Beat the Waiver Wire: Week 6

Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. These players include potential bye-week fill-ins, players who are returning from injury, and defenses to look at in advance. 

Week 6 Byes:  Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, Vikings

Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers

In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you're fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.

QB Caleb Williams, Chicago (65% rostered on Sleeper)

Even after a breakthrough performance last week, Williams is still out there in a bunch of leagues. They have a great matchup against the Jags this week, then a bye, so only grab him if you can hold him. Week 8 and 9 bring him Washington and Arizona.

WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (44% rostered on Sleeper)

If your league is shallow, there is a strong possibility that Watson was dropped. Green Bay did not put him on IR, suggesting he could return sooner rather than later. In Week 8, the Packers play Jacksonville, who give up the most fantasy points to wide receivers, so if you can hold him until then (and if he returns that week), you can slide him right in. They play Detroit the following week, which is another great matchup.

Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks

Jameis Winston, Cleveland (3% rostered on Sleeper)

Deshaun Watson is not helping the Browns win football games, and there is a higher than zero chance that the team could bench him and put in Jameis Winston. Winston has been a joy for fantasy football in years past, and stashing him on your roster could pay off big if he gets to be under center. 

In 2019, Winston was the QB3, throwing for over 5000 yards and 33 touchdowns. If the Browns do pivot, Week 7 and 8 would be great matchups for Winston. Cincinnati and Baltimore allow the 6th- and 5th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, respectively.

Drake Maye, New England  (13% rostered on Sleeper)

It was announced on Tuesday that the rookie Drake Maye would be taking over in New England. The Patriots offense has been subpar, and we have no guarantee that Maye will be any better than Jacoby Brissett, especially with that offensive line. However, with his rushing ability, he is worth a shot if you have room to stash him. Maye ran for almost 600 yards during his final year at North Carolina.

Daniel Jones, New York (23% rostered on Sleeper)

Jones proved last week he did not need Malik Nabers to be successful, and guess what…Nabers could return this week. The Giants play the Bengals this week, who have given up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. If you can weather the storm against the Eagles and Steelers, then the Giants have a run of solid matchups for Jones with their bye week thrown in. Looking even further in the distance, the fantasy playoff schedule does not look too shabby either. Keep him on your radar.