Welcome to post-week five waivers, where wins become losses, and losses become wins. Wait, Red Zone, please don’t send me a cease and desist.
The season isn’t over until it is over, and if you are feeling like your 1-4 squad doesn’t have a chance, think again. All you have to do is make the playoffs, and the Fantasy In Frames crew and I are here to help. After all, if the Steelers can beat the Ravens and Mac Jones can continue to be a starter in the NFL, you can make the playoffs!
Without further ado, here are my Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 6 (2023) recommendations. This list consists of players rostered in less than 50% of leagues on Sleeper.
Sam Howell – Washington Commanders 36%
Outside of 1 game against the brutal Bills defense, Howell has been a revelation for fantasy. He has thrown for at least 200 yards and a TD in all games aside from Buffalo. The most under-the-radar part about Howell’s game is he has added an average of 3.22 points per week on the ground, creating a lovely little floor. The Falcons aren’t a fantastic matchup this week, but he gets the Giants twice and the Patriots in three of his next six matchups.
Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22%
The Detroit Lions visit Tampa this weekend and are currently middle of the road (17th) in pass yard allowed. Baker has been solid all year, putting up double digits in every game this year. He might be sans Mike Evans this week, but Chris Godwin has done an excellent job of reminding us how damn good he is in Evans’ absence.
Gardner Minshew- Indianapolis Colts 4%
Minshew has done a fantastic job in relief of Anthony Richardson so far this year. He only has one fewer pass attempt than Richardson on the season. This week, Minshew has a porous Jacksonville defense that is currently ranked 27th in pass yards allowed to opponents coming to Indianapolis.
Tyjae Spears -Tennessee Titans 36%
Spears has been carving himself out a nice role in this Titans offense. He has logged greater than 50% of snaps each week except for one, and his opportunities have been near double digits every week. Spears had the best game of his career this past week after getting into the end zone and logging seven rushing attempts and five targets. With his current workload, he has some flex appeal and looks like one of the top handcuffs in the league.
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers 41%
Chuba has led the Panthers in rush attempts and yards for two straight weeks, further loosening Miles Sander’s grip on this starting job. Chuba has a tough matchup against the Dolphins this week and a bye following it, making this claim a bit more of a stash. However, if Bryce Young can continue to progress and this Panthers offense with him, Hubbard could be an excellent future investment,
Jeff Wilson Jr. – Miami Dolphins 22%
This one has several question marks to go along with it, but it could pay off. De’Von Achane is being evaluated for a knee injury, and his availability is to be determined. Wilson also remains on the IR currently but has had his practice window opened and is available to return this week if he is ready. Wilson will immediately be the number two behind Raheem Mostert if Achane misses time, and Wilson stole a lot of work from Mostert near the end of last season. Regardless of the number one status, the top two options in this Miami rush offense are valuable fantasy assets.
*Bonus* D’Onta Foreman – Chicago Bears 14%
Khalil Herbert has been ruled out for several weeks, and Roschon Johnson is currently in concussion protocol. If Roschon returns, he will likely be the bell cow in this offense; however, Foreman could be in line for a significant workload at home against the Vikings if any clarity is gained before waivers clear on Wednesday.
Curtis Samuel – Washington Commanders 27%
Curtis Samuel has had at least 50 yards receiving in each game but one this year. He is the Commanders’ primary slot receiver and has been a nice safety blanket for Sam Howell, whose ADOT is tied for 18th in the league at 8.1.
Josh Downs – Indianapolis Colts 26%
Josh Downs has thrived with Minshew under center, and we could be looking at six weeks of Gardner under center. Downs has 33 targets on the year; 19 have come from Gardner Minshew.
Jonathan Mingo – Carolina Panthers 21%
Mingo has yet to significantly impact this Panthers offense this year, but the opportunity is undoubtedly there. In the three games, Mingo has played all the way through, his lowest snap percentage has been 86%, and he has totaled 26 targets on three and a half games this year. His time is coming.
Jonnu Smith – Atlanta Falcons
At this point, Jonnu Smith has become a must-start tight end. Removing week one from the calculation, Smith is the TE10 on the season and has had 4, 5, 6, and 6 receptions in his last four games. If you don’t have one of the top six or seven tight ends, you can do much worse than Jonnu Smith.
Logan Thomas – Washington Commanders 20%
Logan Thomas has played three full games this season and has at least three receptions and 40+ yards in each of those three games. The safety blanket for Sam Howell stands here, as well as with Curtis Samuel. Logan Thomas is the TE11 on the season on the back of his nine receptions, 77 yards, and a touchdown performance against the Bears.
Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans 44%
Schultz is undoubtedly my third option on this list, but he has had a healthy workload in this emerging Texans offense with CJ Stroud at the helm. If opponents want to continue to focus on the Texans wide receivers, Dalton Schultz will be happy to take their scarps, as he did with his seven receptions, 65 yards, and a touchdown performance against the Falcons.
Houston Texans 17%
The Texans rank 5th in pass yards allowed at home and should be able to continue that trend against a Saints offense that has looked entirely stagnant when they haven’t played a Patriots team that is falling apart at the seams.
Tennessee Titans 7%
The Titans will host a Ravens offense that has struggled quite a bit to find their footing this season. The Titans’ offense is shaky, but you can always rely on Jeffery Simmons and their defense to bring it every week.
Las Vegas Raiders 3%
This one is a little scary and quite the longshot, but they are being given the gift of hosting a reeling Patriots team. You can count on Maxx Crosby for another All-Pro performance, just like he did against the Packers.
Bonus Pick-ups:
Any players on ESPN or Yahoo below 50% that stand out
Roschon Johnson – Chicago Bears 39.1% rostered according to FantasyPros Consensus Rostership
Roschon is currently rostered at 51% on Sleeper, but with a lower consensus rostership percentage on FantasyPros, it is worth looking if he is available. He can clear concussion protocol for their week six matchup against the Vikings. With Herbert set to miss several weeks, this could be a massive opportunity for the explosive rookie.
