Who missed bye weeks? I certainly didn’t.
With four teams off this week, not only does the need for waiver picks go up, but the options go down. There are very limited options on the wire this week, which is why it is so much more important to make good use of your moves.
Even if you don’t have any players on a bye this week, start preparing for future weeks when the high-powered offenses are off. Here is the Week 6 Waiver Wire.
Note: Teams on bye include Lions, Texans, Titans, Raiders
*Owned % are in terms of the Yahoo platform at the time of writing
Geno Smith, SEA- QB (36%)
That’s right. We are in 2022 and Geno Smith is locked in as QB1 of the Seattle Seahawks. Aside from Week 2, Geno Smith has had solid to great play every week. If Smith continues to play like this, fantasy managers who pick him up may no longer need to stream QBs every week.
Especially with many of the top QBs going on byes in the next 3 weeks, he’s a must-pickup for pretty much anyone.
Jakobi Meyers, NE- WR (49%)
Following a two-week absence, Jakobi Meyers picked up right where he left off, helping Bailey Zappe and the struggling Pats offense to the tune of 111 yards, leading a 29-point shutout.
You won’t believe what I’m about to say next: Meyers actually scored a touchdown! The impossible has happened! This is a huge step for Meyers towards becoming a weekly start in fantasy.
Kenneth Walker III, SEA- RB (46%)
There is no player I am more excited for than Kenneth Walker, despite only owning him one league. When I first saw him in college last year I saw a future fantasy football star, but I got turned off drafting him in late August due to losing the job to Rashaad Penny in addition to a supposed Hernia issue.
Finally, Walker gets his shot with Penny potentially out for the season. Walker has shown so many flashes this season in his limited time on the field this year, and that time is no longer limited. If Walker is still available to pick up in your league, consider yourself lucky as you just found yourself a future starter.
Josh Reynolds, DET- WR (31%)
There is no reason not to trust Josh Reynolds at this point. With almost 30 targets in his last three games, Reynolds has been nothing less than consistent.
Even in the Lions’ first bad offensive week of the season, Reynolds still produced almost 100 yards. Detroit has the bye in Week 6, but it’s time to call dibs on him before it’s too late.
Hayden Hurst, CIN- TE (31%)
Hayden Hurst has touchdowns in back-to-back weeks for the Bengals, and Joe Burrow has looked his way multiple times in the red zone.
Between Higgins being hurt, Chase not getting looks, and some questionable play-calling from HC Zac Taylor, Hurst has seen some benefit from the conservative play. He can be trusted as a low-end TE1 this week.
George Pickens, PIT- WR (55%)
George Pickens’ upside is definitely there, but with Kenny Pickett coming in as the starter we might finally see it. In the two games where Pickett played, Pickens totaled 12 catches on 16 targets with 185 yards. That’s nothing to take for granted.
Especially with TE Pat Freiermuth hurt, Pickens could see an increase in target share. The last two weeks have been solid for Pickens and now all he needs to be a weekly start is red zone usage.
