Roman Bruno
Content Contributor
Week 5 of the NFL season was full of fantasy football excitement, disappointment, and everything in between. There were also plenty of injuries, and fantasy teams are certainly looking to either find replacements or just upside bench depth. Here are 5 players on the fantasy radar as waiver wire pickups for Week 6 (percentages according to ESPN):
RB Kenneth Walker III (SEA) – 48% Rostered
Starting running back for the Seahawks Rashaad Penny fractured his fibula in their loss to New Orleans. Kenneth Walker looked good as the understudy, rushing for 88 yards on eight carries. He also scored the first touchdown of his career, a 69-yard score featuring his breakaway speed. K9 will be the next man up for Seattle, and it seems like they trust him to maintain that role and produce. Seattle may look to bring in more depth, but Walker will presumably be the starter. He is available in most fantasy leagues, so he should be considered one of the top waiver wire pickups of the week.
Kenneth Walker III goes 69 YARDS and the @Seahawks take the lead!
📺: #SEAvsNO on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/X4lelc0SFE pic.twitter.com/vHH47E0n0A— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
RB Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) – 86% Rostered
It would be shocking if Stevenson is still on waivers, but if he is, grab him ASAP. Even before the injury to Damien Harris on Sunday, Stevenson was a high-upside RB to own. To no one’s surprise, he looked fantastic against the Lions. Stevenson had a season-high 25 carries, totaling 161 yards. His involvement in the pass game, which he has been improving on, is icing on the cake. Stevenson faces the Browns, Bears, and Jets in the next three weeks. Stevenson should be considered a fantasy start for all three of those matchups. If Harris has to miss any time, Stevenson would be the clear bell-cow that fantasy managers know that he is capable of being.
WR Dyami Brown (WAS) – 0.1% Rostered
This is a waiver wire pickup for deeper leagues. While Brown was not able to produce the first four weeks of the season, he went off in Week 5. He only managed to catch two passes, the first being a 75-yard touchdown, the first TD of his career. Brown followed that up with another touchdown catch for 30 yards. It was less of a breakout performance, but rather a breakthrough performance. Brown is still WR4 on the Commanders behind Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson. However, Brown is a nice stash in case any of the WRs ahead of him get hurt. This game may have earned Brown more targets in the future, and should be rostered at the moment.
First career TD. And oh my, is it a beauty. DYAMI BROWN!! pic.twitter.com/bamsyx0CHx
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) October 9, 2022
TE Taysom Hill (NO) – 12% Rostered
Taysom Hill is both a fun, but annoying fantasy player. When he has a good game, he GOES OFF. However, it is so hard to predict when those games will be. Hill has had a few productive games this season, giving managers hope that he can maybe be a weekly streamer. Week 5 was his best performance in a while, rushing for 112 on the ground with three touchdowns, in addition to a passing touchdown. WRs Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry were out with injury, which gave Hill the opportunity to have success. It is waiting to be seen if Hill can maintain solid production when those players return. Alvin Kamara owners would argue that Hill his just vulturing touches, but maybe Hill is just a valid option now. Hill should still be viewed as a very volatile player, but he certainly deserves to be one of the top waiver wire pickups this week.
TAYSOM HILL TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE!!!!!! ⚜️
the 3rd rushing TD of the day for Hill #SEAvsNO ⚜️ 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/VoS0SGgKgi
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 9, 2022
RB Eno Benjamin (ARI) – 7% Rostered
Both James Conner and Darrell Williams picked up injuries last week against the Eagles. This gave Eno Benjamin a prime opportunity to seize the backfield. Benjamin had eight carries for 25 yards and a touchdown while also catching three passes for 28 yards. This Cardinals offense needs to be better as a whole, but Benjamin would be a nice depth piece to roster. Benjamin has been stuffed down the depth chart for the last few seasons, but this would be his first real opportunity if Conner or Williams were to miss any time. He is available in most fantasy leagues and would provide a lot of value to teams with RBs with upcoming bye weeks. The Cardinals face off against the Seahawks next, and Benjamin would be an upside FLEX option if he were to be the new man in charge.
Honorable Waiver Wire Pickups: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (KC), RB Tevin Coleman (SF), WR Noah Brown (DAL)
Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
