The bye-pocalypse is upon us. There are six teams off this week. The barrage of byes comes at a bad time, as injuries continue to pile up around the league.
Many fantasy managers are going to have gaping lineup holes to fill, so there’s going to be a lot of waiver action this week.
It’s not a bad week to go waiver shopping, but it’s not an especially bountiful waiver week either. Injuries to a couple of top running backs will drive interest in their backups, but it’s not clear how much time those injured RBs will miss, if any. The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey sustained an oblique injury, Lions RB David Montgomery injured his ribs, and Rams RB Kyren Williams injured his ankle. We should have more information on their prognoses by Tuesday, and we will update this article accordingly. If you’re reading this on Monday, you might want to circle back on Tuesday before putting in your FAAB bids.
The nice thing about this week’s waiver crop is that there are interesting possibilities at every position, with the possible exception of kicker. But who cares about kickers?
While there are no De’Von Achane-caliber cure-alls at the vital RB position, there are several interesting speculative plays. And despite this being a six-team bye week, it’s actually a great week for streaming defenses, with several attractive options.
I need to mention two players who just missed the cutoff for inclusion in this article. Our threshold is 50% rostership in Yahoo leagues. Dolphins RB Jeff Wilson and Bears RB Roschon Johnson are rostered in 52% of Yahoo leagues. Those two potentially valuable contributors are probably rostered in at least 90% of highly competitive leagues, but hey … not every league is hyper-competitive. If you’re in a more laissez-faire type of league, it’s worth checking if those two RBs are available.
Let’s dig in and see what we have.
Grade: B+
Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.
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RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Kareem Hunt (CLE): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, @SEA, ARI
- True value: $13
- Desperate need: $33
- Budget-minded: $7
Analysis: I guess Hunt isn’t washed quite yet. In a really effective tandem with Jerome Ford, it was Hunt who found the end zone in Cleveland’s upset win over San Francisco. Even a 50/50 split in this backfield is more than worthy of a roster spot.
Zach Evans (LAR): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @DAL, @GB
- True value: $12
- Desperate need: $26
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Injuries decimated the Rams’ backfield in Week 6, with Kyren Williams sustaining an ankle injury and backup Ronnie Rivers spraining his PCL. Williams is expected to miss at least one week. Rivers is expected to be out for at least a month. Those injuries thrust Evans, a sixth-round draft pick from Ole Miss, into the spotlight. It’s possible Evans will step right into high-usage role for the Rams, although it’s also possible that veteran Royce Freeman will get substantial work, too. Heck, we can’t rule out the possibility that Freeman gets more work than Evans (although we know by now that Freeman is a player of modest talents). The 5-11, 202-pound Evans spent his first two college seasons as a committee back at TCU along with Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado. Evans transferred to Ole Miss and had 936 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns for the Rebs in 2022, but Evans’ was bypassed on the depth chart by freshman sensation Quinshon Judkins. Evans has decent speed (4.56) and runs with some power, but he didn’t display special traits during his college career — hence his failure to seize a lead-RB role in any of his three college seasons. But in fantasy football, RB value is often as much about opportunity as talent, and Evans has immediate opportunity. For Week 7 at least, he profiles as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3. Evans’ immediate startability will drive up demand for his services, because a lot of fantasy managers will struggle to field two fantasy-viable RBs this week.
Ezekiel Elliott (NE): 43% rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @MIA, WSH
- True value: $11
- Desperate need: $25
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Rhamondre Stevenson hasn’t looked right all season. Elliott has a lot of mileage but looked very good against the Raiders in Week 6. Zeke scored a touchdown and had a 74-yard jaunt called back on a penalty. It’s hard to believe, but Zeke is currently the best offensive player in New England.
Justice Hill (BAL): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @ARI, SEA
- True value: $10
- Desperate need: $17
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Three of Hill’s 11 touches in Week 6 were receptions where he could show off his wheels in space. He is the only Ravens RB with that trait. Don’t be scared away by modest production in a brutal matchup with the Titans. Hill has perhaps the most upside of any ballcarrier still on the wire.
Elijah Mitchell (SF): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIN, CIN, BYE
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: It remains to be seen whether Christian McCaffrey will miss any further action with his oblique injury. We’re also no closer to determining who will get the heavier workload if CMC misses time. Jordan Mason is a special teams ace who has filled in for Elijah Mitchell recently, but both were active in Week 6. Mason scored a touchdown but was behind Mitchell on the depth chart to start the season. Mitchell is my preference on waivers.
Craig Reynolds (DET): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, LV, BYE
- True value: $7
- Desperate need: $13
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The only reason to add Reynolds is the unique opportunity for low-efficiency volume to maybe luck into a touchdown or two. Jahmyr Gibbs was out again in Week 6, then David Montgomery was knocked out of the game, thrusting Reynolds into 12 touches. He totaled 43 yards. Injury and bye week desperation is going to be very real in Week 7, so I won’t judge. Don’t expect much and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Salvon Ahmed (MIA): 21% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PHI, NE, @KC
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Ahmed had 6-23-1 rushing and 3-11-0 receiving against the Panthers on Sunday while splitting backup duties with Chris Brooks, who was carted off with an injury. Ahmed might be No. 3 on the Miami depth chart if Jeff Wilson returns this week, but he at least has a foothold in the NFL’s most explosive offense. A modest bid could eventually pay big dividends if things break right.
Royce Freeman (LAR): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @DAL, @GB
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $10
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The guess here is that Zach Evans will serve as the Rams’ lead RB this week with the injuries to Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers. It’s possible, however, that Rams head coach Sean McVay will give more work to Freeman, a five-year veteran who had some low-level fantasy appeal when he was with the Broncos early in his career but has been a fantasy afterthought since at least 2020. Freeman has a career average of only 3.7 yards per carry, but he had a 43-catch season with the Broncos in 2019. This is a desperation play if you’re in dire shape at running back, but desperate times often call for desperate measures.
Stash Candidates:
Zach Charbonnet is very quietly seeing increased playing time and touches for the Seahawks, who are handling their talented rookie with white gloves and bubble wrap. Seattle loves featuring its RBs, and I foresee a formidable one-two punch developing with Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker.
Rico Dowdle is a well-rounded back who just happens to rotate in behind a running back with no history of handling a bell-cow workload. Tony Pollard is an RB1 if he holds up. If he doesn’t, there might not be a hotter future waiver ticket than Dowdle.
Between Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams, I prefer the rookie, who’s more likely to see a growing role behind Alvin Kamara in New Orleans. Willams is likely to return on a pitch count in Week 7, leaving the window open for the former TCU standout to earn valuable reps.
Tennessee enters the bye coming off a loss to the Ravens in which they barely used explosive rookie Tyjae Spears. The regret surely sunk in when Spears weaved through half of the Baltimore defense for a 48-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. He will be a key part of the offense going forward. Stash now for cheap.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, CLE, @BAL
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The breakout for Smith-Njigba could be percolating. In Week 6, he set career marks for routes run and snaps played (per PFF). His yards per target jumped from 3.1 to 9.6 in Week 6. I’ll be curious to see where his average depth of target was this past week once that data is available. The arrow is pointing up for him, which makes sense after the bye, and as he gets further and further away from his wrist injury.
Josh Downs (IND): 33% rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, NO, @CAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Entering Week 6, Downs had an 18.6% target share and 17.5% first-read share, with 1.86 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Downs already has two top-36 wide receiver finishes this year (WR32, WR18) and could have another one after this week has concluded. Sunday against Jacksonville, Downs had a 14.5% target share (eight targets) with five grabs, 21 receiving yards and a score. Gardner Minshew threw the ball 55 times as the Colts got blown out. Downs’ upcoming matchups are brutal, but they offer volume upside, especially if Indy gets down early. Downs is a weekly WR4 who has WR2/3 upside in PPR.
Jameson Williams (DET): 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, LV, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Williams remains a wild card for the rest of the season. In Week 6, he played on 22% of the snaps, running only nine routes. He did manage to draw a target on 33% of those routes (three targets) and turn his two receptions into 53 yards and a score. The big play ability is there. All we need to see is Williams kick Marvin Jones to the curb and assume a full-time gig in Detroit. Once that happens, we could be buying moon real estate for Jameson Williams.
Rashee Rice (KC): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @DEN, MIA
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Rice borders on stash-only, but the upside is there for him to be a huge difference-maker if he can ever establish himself as a full-time player in the Kansas City offense. Rice’s route run rate has jumped all over the map this season (last week: 39.1%), with only two games above 45%. Justin Watson‘s elbow injury could change that moving forward. Unfortunately, the convincing argument to buy into Rice feels like a tired story that we’ve heard before with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. I don’t know if Rice can break the cycle, but his per-route metrics are impressive, with a 36% target per route run rate and 3.14 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). If he is out there, taking a flier on him likely won’t cost you much to mess around and find out.
Josh Reynolds (DET): 49% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, LV, BYE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Reynolds returned to a full-time role in Week 6 as the team’s deep threat. He entered Week 6 with a 14.5% target share, a 26.5% air-yard share, and 2.65 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data) as the WR30 in fantasy. Reynolds has three top-30 fantasy wide receiver finishes. If you grab Reynolds off the wire, I would look to sit him against Baltimore and Las Vegas, who have held passers to the ninth- and fourth-lowest passer ratings when targeting players 20 or more yards downfield. After the bye, Reynolds’ schedule opens up, with games against the Chargers, Bears and Packers. Look to plug Reynolds in as a flex play in any of those weeks.
Rashid Shaheed (NO): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, @IND, CHI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Shaheed had another banner day in Week 6, turning his 12% target share into 85 receiving yards and a score. Shaheed has been the Saints’ deep-threat specialist and zone-beater all season. It’s time to ride the wave with Shaheed, who could stack three straight WR3-worthy performances in a row. Jacksonville, Indy and Chicago all operate in zone coverage at top-10 rates (ninth-, third- and fourth-highest zone coverage rates). Chicago (second-worst) and Jacksonville (fourth-worst) also rank among the bottom five for the most deep passing yards allowed this season. If you need a weekly flex or WR3 with upside in the upcoming weeks, Shaheed is your guy.
Jayden Reed (GB): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, MIN, LAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Reed has a 16.1% target share and a 19.7% first-read share as the WR50 in fantasy. The rookie has logged two top-36 fantasy wide receiver weeks and has been a wonderful source for high-leverage usage in the Packers’ offense. He ranks 10th in deep targets and third in red zone targets among wide receivers. In four of his next five games, he faces middle-of-the-road or basement-level secondaries (DEN, MIN, DET, LAC). Reed is one of the best “sneaky” pickups of the week who could pay huge dividends during the heart of the fantasy season.
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, NYJ, @LV
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Robinson played 59% of the snaps in Week 6 with an 88.8% route participation clip and team-leading 22.2% target share. Robinson’s 14.2 PPR points would be a nice boost to any fantasy lineup from the flex or WR3 position. The Giants likely won’t field an explosive offense at any point this season, but we can’t shy away from a team that looked revived in Week 6 against the Bills. The Giants were a functional offense, which is something considering how bad it looked in the first five weeks of the season. Robinson should battle with Darren Waller weekly for the team lead in targets moving forward.
Quentin Johnston (LAC): 32% rostered
- Next Opponents: @KC, CHI, @NYJ
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The hope was that coming out of the bye, Quentin Johnston would be a full-time player for the Chargers and challenge for the second spot in this target pecking order. Well, that didn’t happen against the Cowboys. His role remained unchanged. In Week 4, before heading into the bye, Johnston played 51% of the snaps with only three targets. Against Dallas, Johnston logged only 48% of the snaps with a 5.4% target share (two targets). This is massively disappointing and drops Johnston like a stone down the waiver wire priorities. He resides only a smidge above stash status.
Stash Candidates:
Pick up Mims and stash him now. If you wait until Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton is dealt, then you’re already too late. Mims just needs playing time to explode in fantasy. Among 153 qualifying wide receivers, he ranks second in yards per route run (4.32) and first in yards per target (20.5), per Fantasy Points Data. These are immaculate per-route metrics that display Mims’ difference-maker upside when he assumes a full-time role in this offense.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Derek Carr (NO): 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, @IND, CHI
- True value: $9
- Desperate need: $15
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: You won’t find a softer four-game stretch for a streaming QB than what Derek Carr faces in Weeks 7-10. Although Carr seems allergic to scoring touchdowns in the red zone, he should break out of his mediocre streak of production during a pivotal stretch of the fantasy season.
Sam Howell (WAS): 38% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PHI, @NE
- True value: $8
- Desperate need: $14
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: What are you waiting for? Howell has now posted consecutive QB1 performances and has two more appealing matchups on the horizon. If you throw away the disaster against Buffalo, Howell is among the most consistently good QBs in fantasy football this season.
Baker Mayfield (TB): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @BUF, @HOU
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: For the budget-savvy QB streaming manager, Baker Mayfield is a nice one-week plug against Atlanta. Sam Howell just tossed a trio of touchdowns vs. the Falcons, and Mayfield’s season has been better than expected for Tampa Bay. Some other names on the streaming wire face brutal matchups in Week 7 (Desmond Ridder, Gardner Minshew), so I’ll go with my gut and roll with Baker one time.
Joshua Dobbs (ARI): 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SEA, BAL, @CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Dobbs entered Week 6 as the QB16 in fantasy scoring, and while he didn’t produce any touchdowns against the Rams on Sunday, he did manage to throw for 235 yards and run for another 47. If you’re in a pinch, Dobbs is a palatable Week 7 option against a Seattle defense that entered Week 6 having given up the 11th-most fantasy points per game to QBs.
Tyrod Taylor (NYG): 2% rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, NYJ, @LV
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Daniel Jones missed Week 6 with a neck injury. He told NBC reporter Melissa Stark that he’s still feeling pain in his neck and is also feeling discomfort in his left shoulder. It seems as if there’s a pretty good chance Jones remains out and Taylor makes a second straight start. Taylor had a respectable showing against a tough Bills defense on Sunday night, throwing for 200 yards with no TDs or INTs, and adding 24 rushing yards. The Giants’ next game is against the Commanders, who have given up the second-most fantasy points to QBs. Washington’s pass defense ranks 28th in DVOA. Taylor is a viable fantasy spot starter for Week 7.
Stash Candidates: N/A.
- Don’t stash, stream! QBs are readily available on the wire if you’re in a bind, so reserve those bench spots for skill guys who can serve your roster in a more meaningful way.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Michael Mayer (LV): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, @DET, NYG
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Finally! Mayer is now a full-time player in the Raiders’ offense. He played 81% of snaps this week with an 18.7% target share and a 68.7% route run rate (per PFF). Over the last two weeks, he has produced some electric efficiency numbers, with a 25% target per route run rate and 3.16 yards per route run. Mayer has top-12 rest-of-season upside. Over the next four weeks, he has cushy matchups with the Bears, Lions and Jets, who have allowed the 13th-most, sixth-most and most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.
Jonnu Smith (ATL): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, @TEN, MIN
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Smith continues to be the Falcons’ WR3. In Weeks 2-5, he had a 64.2% route run rate, an 18.7% target share and a 22.4% first-read share. From Week 2 to Week 5, among 36 qualifying tight ends, Smith ranked 10th in target share, second in receiving yards per game, second in yards per route run and fifth in first read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Over that span, he was the TE10 in fantasy. Smith will continue to be a weekly borderline TE1 if this usage continues.
Luke Musgrave (GB): 18% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, MIN, LAR
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: I know I sound like a broken record, but Musgrave’s ancillary usage metrics all scream that he will be a weekly TE1 at some point this season. In the full games he has played, he has a 72.7% route run rate, a 17.6% target share and 1.56 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 34 qualifying tight ends this season, those metrics rank 11th, 10th, and 10th. Over the next three weeks, he faces Denver and Los Angeles, who have allowed the second-most and third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Spike weeks are coming for Musgrave.
Cade Otton (TB): 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @BUF, @HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Otton is a matchup-based streaming option only this week. If you don’t want to travel this far down the streaming rabbit hole, I get it. Otton just had another beautiful streaming matchup against the Lions and finished with a 5.4% target share, so if you want to disregard him totally, I get it. This week’s matchup against the Falcons, who have given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game and receiving yards to tight ends, offers another opportunity for Otton to put up borderline TE1 numbers.
Stash Candidates: None
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cleveland Browns: 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @IND, @SEA, ARI
- True value: $5
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $3
Analysis: This Cleveland defense is nasty. The Browns were ranked No. 1 in defensive DVOA going into Week 6. Then they smothered a 49ers offense that had been having its way with every other opponent through the first five weeks of the season. Granted, the Niners lost Christian McCaffrey to an oblique injury, but CMC had 14 touches before departing and was held to 52 yards from scrimmage, with the majority of them coming on a 27-yard shovel-pass touchdown on San Francisco’s first possession. The Browns can cover, put heat on QBs and stuff the run. They have studs at all three levels of their defense. Cleveland gets to face backup QB Gardner Minshew (coming off a three-interception game) and the Colts this week, then the Seahawks, then the punchless Cardinals. Normally we don’t recommend bidding more than a buck or two on a defense. The Browns are worth a more substantial investment.
Las Vegas Raiders: 47% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CHI, @DET, NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Raiders entered Week 6 tied for 29th in defensive fantasy scoring. No one will mistake the 2023 Las Vegas Raiders for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. You’re investing in the Raiders because of their Week 7 matchup against the Bears, who have been hemorrhaging fantasy points to opposing defenses. Chicago QBs have taken 25 sacks and thrown seven interceptions. Bears opponents have also registered three defensive touchdowns. The Bears’ starting QB, Justin Fields, sustained a wrist injury on Sunday, leaving his status for Week 7 unclear. Whether it’s Fields or rookie backup Tyler Bagent getting the start for Chicago this Sunday, the Raiders’ defense is going to be a must-start.
Washington Commanders: 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, PHI, @NE
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Commanders intercepted Falcons QB Desmond Ridder three times in Week 6 and also recorded three sacks. Now, Washington gets a choice Week 7 matchup against a Giants defense that was allowing a league-high 18 fantasy points per game to opposing defenses going into Week 6. The Giants’ offensive line has been a disaster this season. It’s not clear whether starting QB Daniel Jones will be able to play this week after missing Week 6 with a neck injury. Whether Jones or backup Tyrod Taylor gets the start, the Commanders will be an excellent streaming option.
Seattle Seahawks: 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, CLE, @BAL
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: The Seattle defense entered Week 6 ranked sixth in fantasy scoring and 14th in DVOA, then held the potent Cincinnati offense to 214 yards and 17 points. This week, the Seahawks get a very favorable home matchup against a talent-starved Arizona offense. Seattle’s Week 8 matchup against Cleveland is a playable one, too.
Green Bay Packers: 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @DEN, MIN, LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Going into their Week 6 bye, the Packers ranked in the top half of the league in sacks, pressure rate and opponent passer rating. The Green Bay pass defense is a good one, and it gets a favorable Week 7 matchup against a struggling Denver passing game. Broncos QB Russell Wilson threw for only 95 yards in a Week 6 loss to the Chiefs, threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, @PIT, BYE
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Jaguars have quietly put together a top-drawer defense. Jacksonville entered Week 6 ranked 10th in defensive DVOA and 14th in defensive fantasy scoring, then went out and recorded three sacks and three interceptions against the Colts on Sunday. Jacksonville has one of the best run defenses in the league, and the Jags ranked ninth in pressure rate going into Week 6. The Jags have a solid Week 7 matchup against the Saints and QB Derek Carr, who’s been sacked 17 times this season.
Stash Candidates: None.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Jason Myers (SEA): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: ARI, CLE, @BAL
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Myers got off to a slow start this season converting only 3-of-6 FG attempts in his first two games. He’s since gone 8-of-9 on field goals, and he’s a perfect 11-of-11 on extra points this season. Myers made two field goals against the Bengals on Sunday, including a 55-yarder shortly before halftime. The Seahawks have a solid offense, and they get a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals, making Myers an appealing streamer.
Blake Grupe (NO): 5% rostered
- Next Opponents: JAX, @IND, CHI
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Grupe missed a pair of field goals on Sunday, including a 29-yard chip shot. So why are we recommending him? Well, Grupe was 11-of-12 on field goals entering Week 6, and he’s 10-of-10 on extra points. Grupe was eighth among kickers in fantasy scoring going into Week 6. And best of all, the Saints have an easy schedule. This week’s matchup against the Jaguars isn’t a great one — the Jaguars have a tough, underrated defense — but Grupe’s schedule is a cakewalk for the most part.
Brett Maher (LAR): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: PIT, @DAL, @GB
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Maher has been awash in scoring opportunities, averaging 3.3 FG attempts per game. He’s 16-of-20 on field goals this year and 12-of-12 on extra points. Maher gets a decent Week 7 home matchup against the Steelers, who are giving up 8.6 fantasy points per game to kickers.
Cameron Dicker (LAC): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents:@KC, CHI, @NYJ
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Should Dicker be ranked higher? He’s a good kicker tied to one of the better offenses in the league. The catch with Dicker is that his head coach is Brandon Staley, quite possibly the most hyper-aggressive coach in the league when it comes to going for it on fourth down. Staley’s fourth-down aggression will cost Dicker scoring opportunities and may leave fantasy managers tearing their hair out. But there’s no questioning Dicker’s accuracy. In 15 career games he’s converted 93.1% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points.
Chase McLaughlin (TB): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, @BUF, @HOU
- True value: $1
- Desperate need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: In five games, McLaughlin has made 9-of-10 field goals and 7-of-7 extra points. He has an appealing matchup this week against the Falcons, who had given up the 10th-most fantasy points to kickers entering Week 6.
Stash Candidates: None.
FOOL’S GOLD
The Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne had a team-high 10 catches for 89 yards Sunday vs. the Raiders. But Bourne’s role has been bigger the last two weeks because of injuries to teammates JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas. With Smith-Schuster and Douglas healthy in Weeks 2-4, Bourne only played about half the offensive snaps in each of those games. The increased usage probably won’t stick.
Tyler Boyd scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 6, but he’s averaging a meager 6.8 yards per catch, and his highest yardage output of the season was a 52-yard game in Week 2. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both healthy, Boyd won’t be able to provide sustenance for hungry fantasy managers.
Devin Singletary played a season-high 31 snaps in Week 6 and had 12 carries for 58 yards. It was the first time all season that Singletary has had double-digit carries, and he’s drawn seven targets in six games. Although Singletary and Dameon Pierce split work pretty evenly in Week 6, Singletary is still the No. 2 man in this backfield, and the Texans are not a team that can sustain two fantasy-viable running backs. (Heck, it’s not entirely clear that they can sustain one fantasy-viable running back.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Let’s summon up the Grandpa Simpson revolving-door GIF for Emari Demercado. The Cardinals’ rookie running back was a waiver-wire darling a week ago, when it appeared he might be first in line to fill in for the injured James Conner. But Arizona deployed a three-man backfield on Sunday. Demercado’s 33 snaps led the Cardinals’ RBs, but Demercado had just three touches (two carries, one catch), while Keaontay Ingram had 12 touches and Damien Williams had nine. Back to the discard pile for this undrafted free agent.
Darnell Mooney has been held without a catch in three games this season. It appears the Chicago passing game can support only one fantasy-viable wide receiver, and that’s D.J. Moore.
With Javonte bac from a hip injury in Week 6 and talented rookie Jaleel McLaughlin continuing to get work, Samaje Perine has slid to No. 3 in the Broncos’ RB pecking order. No need to keep rostering him.
After opening the season with 12-131-0 in his first two games, Robert Woods has amassed 10-96-1 in the four games since, and he’s been held to 30 yards or fewer in three consecutive games. Since Week 3, Woods has averaged just 4.0 yards per target. It’s time to jettison the 31-year-old veteran.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Since Cooper Kupp returned in Week 5, Tutu Atwell has had 3-39-1 on six targets. Kupp is such a prolific target hog that he’s squeezed the fantasy viability out of poor Atwell. The diminutive Atwell will still pop some big plays here and there, but you won;t ever feel comfortable starting him.
Jahan Dotson‘s disappointing season hit a new low in Week 6 when the second-year receiver drew one target and had no receptions. Dotson hasn’t topped 40 yards all season. Commanders QB Sam Howell has been spreading the ball around, and the only receiver consistently drawing targets is Terry McLaurin. Dotson showed us last year that he’s talented, but he and Howell don’t seem to have much chemistry – at least not yet.
Anthony Richardson may need season-ending surgery to repair his injured shoulder. It would be a shame if we didn’t get to see more of the Colts’ electrifying rookie this year. Even if Richardson were able to come back later this year, it would probably be at least 6-7 weeks from now, and then you’d probably need to get a “show me” game from him before plugging him back into your lineup. In a 1QB league, you’re better off using that roster spot in some other way.
Don’t drop yet:
Even though he hasn’t been getting a lot of work, don’t get rid of Cam Akers. Vikings RB Alexander Mattison continues to underwhelm, and if the Vikings’ season continues to go nowhere, Akers might get an audition as a leading man. He and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell worked together when they were both with the Rams.
The Philadelphia backfield has turned into the D’Andre Swift show, and Gainwell currently has no standalone value. But he’s still a valuable handcuff as the No. 2 back in one of the league’s best offenses.
Dalton Kincaid has gotten off to a slow start, and he missed Week 6 with a concussion. Don’t give up on the Bills’ talented rookie tight end just yet. Kincaid has some favorable matchups coming up in November, by which time perhaps he’ll be a little more comfortable in the Buffalo offense.
If you’re in a 1QB league with short benches and need to dump Jordan Love, fine. The young QB has cooled off considerably after a hot start. Just realize that Love has an extremely easy schedule this season and has a lot of favorable matchups ahead.
Just when it looked like it was Logan Thomas SZN following his 9-77-1 performance in Week 5, the veteran tight end turned in a 1-2-0 dud in Week 6. The target totals have been up and down for Thomas this season, so I’m not sure we can expect consistency, but with such a bleak TE landscape, Thomas is no worse than a low-end TE1 or high-end TE2. You probably can’t do any better by picking up someone from waivers.
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