Each week, it is critical to scope out your league’s waiver wire to look for the best players to help your fantasy roster. The fantasy football managers who pay attention and pick up players at the right time can have a huge advantage when it comes to winning their league. The difference between bidding on waivers and FAAB is that with FAAB, winning the player is purely based on outbidding the other players in the league. However, it’s extremely important to be judicious with your FAAB budget throughout the season, considering it may need to last 14-17 weeks, assuming you end up making the fantasy championship.
Here is a list of players who you should keep on your watch list with projected FAAB amounts. For purposes of this article, the assumption is that your league uses $1000 FAAB.
Also, players are removed from this list after 1-2 weeks, with the expectation that the rest of your league mates have picked them up.
QB:
New for Week 6:
Michael Penix, Jr, Falcons–Sometimes you can get lucky and find a player on the waiver wire who is available because someone dropped him during a BYE week. Penix could be that player. FAAB: $10-15
Dillon Gabriel, Browns–Gabriel acquitted himself nicely in his first-ever NFL start against a tough Minnesota defense. Cleveland is still not going anywhere, and there could be a small chance they want to take a look at Shedeur Sanders, so bid cautiously. FAAB: $5-10
Spencer Rattler, Saints–Hasn’t looked as bad as many expected and, in fact, looked solid against the Giants. Certainly worth rostering in Superflex formats. FAAB: $5-10
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings–Minnesota is on BYE in Week 6, so this is a stash more than anything, with the assumption that he gets his job back. FAAB: $5-10
From Previous Weeks:
Russell Wilson, Giants–There are strong rumors that Russ is going to be traded prior to the trade deadline to give him another chance to start. If he ends up in a place like Cincinnati, then it’s a huge win. Purely speculative. FAAB: $5-10
Bryce Young, Panthers–Young is still incredibly up and down. The game against Miami was good, and he has Dallas next week. FAAB: $5-10
Jaxson Dart, Giants– There will be plenty of growing pains, so be careful. FAAB: $50-60
RB:
New for Week 6:
Rico Dowdle, Panthers–Dowdle was spectacular last week against Miami. He gets a revenge game against Dallas in Week 6, but if Chuba Hubbard is back, it will relegate him to part-time duty again. FAAB: $80-100
Brashard Smith, Chiefs–Expect the Chiefs to ramp up his snaps over the coming weeks. There’s a Tyrone Tracy upside to his game. FAAB: $30-35
Kimani Vidal, Chargers–With Omarion Hampton on the IR, many experts will recommend Hassan Hawkins, but I’m thinking the play might be Vidal. He’s got way more upside in his game. Be careful not to overspend thought as the Chargers might make a deal or bring back Gus Edwards. FAAB: $35-40
Tyjae Spears, Titans–Tennessee needs all the weapons they can find, and Spears will likely see his snaps ramped up now that he’s back from an ankle injury. FAAB: $40-50
Bam Knight, Cardinals–He ran with purpose against the Titans, and Demercado might not get out from Jonatahn Gannon’s doghouse any time soon. FAAB: $5-8
Devin Neal, Saints–Keep him on the watchlist in case the Saints trade Alvin Kamara. FAAB: $1-3
From Previous Weeks:
Kendre Miller, Saints–Dennis Allen absolutely hated Miller, but new head coach Kellen Moore feels differently. Miller is showing some of the skills he had in college and is looking like the clear RB2 in New Orleans. If Kamara gets traded, he could be a must-add. FAAB: $50-60
Jaydon Blue, Cowboys–Dallas might want to see if Blue can be their change-of-pace back. FAAB: $15-20
Emmanuel Wilson, Packers– Would add for sure if you have Jacobs. FAAB: $20-25
Justice Hill, Ravens–Something seems to be wrong with not only Derrick Henry but the entire Ravens roster. Hill is the RB they look to when they are playing from behind. Better in PPR formats. FAAB: $25-30
Sean Tucker, Bucs–He played less than expected against Seattle, but that might have been more about game flow than anything. Still bullish on him. FAAB: $25-30
Isaiah Davis, Jets–Davis is the obvious backup to Hall and has some receiving ability. FAAB: $15-20
Hassan Haskins, Chargers– As of right now, it’s either him or Vidal as the RB1 with Hampton out. Haskins is a Michigan guy, and you know Harbaugh loves that! FAAB: $50-60
Blake Corum, Rams– Kyren Williams is still firmly entrenched as the RB1 for Los Angeles, but Corum has gotten more opportunities this season and has shown a lot of juice when given the chance. FAAB: $10-15 (double it if you have Kyren Williams)
Kyle Monangai, Bears–Ben Johnson has stated that he wants to get him more carries. FAAB: $30-50
DJ Giddens, Colts–Giddens is the clear RB2 in Indianapolis, and if anything happens to Jonathan Taylor, he would be worth rostering. Definitely worth a dollar or two to stash. FAAB: $20-25
Tahj Brooks, Bengals–It is clear after watching training camp that Brooks is the backup to Chase Brown and should be treated as such. FAAB: $15-20
WR:
New for Week 6:
Kendrick Bourne, 49ers–Played really well against the Rams but will lose targets when Jennings, Pearsall, and Kittle all return. FAAB: $20-25
Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys–He looks like he has more upside than Jalen Tolbert. Could emerge as the WR2 until Lamb returns. FAAB: $15-20
Jalen Coker, Panthers–Should be back in the lineup in the next 1-2 weeks. More of a speculation play than anything, since McMillan and Legette are there. FAAB: $10-12
Arian Smith, Jets–Someone needs to be the WR2 for the Jets, and Smith was a solid receiver at UGA. FAAB: $5-8
Jack Bech, Raiders–Geno Smith called out Dont’e Thornton after the Colts game for running poor pass routes. Bech was a 2nd round pick and could see more time. FAAB: $5-8
From Previous Weeks:
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants–He’s most likely gone in your league, but if he’s not, he is the new WR1 for New York. FAAB: $200-225
Malik Washington, Dolphins–With Tyreek Hill likely out for the season, Washington should assume a starting role in Miami. FAAB: $50-60
Jalin Hyatt, Giants–The Giants took him in the 3rd round years ago, and he is a speedy playmaker much like Adonai Mitchell. He might only see a few targets a game, but he will definitely see plenty more snaps with Nabers out. FAAB: $10-20
Isaiah Bond, Browns–Bond was a terrific player at the University of Texas and will steadily improve after missing most of training camp. FAAB: $30-40
Luke McCaffrey, Commanders–Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown are dealing with injuries and will likely be questionable for a while. McCaffrey has steadily improved and seems to have Dan Quinn’s trust. FAAB: $25-30
Jalen Tolbert, Cowboys–With Lamb out, someone needs to step up, and Tolbert is the best of the lot in Dallas. FAAB: $20-25
Roman Wilson, Steelers–Wilson has dealt with injuries from the time he was drafted, but there is still some ability there to uncover. FAAB: $3-5
Jimmy Horn, Jr., Panthers–Keep an eye on Horn, who might start to see snaps with so many injuries in Carolina. He was uncoverable in training camp, but that may or may not translate into game snaps. FAAB: $1-2
Luther Burden, Bears– Bears head coach Ben Johnson has said that they need to scheme more plays for Burden. This could be the start of big things to come for this talented young rookie. FAAB: $80-90
Adonai Mitchell, Colts– Mitchell’s immaturity cost the Colts 2 TDs in Week 4. He’s got tons of ability if he can keep his head on straight. FAAB: $10-15
Parker Washington, Jaguars–There obviously is something wrong with Brian Thomas, Jr., and it’s going to shake out soon. He’s either hurt or annoyed at the play calling or both. Always better to be a week early than a week late if the Thomas news is troublesome. FAAB: Washington $20-25
Tory Horton, Seahawks–He was the talk of training camp before he got injured in a preseason game. Keep Horton on the radar. FAAB: $10-15
Kayshon Boutte, Patriots—Boutte showed a good connection with Drake Maye last season, and he excels against man coverage. He is a good receiver to stash based on the defensive matchups if your roster is able to be flexible enough to carry him. FAAB: $35-40
Isaac TeSlaa, Lions—TeSlaa won the WR3 position in training camp. If you are rostering St. Brown and/or Williams, he could be a very good person to keep on your bench just in case. FAAB: $20-25
TE:
New for Week 6:
Evan Engram, Broncos–Likely dropped in your league due to ineffectiveness, but he played well against Philadelphia, and this could be a sign of good things on the horizon. FAAB: $45-50
Theo Johnson, Giants–Young QBs need to have a good tight end as a security blanket. Theo Johnson is that guy for Jaxson Dart. He caught both of Dart’s TD passes against New Orleans in Week 5. FAAB: $20-25
From Previous Weeks:
Harold Fannin, Browns–I am relisting him after Tillman’s injury, as he should get more snaps and targets. FAAB: $60-80
Darren Waller, Dolphins–Waller would be a nice addition to any team with tight end issues. FAAB: $100-130
Isaiah Likely, Ravens–Likely may have a sizable role as the Ravens seem to be lacking production from Mark Andrews, and they need a consistent weapon on offense. FAAB: $25-30
Oronde Gadsden, Chargers– Gadsden was an exceptional receiving tight end at Syracuse and could easily become the starter at some point during the season. FAAB: $15-20
Tommy Tremble, Panthers–Ja’Tavion Sanders left the game with an injury and will be out for multiple weeks. The Panthers like him, but he’s nothing more than a stash in a deep league. FAAB: $3-5
Mason Taylor, Jets– With the Jets lacking any serious number two receiver, Taylor has stepped up. He should be good for 3-5 receptions a week moving forward. FAAB: $10-15
A.J. Barner, Seahawks–Barner is a big-time blocking tight end with surprisingly decent skills as a receiver. Elijah Arroyo is going to be a good player eventually, but Barner is the TE1 in Seattle. FAAB: $5-10
