Week 6 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

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The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions. If a downgrade player has a (waiver wire: DROP FOR X% OR HIGHER) notation, that means drop that player for any waiver wire addition with a recommended bid of X% or higher.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB Joe Burrow, CIN
2. QB Sam Howell, WAS (waiver wire: 12-25%)
3. QB Justin Fields, CHI
4. QB Matthew Stafford, LAR (waiver wire: 10-20%)
5. QB Kyler Murray, ARI (waiver wire: 5-10%)
6. QB Baker Mayfield, TB (waiver wire: 3-5%)
7. QB Brock Purdy, SF
8. QB Desmond Ridder, ATL (waiver wire: 3-5%)
9. QB Jared Goff, DET
10. QB Gardner Minshew, IND (waiver wire: 1%)
11. QB Bryce Young, CAR (waiver wire: 1%)
12. QB Tyrod Taylor, NYG (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
13. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, CLE (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
14. QB Bailey Zappe, NE (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Anthony Richardson, IND (waiver wire: HOLD)
2. QB Daniel Jones, NYG (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER)
3. QB Kirk Cousins, MIN
4. QB Mac Jones, NE (waiver wire: DROP)
5. QB Dak Prescott, DAL (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
6. QB Zach Wilson, NYJ (waiver wire: DROP)

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB Tyjae Spears, TEN (waiver wire: 15-30%)
2. RB Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. RB Zach Charbonnet, SEA (waiver wire: 12-25%)
4. RB Roschon Johnson, CHI (waiver wire: 12-25%)
5. RB D'Onta Foreman, CHI (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. RB Breece Hall, NYJ
7. RB Emari Demercado, ARI (waiver wire: 7-15%)
8. RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN
9. RB Zack Moss, IND
10. RB Kendre Miller, NO (waiver wire: 5-10%)
11. RB Raheem Mostert, MIA
12. RB Salvon Ahmed, MIA (waiver wire: 3-5%)
13. RB Joe Mixon, CIN
14. RB Chris Brooks, MIA (waiver wire: 1%)
15. RB Keaontay Ingram, ARI (waiver wire: 1%)
16. RB Jordan Mason, SF (waiver wire: 1%)
17. RB Craig Reynolds, DET (waiver wire: 1%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB De'Von Achane, MIA (waiver wire: HOLD)
2. RB James Conner, ARI
3. RB Khalil Herbert, CHI (waiver wire: HOLD)
4. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (waiver wire: HOLD)
5. RB Alexander Mattison, MIN
6. RB Brian Robinson Jr., WAS
7. RB Kyren Williams, LAR

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR Ja'Marr Chase, CIN
2. WR Curtis Samuel, WAS (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. WR Josh Downs, IND (waiver wire: 12-25%)
4. WR Joshua Palmer, LAC (waiver wire: 12-25%)
5. WR Elijah Moore, CLE (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. WR K.J. Osborn, MIN (waiver wire: 10-20%)
7. WR Josh Reynolds, DET (waiver wire: 10-20%)
8. WR Rashee Rice, KC (waiver wire: 10-20%)
9. WR DeAndre Hopkins, TEN
10. WR George Pickens, PIT
11. WR Jordan Addison, MIN
12. WR DJ Moore, CHI
13. WR Puka Nacua, LAR
14. WR Quentin Johnston, LAC (waiver wire: 3-5%)
15. WR Adam Thielen, CAR

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Justin Jefferson, MIN
2. WR Michael Wilson, ARI (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER)
3. WR Courtland Sutton, DEN (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
4. WR Chris Olave, NO

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE Dallas Goedert, PHI
2. TE Logan Thomas, WAS (waiver wire: 10-20%)
3. TE David Njoku, CLE (waiver wire: 7-15%)
4. TE Kyle Pitts, ATL
5. TE Cole Kmet, CHI
6. TE Dalton Schultz, HOU (waiver wire: 5-10%)
7. TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ (waiver wire: 3-5%)
8. TE Gerald Everett, LAC (waiver wire: 3-5%)
9. TE Jonnu Smith, ATL (waiver wire: 3-5%)
10. TE Darren Waller, NYG

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE Hunter Henry, NE (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Joe Burrow, CIN - Heeeeee's Baaaaack. Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase carved up the Cardinals defense in a big road win that revived the Bengals' season and Burrow's fantasy stock. He'll face the Seahawks next week and should be back in lineups as a QB1.

QB Justin Fields, CHI - Fields had his second straight fantasy bonanza in the win over Washington. He faces another bottom-half defense against Minnesota this week and is on his way to becoming an elite fantasy quarterback if this connection with DJ Moore stays hot.

QB Jared Goff, DET - Goff had a rushing score and three passing scores even though he was missing his top wide receiver against the Panthers. He's startable against the Bucs this week.

QB Sam Howell, WAS - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Howell had a rough first half against the lowly Bears defense but kept on chucking it to try to make up a big deficit and came through for fantasy teams in the end. This is a great recipe for fantasy consistency - even when he's bad, he'll produce trying to dig out of the hole he and his team create. This week vs. Atlanta should be another startable matchup for Howell.

QB Baker Mayfield, TB - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Mayfield comes back from his bye to face a Lions team that has a strong enough offense to force the Bucs into a pass-happy mode if they weren't there already. Mayfield has proven that he's worth a depth spot in 1QB leagues if benches allow, so he could be out there if he was dropped in a bye-week crunch.

QB Gardner Minshew, IND - (waiver wire: 1%) - Minshew should take over for Anthony Richardson for multiple weeks after the rookie suffered a shoulder injury. The schedule gets tougher after this week vs. the Jaguars with Cleveland and New Orleans up next, so he's not going to be more than bye/injury depth while Richardson heals.

QB Kyler Murray, ARI - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - We could still be 3-4 weeks away from activation for Murray with the Cardinals falling to 1-4. His waiver wire value goes down as the team drops in the standings, but we know what his impact will be for fantasy once he's healthy - the bigger question is whether that will happen this year. Whether that's worth a spot in your league depends on quarterback value, scarcity, and roster size.

QB Brock Purdy, SF - Purdy was hyperefficient yet again in Week 5, this time against the vaunted Cowboys defense. He has been a solid QB1, outproducing his ADP, with his production trending up heading into a matchup against a tough Cleveland defense.

QB Desmond Ridder, ATL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Ridder made the vultures fly away with a comeback win over Houston that featured quality passing and a rushing score. He has a terrific matchup against the Commanders this week, and Tampa, Tennessee, and Minnesota are up after that. Ridder could still have legs as upside bye/injury depth despite having an up-and-down season to date.

QB Matthew Stafford, LAR - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Stafford's fantasy output didn't spike with the return of Cooper Kupp, but it's easy to see how his ceiling is higher with Kupp than without. The Cardinals allowed Joe Burrow to find himself in Week 5, so Stafford is potentially worth a spot start, and certainly quality depth worth holding even in 1QB formats.

QB Tyrod Taylor, NYG - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Taylor could start this week if Daniel Jones' neck injury keeps him out, and maybe for longer, but he's still only a desperation play even in 2QB/Superflex leagues with the Giants offense sputtering.

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, CLE - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Kevin Stefanski did not commit to Deshaun Watson being ready to play this week, so if you are desperate in a 2QB/Superflex league, Thompson-Robinson could start against the 49ers this week.

QB Bryce Young, CAR - (waiver wire: 1%) - Young had his first garbage time fantasy feast - perhaps of many this year. The Panthers fell so far behind the Lions that he faced a prevent defense in the second half. That's likely to happen again this week against Miami.

QB Bailey Zappe, NE - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - You have to wonder how long the Patriots are going to stick with Mac Jones after he was pulled before the game was over for the second straight week. Zappe isn't going to create much better results than Jones, but he does have some speculative depth value in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Kirk Cousins, MIN - Justin Jefferson is out for at least four games, maybe longer, as he goes on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Cousins loses one of the best wide receivers in the league, and there's also an increased chance that he gets traded (Jets?) before the deadline if the Vikings fall out of contention. Hold and hope for the best, but be worried if he struggles against Chicago.

QB Daniel Jones, NYG - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER) - Jones was thrown to the wolves against the Dolphins and ended up leaving with a neck injury. It doesn't sound like it's serious and Jones still has a theoretical high weekly ceiling if his line and Saquon Barkley get healthy, but we can also see how low his floor is. He's not an essential hold.

QB Mac Jones, NE - (waiver wire: DROP) - Jones was pulled before the game was over for the second straight week, and he's part of the reason why the team is losing in such ignominious fashion. He could be replaced by Bailey Zappe any week now.

QB Dak Prescott, DAL - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Prescott got mulched by the 49ers defense like the rest of the Cowboys. Joshua Dobbs did much better than Prescott against the same competition in a revolting development for Prescott's fantasy value. He's just bye/injury depth until/unless he gets hot. There's a little hope of that happening against the Chargers this week, but Prescott isn't an essential hold.

QB Anthony Richardson, IND - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Richardson went down with a grade 3 shoulder sprain that may keep him out for multiple weeks. More worrying is that this is the third game out of four he hasn't been able to finish because he isn't protecting himself as a runner.

QB Zach Wilson, NYJ - (waiver wire: DROP) - Wilson was serviceable against the Broncos, but fell off of a solid Week 4 level of play in a tougher matchup, undermining any confidence that was building in him as a 2QB/Superflex option. He'll face a talented Eagles defense this week.

Running Back Upgrade

RB Salvon Ahmed, MIA - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Ahmed was a healthy scratch last week, but depending on Jeff Wilson's status, he could be the #2 this week against Carolina, which would make him flexworthy. Wilson and Raheem Mostert aren't known for their durability, so there's a reasonable chance that Ahmed gets at least one week leading this backfield before De'Von Achane returns from injured reserve.

RB Chris Brooks, MIA - (waiver wire: 1%) - Brooks is probably fourth on the depth chart right now, but it's not hard to picture him moving up quickly because of injuries. If bench size is long enough, he's worth a preemptive add.

RB Zach Charbonnet, SEA - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Charbonnet is one of the essential backup running backs to carry with Kenneth Walker's injury history and the quality of the Seattle running game. Make sure he's not out there on the waiver wire as a bye-week crunch drop.

RB Emari Demercado, ARI - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - It's looking like Demercado should get at least one start this week against the Rams, and depending on Keaontay Ingram's neck injury and when James Conner is ready to return (perhaps four weeks or more), he could have some lasting value. This offense has been viable enough to support a flex play or bye/injury RB2 if there is one back getting most of the work.

RB D'Onta Foreman, CHI - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Foreman should be in a committee with Roschon Johnson for at least a few weeks and possibly start in Week 6 against Minnesota as Johnson suffered a concussion against Washington. He's best cast as a matchup flex this week but could become an RB2 if he gets exclusive goal-line work and this offense continues to hum.

RB Breece Hall, NYJ - Forget about Hall needing 18 months to get fully back from his 2022 ACL tear. He was power-cutting through the Broncos' wilting defense all day, and he should be the engine of the Jets offense going forward. We won't be getting any more questions about whether to start him.

RB Keaontay Ingram, ARI - (waiver wire: 1%) - Ingram may end up being a wasted pickup because he has a neck injury that forced the team to bring in Darrel Williams last week. If he gets healthy before James Conner, Ingram could start over Emari Demercado because he was ahead of the rookie UDFA before he got hurt, but then again, Ingram hasn't done much in the opportunity he has gotten so far in the NFL.

RB Roschon Johnson, CHI - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Johnson was playing ahead of D'Onta Foreman before he got hurt, so even though he might miss Week 6 with a concussion, Johnson should be the higher priority pickup with Khalil Herbert likely out for at least 2-3 weeks. Johnson is the better pass-catching back, and he has similar prowess running between the tackles to Foreman.

RB Jordan Mason, SF - (waiver wire: 1%) - Mason continued to look very capable in relief of Christian McCaffrey in the blowout win over Dallas. Elijah Mitchell could be back soon, but it's not clear that he can stay healthy under any significant workload, so Mason may end up being the better injury upside bench stash even while Mitchell is healthy - but he's not right now, so Mason is worth carrying if bench size allows.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN - For the second straight week, McLaughlin was on the field only 1/3 of the time but posted fantasy RB1 numbers. The Broncos might not be willing to use him more, but that shouldn't prevent us from giving him a shot as a flex against Kansas City on Thursday. There are a lot more ways for McLaughlin's value to grow than there are for it to get smaller.

RB Kendre Miller, NO - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Miller popped as a receiver out of the backfield and got more work in the lopsided win, showing he is ahead of Tony Jones after all and worth carrying as the injury upside backup behind Alvin Kamara.

RB Joe Mixon, CIN - Mixon was stopped on fourth down on his best chance to score in Week 5, but Joe Burrow finding his form and finally leaving his calf injury behind him is great news for Mixon's weekly and season-long ceiling from here on out. Make sure he's in as an RB2/Flex against Seattle this week.

RB Zack Moss, IND - Not only did Moss prove that he's more than a mere backup to Jonathan Taylor, but he might have forced a committee going forward, even with the Colts finally playing Taylor a market-value deal. Moss should be considered a flex play against Jacksonville this week.

RB Raheem Mostert, MIA - Mostert scored, and his backfieldmate De'Von Achane suffered a knee injury in the win over the Giants. He could get a larger workload against the Panthers, and Achane's injury seems to insure that the Dolphins will be careful not to overuse the rookie and keep Mostert in a large enough role to be flex-worthy every week.

RB Craig Reynolds, DET - (waiver wire: 1%) - Reynolds operated as the backup to David Montgomery with Jahmyr Gibbs sitting and looked good in garbage time. Zonovan Knight did not split the work with Reynolds like he did when Montgomery was out in Week 3, so Reynolds can be stashed as an injury-upside backup, especially for as long as Gibbs is out with his hamstring issue.

RB Tyjae Spears, TEN - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Spears had his first hit for fantasy leagues in Week 5, and it should encourage the Titans to keep using him as much as they use Derrick Henry unless they are closing out a win. Spears has flex value right now, but he carries a high Henry injury ceiling.

RB Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Wilson should become the #2 back (arguably 1A) as soon as he's ready to play, which could be as soon as this weekend. De'Von Achane should be back around Week 11, so Wilson's value window might be limited, but if Raheem Mostert goes down, Wilson could be one of the best pickups of the year.

Running Back Downgrade

RB De'Von Achane, MIA - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Achane is likely going on injured reserve with a knee injury. It's not season-ending, and he could be back around Week 11 after the Dolphins have their bye, so don't drop him.

RB James Conner, ARI - The injury seal has been opened for Conner, who left the game with a knee injury after a strong run. There have been reports that he will miss multiple weeks and could end up on injured reserve.

RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Herbert left with a high ankle sprain that could land him on injured reserve. He had just seized control of the backfield, and he was playing as well as he has in his time with the Bears. He's worth a hold through this if you can manage it.

RB Alexander Mattison, MIN - Mattison did score as a receiver, but his snap share was down around 50%, which is not comforting when he plays for a team that rarely nurses big second-half leads. He does have a good matchup against the Bears this week. If Mattison isn't startable in this matchup, he might end up being mere bye/injury depth, and the Justin Jefferson injury certainly isn't going to make it easier for Mattison to find room to run. There's also a doomsday scenario where Kirk Cousins is traded before the deadline, leaving Mattison as the starting running back in a Nick Mullens offense.

RB Brian Robinson Jr., WAS - This was a letdown for Robinson in a game against a bottom-tier Bears defense, but at least he got a few catches before the game got out of hand. He will be affected by game script more than other backs, and if the team can fall behind big vs. the previously winless Bears, a floor game could be lurking in any given week.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE - (waiver wire: HOLD) - You can't put Stevenson in your lineup as a committee back in a terrible offense, but hopefully, this group will bounce back this week, whether it's because of a possible quarterback change or just a matchup against a vulnerable Raiders defense.

RB Kyren Williams, LAR - Williams wasn't a disaster against the Eagles, but it's clear with Cooper Kupp back that this offense will run through Matthew Stafford. The net result could be more scoring opportunities for him, but along the way, lower volume could make him a riskier RB2 and certainly not the RB1 he was shaping up as earlier this season.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Jordan Addison, MIN - It's not clear yet how long Justin Jefferson will be out with a hamstring injury, but it will be at least four weeks, as he is going to injured reserve. It does appear that Addison will be the biggest beneficiary in fantasy leagues. Make sure he's in your lineup against the Bears.

WR Ja'Marr Chase, CIN - The bumpy start to the season for the Bengals is behind them now, as Chase posted one of the best games of his career against the Cardinals. He jumped up to WR5 on the year in PPR leagues on the strength of this game and no longer looks like the landmine of the early first round.

WR Josh Downs, IND - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Downs posted his biggest fantasy output of the year, and in no coincidence, his second biggest game came with Gardner Minshew, who relieved an injured Anthony Richardson in this game and should start at least a few more, which will make Downs a solid WR3/Flex option in PPR leagues against the Jaguars in Week 6.

WR DeAndre Hopkins, TEN - Hopkins is over his ankle injury, and you can tell that Ryan Tannehill is going to trust his trademark contested catch ability to move the Titans offense through the air. Hopkins is back to being an every-week WR2 heading into a matchup with Baltimore.

WR Quentin Johnston, LAC - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Johnston didn't show much in his first game as the Chargers #3 receiver, but a bye week might have given the team time to come up with a better game plan to use him where he is comfortable as a green rookie. He's worth a long bench stash to see if he can build some momentum.

WR DJ Moore, CHI - Moore posted his first week-winning game with Justin Fields, proving that this low-volume pass offense isn't going to hold him back from being a fantasy WR1 as long as his connection with Fields is clicking.

WR Elijah Moore, CLE - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Moore and the Browns offense were cold going into the bye, so he could have been dropped in a roster size dilemma. He won't be playable until Deshaun Watson starts again, which might not be this week.

WR Puka Nacua, LAR - Nacua dispelled any notion that he was going to drop off of a cliff for fantasy with Cooper Kupp back. Kupp dominated targets early on and posted a 100+ yard game, and Nacua was still more productive, even in PPR leagues. He's still an every-week start.

WR K.J. Osborn, MIN - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Osborn should get more targets with Justin Jefferson on injured reserve, but his window of production could be short if Kirk Cousins gets traded. He's a WR3/Flex against the Bears this weekend.

WR Joshua Palmer, LAC - (waiver wire: 12-25%) - Check and make sure the Chargers #2 wide receiver wasn't dropped during his bye. He'll face the Trevon Diggs-less and recently humiliated Cowboys defense this week.

WR George Pickens, PIT - Pickens caught the game-winning score, and it does appear that Kenny Pickett is willing to be aggressive in throwing downfield to him when he is in one-on-one coverage. Pickens has demonstrated a high enough weekly ceiling with Pickett to ride out the low points after the team's bye this week.

WR Josh Reynolds, DET - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Reynolds' sweet toe-tap touchdown capped a solid day as the #1 receiver while Amon-Ra St. Brown sat out Week 5. Jameson Williams isn't ready for a big role yet, so Reynolds still has WR3/Flex value against the Bucs this week and until further notice.

WR Rashee Rice, KC - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Rice scored again this week. He's leading the Chiefs wide receivers in targets even though he's fourth in snaps. That could mean that he'll buck the trend and become consistent for fantasy leagues if he can just up his snap count - which can happen as rookies get more familiar with their offense and quarterback.

WR Curtis Samuel, WAS - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Samuel was Sam Howell's favorite wide receiver target in the futile comeback attempt against the Bears. He seems to have more value than Jahan Dotson right now and should have another good game this week, with A.J. Terrell likely latched onto Terry Mclaurin.

WR Adam Thielen, CAR - Thielen had his first big game of the year with Bryce Young in at quarterback. It took a blowout garbage time game script to do it, but the Panthers should see another one of those this week against Miami. Thielen has shown a high enough floor since a Week 1 dud to be worth a WR3/Flex play, no matter the matchup.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Justin Jefferson, MIN - Jefferson is going on injured reserve, so you'll be without him for at least four weeks. There's some question whether the Vikings will trade Kirk Cousins and how soon Jefferson would come back if they are out of contention. This could get worse before it gets better.

WR Chris Olave, NO - Olave tweaked his ankle in warmups before the game. He was still able to play, and he scored, but it's hard to know how much the injury affected him because the Saints were able to pull up in the second half of a blowout win.

WR Courtland Sutton, DEN - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Sutton was blotted out by the Jets pass defense in a game that will make it difficult to trust him against the Chiefs this week. The hope is that Jerry Jeudy is traded, leaving him to be the clear #1, or that he's traded to a better pass offense, but for now, hope is all we have if we are carrying Sutton.

WR Michael Wilson, ARI - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 3-5% OR HIGHER) - Wilson went from his peak 2023 value to his trough in a tough matchup against the Bengals. He is rookie depth you'll have to be patient with if you want to reap some value, and it might be better to drop him for someone with some momentum coming out of Week 5.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Tyler Conklin, NYJ - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Conklin had his second straight good week with Zach Wilson, and he is settling into a fantasy-relevant role in the Jets passing game. He's worth a look against the Eagles this week if you need to find a starter on the waiver wire.

TE Gerald Everett, LAC - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - It doesn't sound like Donald Parham's wrist injury is serious, as he could even play this week, but Everett has been one of the Chargers' best players with the ball in his hands after the catch. He could play a large enough role against the Cowboys defense that George Kittle just scored on three times to be fantasy-relevant coming out of the bye.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI - The coaches said it was on them to get Goedert more involved, and they made good on their word this week in the win over the Rams. Goedert was strong above the rim and after the catch. This performance should keep him in lineups against the Jets this week.

TE Cole Kmet, CHI - As goes Justin Fields, so goes Kmet's fantasy value. Fields was good in Week 5, so Kmet was too. The Vikings aren't an imposing defense, so Kmet needs to stay in lineups this week.

TE David Njoku, CLE - (waiver wire: 7-15%) - Njoku actually had a decent PPR game with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, so if the rookie has to start again vs. San Francisco, Njoku might be the only member of the offense to keep his value intact. Better times are probably coming when Deshaun Watson is back, so if Njoku was dropped during his bye, consider a pickup, even if you're happy with your TE1.

TE Kyle Pitts, ATL - It was redemption week for disappointing tight ends as Pitts had his best game of the year by a large margin in Week 5. That was with Jonnu Smith also having a big game, so we know that Pitts can be startable even with Smith having a large role in the pass offense. Make sure Pitts is in against the Commanders in Week 6.

TE Dalton Schultz, HOU - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Schultz had his best game as a Texan even though he is barely above 50% of the snaps. He's still in a good passing game, and he could get extra targets this week again if Marshon Lattimore sticks to Nico Collins as well as A.J. Terrell did in Week 5.

TE Jonnu Smith, ATL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Smith had another strong game, although he also fumbled and might be falling out of favor a little bit with Kyle Pitts coming on. Still, Washington is a great matchup, so if you need a Week 6 spot starter or just want to reinforce your depth at tight end in a deep league, consider Smith.

TE Logan Thomas, WAS - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Thomas was Sam Howell's favorite target in the loss to the Bears. He might not continue to rack up catches at the rate he did in Week 5, but his performance since coming back from a concussion has him in the low end of the TE1 ranks heading into a matchup against the Falcons defense that just gave up a big game to Dalton Schultz.

TE Darren Waller, NYG - Waller was the only good thing about the Giants offense in yet another embarrassing game for the team. That is enough to plug him back in lineups against the Bills this week no matter who starts at quarterback for the Giants.

Tight End Downgrade

TE Hunter Henry, NE - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - For a few weeks, it looked like Henry would be the one Patriots pass-catcher we could count on in fantasy leagues. The offense has lost any wind it had in its sails, and Henry has become worthless along with it. He's not an essential hold but could bounce back against the Raiders.