Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
by Optimus Staff
We’ve got a veritable harvest of bountiful waiver wire options for you this week. With the bye weeks here – not on the way, they’re here – it means a lot more players are rosterable. We’ve got quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers galore! There are tight ends and kickers and yes, even more.
Ok, that was a fun little rhyme time. With multiple teams being out of commission every week – except Week 13 – until Week 15, it’s vital to ensure you’re ahead of the game should injuries or changing situations affect your starters. As we always say, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Just as a reminder:
Week 6 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team
Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!
Quarterbacks:
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 14.4% | FAAB 20-30%
Folks, I think Sam Darnold might be good. And not just “propped up by having Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal” good.
The season started rough for Darnold with a putrid performance in Week 1 against the 49ers, where the veteran logged a measly 5.4 fantasy points. However, it’s been all uphill from there. From Week 2 to present, the Seattle signal-caller is the overall QB9, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game (FFPG). In that span, he is second in overall PFF QB grade (90.5), is fourth in total passing yards (1,096) and is second among qualifying QBs in completion rate at 73.9%.
Darnold is trending towards living in the QB1 tier for the rest of the 2025 season. If you need a QB for bye weeks, injuries, or to replace underperformers like Trevor Lawrence, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option. It won’t be a cheap acquisition, but it will be worth it to keep in contention the rest of the season, regardless of format.
Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 11% | ESPN 3.1% | FAAB 5-10%
If you’re a manager in a 1QB league, this advice isn’t for you. However, if you’re struggling to fill a Superflex or second QB slot on your roster, Saints’ second-year QB Spencer Rattler is a viable option, at least over the next few weeks.
While he hasn’t been flashy, Rattler is currently QB20. He’s played mostly clean, turning the ball over once, and is completing 67.2% of his passes through five weeks. In addition, the Saints seem to be leaning into his mobility a bit, allowing him to amass 123 rushing yards on 22 carries.
It’s not ideal, but given the injury landscape and upcoming bye weeks, Rattler is a viable option in Superflex and 2QB formats. He won’t break the bank, but there may be competition for him, so be prepared to spend a little more than you’d like if your league is scouring for QBs on the waiver wire.
Running Backs:
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 28% | ESPN 21% | 5-10% FAAB
Look, he’s an RB on a bad team. I get it if you’re not exactly rushing out to buy him. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend him to you as an add. Miller has increased his snap share every game from his Week 1 floor of 11% up to his Week 5 ceiling of 41%.
Alvin Kamara‘s end of his run with the Saints is coming, though. This is a team that finally understands it’s rebuilding, and the fire sale is coming. It’s not a given that Kamara will be a part of that sale, but in this house, we stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Buy now while he’s cheap so you don’t have to pay up once the change actually happens.
Hassan Haskins & Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers | Sleeper 2%, 0% | ESPN 0.3%, 0.0% | 0% FAAB
I’m putting both here because Omarion Hampton was just placed on IR with an ankle injury and will be out a minimum of four games. Imagine the Chargers’ offense in 2024, but without Joe Alt. That’s what we’re looking at right now, and it’s not good. For those who don’t remember, the trio of Gus Edwards, Vidal, and Haskins rotated the RB position once starter J.K. Dobbins injured himself in Week 12. Before Dobbins’ return in Week 17, the trio combined for ZERO top-24 RB finishes despite games where Vidal had a receiving TD and Edwards had two rushing TDs.
If you’re truly, and I do mean truly, desperate, Kimani Vidal had six snaps with starters and six with backup Trey Lance in Week 5, while Hassan Haskins had eight snaps with starters after Hampton left the game. To be very clear – don’t pick up either unless you need to start them. Neither is worth holding ‘just in case.’
I know I’m putting on my “Dad” hat here, but please don’t pick either up. I want so much better for you in life.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 28.1% | 0-1% FAAB
This is a speculative pickup as much as anything, so you should only do this if you have a roster spot to spare. Spears is finally back healthy, and while he only carried the ball four times for 14 yards in Week 5, the important thing is he didn’t get hurt. It sounds like I’m joking, but this is a big deal in Spears-land.
Tennessee is a struggling team and may not win three more games this season. It’s reasonable to believe they could end up trying to get as much as they can for some veterans. Tony Pollard, who has no guaranteed money left on his contract, would save the Titans about $6 million against the salary cap by trading him this season. It’s not a given, but it has to be a consideration for a floundering franchise.
Why should we care about an RB on such a bad team? Because we already have proof of concept. When Pollard was out of the lineup and Spears was the primary ballcarrier, Spears turned in three top 12 RB finishes over three weeks. Can’t ask for much more than that. Again, there’s no guarantee that he gets the opportunity, so it can be tough to make this bet if you’re struggling for wins. But if you have the room on your roster, he’s worth the stash.
Wide Receivers:
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 15% | ESPN 6.5% | FAAB 4-6%
No team has been more ravaged by injury with its skill-position players than the San Francisco 49ers. They had to unearth Kendrick Bourne from whatever tomb he was in after the New England Patriots released him before training camp, but Bourne has been moderately productive in 2025. That production spiked dramatically in Week 5, where Bourne torched the Los Angeles Rams for a 10-142 line on 11 targets.
Do I think Bourne is doing this each week? Of course not. But with the state of the 49ers’ receiving room, which currently features such luminaries as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Demarcus Robinson, Malik Turner, and Jake Tonges, Bourne has been the safest bet in terms of having a track record of target earning. With Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall still not practicing, Bourne is a solid WR3 option for fantasy managers as a volume play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if both Jennings and Pearsall remain out. It’s cheap volume at a good price; pounce on it.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons | Sleeper 41% | ESPN 47% | FAAB 3-5%
With Atlanta on bye in Week 5, it’s possible that people have forgotten about Mooney. Out of sight, out of mind. Anyway, Mooney left Week 4 with a hamstring injury, and with a full week off, it’s possible that Mooney could be good to go in their game at home against Buffalo. In Mooney’s second game back at Carolina in Week 3, Mooney earned 10 targets, 43.6% of air yards, and 36% of the first-read targets.
In terms of consistency, Mooney is the clear second target over Kyle Pitts, and a healthy Mooney during bye weeks in my flex is at least a bit more comfortable as opposed to other volatile options. After missing Week 1, Mooney’s Week 2 and Week 3 saw him get 100% and 87% of routes per dropback. That’s in line with how offensive coordinator Zac Robinson likes to run his condensed personnel on offense, a style derived from the Sean McVay coaching tree. If Mooney is available on the wire, he’s definitely worth the few bucks to grab a solid WR3 for your fantasy roster.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos | Sleeper 48% | ESPN 43.7% | FAAB 3-5%
The Denver Broncos have been very spread out in terms of their routes and production, with Courtland Sutton leading the way every week. While Troy Franklin has just one game above WR36 in PPR this season, he’s running 80% of routes this season for the Broncos and primarily in the slot. In a thin week for wide receivers on the waiver wire, Franklin may be available.
In an above-average offense, Franklin has been solid with six targets per game and 1.47 yards per route run this season. It’s incredibly hard to bank on anybody else in this Broncos’ offense besides Sutton, but Franklin is the one guy I’d roster well above anybody else, just because he has the route-based upside nobody else has. He clears everybody not named Sutton in target share (18.8%), first-read target share (18.5%), yards per target (7.7), and air yards share (24.4%). Franklin has great matchups coming up against the Jets, where he doesn’t have to see Sauce Gardner, plus the Giants and Cowboys in his next two games. Give me some route-based upside as the clear second target in the Broncos’ passing game.
Tight Ends:
Mason Taylor, New York Jets | Sleeper 20% | ESPN 8.2% | 8-10% FAAB
The rookie out of LSU has quietly become the No.2 pass-catching target behind Garrett Wilson on a bad Jets team that is surprisingly better on offense than people give them credit. Currently, the Jets are ranked near the middle of the league in most points scored (112) through 5 weeks. While Taylor has yet to fall into the end zone, don’t let the team he plays for fool you into avoiding him. He has 25 total targets over the last three games. That’s something which does NOT come easily from the tight end position. With Justin Fields as his quarterback, he has always loved targeting the tight end when his first read (Wilson) is not open. Mason Taylor is starting to find his rhythm as a pass catcher in the NFL, and it’s time to begin rostering him in redraft leagues. Treat Mason Taylor as a high-end TE2 for the remainder of the season.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 5.5% | 3-5% FAAB
Ever since Jaxson Dart replaced Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, Johnson has finally been getting the red zone passes thrown his way. With no more Malik Nabers this season, Johnson has caught three touchdowns over the last two games. Unfortunately, he doesn’t offer much else in the receiving game, having yet to gain more than 34 yards in any game this season. Unlike Jake Tonges (see below), Theo Johnson is expected to remain the starting tight end, which means you can spend a teensy bit more in FAAB on him if your waiver wire is depleted of better tight ends. Treat him as a touchdown-dependent TE2 for the remainder of the season. Don’t make him your top waiver priority.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 8% | ESPN 5.3% | 0-1% FAAB
Having a memorable name that looks like “tongues,” Jake Tonges quickly became a fan-favorite in the fantasy football community. In real-life football, he has been a valuable red-zone option while George Kittle has been sitting out and recovering. Unfortunately, touchdowns cannot be predicted and banked on for fantasy purposes because of how unreliable they are in football. Despite the great game he had against the Rams, Tonges is not a reliable option in the receiving game with a floor of 3-5 targets. Don’t go breaking the bank for him, with George Kittle expected to return in Week 7. If you wish to stream Tonges anyway against a Buccaneers defense that sucks at defending tight ends, then don’t spend much FAAB on him at all. Let someone else waste more of it and then be disappointed with the long-term results. You can do better at the tight end position.
For More In-Depth Analysis, Check Out Our Waiver Wire YouTube Show:
Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):
Dallas Cowboys (@ Carolina Panthers) | Sleeper 6% | ESPN 4.1% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know; the Cowboys’ defense is, well, not good. However, this week they gift in the form of hapless QB Bryce Young and his group of Carolina Panther misfits. And if you’re streaming defenses, this matchup might be the best on the slate this week.
The Panthers’ offensive unit is giving up an average of nine points per game to defenses this season, which ranks as the ninth worst in the league. Even in a loss last weekend, Miami’s defense managed eight fantasy points, with three sacks, one fumble, and one INT. Dallas should have a far easier time containing Bryce Young and company, making them a viable and inexpensive Week 6 D/ST streaming option.
Tennessee Titans (@ Las Vegas Raiders) | Sleeper 2% | ESPN 0.6% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know: the Tennessee Titans defense is, well, not good (sound familiar?). However, even a broken clock is right twice a day. This week, the Titans face off against Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders, who are the second-worst team against fantasy defenses, allowing 11.6 points per game to opposing units.
It’s become painfully obvious over the last few weeks just how important Brock Bowers is to the Raiders’ offense. With him limited or absent, QB Geno Smith has fallen hard, having thrown an uncharacteristic nine INTs and six TDs. Furthermore, the offense has failed to score 20 or more points this season in all but two games.
This game is likely to be an ugly one, but you don’t have to watch to get the points. Tennessee is likely going to lose this game, but its D/ST should return positive fantasy results in a positive matchup in Week 6.
Kickers:
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals | Sleeper 29% | ESPN 10.4% | FAAB 1-3%
The Cincinnati Bengals’ fall off after the loss of QB Joe Burrow has been brutal, to say the least. The offense is barely able to move the ball at times, but that’s not a bad thing when it comes to their kicker, Evan McPherson.
While the Bengals’ kicker hasn’t been elite this season, currently sitting at K29, this week is a good opportunity for him to break out. Up against a tough Green Bay defense, QB Jake Browning and company will likely have a difficult time finishing drives, which will likely lead to increased opportunity for McPherson.
Streaming kickers is always a stab in the dark. However, with a favorable matchup this week, McPherson is a cheap option to keep your roster stocked in Week 6.
Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 2.9% | FAAB 5-7%
It’s kind of astounding that Eddy Pineiro isn’t rostered in my kicker leagues. Despite not taking over for Jake Moody in San Francisco until after Week 1, the veteran kicker is currently K9 and hasn’t missed a kick since Week 2.
Somehow, someway, the battered 49ers keep finding ways to score. Pineiro has been a big part of that, especially last week, nailing all four of his field goal attempts and accounting for 14 of the 49ers’ 26 points. Barring an injury, Pineiro should continue to see opportunities and stay amongst the top 10 kickers in fantasy football.
This is a unique opportunity to lock down your kicker slot for the rest of the season, minus a Week 14 bye. Pineiro will remain a top option as a kicker every week. So, rather than keeping up the slog of streaming, spend a little more and lock the veteran kicker down for the season.
We’ve got a veritable harvest of bountiful waiver wire options for you this week. With the bye weeks here – not on the way, they’re here – it means a lot more players are rosterable. We’ve got quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers galore! There are tight ends and kickers and yes, even more.
Ok, that was a fun little rhyme time. With multiple teams being out of commission every week – except Week 13 – until Week 15, it’s vital to ensure you’re ahead of the game should injuries or changing situations affect your starters. As we always say, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Just as a reminder:
Week 6 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team
Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!
Quarterbacks:
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 14.4% | FAAB 20-30%
Folks, I think Sam Darnold might be good. And not just “propped up by having Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal” good.
The season started rough for Darnold with a putrid performance in Week 1 against the 49ers, where the veteran logged a measly 5.4 fantasy points. However, it’s been all uphill from there. From Week 2 to present, the Seattle signal-caller is the overall QB9, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game (FFPG). In that span, he is second in overall PFF QB grade (90.5), is fourth in total passing yards (1,096) and is second among qualifying QBs in completion rate at 73.9%.
Darnold is trending towards living in the QB1 tier for the rest of the 2025 season. If you need a QB for bye weeks, injuries, or to replace underperformers like Trevor Lawrence, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option. It won’t be a cheap acquisition, but it will be worth it to keep in contention the rest of the season, regardless of format.
Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 11% | ESPN 3.1% | FAAB 5-10%
If you’re a manager in a 1QB league, this advice isn’t for you. However, if you’re struggling to fill a Superflex or second QB slot on your roster, Saints’ second-year QB Spencer Rattler is a viable option, at least over the next few weeks.
While he hasn’t been flashy, Rattler is currently QB20. He’s played mostly clean, turning the ball over once, and is completing 67.2% of his passes through five weeks. In addition, the Saints seem to be leaning into his mobility a bit, allowing him to amass 123 rushing yards on 22 carries.
It’s not ideal, but given the injury landscape and upcoming bye weeks, Rattler is a viable option in Superflex and 2QB formats. He won’t break the bank, but there may be competition for him, so be prepared to spend a little more than you’d like if your league is scouring for QBs on the waiver wire.
Running Backs:
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 28% | ESPN 21% | 5-10% FAAB
Look, he’s an RB on a bad team. I get it if you’re not exactly rushing out to buy him. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend him to you as an add. Miller has increased his snap share every game from his Week 1 floor of 11% up to his Week 5 ceiling of 41%.
Alvin Kamara‘s end of his run with the Saints is coming, though. This is a team that finally understands it’s rebuilding, and the fire sale is coming. It’s not a given that Kamara will be a part of that sale, but in this house, we stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Buy now while he’s cheap so you don’t have to pay up once the change actually happens.
Hassan Haskins & Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers | Sleeper 2%, 0% | ESPN 0.3%, 0.0% | 0% FAAB
I’m putting both here because Omarion Hampton was just placed on IR with an ankle injury and will be out a minimum of four games. Imagine the Chargers’ offense in 2024, but without Joe Alt. That’s what we’re looking at right now, and it’s not good. For those who don’t remember, the trio of Gus Edwards, Vidal, and Haskins rotated the RB position once starter J.K. Dobbins injured himself in Week 12. Before Dobbins’ return in Week 17, the trio combined for ZERO top-24 RB finishes despite games where Vidal had a receiving TD and Edwards had two rushing TDs.
If you’re truly, and I do mean truly, desperate, Kimani Vidal had six snaps with starters and six with backup Trey Lance in Week 5, while Hassan Haskins had eight snaps with starters after Hampton left the game. To be very clear – don’t pick up either unless you need to start them. Neither is worth holding ‘just in case.’
I know I’m putting on my “Dad” hat here, but please don’t pick either up. I want so much better for you in life.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 28.1% | 0-1% FAAB
This is a speculative pickup as much as anything, so you should only do this if you have a roster spot to spare. Spears is finally back healthy, and while he only carried the ball four times for 14 yards in Week 5, the important thing is he didn’t get hurt. It sounds like I’m joking, but this is a big deal in Spears-land.
Tennessee is a struggling team and may not win three more games this season. It’s reasonable to believe they could end up trying to get as much as they can for some veterans. Tony Pollard, who has no guaranteed money left on his contract, would save the Titans about $6 million against the salary cap by trading him this season. It’s not a given, but it has to be a consideration for a floundering franchise.
Why should we care about an RB on such a bad team? Because we already have proof of concept. When Pollard was out of the lineup and Spears was the primary ballcarrier, Spears turned in three top 12 RB finishes over three weeks. Can’t ask for much more than that. Again, there’s no guarantee that he gets the opportunity, so it can be tough to make this bet if you’re struggling for wins. But if you have the room on your roster, he’s worth the stash.
Wide Receivers:
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 15% | ESPN 6.5% | FAAB 4-6%
No team has been more ravaged by injury with its skill-position players than the San Francisco 49ers. They had to unearth Kendrick Bourne from whatever tomb he was in after the New England Patriots released him before training camp, but Bourne has been moderately productive in 2025. That production spiked dramatically in Week 5, where Bourne torched the Los Angeles Rams for a 10-142 line on 11 targets.
Do I think Bourne is doing this each week? Of course not. But with the state of the 49ers’ receiving room, which currently features such luminaries as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Demarcus Robinson, Malik Turner, and Jake Tonges, Bourne has been the safest bet in terms of having a track record of target earning. With Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall still not practicing, Bourne is a solid WR3 option for fantasy managers as a volume play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if both Jennings and Pearsall remain out. It’s cheap volume at a good price; pounce on it.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons | Sleeper 41% | ESPN 47% | FAAB 3-5%
With Atlanta on bye in Week 5, it’s possible that people have forgotten about Mooney. Out of sight, out of mind. Anyway, Mooney left Week 4 with a hamstring injury, and with a full week off, it’s possible that Mooney could be good to go in their game at home against Buffalo. In Mooney’s second game back at Carolina in Week 3, Mooney earned 10 targets, 43.6% of air yards, and 36% of the first-read targets.
In terms of consistency, Mooney is the clear second target over Kyle Pitts, and a healthy Mooney during bye weeks in my flex is at least a bit more comfortable as opposed to other volatile options. After missing Week 1, Mooney’s Week 2 and Week 3 saw him get 100% and 87% of routes per dropback. That’s in line with how offensive coordinator Zac Robinson likes to run his condensed personnel on offense, a style derived from the Sean McVay coaching tree. If Mooney is available on the wire, he’s definitely worth the few bucks to grab a solid WR3 for your fantasy roster.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos | Sleeper 48% | ESPN 43.7% | FAAB 3-5%
The Denver Broncos have been very spread out in terms of their routes and production, with Courtland Sutton leading the way every week. While Troy Franklin has just one game above WR36 in PPR this season, he’s running 80% of routes this season for the Broncos and primarily in the slot. In a thin week for wide receivers on the waiver wire, Franklin may be available.
In an above-average offense, Franklin has been solid with six targets per game and 1.47 yards per route run this season. It’s incredibly hard to bank on anybody else in this Broncos’ offense besides Sutton, but Franklin is the one guy I’d roster well above anybody else, just because he has the route-based upside nobody else has. He clears everybody not named Sutton in target share (18.8%), first-read target share (18.5%), yards per target (7.7), and air yards share (24.4%). Franklin has great matchups coming up against the Jets, where he doesn’t have to see Sauce Gardner, plus the Giants and Cowboys in his next two games. Give me some route-based upside as the clear second target in the Broncos’ passing game.
Tight Ends:
Mason Taylor, New York Jets | Sleeper 20% | ESPN 8.2% | 8-10% FAAB
The rookie out of LSU has quietly become the No.2 pass-catching target behind Garrett Wilson on a bad Jets team that is surprisingly better on offense than people give them credit. Currently, the Jets are ranked near the middle of the league in most points scored (112) through 5 weeks. While Taylor has yet to fall into the end zone, don’t let the team he plays for fool you into avoiding him. He has 25 total targets over the last three games. That’s something which does NOT come easily from the tight end position. With Justin Fields as his quarterback, he has always loved targeting the tight end when his first read (Wilson) is not open. Mason Taylor is starting to find his rhythm as a pass catcher in the NFL, and it’s time to begin rostering him in redraft leagues. Treat Mason Taylor as a high-end TE2 for the remainder of the season.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 5.5% | 3-5% FAAB
Ever since Jaxson Dart replaced Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, Johnson has finally been getting the red zone passes thrown his way. With no more Malik Nabers this season, Johnson has caught three touchdowns over the last two games. Unfortunately, he doesn’t offer much else in the receiving game, having yet to gain more than 34 yards in any game this season. Unlike Jake Tonges (see below), Theo Johnson is expected to remain the starting tight end, which means you can spend a teensy bit more in FAAB on him if your waiver wire is depleted of better tight ends. Treat him as a touchdown-dependent TE2 for the remainder of the season. Don’t make him your top waiver priority.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 8% | ESPN 5.3% | 0-1% FAAB
Having a memorable name that looks like “tongues,” Jake Tonges quickly became a fan-favorite in the fantasy football community. In real-life football, he has been a valuable red-zone option while George Kittle has been sitting out and recovering. Unfortunately, touchdowns cannot be predicted and banked on for fantasy purposes because of how unreliable they are in football. Despite the great game he had against the Rams, Tonges is not a reliable option in the receiving game with a floor of 3-5 targets. Don’t go breaking the bank for him, with George Kittle expected to return in Week 7. If you wish to stream Tonges anyway against a Buccaneers defense that sucks at defending tight ends, then don’t spend much FAAB on him at all. Let someone else waste more of it and then be disappointed with the long-term results. You can do better at the tight end position.
For More In-Depth Analysis, Check Out Our Waiver Wire YouTube Show:
Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):
Dallas Cowboys (@ Carolina Panthers) | Sleeper 6% | ESPN 4.1% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know; the Cowboys’ defense is, well, not good. However, this week they gift in the form of hapless QB Bryce Young and his group of Carolina Panther misfits. And if you’re streaming defenses, this matchup might be the best on the slate this week.
The Panthers’ offensive unit is giving up an average of nine points per game to defenses this season, which ranks as the ninth worst in the league. Even in a loss last weekend, Miami’s defense managed eight fantasy points, with three sacks, one fumble, and one INT. Dallas should have a far easier time containing Bryce Young and company, making them a viable and inexpensive Week 6 D/ST streaming option.
Tennessee Titans (@ Las Vegas Raiders) | Sleeper 2% | ESPN 0.6% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know: the Tennessee Titans defense is, well, not good (sound familiar?). However, even a broken clock is right twice a day. This week, the Titans face off against Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders, who are the second-worst team against fantasy defenses, allowing 11.6 points per game to opposing units.
It’s become painfully obvious over the last few weeks just how important Brock Bowers is to the Raiders’ offense. With him limited or absent, QB Geno Smith has fallen hard, having thrown an uncharacteristic nine INTs and six TDs. Furthermore, the offense has failed to score 20 or more points this season in all but two games.
This game is likely to be an ugly one, but you don’t have to watch to get the points. Tennessee is likely going to lose this game, but its D/ST should return positive fantasy results in a positive matchup in Week 6.
Kickers:
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals | Sleeper 29% | ESPN 10.4% | FAAB 1-3%
The Cincinnati Bengals’ fall off after the loss of QB Joe Burrow has been brutal, to say the least. The offense is barely able to move the ball at times, but that’s not a bad thing when it comes to their kicker, Evan McPherson.
While the Bengals’ kicker hasn’t been elite this season, currently sitting at K29, this week is a good opportunity for him to break out. Up against a tough Green Bay defense, QB Jake Browning and company will likely have a difficult time finishing drives, which will likely lead to increased opportunity for McPherson.
Streaming kickers is always a stab in the dark. However, with a favorable matchup this week, McPherson is a cheap option to keep your roster stocked in Week 6.
Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 2.9% | FAAB 5-7%
It’s kind of astounding that Eddy Pineiro isn’t rostered in my kicker leagues. Despite not taking over for Jake Moody in San Francisco until after Week 1, the veteran kicker is currently K9 and hasn’t missed a kick since Week 2.
Somehow, someway, the battered 49ers keep finding ways to score. Pineiro has been a big part of that, especially last week, nailing all four of his field goal attempts and accounting for 14 of the 49ers’ 26 points. Barring an injury, Pineiro should continue to see opportunities and stay amongst the top 10 kickers in fantasy football.
This is a unique opportunity to lock down your kicker slot for the rest of the season, minus a Week 14 bye. Pineiro will remain a top option as a kicker every week. So, rather than keeping up the slog of streaming, spend a little more and lock the veteran kicker down for the season.
We’ve got a veritable harvest of bountiful waiver wire options for you this week. With the bye weeks here – not on the way, they’re here – it means a lot more players are rosterable. We’ve got quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers galore! There are tight ends and kickers and yes, even more.
Ok, that was a fun little rhyme time. With multiple teams being out of commission every week – except Week 13 – until Week 15, it’s vital to ensure you’re ahead of the game should injuries or changing situations affect your starters. As we always say, stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
Just as a reminder:
Week 6 Waiver Wire Adds For Your 2025 Fantasy Football Team
Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!
Quarterbacks:
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 14.4% | FAAB 20-30%
Folks, I think Sam Darnold might be good. And not just “propped up by having Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal” good.
The season started rough for Darnold with a putrid performance in Week 1 against the 49ers, where the veteran logged a measly 5.4 fantasy points. However, it’s been all uphill from there. From Week 2 to present, the Seattle signal-caller is the overall QB9, averaging 19.8 fantasy points per game (FFPG). In that span, he is second in overall PFF QB grade (90.5), is fourth in total passing yards (1,096) and is second among qualifying QBs in completion rate at 73.9%.
Darnold is trending towards living in the QB1 tier for the rest of the 2025 season. If you need a QB for bye weeks, injuries, or to replace underperformers like Trevor Lawrence, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option. It won’t be a cheap acquisition, but it will be worth it to keep in contention the rest of the season, regardless of format.
Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 11% | ESPN 3.1% | FAAB 5-10%
If you’re a manager in a 1QB league, this advice isn’t for you. However, if you’re struggling to fill a Superflex or second QB slot on your roster, Saints’ second-year QB Spencer Rattler is a viable option, at least over the next few weeks.
While he hasn’t been flashy, Rattler is currently QB20. He’s played mostly clean, turning the ball over once, and is completing 67.2% of his passes through five weeks. In addition, the Saints seem to be leaning into his mobility a bit, allowing him to amass 123 rushing yards on 22 carries.
It’s not ideal, but given the injury landscape and upcoming bye weeks, Rattler is a viable option in Superflex and 2QB formats. He won’t break the bank, but there may be competition for him, so be prepared to spend a little more than you’d like if your league is scouring for QBs on the waiver wire.
Running Backs:
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints | Sleeper 28% | ESPN 21% | 5-10% FAAB
Look, he’s an RB on a bad team. I get it if you’re not exactly rushing out to buy him. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend him to you as an add. Miller has increased his snap share every game from his Week 1 floor of 11% up to his Week 5 ceiling of 41%.
Alvin Kamara‘s end of his run with the Saints is coming, though. This is a team that finally understands it’s rebuilding, and the fire sale is coming. It’s not a given that Kamara will be a part of that sale, but in this house, we stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Buy now while he’s cheap so you don’t have to pay up once the change actually happens.
Hassan Haskins & Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers | Sleeper 2%, 0% | ESPN 0.3%, 0.0% | 0% FAAB
I’m putting both here because Omarion Hampton was just placed on IR with an ankle injury and will be out a minimum of four games. Imagine the Chargers’ offense in 2024, but without Joe Alt. That’s what we’re looking at right now, and it’s not good. For those who don’t remember, the trio of Gus Edwards, Vidal, and Haskins rotated the RB position once starter J.K. Dobbins injured himself in Week 12. Before Dobbins’ return in Week 17, the trio combined for ZERO top-24 RB finishes despite games where Vidal had a receiving TD and Edwards had two rushing TDs.
If you’re truly, and I do mean truly, desperate, Kimani Vidal had six snaps with starters and six with backup Trey Lance in Week 5, while Hassan Haskins had eight snaps with starters after Hampton left the game. To be very clear – don’t pick up either unless you need to start them. Neither is worth holding ‘just in case.’
I know I’m putting on my “Dad” hat here, but please don’t pick either up. I want so much better for you in life.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans | Sleeper 36% | ESPN 28.1% | 0-1% FAAB
This is a speculative pickup as much as anything, so you should only do this if you have a roster spot to spare. Spears is finally back healthy, and while he only carried the ball four times for 14 yards in Week 5, the important thing is he didn’t get hurt. It sounds like I’m joking, but this is a big deal in Spears-land.
Tennessee is a struggling team and may not win three more games this season. It’s reasonable to believe they could end up trying to get as much as they can for some veterans. Tony Pollard, who has no guaranteed money left on his contract, would save the Titans about $6 million against the salary cap by trading him this season. It’s not a given, but it has to be a consideration for a floundering franchise.
Why should we care about an RB on such a bad team? Because we already have proof of concept. When Pollard was out of the lineup and Spears was the primary ballcarrier, Spears turned in three top 12 RB finishes over three weeks. Can’t ask for much more than that. Again, there’s no guarantee that he gets the opportunity, so it can be tough to make this bet if you’re struggling for wins. But if you have the room on your roster, he’s worth the stash.
Wide Receivers:
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 15% | ESPN 6.5% | FAAB 4-6%
No team has been more ravaged by injury with its skill-position players than the San Francisco 49ers. They had to unearth Kendrick Bourne from whatever tomb he was in after the New England Patriots released him before training camp, but Bourne has been moderately productive in 2025. That production spiked dramatically in Week 5, where Bourne torched the Los Angeles Rams for a 10-142 line on 11 targets.
Do I think Bourne is doing this each week? Of course not. But with the state of the 49ers’ receiving room, which currently features such luminaries as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Demarcus Robinson, Malik Turner, and Jake Tonges, Bourne has been the safest bet in terms of having a track record of target earning. With Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall still not practicing, Bourne is a solid WR3 option for fantasy managers as a volume play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if both Jennings and Pearsall remain out. It’s cheap volume at a good price; pounce on it.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons | Sleeper 41% | ESPN 47% | FAAB 3-5%
With Atlanta on bye in Week 5, it’s possible that people have forgotten about Mooney. Out of sight, out of mind. Anyway, Mooney left Week 4 with a hamstring injury, and with a full week off, it’s possible that Mooney could be good to go in their game at home against Buffalo. In Mooney’s second game back at Carolina in Week 3, Mooney earned 10 targets, 43.6% of air yards, and 36% of the first-read targets.
In terms of consistency, Mooney is the clear second target over Kyle Pitts, and a healthy Mooney during bye weeks in my flex is at least a bit more comfortable as opposed to other volatile options. After missing Week 1, Mooney’s Week 2 and Week 3 saw him get 100% and 87% of routes per dropback. That’s in line with how offensive coordinator Zac Robinson likes to run his condensed personnel on offense, a style derived from the Sean McVay coaching tree. If Mooney is available on the wire, he’s definitely worth the few bucks to grab a solid WR3 for your fantasy roster.
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos | Sleeper 48% | ESPN 43.7% | FAAB 3-5%
The Denver Broncos have been very spread out in terms of their routes and production, with Courtland Sutton leading the way every week. While Troy Franklin has just one game above WR36 in PPR this season, he’s running 80% of routes this season for the Broncos and primarily in the slot. In a thin week for wide receivers on the waiver wire, Franklin may be available.
In an above-average offense, Franklin has been solid with six targets per game and 1.47 yards per route run this season. It’s incredibly hard to bank on anybody else in this Broncos’ offense besides Sutton, but Franklin is the one guy I’d roster well above anybody else, just because he has the route-based upside nobody else has. He clears everybody not named Sutton in target share (18.8%), first-read target share (18.5%), yards per target (7.7), and air yards share (24.4%). Franklin has great matchups coming up against the Jets, where he doesn’t have to see Sauce Gardner, plus the Giants and Cowboys in his next two games. Give me some route-based upside as the clear second target in the Broncos’ passing game.
Tight Ends:
Mason Taylor, New York Jets | Sleeper 20% | ESPN 8.2% | 8-10% FAAB
The rookie out of LSU has quietly become the No.2 pass-catching target behind Garrett Wilson on a bad Jets team that is surprisingly better on offense than people give them credit. Currently, the Jets are ranked near the middle of the league in most points scored (112) through 5 weeks. While Taylor has yet to fall into the end zone, don’t let the team he plays for fool you into avoiding him. He has 25 total targets over the last three games. That’s something which does NOT come easily from the tight end position. With Justin Fields as his quarterback, he has always loved targeting the tight end when his first read (Wilson) is not open. Mason Taylor is starting to find his rhythm as a pass catcher in the NFL, and it’s time to begin rostering him in redraft leagues. Treat Mason Taylor as a high-end TE2 for the remainder of the season.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants | Sleeper 10% | ESPN 5.5% | 3-5% FAAB
Ever since Jaxson Dart replaced Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, Johnson has finally been getting the red zone passes thrown his way. With no more Malik Nabers this season, Johnson has caught three touchdowns over the last two games. Unfortunately, he doesn’t offer much else in the receiving game, having yet to gain more than 34 yards in any game this season. Unlike Jake Tonges (see below), Theo Johnson is expected to remain the starting tight end, which means you can spend a teensy bit more in FAAB on him if your waiver wire is depleted of better tight ends. Treat him as a touchdown-dependent TE2 for the remainder of the season. Don’t make him your top waiver priority.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 8% | ESPN 5.3% | 0-1% FAAB
Having a memorable name that looks like “tongues,” Jake Tonges quickly became a fan-favorite in the fantasy football community. In real-life football, he has been a valuable red-zone option while George Kittle has been sitting out and recovering. Unfortunately, touchdowns cannot be predicted and banked on for fantasy purposes because of how unreliable they are in football. Despite the great game he had against the Rams, Tonges is not a reliable option in the receiving game with a floor of 3-5 targets. Don’t go breaking the bank for him, with George Kittle expected to return in Week 7. If you wish to stream Tonges anyway against a Buccaneers defense that sucks at defending tight ends, then don’t spend much FAAB on him at all. Let someone else waste more of it and then be disappointed with the long-term results. You can do better at the tight end position.
For More In-Depth Analysis, Check Out Our Waiver Wire YouTube Show:
Defense/Special Teams (D/STs):
Dallas Cowboys (@ Carolina Panthers) | Sleeper 6% | ESPN 4.1% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know; the Cowboys’ defense is, well, not good. However, this week they gift in the form of hapless QB Bryce Young and his group of Carolina Panther misfits. And if you’re streaming defenses, this matchup might be the best on the slate this week.
The Panthers’ offensive unit is giving up an average of nine points per game to defenses this season, which ranks as the ninth worst in the league. Even in a loss last weekend, Miami’s defense managed eight fantasy points, with three sacks, one fumble, and one INT. Dallas should have a far easier time containing Bryce Young and company, making them a viable and inexpensive Week 6 D/ST streaming option.
Tennessee Titans (@ Las Vegas Raiders) | Sleeper 2% | ESPN 0.6% | FAAB 0-1%
Yes, I know: the Tennessee Titans defense is, well, not good (sound familiar?). However, even a broken clock is right twice a day. This week, the Titans face off against Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders, who are the second-worst team against fantasy defenses, allowing 11.6 points per game to opposing units.
It’s become painfully obvious over the last few weeks just how important Brock Bowers is to the Raiders’ offense. With him limited or absent, QB Geno Smith has fallen hard, having thrown an uncharacteristic nine INTs and six TDs. Furthermore, the offense has failed to score 20 or more points this season in all but two games.
This game is likely to be an ugly one, but you don’t have to watch to get the points. Tennessee is likely going to lose this game, but its D/ST should return positive fantasy results in a positive matchup in Week 6.
Kickers:
Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals | Sleeper 29% | ESPN 10.4% | FAAB 1-3%
The Cincinnati Bengals’ fall off after the loss of QB Joe Burrow has been brutal, to say the least. The offense is barely able to move the ball at times, but that’s not a bad thing when it comes to their kicker, Evan McPherson.
While the Bengals’ kicker hasn’t been elite this season, currently sitting at K29, this week is a good opportunity for him to break out. Up against a tough Green Bay defense, QB Jake Browning and company will likely have a difficult time finishing drives, which will likely lead to increased opportunity for McPherson.
Streaming kickers is always a stab in the dark. However, with a favorable matchup this week, McPherson is a cheap option to keep your roster stocked in Week 6.
Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco 49ers | Sleeper 3% | ESPN 2.9% | FAAB 5-7%
It’s kind of astounding that Eddy Pineiro isn’t rostered in my kicker leagues. Despite not taking over for Jake Moody in San Francisco until after Week 1, the veteran kicker is currently K9 and hasn’t missed a kick since Week 2.
Somehow, someway, the battered 49ers keep finding ways to score. Pineiro has been a big part of that, especially last week, nailing all four of his field goal attempts and accounting for 14 of the 49ers’ 26 points. Barring an injury, Pineiro should continue to see opportunities and stay amongst the top 10 kickers in fantasy football.
This is a unique opportunity to lock down your kicker slot for the rest of the season, minus a Week 14 bye. Pineiro will remain a top option as a kicker every week. So, rather than keeping up the slog of streaming, spend a little more and lock the veteran kicker down for the season.
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