Read Jake Ciely’s latest fantasy football waiver wire advice. 

This week’s waivers have the most complicated running back situation yet; with six byes and a bunch of moving parts injury-wise, you might need a “now” option like Zach Evans versus the upside of stashing a Jonathan Mingo or Jalin Hyatt. Additionally, Week 6 gave us the most devastating fantasy football injury to date — a potential long absence from Christian McCaffrey. Let’s get right into things!

HEADS UP

• Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
• Listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production
• No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
• Streaming QB and TE are grouped together— weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too

** BYES: CAR, CIN, DAL, HOU, NYJ, TEN **

WORRY REPORT
More Ducks (and Eggs) = More Concern

• Geno Smith, SEA ♾🦆 — Smith is making all the “one-year wonder” arguers look smart with just one game over 13.4 points and one with two touchdowns. With little rushing upside, you can gamble on random Aidan O’Connell starts over Smith.
• Dameon Pierce, HOU 🦆🦆🦆🥚 — Pierce went from 100% of the Texans’ RB touches to just 48.1%, or the same as Devin Singletary, who even outplayed Pierce… relatively. Then we have the quote from DeMeco Ryans: “Our run game was better. It was that complementary back and forth between DP (Dameon Pierce) and Motor (Devin Singletary). DP had some elite finishes. Motor had some nice runs. Going to continue to balance both guys out.” If that doesn’t scream “timeshare” and/or “hot hand,” I’m not sure what does.
• DeVonta Smith, PHI 🦆🦆🥚 — Remember last year, from Week 13 through the end of the season, when Smith looked as if he could be the top Eagles receiver? Well, so far this season he has just one game of 80+ yards and has scored only two touchdowns (Weeks 1 and 2). Smith also has just 18.5 TGT% (on routes), 22.7 TmTGT% and 55.7 YPG after 22.6, 26.9 and 70.4 last year. Similar to Jaylen Waddle two weeks ago, Smith is a decent buy-low, but there is no guarantee he will get back to being a weekly Top 20 option.
• Jerry Jeudy, DEN 🦆🦆🦆🦆 with the Broncos, 🦆🦆 if traded — Rumors are swirling that Jeudy will be traded. That might actually help, as for various reasons (quarterback play, Jeudy’s inconsistency, maybe needing a change of scenery) Jeudy just isn’t hitting in Denver.
• Romeo Doubs, GB 🦆🦆 — It was only Doubs’ second bad game. Yes, Christian Watson was finally 100%, but this is more about Jordan Love than Doubs, as Doubs is still a top-two receiver for the Packers. The double-digit scores will be more inconsistent, but he’s still a WR4 and shouldn’t be dropped.

STREAMING QUARTERBACKS

Emojis

• 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya — players included for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
• 🔍 = Check if Dropped — players whose managers might have cut for other need or impatient
• 🎯 = Long-Term Target — players with starter+ upside who require patience (stash picks)
• 🫡 = Backup/Next Man Up — players who have almost no value but starter+ upside if injury ahead of them

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

1. Elijah Mitchell, SF — 🔍 With Christian McCaffrey likely out, Mitchell has a chance to bring the Top 20 value we’ve seen from him as the previous lead option. Of course, there is a risk he’s not back yet and/or is in a timeshare now, but the upside makes Mitchell a must-pickup. If CMC doesn’t miss time, drop Mitchell down behind Chuba Hubbard, and Mason (upcoming) would be back-to-back with him.
2. Roschon Johnson, CHI — Great upside, albeit with risk. Johnson can carry Top 20 value, but a timeshare with D’Onta Foreman is possible… worst case is with Johnson in the smaller share.
3. Zach Evans, LAR — Evans might be a one-week play, and it might be no more than a D’Onta Foreman-type showing, but Ronnie Rivers is out for a long time, and Kyren Williams might miss Week 7. If Williams plays in Week 7, drop Evans down behind Zeke. This could be Keaontay Ingram-like with only RB3 value or even a bust with Royce Freeman activated and depth signings, but he’s worth the gamble at this point of the season.
   Update: Royce Freeman reportedly leading with Darrell Henderson next up and mixing in with Zach Evans. Avoid this entire situation wherever possible, as a committee leads to results like last week’s Cardinals backfield. You’re praying one hits a big play or touchdown at this point.
4. Craig Reynolds, DET — With David Montgomery missing time, Reynolds becomes a volume play if Jahmyr Gibbs doesn’t return from his injury (and is behind Evans as a one-week value only). If Gibbs does return, Reynolds is an RB3 play, falling behind Hunt.
5. Jaylen Warren, PIT — Unless Najee Harris wakes up after the bye like he did last year, Warren has been the more valuable option and would have RB2 startability if he finally gets the lead role. He’s here purely on the upside that it happens out of the Steelers bye.
6. Chuba Hubbard, CAR — Panthers on a bye, and Miles Sanders could be back to 100% after it, but Hubbard is worth holding/grabbing in case Sanders isn’t, and even then, could be a timeshare now.
7. Jeff Wilson, MIA — Wilson might not immediately be the No. 2 option, but if he does return to the field and that role, the Dolphins offense and run game are too good not to use Wilson as an RB3.
8. Jordan Mason, SF — There is a chance Mason could be the new leader. Mitchell is higher based on the past and 49ers’ fondness of him, but it’s fair to wonder if 1) Mason showed enough to be the lead and, 2) Mitchell gets the immediate lead or is eased into it.
9. D’Onta Foreman, CHI — There is more upside with Roschon Johnson, but there is also no guarantee that Johnson is the lead. Foreman was decent, not great, in Week 6, but with the six-team bye week, he’ll be in play as an RB3 even with Tyson Bagent at quarterback (Foreman was 9-for-41 with Bagent and 6-for-24 with Justin Fields).
10. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN — He had 39.1 RBTouch% to Javonte Williams’ 43.5, making McLaughlin tough to use outside deeper leagues. If Williams were to miss time again, McLaughlin would be an RB2.
11. Kareem Hunt, CLE — 🔍 Hunt had 37% of the snaps to 51% for Jerome Ford, and the RBTouch% was 41.4 to Ford’s 58.6, but it’s enough to warrant Hunt as an RB3 option.
12. Jamaal Williams, NO — 🫡 Eligible to return and would have weekly RB3 value once we know he’s 100%.
13. Devin Singletary, HOU — See: Pierce worry report.
14. Justice Hill, BAL — 😤
15. Keaontay Ingram, ARI — Led in RBTouch% (50.0) but Emari Demercado had more snaps (33 to 26). Ingram is the top option in this committee, but being a committee, it’s better to avoid it unless desperate.
16. Ezekiel Elliott, NE — Needy teams only, as Elliott’s only trustworthiness would come if Rhamondre Stevenson missed time.
17. Salvon Ahmed, MIA — Wilson could return and push Ahmed to third, but until that happens, this offense warrants starting the No. 2 running back. If Wilson doesn’t return, put Ahmed in his spot.
18. Latavius Murray, BUF — 🫡 With Damien Harris out, Murray is a bit safer RB3 boom/bust play behind James Cook.
19. Tyjae Spears, TEN — 🫡
20. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — 🫡
21. Rico Dowdle, DAL — 🫡
22. Joshua Kelley, LAC — 🫡
23. Zach Charbonnet, SEA — 🫡
24. Tank Bigsby, JAX — 🫡
25. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC — 🫡
26. Keaton Mitchell, BAL — 🎯
27. Matt Breida, NYG — 🫡

MEH 😒

• Damien Williams, ARI — As mentioned, it’s a committee, and even if Williams grabbed the lead over Ingram, there isn’t much value outside a deep, desperation play.
• Antonio Gibson, WSH — Gibson still only had 20% of the RB touches and 16 total yards. It’s a touchdown or nothing with Gibson’s value.

DUMPSVILLE 🗑️ (Order I’d Drop)

• Cam Akers, MIN — Only if you’re experiencing a roster crunch. Alexander Mattison ceded 40% of the touches to Akers in Week 5 but had 91.7% of the RB touches and 23.3 TmTGT% to 3.3 for Akers in Week 6. I’d consider dropping him for anyone through Ingram in the list above, but we’re definitely good through Jamaal Williams.

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

1. Joshua Palmer, LAC — 😤 Continues to be the new No. 2 in place of Mike Williams.
2. Rashee Rice, KC — Before Justin Watson left with an injury, Rice had just 36.8 Route% and 0.0 TmTGT% — he jumped to 59.3% and 16.7% after Watson was out. Rice has been doing a decent amount with very little (regularly bottom two in routes and opportunities), and now he has a path to a top-three role. Rice could be a mere deep stash down by Mingo if Watson is/gets healthy, and the Chiefs still trust him more.
3. Jameson Williams, DET — It’s boom-or-bust to a T. Williams ran just nine routes but had 3-2-53-1 for 12.3 points. If he moved past Josh Reynolds as the No. 2, Williams would be a weekly must-start.
4. Curtis Samuel, WSH — 😤 Been the most consistent Commanders wideout.
5. Josh Downs, IND — 😤
6. Zay Jones, JAX — When he’s healthy, he’s the No. 2. However, I’ve said that more times than there have been games where Jones was healthy.
7. Michael Wilson, ARI — 🔍 Solid bounceback.
8. Josh Reynolds, DET — 😤
9. Jonathan Mingo, CAR — 🎯 Ran the highest Route% before their bye. The breakout could be coming.
10. Marvin Mims, DEN — 🎯 Small sample but went from 15.4 Route% with Jerry Jeudy to 100% once Jeudy was off the field. However, Lil’Jordan Humphrey was out there for 100% of those routes, too.
11. Jalin Hyatt, NYG — 🎯 Jumped to 83.3 Route%, ahead of Wan’Dale Robinson, with 16.5 AirYD/TGT. Hyatt has deep-league stashability (yep, new word).
12. Rashid Shaheed, NO — 😤
13. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Volume half and full-PPR play.
14. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA — 🎯
15. Quentin Johnston, LAC — 🎯
16. DJ Chark, CAR — Just like Reynolds with more boom/bust to his game.

MEH 😒

• Kendrick Bourne, NE — Two big games and a lot of meh in between.
• Darius Slayton, NYG — Slayton has been a top-two wideout for the Giants, but there is little upside. Hyatt is the better gamble.
• Tyler Boyd, CIN — On a bye and merely took advantage of Tee Higgins not being 100% (again).

DUMPSVILLE 🗑️ (Order I’d Drop)

• Elijah Moore, CLE — The quarterback doesn’t matter, as Moore hasn’t reached eight points all year. I’d drop for anyone through Hyatt in the list above for chasing upside.
• Tyler Boyd, CIN — See: Meh. Boyd was a nice fill-in while Higgins was out and then not 100%, but he should be ready to go 100% after the Bengals bye.

STREAMING TIGHT ENDS

STREAMING DST

Week 7

• CLE at IND
• LAR vs PIT
• SEA vs ARI
• LV at CHI
• TB vs ATL
• WSH at NYG
• NYG vs WSH
• GB at DEN

Week 8

• LAC vs CHI
• JAX at PIT
• NYG vs NYJ
• SEA vs CLE
• CLE at SEA
• GB vs MIN

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)