Week 6 Waiver Wire – 5 Priority Waiver Targets

You already know what time it is. It’s time to get active on the waiver wire again. With injuries continuing to pick apart fantasy lineups, there are opportunities for players to step into expanded roles and become viable for fantasy football. Players like Bears running back Kyle Monangai and Deebo Samuel are missing time due to injuries, among other players. So it’s time to see what players fantasy managers should look to add as we get ready for Week 6.

Week 6 Waiver Wire Targets

*Roster percentage stats via ESPN Fantasy

Germie Bernard, WR – PIT

It’s “next man up” for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers will lose wide receiver Roman Wilson for a few games with a finger injury. That means rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard will be the next guy asked to step up to fill the void. Keep in mind that Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman is already on IR with a foot injury. Bernard finished Week 5’s game against the Indianapolis Colts with six receptions on nine targets for 80 yards. Bernard is rostered at just 3%, making him one of the top waiver-wire targets at wide receiver.

Roschon Johnson, RB – CHI

With Kyle Monangai out with a toe injury, the Bears called up Roschon Johnson to fill the secondary role behind D’Andre Swift. Monangai isn’t expected to land on IR, but the Chicago Bears expect him to be back within the four-week IR limit. Johnson didn’t see much work behind Swift as a rusher in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers, seeing just five rushing attempts. Johnson did see seven targets out of the backfield. If anything happens to D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson becomes the RB1. The running back position’s been hit with a ton of injuries this season. Johnson is available for managers who need RB help at 3.4% rostered.

Kendrick Bourne, WR – ARI

The Cardinals actually went through with the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, sending the former first-round pick to the Houston Texans. With that bit of business sorted out, the current wide receivers move up a slot on the Arizona Cardinals roster. Mike Wilson will move up to WR1, and Kendrick Bourne is now seated as the WR2. The Cardinals are averaging 40 pass attempts per game, meaning there is plenty of volume around for Bourne to eat as the WR2. Bourne finished with eight targets (5/70) against the Detroit Lions in Week 5. Rostered at nearly 2%, Bourne needs to be added off the waiver wire this week.

Jameis Winston, QB – NYG

Jameis Winston is back in the saddle after stepping in for the injured Jaxson Dart, and I have to admit, Winston has been balling for fantasy since taking over. In his last two games, Winston is averaging 22 fantasy points per game, ranking as the QB6. Winston has been averaging about 41 pass attempts per game. Of course, with Winston slinging the ball that much, you have to take the risk with the reward. Winston currently has a 6:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio heading into Week 6. Fantasy managers will find it hard to turn down that kind of volume. Winston is rostered at just 4% on ESPN Fantasy leagues.

Brandin Cooks, WR – SF

With Deebo Samuel going down in Week 5 with a hamstring strain, Brandin Cooks will now step into an increased role with the 49ers after just recently signing. Samuel is expected to miss “a couple of weeks” due to the injury, allowing Cooks to get more targets as his role grows, playing opposite Mike Evans. Cooks only saw two targets in the game, but more targets should come his way as injuries to the wide receiver position mount for the Niners. Cooks is available for free on the waiver wire right now.