Top-40 RB Rankings - Week 16

5 Starts & 5 Sits - Week 16

Week 16 DFS: Top Picks & Targets

Week 6 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds

Alex Ciulla

As the NFL season progresses, Week 5 brought a host of intriguing storylines. The Bills, who dominated early with an average of 37 points per game, have only managed 30 in the last two weeks, raising questions about their performance. In Carolina, QB Andy Dalton was benched for QB Bryce Young, but Dalton will start again in Week 6 despite his recent struggles. In Indianapolis, there's no QB controversy yet, but veteran Joe Flacco is making a strong case, having thrown for 527 yards and five touchdowns in limited play, outshining QB Anthony Richardson's 3:6 TD ratio.

Rookie quarterbacks are also making waves, with Washington's Jayden Daniels at 4-1 and Chicago's Caleb Williams undefeated at home.

Additionally, Week 5 saw some injuries, though not as severe as in previous weeks; Bengals RB Zack Moss escaped serious injury, while Bills QB Josh Allen is okay after a head slam. Notably, Browns TE David Njoku and Texans WR Nico Collins both exited their games early, and Jets QB Aaron Rodgers sustained a minor ankle sprain. Panthers rookie WR Xavier Legette is considered day-to-day, and Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is in concussion protocol but should return after Miami's Week 6 bye.

As a reminder, this column assumes PPR formats and will only highlight players around or under 50% ownership via Yahoo! Fantasy. In Week 6, the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Minnesota Vikings are all on bye. Let’s get into the Week 6 waivers.

For deeper-roster leagues and a second opinion see Leonard LaPadula's article, Streamers for the Desperate - Week 6

Quarterback Streamers

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts (8% Owned)

I’ll keep this short and sweet. If QB Anthony Richardson is forced to miss another game, Joe Flacco would be a must-start option, particularly with QB's Patrick Mahomes and Sam Darnold on bye. Flacco was on fire this past weekend, spreading the ball around and dicing up the Jaguars' secondary with ease. He and the Colts will get a more staunch matchup this coming Sunday when they hit the road to line up against their division-rival Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been one of the stingier defenses overall, but given what Flacco has shown so far, he deserves serious waiver consideration.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (51% Owned)

KirCo Chainz lit it up in an exciting start to the week on Thursday Night Football. In the 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins completed 42-of-58 passes for 509 yards – a franchise record – and four touchdowns. It was far-and-away his most productive outing of the season and an electric performance against his new division rival.

Atlanta will again get one of the better matchups this Sunday in Week 6 when they line up against a Carolina Panthers defense, letting up the second-most net yards per pass play (7.6). Additionally, they’ve allowed the most passing touchdowns (11) to opposing offenses.

If you need a streamer, he’s one of my favorites, and I like him as a back-end QB1 in an enticing matchup. If he isn't currently owned in your league, go get him. 

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (60% Owned)

Caleb Williams is the quarterback I’m most skeptical of this week, as his performances have been up and down so far. However, he appears to be adapting to the NFL, and had his best outing this past Sunday in his team’s 36-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Sunday’s contest marked the first time in his career that he threw for 300+ yards and multiple scores without an interception.

The tools have been there for the rookie, and he’s made better decisions as of late and locked on to wide receiver WR DJ Moore when under stress. It’s unlikely that Williams is available in your league, but if he is, he’s worthy of a stream this Sunday in an excellent matchup.

Chicago will technically be the “home team” when they travel to London to square off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags’ secondary has been sieve-like in 2024, as they’ve allowed the most passing yards in the league (1,439) and have yet to record an interception against opposing offenses. If there was a week to start the first-overall pick – it’s this one. He’ll be a high-end QB2 with upside.

Running Backs

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (23% Owned)

Since being featured in this column last week, RB Tank Bigsby’s ownership has doubled in Yahoo! Leagues. Last week, Bigsby out-gained backfield mate Travis Etienne despite seeing six fewer touches. The second-year back out-gained Etienne again in Week 5, but this time, out-touched him, too.

In Jacksonville’s first victory of the season – a 37-34 shootout against the Indianapolis Colts – the 2023 third-round pick handled 13 carries, rushing for 101 yards and two scores (7.8 YPC). He also added 28 yards on his lone reception. For the second week in a row, Bigsby ripped off a long run of 58+ yards and looked like the more explosive back of this tandem. It’s worth mentioning that Etienne was coming off a week of limited practice sessions due to a shoulder injury, but so was Bigsby.

After back-to-back productive performances from the Auburn product, this backfield may become more of a 50/50 split moving forward. However, fantasy managers may want to exhibit caution this week when considering picking him up off of waivers, as the Jaguars have a more formidable outing against the Bears in London. Both backs will be high-end RB3s with upside until this situation shakes itself out.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (23% Owned)

In one of the more surprising Week 5 performances, NYG RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a stellar outing against a strong Seattle Seahawks defense. Sparingly used through the first four weeks, Tracy got his opportunity for an enhanced role with Devin Singletary (groin) unable to suit up and ran with it. In the Giants’ 29-20 win, the 24-year-old rushed 18 times for an efficient 129 yards (7.2 YPC) while reeling in his only target for an additional two yards. The fifth-round pick churned out tough yards all game and ripped off a few chunk runs during the process.

Clearing 100 yards on the ground and a 6.0+ YPC figure are two feats that Singletary has yet to accomplish, and it’s likely that even when he’s recovered, Tracy has earned himself more work. He certainly looked like the better athlete, and no other Giants running back received more than four carries.  New York will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 on Sunday Night Football, and it projects as an excellent matchup for whoever leads the Giants’ backfield. The Bengals’ D has allowed the third-most rushing yards to opposing offenses thus far (757) and are tied for fourth-most rushing scores let up (6). If Tracy has the role all to himself, he’ll be a strong RB2 play with upside. Don't be afraid to go get Tracy if he's available.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (8% Owned)

Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright currently makes this list as more of a stash than an add. The 21-year-old was impressive and efficient in his elevated role this past weekend when teammate De’Von Achane was forced from the contest against the Patriots early. Wright flashed his athleticism while toting the rock 13 times for 86 yards, though he did not garner a target in the passing game. Additionally, veteran Raheem Mostert returned to action for the first time since Week 1 and handled 19 carries of his own, but wasn't nearly as efficient.

I expect Achane to be healthy and cleared after the team’s Week 6 bye, but with Wright’s performance on Sunday, it's only a matter of time before the rookie states his case for more playing time. Should this occur, Mostert is likely the one to lose touches and suffer. If you have a roster spot to spare, it’s a good time to add Wright before his value skyrockets.

55% Discount – 1-year DFS Optimizer: Cutting edge features, multiple projections sources

Wide Receivers

Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (7% Owned)

With the news that WR Brandin Cooks (knee) was placed on injured reserve, I was excited about the possibility of WR Jalen Tolbert having an increased role. It was seemingly tending that way anyway with Tolbert out-catching and out-gaining Cooks each of the last three weeks. However, with a weakened WR corps, there was no question who the second pass-catching weapon behind CeeDee Lamb was.

Tolbert actually led the team in targets (10), receptions (7), and yards (87) in the Cowboys’ 20-17 Week 5 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a gutsy performance from the third-year wideout, who was forced from the contest for one snap after appearing to injure his hip. Tolbert was out there two plays later and was the recipient of the go-ahead touchdown.

With Cooks on the shelf for at least three more games, the former third-round pick presents as a solid WR2 play and, at worst, the third option on a Cowboys’ offense with the fourth-highest passing rate in the league. If you have a bench spot, Tolbert's worth a stash.

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (48% Owned)

Falcons WR Darnell Mooney’s value was trending up over his past three outings, but he had his breakout game in a thrilling divisional matchup on Thursday Night Football. Mooney was superb, hauling in 9-of-16 targets for 105 yards and two scores. His 16 targets were the most on the team, three more than WR1 Drake London.

With QB Kirk Cousins’ arrow pointing up, the sky is currently the limit for the up-and-coming 26 year old. Since Week 2, Mooney’s racked up no less than six targets, and is proving to be an integral part of the Falcons’ passing attack. Confidently consider him as a weekly low-end WR2 with big-play upside – especially in Week 6 in a juicy matchup against the Carolina Panthers on the road. Undoubtedly worth a roster spot.

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (6% Owned)

New England has been one of the least inspiring teams to watch so far, and it's only a matter of time before rookie QB Drake Maye is promoted to the starting job. While It’s anyone’s guess when that time may come, there has been a source of decent fantasy production flying under the radar here.

WR Demario Douglas quietly leads the team with 18 receptions and has accrued just one less target (24) than team leader TE Hunter Henry. Douglas has put up two stinkers and a goose egg, but his other two outings were useful PPR performances as he racked up nine targets in each game.

I’m not clamoring over him or even suggesting he’s a must-add, but the 23-year-old could be a sneaky source of PPR production moving forward. He’s a weekly low-end PPR WR3, with upside for more in Week 6 when the team squares off against the Houston Texans. Houston has a solid defense, but the Patriots project to have to throw a bunch. To that end, Douglas stands as good a chance as any to once again lead the team in targets.

Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams (15% Owned)

Maybe your league hasn’t caught on to Jordan Whittington yet. That’d be great because it gives you another opportunity to snag him if you haven’t already. I highlighted Whittington as an honorable mention a few weeks back when WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) went down with an ankle injury. It took a few weeks for him to get going, but the 24-year-old rookie has finally come to life.

Despite the Rams’ offense sputtering, the sixth-round pick has enjoyed back-to-back productive weeks with a massive uptick in snaps. Over his previous two contests, Whittington had amassed a team-leading 13 receptions and 151 yards while garnering the second-most targets (18).

The Texas product looks like he could be in store for more volume over the next few weeks with neither Kupp nor WR Puka Nacua (knee) expected to return. Whittington is worth a pickup and start while the Rams WR core is at less than 100%.

Tight Ends

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (28% Owned)

Rams TE Colby Parkinson is highlighted here for many of the same reasons that Whittington was above. Parkinson has stood out in an offense bereft of weaponry, racking up a team-leading 13 targets in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

It wasn’t a particularly efficient outing, as the 25-year-old caught just 7-of-13 passes for 52 scoreless yards. Still, the TE position has been exceedingly underwhelming, so any production we can get is helpful, if only in spurts. With wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua slated to miss a few more weeks, Parkinson will be a high-end TE2 against a middle-of-the-road Raiders squad. If you're fantasy squad is in need of help at the TE position, go grab him.

As we head into Week 6, the NFL landscape continues to evolve, presenting new challenges and opportunities for fantasy managers. The storylines are rich, from the unexpected resurgence of veteran quarterbacks like Joe Flacco to the impressive performances of rookie signal-callers making their mark. Players like Caleb Williams are proving their worth, while others, such as Tank Bigsby and Tyrone Tracy Jr., are emerging as potential game-changers in the running back landscape. With key injuries impacting rosters, savvy fantasy players will need to stay alert and proactive on the waiver wire to capitalize on emerging talent.

Looking ahead, the upcoming bye weeks for teams like the Chiefs and Dolphins will necessitate strategic roster adjustments. As we dive deeper into the season, maintaining a finger on the pulse of player performances and injury updates will be crucial for success. With so much at stake, now is the time to make bold moves and secure those under-the-radar players who could be pivotal in your fantasy playoff push.