Stafford a top fantasy start for Week 6 vs. Ravens
USA TODAY Sports’ Jacob Camenker explains why Matthew Stafford belongs in your fantasy lineup for Week 6 vs. the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s only the sixth week of fantasy football and managers have to handle both bye weeks and what seems to be a weekly deluge of injuries to key contributors. Making the right choices on the waiver wire could make a massive difference before the halfway point of the season.
If you’ve got needs down your lineup, we’re here to help.
A few players stood out for their performances on Sunday – including a wide receiver with a rising star at quarterback, running backs making the most of more opportunities due to injuries on the depth chart and quarterbacks in new places.
These players could serve as suitable substitutes as your top players return from injured reserve or go through bye weeks over the next month. Here are eight players we’d recommend targeting on the waiver wire ahead of Week 7.
Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire targetsWR Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues)
New England quarterback Drake Maye has taken a step in year two, and Boutte was the primary benefactor in Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints. The third-year wide receiver had his first career multi-touchdown game against New Orleans with a standout fantasy performance.
Boutte had a six-catch, 103-yard performance in Week 1 against Las Vegas but cooled off after that. He’s had at least three targets in each of his last four games and finished off today’s game with five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns on five targets.
Stefon Diggs will likely remain Maye’s top target in the passing game but as the quarterback improves, Boutte could be a more viable option. Stashing him now before his value potentially improves could be worth it.
RB Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues)
Injuries to starter James Conner and backup Trey Benson have turned things upside down in the Cardinals‘ backfield this season. Initially, it looked like Emari Demercado would be the next man up. In Week 6, it was Knight.
Knight scored Arizona’s first touchdown of the game and led the team in carries ahead of Michael Carter. The leading running back may change from week to week but adding Knight could be worth it, especially if you’re dealing with injuries at the position. His 12 total touches were by far the most among the team’s running backs.
QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (Rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues)
Darnold put on a show in Week 5 against Tampa Bay and followed that with another multi-touchdown performance against Jacksonville in Week 6. Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense are finding their rhythm, and he has one of the most productive wide receivers in the league in Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Seattle faces a tough defense with Houston on deck for Week 7 fresh off a bye. The Seahawks then have their bye in Week 8. It may be best to get on Darnold earlier than later if he’s still available.
RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (Rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues)
The Chargers’ offense has been decimated by injuries this year, running backs included. Najee Harris is out for the season with an Achilles injury and first-round rookie Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve (IR) and will be out for at least a month.
It was between Vidal and Hassan Haskins on who would take on a bigger role with Hampton out. Week 6 revealed the answer: Vidal.
The second-year running back out of Troy scored his first touchdown of the season – a seven-yard pass from Justin Herbert – in a 136-yard showing. His versatility in the passing game makes him a good add while Hampton is out in half- or full-PPR leagues.
TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (Rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues)
Cleveland’s in flux with a new starting quarterback (rookie Dillon Gabriel) and the Browns were handled 23-9 Sunday by AFC North foe Pittsburgh but Fannin was a bright spot for the team.
The rookie had a season-high 10 targets, converting them into seven catches for a season-high 81 yards. His 10 targets were second only to Jerry Jeudy’s 13, showing how much the Browns want to get him involved. He’s worth a spot on the bench at the very least going forward at a thin position in fantasy football.
QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (Rostered in 29% of Yahoo leagues)
Dart has three starts so far in his rookie season and has scored two touchdowns in each of them. He’s been a rushing threat with at least 50 rushing yards in each of his three starts.
He’s done this often enough to make him a worthwhile add if your top quarterback is injured or facing a bye. Even with top wideout Malik Nabers out for the season, New York’s offense has provided enough for him to be a consistent starter at the position in fantasy football.
TE Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders (Rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues)
Mayer returned to the lineup in Week 6 and saw a bigger role thanks to Brock Bowers’ absence. He had his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a four-yard pass from Geno Smith.
Bowers’ presence makes a huge difference to Mayer’s value. If he’s out for an extended period, Mayer will have even more value. But he’s making the most of his opportunity and is a reliable option to make the most of his targets. He caught all six of his targets over the first two games of the season before missing Weeks 4 and 5 as he recovered from a concussion.
Bowers did not practice at all ahead of the Raiders’ Week 6 game. Mayer could have at least one more solid week ahead of him in Week 7 against Kansas City.
QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues)
Flacco hasn’t been a Bengal for a week and he’s already set a season-high in touchdowns with two. His move from Cleveland to Cincinnati brings him to one of the most talented groups of pass-catchers in the league.
His first game was against the Green Bay Packers, featuring pass rusher Micah Parsons, and Flacco held up well. His upcoming schedule is much more favorable: Flacco faces the Steelers, Jets and Bears defenses before a bye in Week 10.
He’s more than serviceable as a fantasy quarterback. Consider starting him this upcoming week against Pittsburgh.