Week 6 Upgrades, Downgrades, and Waiver Wire Wonders

Photo: USA Today Sports

The number in red next to a waiver wire gem indicated the percentage of a "blind bid" budget used in some leagues to award free-agent pickups. If your league does not use blind bid waivers, consider the number a way to rank the quality of waiver wire additions.

Quarterback Upgrade

1. QB Dak Prescott, DAL
2. QB Case Keenum, CLE (waiver wire: 10-20% in 2QB/Superflex)
3. QB Kirk Cousins, MIN
4. QB Tyrod Taylor, HOU (waiver wire: 5-10%)
5. QB Derek Carr, LV (waiver wire: 3-5%)
6. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS (waiver wire: 3-5% in 2QB/Superflex)
7. QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (waiver wire: 3-5%)
8. QB Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)
9. QB Drew Lock, DEN (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex)

Quarterback Downgrade

1. QB Jared Goff, DET
2. QB Taylor Heinicke, WAS
3. QB Baker Mayfield, CLE
4. QB Justin Herbert, LAC

Running Back Upgrade

1. RB J.D. McKissic, WAS (waiver wire: 25-50%)
2. RB Joe Mixon, CIN
3. RB DErnest Johnson, CLE (waiver wire: 15-30%)
4. RB Leonard Fournette, TB
5. RB Kenyan Drake, LV (waiver wire: 10-20%)
6. RB Damien Harris, NE
7. RB Miles Sanders, PHI
8. RB Jonathan Taylor, IND
9. RB Alex Collins, SEA
10. RB DeeJay Dallas, SEA (waiver wire: 5-10%)
11. RB Jaret Patterson, WAS (waiver wire: 5-10%)
12. RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
13. RB Darrel Williams, KC
14. RB LeVeon Bell, BAL (waiver wire: 3-5%)
15. RB Devonta Freeman, BAL (waiver wire: 3-5%)
16. RB Khalil Herbert, CHI
17. RB Rashaad Penny, SEA (waiver wire: 3-5%)
18. RB TySon Williams, BAL (waiver wire: 3-5%)

Running Back Downgrade

1. RB Kareem Hunt, CLE
2. RB Antonio Gibson, WAS
3. RB Myles Gaskin, MIA (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER)
4. RB Latavius Murray, BAL (waiver wire: HOLD)

Wide Receiver Upgrade

1. WR Michael Thomas, NO (waiver wire: 50+%)
2. WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN (waiver wire: 20-40%)
3. WR Henry Ruggs, LV (waiver wire: 15-30%)
4. WR Rashod Bateman, BAL (waiver wire: 10-20%)
5. WR Antonio Brown, TB
6. WR Sterling Shepard, NYG (waiver wire: 10-20%)
7. WR Jaylen Waddle, MIA
8. WR Brandin Cooks, HOU
9. WR Jarvis Landry, CLE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
10. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (waiver wire: 5-10%)
11. WR A.J. Green, ARI

Wide Receiver Downgrade

1. WR Tyler Boyd, CIN (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER)
2. WR Tyler Lockett, SEA
3. WR Chase Claypool, PIT
4. WR Tee Higgins, CIN (waiver wire: HOLD)
5. WR Kadarius Toney, NYG (waiver wire: HOLD)
6. WR Mike Williams, LAC

Tight End Upgrade

1. TE Dallas Goedert, PHI (waiver wire: 20-40%)
2. TE Zach Ertz, ARI (waiver wire: 15-30%)
3. TE Mike Gesicki, MIA
4. TE T.J. Hockenson, DET
5. TE Noah Fant, DEN
6. TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS (waiver wire: 3-5%)
7. TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND (waiver wire: 1%)
8. TE Pat Freiermuth, PIT (waiver wire: 1%)
9. TE O.J. Howard, TB (waiver wire: 1%)

Tight End Downgrade

1. TE David Njoku, CLE (waiver wire: DROP)
2. TE Jonnu Smith, NE (waiver wire: DROP)

Quarterback Upgrade

QB Derek Carr, LV - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Carr bounced back in Denver, heaving two deep balls to Henry Ruggs, and a great run and catch score to Kenyan Drake. He made the most of limited attempts and should be back in streamer consideration against the Eagles.

QB Kirk Cousins, MIN - Cousins had a big bounceback game for fantasy against the Panthers in the narrow win. The coaching staff appears to be ready to trust him again after nearly losing because they tried to coast to a victory against Detroit in Week 5.

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS - (waiver wire: 3-5% in 2QB/Superflex) - It's not clear if Fitzpatrick will return this week, but it is clear that Taylor Heinicke isn't playing well enough to hold down the starting job. His value is marginal in 1QB, but you shouldn't wait any longer to pick him up in 2QB/Superflex.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, SF - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Garoppolo is back at practice and should start against the Colts on Sunday night. He is back to being rosterable in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

QB Case Keenum, CLE - (waiver wire: 10-20% in 2QB/Superflex) - Keenum could be the starter for the Browns in Week 7 and possibly a lot longer if surgery is recommended for Baker Mayfield. He knows the Stefanski offense well and might not be that much of a dropoff from Mayfield.

QB Drew Lock, DEN - (waiver wire: 1% in very deep/2QB/Superflex) - Teddy Bridgewater probably won't get benched with a Thursday night game at Cleveland up this week, but he could see the pine soon if the Broncos keep getting blown out. Lock is a good preemptive add in 2QB/Superflex.

QB Dak Prescott, DAL - Prescott was back to being the fantasy quarterback we expected this year and we saw in Week 1 in the tight win over the Patriots. The nip and tuck affair forced the Cowboys to throw more, which boosted Prescott's numbers. He suffered a calf strain on the last play of the game, but should be good to go after Dallas's well-timed bye.

QB Tua Tagovailoa, MIA - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Tagovailoa had his best game of the year even though the team didn't trust him to win the game on the Dolphins final drive. Give an assist to the Jaguars' poor pass defense, but know that this should increase his confidence and viability in 2QB/Superflex leagues heading into a matchup with another poor pass defense - Atlanta.

QB Tyrod Taylor, HOU - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Taylor has a good chance to return this week. He was playing well and producing very well for fantasy before he went out with a hamstring injury and has a good matchup at Arizona this week if he is healthy enough to play.

Quarterback Downgrade

QB Jared Goff, DET - Goff played very poorly against the Bengals and even drew a "he needs to step up" rebuke from head coach Dan Campbell. Will we see David Blough if this keeps up? 2QB/Superflex league players should keep tabs on this development.

QB Taylor Heinicke, WAS - Heinicke didn't do much against a very generous Chiefs defense, which is a bad sign for his ability to hold the starting job once Ryan Fitzpatrick is ready to return, which could be this week against Green Bay.

QB Justin Herbert, LAC - Herbert's offensive line got whipped by the Ravens front, which made life hard for him all day on the road in Baltimore. The Chargers will go back to the drawing board during their bye, but we can now see Herbert's weekly floor and it ain't pretty.

QB Baker Mayfield, CLE - Mayfield is seeking a second opinion on his shoulder injury, which usually means they didn't like the first. The good news for the Browns offense is the Case Keenum is one of the better backups in the league.

Running Back Upgrade

RB LeVeon Bell, BAL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - The Ravens offense is really starting to click, including better offensive line play in a game that they pushed around the Chargers' weak run defense. Bell wasn't that good against them, but with Latavius Murray banged up, he could get more opportunity going forward.

RB Alex Collins, SEA - Collins' third quarter helped the Seahawks have a chance to win against the tough Steelers run defense, although he emerged with hip and glute injuries, putting his Week 7 in doubt. Either way, he showed that he can be a productive starter when given the chance and we have no idea when Chris Carson will play again this year (or whether he will).

RB DeeJay Dallas, SEA - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Dallas made some things happen in the passing game and showed some burst as a runner in limited work against the Steelers. Alex Collins is banged up and Rashaad Penny is due back this work or soon, but it's possible that Dallas is the healthiest back in the backfield for Week 7 against New Orleans.

RB Kenyan Drake, LV - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Drake didn't even seem to be a clear backup a few weeks ago, but he showed why the Raiders signed him to a starter's salary with a big play in the passing game and athleticism in the running game. He's back on the fantasy radar heading into a matchup with the Eagles.

RB Leonard Fournette, TB - Fournette scored twice and showed his weekly ceiling in the win over the Eagles. He's the clear lead back now and the team isn't averse to calling his number in goal to go situations.

RB Devonta Freeman, BAL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Freeman is showing more than he did last year with the Giants and he should get more opportunity with Latavius Murray banged up. The Ravens' backfield isn't clear, but it's worth having a share if you can spare the roster spot.

RB Damien Harris, NE - Harris ran tough and powered the Patriots offense in the near-upset of the Cowboys. The Patriots face the Jets this week, which should equal another 80+ yard game and at least one score for Harris.

RB Khalil Herbert, CHI - Herbert ran well against the Packers in the loss, including a long touchdown that was called back by penalty. He might have done enough to be the starter even when Damien Williams comes off of the covid list, but the Bears have a rough schedule against the run leading up to their Week 10 bye.

RB DErnest Johnson, CLE - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Johnson should get the start on Thursday with Nick Chubb unlikely to play on a short week of rest after missing Week 6 and Kareem Hunt out for a month or more with a calf injury. Johnson looked good in limited duty last year and should be able to post at least RB2 numbers against the Broncos. It's also possible that he gets more starts going forward depending on how Chubb's calf injury responds in Week 8.

RB J.D. McKissic, WAS - (waiver wire: 25-50%) - McKissic got most of the snaps and work when Antonio Gibson was missing time with his shin stress fracture in Week 6. Gibson had an MRI on the injury and could miss additional time. McKissic also should get ample work in the passing game with the Washington pass defense allowing opponents to do whatever they want.

RB Joe Mixon, CIN - Mixon was outstanding in the win over the Lions, including a long catch and run score on fourth down with an escort from Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals offense is balanced and clicking going into a showdown with the Ravens.

RB Jaret Patterson, WAS - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Patterson could be in for a bigger opportunity now that Antonio Gibson's shin stress fracture acted up and put him on the sidelines in Week 6, necessitating an MRI this week. J.D. McKissic will probably lead the backfield in touches, but Patterson is worth a speculative add.

RB Rashaad Penny, SEA - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Penny could be activated from injured reserve this week, and just in time for Alex Collins to be nursing hip and glute injuries against the Saints. Who knows if Penny can stay healthy this time, but some opportunity will be there for him when he's ready to play.

RB Miles Sanders, PHI - Sanders appeared to wrest control of the Eagles backfield away from Kenny Gainwell against the Bucs, and he looked good doing it. Getting enough opportunity to matter in fantasy leagues is another story, but at least Sanders is the lead back again.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, NE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Stevenson scored and maybe got out of the doghouse with an overall solid performance against the Cowboys. Damien Harris is still the lead back, but he was banged up coming into Week 6, so Stevenson isn't that far from a bigger opportunity in a good running game.

RB Jonathan Taylor, IND - Taylor once again busted a long score and did the most with limited opportunity in the romp over the Texans. A la Nick Chubb, Taylor is a fantasy RB1 even though he has the role of a fantasy RB2.

RB Darrel Williams, KC - Williams scored twice and even though he wasn't that efficient, the Chiefs offense should give him more than enough scoring opportunities to a be solid fantasy RB2 going forward. He'll face the papier-mache Titans defense this week.

RB TySon Williams, BAL - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Williams has the most juice of any back on the Ravens roster, and he could be active again with Latavius Murray banged up. The rotation and usage in Baltimore will be unpredictable, but Williams has the goods to get the largest share of work if he's given a chance.

Running Back Downgrade

RB Myles Gaskin, MIA - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 5-10% OR HIGHER) - One week after a faux breakout against the Bucs, Gaskin went back to the fantasy doldrums with the return of Tua Tagovailoa to the lineup. Gaskin may return to fantasy relevance again, but we'll need to see it last to trust him again.

RB Antonio Gibson, WAS - Gibson missed parts of Week 6 and had to have an MRI on his injured shin this week. He may miss time going forward, or at least not be able to take a full workload with this issue that won't get better during the season without rest.

RB Kareem Hunt, CLE - Hunt suffered a calf injury in Week 6 that will likely land him on injured reserve and probably cost him at least a month.

RB Latavius Murray, BAL - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Murray was on his way to a nice afternoon before hurting his ankle against the Chargers. He might not miss much time, so don't drop him if you can help it, but know that you may not have him for the matchup with the Bengals this week.

Wide Receiver Upgrade

WR Rashod Bateman, BAL - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - Bateman was roughly on a par with Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews in terms of targets, which is a great sign for his possible value in the Ravens offense with a red hot Lamar Jackson at the helm. He's worth a bench stash in PPR leagues.

WR Antonio Brown, TB - We've circled all the way back around to Week 1 when we wondered if Brown would be the most valuable receiver on the Bucs roster. He looked like it vs. the Eagles and has cemented his status as an every-week start.

WR Brandin Cooks, HOU - After being held down by the weather and then Bill Belichick, Cooks bounced back in a big way against the Colts and showed he still belongs in fantasy lineups. Tyrod Taylor could return this week to help his cause.

WR A.J. Green, ARI - Green had a nice game in the easy win over the Browns, showing that his down Week 5 was probably the exception for his fantasy value this year, not the rule. He'll face the pushover Texans defense this week.

WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - It's time to pick up Jeudy if he was dropped because your league doesn't have injured reserve slots. He might not return for Thursday night, but should be back in Week 8 and will be Teddy Bridgewater's top target when he gets back in the lineup.

WR Jarvis Landry, CLE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Landry may not return this week because the Browns play on Thursday, but he should be back for Week 8 at the latest. Cleveland may pass more with injury issues in the backfield and Odell Beckham is banged up again, which may open the window to more value for Landry.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE - (waiver wire: 5-10%) - Peoples-Jones caught a hail mary for one of his scores and his quarterback is banged up, so we don't want to get too excited, but Case Keenum is one of the better backups in the NFL, and Peoples-Jones big-play ability is becoming well known. The Browns could become more pass-heavy with multiple injuries in the backfield, and Odell Beckham is no sure thing for Week 7. All this adds up to Peoples-Jones being a good stash to see if his value can grow.

WR Henry Ruggs, LV - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Ruggs comes with low volume risk and big-play reward as a deep threat. Derek Carr is doing a better job hanging in to make the deep throws and Ruggs is staying healthy and racing past opponents. He'll be a boom/bust WR3/Flex against the Eagles after a great Week 6.

WR Sterling Shepard, NYG - (waiver wire: 10-20%) - With Kadarius Toney sidelined by an ankle injury, Shepard took over the target lead and should be the #1 target for Daniel Jones for as long as Toney is out. He's a solid PPR WR3/Flex

WR Michael Thomas, NO - (waiver wire: 50+%) - Thomas is due back in the next 2-3 weeks, which means it's time to pick him up if he's available. The Saints are also facing a good schedule for the passing game, which could help Thomas get going despite the late start to the season.

WR Jaylen Waddle, MIA - Waddle racked up short catches, including two scores, in a great sign for his value with one of his college quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa back in as a starter. He'll face the weak Falcons pass defense this week.

Wide Receiver Downgrade

WR Tyler Boyd, CIN - (waiver wire: DROP FOR 10-20% OR HIGHER) - Boyd is still a very good player, but he just isn't going to get enough targets or high enough value targets as long as Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are healthy and the Bengals are competitive.

WR Chase Claypool, PIT - One week after Claypool had a big game, he blended into the background against Seattle. Ben Roethlisberger is going to lean on the short high percentage passing game when he can, which is bad news for Claypool even though Juju Smith-Schuster is out for the year.

WR Tee Higgins, CIN - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Higgins is a low-end WR3/Flex at best when everyone is healthy and the Bengals are competitive and therefore running a balanced offense. He still has a lot of upside, so don't bail on him.

WR Tyler Lockett, SEA - Lockett just isn't going to be a viable play until Russell Wilson comes back. The Saints are up this week coming off of their bye, in a piece of bad news for the Seahawks offense.

WR Kadarius Toney, NYG - (waiver wire: HOLD) - Toney aggravated his ankle injury but was on his way to a big game with three catches and 36 yards in a very short time. Don't drop him even though we'll have to wait to see what we really have in him.

WR Mike Williams, LAC - Williams got a little banged up and missed the end of the blowout loss to the Ravens. We have to assume he would have still played in a close game, but after not practicing leading up to Week 6, he'll need the rest during the Week 7 bye. We'll be watching his practice status leading up to Week 8 closely.

Tight End Upgrade

TE Mo Alie-Cox, IND - (waiver wire: 1%) - Alie-Cox scored his third touchdown in three weeks, and could have had two in the win over the Texans. He's a fine desperation play if you have to cover a Dalton Schultz or Dawson Knox bye this week.

TE Zach Ertz, ARI - (waiver wire: 15-30%) - Ertz is coming off of a good performance in his last game as an Eagle, and he should benefit from playing with Kyler Murray when he joins the Cardinals for this week's game against the Texans. He isn't a big-play tight end but should be startable as long as the volume is there.

TE Noah Fant, DEN - Fant had his biggest game of the year and showed signs of getting on the same page with Teddy Bridgewater in the loss to the Raiders. He's back to being a strong consideration to put in lineups with the Browns up next.

TE Pat Freiermuth, PIT - (waiver wire: 1%) - Freiermuth had his highest snap and target count of the season by a large margin, and he made good on his short targets, posting a good week in PPR leagues. He's a fine streamer and worth adding and carrying through his bye if you are hard up at tight end.

TE Mike Gesicki, MIA - Gesicki was catching passes all over the field and showing his value is durable across quarterbacks for the Dolphins. He has established himself as an every-week TE1 heading into a matchup with the soft Falcons pass defense.

TE Dallas Goedert, PHI - (waiver wire: 20-40%) - Goedert has the Eagles tight end targets all to himself with Zach Ertz shipped off to Arizona. He should be a low-end TE1 going forward with the Raiders who just gave up 9-97-1 to Noah Fant.

TE T.J. Hockenson, DET - Hockenson got out of his fantasy slump with a solid game against the Bengals, and there was even more there if he and Jared Goff can get on the same page. He's back to feeling like a safe TE1 against the Rams this week.

TE O.J. Howard, TB - (waiver wire: 1%) - Howard had his best game in years with Rob Gronkowski sidelined and the Eagles having trouble finding him in the end zone. If Gronkowski can't go vs. the Bears, Howard will be a viable streamer.

TE Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS - (waiver wire: 3-5%) - Seals-Jones scored and had a solid game with Washington having to play from behind against the Chiefs. Logan Thomas will be back soon, but in the meantime, Seals-Jones is a good streamer, including this week against the Packers.

Tight End Downgrade

TE David Njoku, CLE - (waiver wire: DROP) - Njoku disappeared in Week 6 after posting his first big game in a month during Week 5. The talent is there, but the steady involvement in the pass offense isn't.

TE Jonnu Smith, NE - (waiver wire: DROP) - Smith is on the field a lot, but he isn't getting enough targets to have sustainable fantasy value. It's time to move on.