As the NFL rushes headlong into Week 6, a few unexpected running backs emerge while injuries continue to create opportunities for young receivers.

Week 5 featured several running back injuries, along with a few surprising breakout performances. With four quality offenses on bye in Week 6 (Chiefs, Rams, Vikings, Dolphins), many fantasy managers will be searching for flex options on waivers this week.

As always, you’ll find several top waiver options in this weekly feature – along with suggested FAAB bid amounts – followed by a few players to monitor in deeper formats. Generally, players listed here will be available in at least 50% of Sleeper leagues.

Top Waiver Wire Additions After Week 5

RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

In Devin Singletary’s absence (groin), Tracy handled 18 carries for 129 yards (7.2 yards per carry). Even though third stringer Eric Gray did catch three passes for 50 yards compared to Tracy’s lone one-yard reception, Tracy actually ran more routes in the passing game. 

In simple terms, the rookie Tracy had outrageous, workhorse-level usage against the Seahawks in Week 5. Singletary’s Week 6 status is up in the air, but with how well Tracy played, there’s at least some chance he can carve out a flex-worthy role or become the 1A in this backfield (and a fantasy RB2-type). Tracy is only rostered in 34% of Sleeper leagues, and he’s worth 25-30% of your FAAB budget.

RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

After Bigsby’s 13-carry, 101-yard, two-touchdown performance on Sunday, he’s now 17th among all RBs in rushing on the season. Travis Etienne mustered just 17 yards on six carries, but he did catch six of seven targets for 43 yards in the receiving game. Bigsby most likely still needs an Etienne injury to have consistent standalone value, since his league-leading 8.0 YPC is surely going to fall in the coming weeks.

Bigsby (31% rostered) is worth a 20-25% FAAB bid, and there’s likely a manager in your fantasy league who is a little too confident that Tank can carve out a massive weekly role at the expense of Etienne.

WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys

With veteran Brandin Cooks headed to IR, Tolbert now has a chance to emerge as the rest-of-season WR2 in the Cowboys’ high-volume (40 attempts per game, second in the NFL) pass attack. Tolbert brought in seven of 10 targets for 87 yards and a game-winning TD in Week 5 against a stout Steelers defense, a far better showing than any non-CeeDee Lamb Dallas receiver had shown up to that point.

Tolbert (17% rostered) should emerge as a weekly fantasy WR3, where he usurps Cooks even when the veteran returns. Consider 20-25% of your FAAB on him.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs

The veteran Smith-Schuster (6% rostered) erupted for seven catches and 130 yards on Monday night, but he came into the game with just 277 yards over his past 15 contests. There’s a chance he takes over the Rashee Rice role, but he’s probably an inconsistent flex going forward. Think of him as a high-risk pickup who's worth 10-20% of your FAAB depending on risk tolerance.

WR Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Doubs’ rostership dipped to 49% on Sleeper after he was suspended one game for violating team policies. However, he’d run the most routes on the Packers through the first four weeks, and Christian Watson has the high-ankle sprain. Doubs’ fantasy output has been tame so far, but Jordan Love has tossed multiple touchdowns in every game, so the dry spell most likely ends soon.

The Green Bay receiver is probably obtained with just 5-10% of your FAAB, though you could go up to 15-20% if you’re in desperate need of WR help.

RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Johnson ran for two TDs Sunday, and he’s now scored in consecutive games. Unfortunately for him, D’Andre Swift is heating up too and keeping all the pass-game work. Swift also had six of the team’s eight carries near the goal line in Week 5.

Johnson (31% rostered) is worth 5-10% of your FAAB, in case Swift either gets hurt or returns to his putrid Week 1-3 ways.

TE Tyler Conklin, New York Jets

Conklin (30% rostered) has reached six targets in three straight games, averaging five receptions and 55 yards per game in that span. He would be heavily rostered by now if he had scored a touchdown, so expect a few top-five weekly TE fantasy finishes in his future. Drop 5-15% of your FAAB if you’re lacking at the position.

RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones left Week 5 early with a hip injury, but he may not miss any time since Minnesota has a Week 6 bye. That said, Jones does have a long injury history, so the team could also be cautious with his recovery timeline. The Vikings offense has been much better than advertised, so if Jones does miss Week 7, Chandler would be a fantasy RB2 against Detroit. A 10% FAAB bid on Chandler is a savvy move for fantasy managers wanting to plan a week ahead.

RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren’s recovery timetable from a Week 3 knee injury is unclear, and he’s now available in just over 50% of Sleeper leagues. Two separate injuries have stunted his 2024 campaign, but he was a flex play throughout last season. Drop 5-10% of your FAAB on Warren, knowing he may not return until Week 7.

Sneak Peek: Deeper and Potential Future Additions

RB Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane (concussion) may return after the team’s Week 6 bye, but this past Sunday was certainly an encouraging audition for Wright, a speedy rookie. Tua Tagovailoa’s impending return will elevate the stock of all Dolphins fantasy assets, too.

QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Jones has at least 18 fantasy points in three of five games, and he’s a viable streamer in Week 6 against the Bengals’ soft defense.

RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

He’s not all that different from Bigsby, and Allgeier would be a fantasy RB1 if Bijan Robinson went down.

RB Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson wasn’t actually benched in Week 5, so Gibson will likely be dropped in many fantasy leagues.

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a Week 6 bye, so CEH could very well be activated off IR (PTSD) for their Week 7 matchup.

WR Demario Douglas, New England Patriots

He has nine targets in two of his past three games, and a switch to Drake Maye in Week 6 or 7 could increase his fantasy stock further to flex territory.

WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

He has averaged five receptions and 60 yards over the past three games, but Marvin Harrison Jr. is due to get going soon as the prime target hog in Arizona.

WR Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers

The touchdown rate should drop (four TDs on just 20 receptions), but the veteran has familiarity with Aaron Rodgers, and he’s reached eight targets in three of five games.

WRs Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy managers can stash the Rams receivers through their Week 6 bye in case Cooper Kupp’s return is delayed until Week 8.

TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He has at least 44 receiving yards in three straight, and Tampa Bay has a condensed target tree.

Line Up Your Targets

Make sure to act quickly to secure your waiver wire targets, with most leagues running waivers on Tuesday nights. For more in-depth stats and to view all the trending players in real time, check out the Sleeper app.

Working the waiver wire to your favor is a critical part of fantasy football success, and we’ll be with you every week to help you chase down those playoff berths and fantasy championships.

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