Fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 6

Every Monday during the NFL season, I am going to be presenting you with my top three waiver wire claims to prioritize for your fantasy football teams. I will also include a shortlist of other options. These are players worth consideration if your team is in a bind, but not ones that take priority over the top three. I will also make a point to focus on players that are rostered in under 50% of ESPN leagues, though there may occasionally be exceptions to this guideline.

Week 5 is just about in the books, as all that stands between us and Week 6 is a Monday night clash between the Ravens and Colts. After a week where we saw more injuries and backups step up, the waiver wire will be a hot commodity this week.

Below are my top three priorities on the waiver wire ahead of Week 6.

Khalil Herbert has standalone value | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(4.7% rostered in ESPN leagues)

After being one of the hottest commodities on the waiver wire last week, Bears’ RB Damien Williams delivered exactly the type of outing that managers were hoping for. He logged 31 snaps and ran 10 targets, accumulating 84 total yards and a touchdown. The takeaway, however, is not about Williams’ performance, but rather the involvement of Khalil Herbert.

It was a near-even split in the backfield, as Herbert actually played three more snaps (34) than Williams, outcarrying him 18-16. He failed to draw a target on his seven routes but finished tied with Williams at 18 touches apiece. Herbert also looked good with the ball, totaling 75 yards on his 18 carries. If Williams was such a hot commodity, shouldn’t Herbert draw the same interest? It’s likely Williams will remain the preferred option in the passing game, but getting a running back with this much upside from an opportunity standpoint is not something to pass on now that it looks like the Bears may deploy a 50:50 split as opposed to handing the backing off to Williams.

Kadarius Toney is a wide receiver to target | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(12.2% rostered in ESPN leagues)

With so many injuries hampering the Giants’ offense, Kadarius Toney was given every opportunity in the world to produce, and produce he did. Before his ejection with five minutes left, Toney was able to rack up 13 targets between Daniel Jones and Mike Glennon and turned them into 10 catches for 189 yards. He ran the second-most routes (24) and played more than 50% of the offensive snaps for the third consecutive week (66%, 74%, 54%). The 54% would have been higher had he not been ejected, too. With Kenny Golladay banged up in addition to Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and now Saquon Barkley, the Giants are desperate for playmakers. Given the fact that Toney is exactly that, it’s hard to see his role going anywhere but up. 

The Giants have a pair of difficult matchups coming up with the Rams and Panthers, but with games against the Chiefs and the Buccaneers shortly after, it’s best to be proactive and get Toney on your roster ASAP.

Darrel Williams is an elite streaming option | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

(7.6% rostered in ESPN leagues)

With the news that Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered an MCL sprain against the Bills Sunday night, Darrel Williams will be looked to as the leader of the Chiefs’ backfield for the next few weeks. 

There’s a high likelihood we see a split backfield with Williams and Jerick McKinnon if Sunday night was any indication, but Williams paced McKinnon in everything that matters. He led him in snaps (37 to 27), routes run (24 to 22), targets (4 to 2), and carries (5 to 1). His usage will not mirror what Edwards-Helaire’s has been this season, but getting on the field for what’s expected to be over 50% of the snaps with one of the best offenses in football is value in itself.

Williams is a rock-solid waiver wire option with favorable matchups against the Washington Football Team, Tennessee Titans, and New York Giants on the horizon.

Others to consider

• Devontae Booker, RB, New York Giants (3.8% rostered in ESPN leagues)
• Marquez Callaway, WR, New Orleans Saints (39.1%)
• Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (35.7%)