already this season and he is averaging 6 YPC in a limited sample size.

D’Onta Foreman, Texans – Owned in 1% of leagues

Foreman started the year on PUP list while he continued his recovery from the Achilles injury he suffered last year. Before the injury, he was the most explosive and productive back in Houston. So far this year none of the RBs have really stepped up and there could still be a chance for Foreman to come in and steal the starting job assuming he can regain the form he displayed late last season. He still may not be back till November so if you have a bench spot for stashing players he would be a great option.

Alfred Morris, 49ers – Owned in 13.6% of leagues

For the second time this season, Breida has had to leave the game due to an injury. With reports saying he is unlikely to be able to go this week, Morris should take over the full load for at least week 6 in Lambeau Field. This season Morris has continued to show he can be productive from a fantasy perspective. He has three weeks out of five where he has been able to put up double digit fantasy weeks. With him expected to get more opportunity this week, that trend should continue.

Darren Sproles, Eagles – Owned in 6.5% of leagues

Sproles has not been active since week one because of a hamstring injury. While it still remains unknown when he will return, he should return sooner rather than later. When Sproles is healthy, I think some people forget how often he is used. He may come on the field for passing situations, but he tends to stay on for other downs once he gets on the field. With Ajayi out, Sproles could see even more opportunities with his only competition for carries coming from Smallwood and Clement.

Austin Ekeler, Chargers – Owned in 49% of leagues

Ekeler continues to impress me. Despite only playing 33.85% of the snaps this season, he has scored three times and has finished with double digits fantasy points in every game except for one in PPR formats. He has proven that he can coincide with Gordon and they can both be fantasy relevant. In the event that anything were to happen to Gordon, Ekeler would become a top 15 RB immediately.

Wide Receiver:

Keke Coutee, Texans – Owned in 2.1% of leagues

Keke has been a very sudden star down in Houston. After sitting the first three games, Coutee has gotten 22 targets over the past two weeks. Finishing with double digit fantasy performances in both of those weeks. Will Fuller is also dealing with his own hamstring injury which could explain why Coutee received more targets than him. Look out for the next three headed WR monster team with three potential fantasy stars.

Tre’Quan Smith, Saints – Owned in 0.3% of leagues

Tre’Quan may have only four catches in his young career, but he will forever be in the record books since one of those catches was on the pass that made Drew Brees the new Passing Yards in a Career leader. While Brees was the big storyline of the game on Monday, Smith had his own special day. He caught three passes for 110 yards and two TDs. If he can continue to gain more snaps and out produce Cam Meredith, Smith could really explode near the end of the season.

Geronimo Allison, Packers – Owned in 8.7% of leagues

After missing last weekend game with a concussion, many Allison owners may have had to drop him for the week. This would be your chance to take advantage of their mistakes. Allison has consistently been involved and targeted this season. He has outperformed Cobb in every week except week one. Even if Allison has to sit another game due to this concussion, he will be the more productive Packers WR over MVS and Cobb when he returns.

Tyler Lockett, Seahawks – Owned in 38.1% of leagues

Tyler Lockett has continued to produce even with the productivity of the run game recently and the return of Doug Baldwin. He has clearly earned a roster spot on most fantasy teams and he will continue to be Russell Wilson’s primary deep threat for the rest of the season. He may have some down weeks since he will rely on the big plays, but the Seahawks have never been a team to shy away from the deep ball so expect him to continue to produce for the rest of the year.

Christian Kirk, Cardinals – Owned in 1% of leagues

Kirk is the third rookie WR to make the Waiver Wire list this week. After struggling in the beginning of the season, it seems he has finally started getting into a groove. He caught a long TD in the beginning of the game and it is evident that the QB change is directly benefitting Kirk who already has a rapport with fellow rookie Josh Rosen. Kirk has outperformed Larry Fitzgerald to this point in the season and it would not be surprising if he begins to emerge as the top receiver in Arizona as the season continues.

Tight End:

Austin Hooper, Falcons – Owned in 11.9% of leagues

Hooper has quietly been putting together one of the better fantasy seasons at the TE position. He is currently the 11th best tight end and that has not been skewed by any outrageous games. With the position being as thin as it is, productive tight ends have been going at a premium. Even if you have a good tight end right now, picking up Hooper can give you an extra bargaining trip when trading with TE needy teams.

C.J. Uzomah, Bengals – Owned in 1.7% of leagues

Uzomah did fairly well in his first opportunity as a starter this season. With Eifert banged up, Uzomah took over the receiving tight end role. Kroft also left Sunday’s game with an injury which could cause the Bengals to rely even more on Uzomah. His two targets is a little bit concerning, but that should increase the more he plays with Andy Dalton.

Geoff Swaim, Cowboys – Owned in 1.2% of leagues

The Cowboys have been desperately missing a reliable tight end since the unexpected departure of Jason Witten this offseason. They did not really address the position through free agency or the draft. Fortunately for them, Geoff Swaim may be coming to the rescue. He was able to get higher than eight fantasy points in each of the last three weeks. Dak began his career with one of the most reliable tight ends in NFL history so it’s not surprising that he would want to continue to have that kind of a security blanket this season.