Week 6 Waiver Wire: Top Pickups & FAAB Bids

Philadelphia's backfield took another hit in London. Will Shipley started for the injured Saquon Barkley, scored his first career touchdown, then left in the first quarter with a partial tear of his plantar fascia that could cost him multiple weeks (per ESPN). Dameon Pierce finished the game as the lead back. Coach Nick Sirianni said Monday he's hopeful Barkley and DeVonta Smith (both hamstrings) can return against Carolina, depending on how they practice (per the Philadelphia Inquirer). In Houston, coach DeMeco Ryans called David Montgomery (groin) "week-to-week" and said of Woody Marks, "we'll continue to see more of that," ahead of Sunday's game against Jacksonville in London (per the Houston Chronicle and Texans Wire). Pittsburgh is down three receivers: Michael Pittman Jr. went on IR with a foot injury, and coach Mike McCarthy ruled out Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf) for Tampa Bay (per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). That leaves DK Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard as the only receivers available who opened the season on the active roster.

Other news from Monday: San Francisco's Deebo Samuel strained his hamstring and will "miss some time," coach Kyle Shanahan said (per the San Francisco Chronicle). New England's TreVeyon Henderson had tests on his ankle, and Mike Vrabel said Wednesday's practice will show more (per NFL Network and SI). Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr. has a rib injury that isn't considered serious; coach Kevin Stefanski will know more Wednesday, and Tua Tagovailoa is the backup (per ESPN and NFL.com). Lamar Jackson is "definitely doing better," coach Jesse Minter said, but his Wednesday practice status is unclear; Tyler Huntley started and won in Atlanta (per BaltimoreRavens.com). The Chargers' Tre' Harris is week-to-week with a hamstring injury, Ladd McConkey (foot) was active but played no snaps, and Quentin Johnston (chest) was inactive (per Chargers.com). In Cleveland, KC Concepcion is in the concussion protocol (per ESPN). Chicago's Caleb Williams (hamstring) could return against Atlanta, but Ben Johnson hasn't decided who starts if he can't (per ESPN). Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, and Minnesota are on bye.

The picks below are Homefield's own read of the usage: who's on the field, who's getting targets and air yards, and who gets the ball inside the 20. FAAB ranges are a percentage of your season budget. Every skill-position add is rostered in about 60% or fewer of ESPN leagues (stashes much lower), and every DST and K streamer in 20% or fewer, so they should be on your wire. Use the ranges as a starting point and adjust for your league.

Data note: Weeks 1–5 player stats, including Monday night's Bills at Rams (final: BUF 37, LA 34 in overtime), come from the nflverse weekly player-stats file for 2026 (stats_player_week_2026), which also supplies target share, air yards share, and WOPR. Snap shares come from nflverse snap counts (sourced from Pro Football Reference). Red-zone opportunities (carries and targets inside the opponent's 20) and the sack and turnover totals used for DST streamers come from nflverse 2026 play-by-play, and Week 6 matchups and byes from the nflverse schedule file. Route data is not in these files, so route share is not cited. Rostered percentages come from ESPN's public fantasy API (percentOwned, default league settings), pulled Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 8:24 a.m. CT. DST and K streamers are limited to options rostered in 20% or fewer of ESPN leagues, and QB, RB, WR, and TE adds to about 60% or fewer (stashes lower), as of that pull. Chiefs D/ST (33.5%), at home against a Chargers offense that has taken 17 sacks and turned it over 12 times, is excluded under the DST gate. No newer Homefield rankings or rest-of-season file was available for this piece, so none is cited.

Quarterbacks

### Kirk Cousins, LV (rostered in 36.2% of ESPN leagues) He's still the touchdown leader in this group: 12 passing TDs on 172 attempts (a 7.0% TD rate) with 7.4 yards per attempt, 4 interceptions, and only 8 sacks. Week 5 was quieter: 19 of 28 for 243 yards and a touchdown in a 45–17 loss at New England, where Fernando Mendoza threw 8 fourth-quarter passes in the blowout. Cousins adds nothing as a runner (minus-2 rushing yards on the season), so this is about passing volume and scoring. Las Vegas is scoring 26.4 points per game, and Week 6 brings Buffalo to Las Vegas. The Bills are allowing 28.2 points per game and have 5 takeaways.

• FAAB bid: 2–4% in 1QB leagues, 8–12% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex starters first. Six-point passing TD leagues should move him up.

### Jameis Winston, NYG (4.0%) Two straight useful games. Week 5 was 33 of 54 for 326 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 27–27 overtime tie at Washington, with 5 carries for 27 yards and a red-zone rush. Over the last two weeks he has 83 attempts, 576 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Weeks 2 and 3 were far worse (229 yards, no touchdowns), and his season mark is a modest 6.1 yards per attempt, so expect volatility. The matchup is the draw: New Orleans comes to MetLife allowing 30.2 points per game, second-most in the league.

• FAAB bid: 0–2% in 1QB leagues, 6–10% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex and 2QB leagues. He's a 1QB bye-week fill-in for Burrow, Goff, and Kyler Murray managers.

### Aaron Rodgers, PIT (19.2%) Three straight 3-touchdown games: 105 attempts, 826 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions over Weeks 3–5. Week 5 against Indianapolis was his cleanest, 22 of 31 for 235 yards with no interceptions and 1 sack. For the season he's at 6.7 yards per attempt with 14 sacks taken, and he doesn't run (8 carries, 18 yards). The concern this week is his receivers: with Pittman, Wilson, and Skowronek out, Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator talked about using more two-tight-end sets (per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Week 6 is at Tampa Bay, which is allowing 22.4 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 1–2% in 1QB leagues, 5–8% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex managers who need a starter.

### Tyler Huntley, BAL (1.7%) — superflex only In his start at Atlanta he went 24 of 32 for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions, plus 6 carries for 20 yards and the 1-yard touchdown run that won it in overtime. He took 3 sacks. The 6.3 yards per attempt is modest, but the rushing gives him a floor if he starts again. That depends on Jackson's ankle, and Baltimore expects to know more by midweek (per BaltimoreRavens.com). Week 6 is at Cleveland, which has 16 sacks and 6 takeaways.

• FAAB bid: 0–1% in 1QB leagues, 3–6% in superflex
• Fits: Superflex Jackson managers first, as a handcuff.

Running Backs

### Woody Marks, HOU (48.0%) — top priority This is the cleanest workload change of the week. With Montgomery out from the second quarter on, Marks played 85% of snaps, his season high by more than 30 points. He ran 15 times for 62 yards with 4 carries inside the 20 and caught all 4 of his targets, and he had a 24-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty (per Texans Wire). Before Week 5 he was in a split, playing 37–51% of snaps, but he already had 2 rushing touchdowns and 8 red-zone carries on the season. Ryans said Marks "carried that load" on Sunday and that Houston will "continue to see more of that." The Week 6 matchup is tough: Jacksonville is allowing 14.0 points per game, fewest in the NFL. The volume is what matters, and Houston's Week 8 bye could give Montgomery extra time to heal.

• FAAB bid: 15–25%. Montgomery managers should go to the top of the range.
• Fits: Every format. He's a slightly better fit in standard and half-PPR, where carries and red-zone work matter most.

### Dameon Pierce, PHI (2.4%) With Shipley out, Pierce played 77% of snaps and handled 11 carries and 5 targets. The production was poor: 14 rushing yards, and minus-2 receiving yards on 2 catches. The Eagles ran 18 times for 22 yards as a team against Jacksonville, which has the league's stingiest scoring defense. Pierce's value depends on Barkley. If Barkley sits again Sunday, Pierce should lead the backfield at home against a Carolina defense allowing 27.3 points per game. If Barkley plays, Pierce becomes a handcuff. Carson Steele backed him up Sunday (per ESPN).

• FAAB bid: 6–12%. Barkley managers should bid at the top of the range.
• Fits: Standard and half-PPR first. Barkley managers in every format.

### Kendre Miller, NO (11.8%) He's a part-time back with a red-zone role. Week 5 was 10 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown on 31% of snaps, with 4 carries inside the 20 and 2 inside the 5. Alvin Kamara played 27% of snaps and ran 3 times, so New Orleans is splitting the work. On the season Miller has 29 carries, 83 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 6 red-zone carries. The efficiency is low (2.9 yards per carry), so his weekly value comes from touchdowns. Week 6 is at the Giants, who are allowing 21.2 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 2–4%
• Fits: Standard leagues. He's a weak fit in PPR (4 catches all season).

### Roschon Johnson, CHI (3.4%) Kyle Monangai missed Week 5 with a toe injury (per ChicagoBears.com), and Johnson's role grew. He played 39% of snaps and drew 7 targets, an 18% share, catching 5 for 34 yards, and had 5 carries. D'Andre Swift is still the lead back (58% of snaps, 9 carries, 5 targets). Johnson's value for Week 6 at Atlanta depends on Monangai's status and on Chicago trailing again, which would keep him in the passing-down role.

• FAAB bid: 1–3%
• Fits: PPR, 14-team and deeper leagues.

Wide Receivers

### Germie Bernard, PIT (3.1%) — top priority at WR Bernard played 92% of snaps in Week 5 and drew 9 targets (a 30% share), catching 6 for 80 yards. He also had 54 air yards (38% of the team's), a red-zone target, and a 0.72 WOPR, 12th-highest of any player in Week 5. Part of that came after Wilson and Skowronek left in the first half, but that's the Week 6 depth chart too: Pittman is on IR and both are ruled out for Tampa Bay. He also drew 8 targets on 79% of snaps in Week 2, so he's done this before when he plays a full-time role. Rodgers has 9 touchdown passes in his last three games.

• FAAB bid: 8–14%
• Fits: Every format, PPR first. He's a flex in 12-team leagues while Pittsburgh is short at receiver.

### Dontayvion Wicks, PHI (44.4%) Wicks is the Eagles' downfield receiver. He has played 84–92% of snaps in four of five games and has 359 air yards on the season, more than any other Philadelphia receiver. Week 5 brought 8 targets, 110 air yards (a 40% share), and a 0.61 WOPR, with 5 catches for 63 yards. Smith's possible return is the cap: if he plays Sunday, Wicks' target share should drop. Week 6 is at home against Carolina, which is allowing 27.3 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 4–8%
• Fits: Half-PPR and standard flex. He has more upside if Smith sits again.

### Isaiah Bond, CLE (0.1%) Concepcion left in the first quarter, and Bond went from 7% and 11% of snaps to 72%. He drew 7 targets with 111 air yards (a 38% air yards share) and caught 3 for 74 yards. Three catches on 7 targets shows how raw this is, but a 0.59 WOPR is a starter's role. If Concepcion isn't cleared from the protocol in time for Baltimore, Bond should stay on the field.

• FAAB bid: 2–4%
• Fits: Deep PPR and best-ball leagues. Bid only if you can wait on Concepcion's status.

### Rashod Bateman, BAL (17.5%) Baltimore's air yards leader in Week 5: 80% of snaps, 6 targets, 5 catches for 62 yards, and 42% of the team's air yards with Huntley at quarterback. On the season he has 21 targets and 263 air yards, with 78–93% of snaps in four of five games. Two things could cut into his role: Jackson's return, which would change how the passing game runs (Zay Flowers drew 9 targets Sunday), and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane, whom Minter said could come off IR this week (per BaltimoreRavens.com). Week 6 is at Cleveland.

• FAAB bid: 1–3%
• Fits: 14-team and deeper half-PPR leagues.

Tight Ends

### Pat Freiermuth, PIT (20.3%) — top priority at TE He leads this group in touchdowns: 4 on the season, including 2 in Week 5, with 5 red-zone targets. Week 5 brought a season-high 7 targets (a 23% share) and 51% of Pittsburgh's air yards, with a 0.71 WOPR. He has played 60–75% of snaps every week, and he's caught 19 of 26 targets for the season. The Steelers' offensive coordinator said Monday that the team can shift plays into two-tight-end sets to make up for the missing receivers (per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review), which points to more snaps and targets. Week 6 is at Tampa Bay.

• FAAB bid: 5–10%, or 10–16% in TE-premium leagues
• Fits: Every format. He's a weekly starter in TE premium while the receivers are out.

### Tyler Higbee, LA (3.2%) Higbee has been steady: 20 catches on 25 targets for 224 yards in four games, playing 65–71% of snaps in each of the last three. Monday night he caught 5 of 6 targets for 83 yards in the overtime loss to Buffalo. Puka Nacua's 24-target game shows how concentrated the Rams' passing game is, so Higbee's ceiling is limited. But Week 6 is at home against Arizona, which is allowing 32.4 points per game, the most in the league.

• FAAB bid: 1–3%, or 3–6% in TE premium
• Fits: PPR and TE-premium streamers for Week 6.

### Brenton Strange, JAX (27.1%) He's drawn 8 targets in each of the last two games and has played 77–87% of snaps in Weeks 3–5. Week 5 brought 7 catches for 68 yards and 24% of Jacksonville's air yards. For the season he has 21 catches on 26 targets for 235 yards. Week 6 is against Houston in London.

• FAAB bid: 2–4%, or 4–7% in TE premium
• Fits: PPR and TE premium.

### Chig Okonkwo, WAS (3.0%) His snap share rose to 71% in Week 5, and he drew 6 targets (a 26% share), catching 4 for 60 yards. Washington's passing game is spread thin: Stefon Diggs didn't play Sunday. Okonkwo has 13 targets in three games, so this is a short sample. Week 6 is at San Francisco on Monday night, a tougher matchup: the 49ers are allowing 18.6 points per game.

• FAAB bid: 0–2%
• Fits: TE premium and deep leagues.

DST and K Streamers

• Indianapolis DST (vs. TEN) (rostered in 2.8% of ESPN leagues): Tennessee is scoring 11.6 points per game, the fewest in the league, and has scored 10 or fewer in three of five games, including 3 points at home against Houston on Sunday. Cam Ward threw for 170 yards on 36 attempts with an interception and 4 sacks in that game. This pick is about the matchup more than the unit: the Colts have 10 sacks and only 2 takeaways and are allowing 27.6 points per game. FAAB bid: 1–2%.
• N.Y. Giants DST (vs. NO) (rostered in 6.3% of ESPN leagues): New Orleans has taken 13 sacks and turned it over 11 times (5 interceptions, 6 lost fumbles), or 4.8 sacks plus turnovers per game. Tyler Shough threw 2 interceptions and passed for 96 yards in Week 5. The Giants have 8 sacks and 8 takeaways. FAAB bid: 1–2%.
• Atlanta DST (vs. CHI) (rostered in 7.6% of ESPN leagues): Chicago has taken 11 sacks and turned it over 11 times, and the Bears scored 7 points with 3 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles in Green Bay. Their 23.8 points per game is inflated by a 59-point opener; they've scored 7 or fewer in two of the last four. Watch Caleb Williams' status: his return would make this a weaker play. FAAB bid: 0–1%.
• K Tyler Bass, BUF (at LV) (rostered in 9.1% of ESPN leagues): 9 of 9 on field goals and 15 of 17 on extra points. Buffalo is scoring 32.8 points per game, tied for the most in the NFL, and Las Vegas is allowing 25.8. FAAB bid: 0–1%.
• K Dominic Zvada, NYG (vs. NO) (rostered in 4.1% of ESPN leagues): 11 of 14 on field goals, including 5 from 50-plus. New Orleans is allowing 30.2 points per game. FAAB bid: 0–1%.
• K Matt Gay, LV (vs. BUF) (rostered in 7.7% of ESPN leagues): 11 of 12 on field goals, with 7 from 40 yards or longer, and 11 of 11 on extra points. Buffalo is allowing 28.2 points per game, so Las Vegas should get scoring chances at home. FAAB bid: 0–1%.

Deeper Stashes

Looking ahead: Buffalo, Jacksonville, the Chargers, and Washington are on bye in Week 7, so Bass, Strange, and Okonkwo are one-week plays. These are stashes for now, in case their roles grow.

• Tua Tagovailoa, QB, ATL (0.6%): He's Penix's backup. Atlanta will decide on Penix's Week 6 status after watching him practice (per ESPN). Superflex benches only. 0–2% in superflex.
• Corey Kiner, RB, NE (0.1%): He ran 6 times for 52 yards, with 2 carries inside the 20, after Henderson left Sunday. If Henderson misses time, Kiner is the next back up behind Rhamondre Stevenson. 0–1%.
• Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, BAL (7.8%): The rookie could come off IR as soon as Wednesday, and Minter said "Ja'Kobi's done a really good job" (per BaltimoreRavens.com). He played 40% of snaps in Week 1 before the wrist injury. 0–1%.
• Efton Chism III, WR, NE (0.7%): He played a season-high 76% of snaps and caught 5 of 6 targets for 57 yards in the 45–17 win. A.J. Brown's possible return from IR is the risk (per MassLive). Deep PPR only. 0–1%.
• Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC (2.0%): His carries have risen over the last three weeks (1, 5, 8) and scored in each of the last two games, with a season-high 42% of snaps on Sunday. He's a deep-league flex in a three-back split. 0–1%.

Drop Candidates

• Will Shipley, PHI: The partial plantar fascia tear could cost him multiple weeks (per ESPN), and Barkley may return Sunday. Move him to IR if your league allows it; if not, he's a drop.
• Brian Robinson Jr., ATL: After his three-touchdown Monday night in Week 4, he played 22% of snaps and ran 7 times for 16 yards on Sunday, while Bijan Robinson played 81%. He's a handcuff now, not a flex.
• Tre' Harris, LAC: He's week-to-week with a hamstring injury (per Chargers.com). In shallow leagues without IR slots, the roster spot is worth more.
• Michael Mayer, LV: One target on 65% of snaps in Week 5, while Brock Bowers drew 10. With Bowers healthy, Mayer's 10-target game in Week 4 looks like the exception.
• Kalif Raymond, CHI: He has 12 receiving yards over the last two games combined, despite playing 51% and 68% of snaps.

The Right Order Depends on Your League

This is a starting point, not a final order. Every add here is a player you can actually get: skill players rostered in about 60% or fewer of ESPN leagues, and DST and K streamers in 20% or fewer. A 20% FAAB bid on Marks is right in one league and too much in another, depending on your scoring, roster rules, how much budget your leaguemates have left, and who's already on your bench. In TE premium, Freiermuth could go ahead of every receiver on this list. In superflex, Winston or Cousins could go ahead of Pierce.

That's what Homefield does. Connect your league and we'll rank these adds for your scoring, your roster, and your budget. Sleeper and CBS sync live today; Yahoo, ESPN, and MFL are coming. None of this is a guarantee. It's the usage data, read for your team.