Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire FAAB: Aaron Rodgers, Pat Freiermuth are top adds

Fantasy football managers hit the Week 6 waiver wire with the Bengals, Lions, Dolphins and Vikings on bye, Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve, and Aaron Rodgers coming off his third straight three-touchdown game.

Philadelphia lost a third running back, Will Shipley (foot), in London, and Pittsburgh finished Sunday with four healthy wide receivers, so several pickups below are bets on depth charts that could change by Wednesday’s practice reports.

Shipley left the 19-17 loss to Jacksonville with a foot injury after scoring his first career touchdown, leaving the Eagles without Shipley, Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (core muscle surgery). Barkley and DeVonta Smith (hamstring) could return against Carolina, so every Eagles add depends on this week’s injury reports.

Pittsburgh lost Roman Wilson to a dislocated finger and Ben Skowronek to a calf injury in the 34-22 win over Indianapolis, a day after placing Pittman on injured reserve. Arizona traded Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston for second- and sixth-round picks, and Dallas expects CeeDee Lamb’s quad bruise to heal during a 10-day break.

The Seattle Seahawks visit the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, and the Houston Texans face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, so those players lock early. The Washington Commanders visit the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

Free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) recommendations are based on a $100 budget. My bids are conservative, so bid higher if you want to be aggressive on a player.

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

• Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 235 yards, 3 TD

• Rostered: 27%

• FAAB: $11

Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 235 yards, 3 TD

Rodgers threw three touchdown passes for the third straight game, joining Terry Bradshaw as the only Steelers quarterbacks to do it. The 42-year-old completed 22 of 31 passes without a turnover, though Jaylen Warren turned a dump-off into an 80-yard score and Pat Freiermuth caught the other two. Rodgers has nine touchdown passes over that stretch, but Pittsburgh is down to DK Metcalf and a rookie at receiver. Tampa Bay has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, so he’s a streamer with a modest ceiling.

• Opponent: vs. Buffalo, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at New England, 243 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 37%

• FAAB: $6

Opponent: vs. Buffalo, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at New England, 243 yards, 1 TD

Cousins completed 19 of 28 passes in the 45-17 loss, and he gave way to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza late in the blowout. New England sacked him three times and held the Raiders to 2.1 yards per carry, so the passing game carried the offense again. The veteran has 12 touchdown passes in five games, and I rank him QB9 this week. Buffalo has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, but Mendoza’s debut adds a variable managers didn’t have to weigh a week ago.

• Opponent: vs. New Orleans, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Washington, 326 yards, 3 TD

• Rostered: 6%

• FAAB: $5

Opponent: vs. New Orleans, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at Washington, 326 yards, 3 TD

Winston went 7-of-16 for 72 yards in the first half before leading three straight touchdown drives in the 27-27 tie. He threw 54 passes with no interceptions, finding Isaiah Likely for two scores and Malik Nabers for the tying touchdown with 1:43 left. That’s six touchdown passes over two games. But the Giants traded for J.J. McCarthy, and Likely hobbled off late. New Orleans has allowed the 18th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, so Winston is a volume streamer with turnover risk.

• Opponent: at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Houston, 170 yards, 1 INT

• Rostered: 9%

• FAAB: $1

Opponent: at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Houston, 170 yards, 1 INT

Ward completed 23 of 36 passes in the 26-3 loss, and Houston sacked him four times while pressuring him on 21 dropbacks. He has three touchdown passes and three interceptions for an 0-5 team with the league’s lowest-scoring offense. Coach Robert Saleh said afterward that Tennessee will give Ward “every opportunity to be successful.” Indianapolis has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, but the 2025 No. 1 overall pick is only a two-quarterback-league fill-in.

• Opponent: vs. Pittsburgh, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Dallas, 189 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 4%

• FAAB: $0

Opponent: vs. Pittsburgh, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes in the 24-16 upset in Dallas and added 23 rushing yards on seven carries. The undrafted rookie from Kansas threw two interceptions in his first start but none Thursday, and Tampa Bay ran for 241 yards to keep him out of long-yardage situations. Coach Todd Bowles plans to start Daniels against Pittsburgh but used a “right now” qualifier while Baker Mayfield heals a dislocated thumb. The Steelers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, so he’s a deep two-quarterback option.

• Opponent: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Detroit, inactive (emergency third quarterback)

• Rostered: 1%

• FAAB: $0

Opponent: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Detroit, inactive (emergency third quarterback)

Beck has been inactive as Arizona’s emergency third quarterback in all five games, behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. The case for him rests on the Cardinals’ direction, since they’re 1-4 after a 45-21 loss to Detroit and just traded Harrison for draft picks. Coach Mike LaFleur answered “No” when asked about a quarterback change after Week 4, and he backed Brissett again Sunday. The third-round rookie from Miami is a two-quarterback and dynasty stash, not a Week 6 option. By trading Harrison, the Cardinals are telling us 2026 is over. The roster will be getting a full tryout. Meaning the young guys will have to prove their worth, Beck included. It’s a matter of when, not if.

Widely rostered QBs: Bryce Young, Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud, Kyler Murray, Tyler Shough, Jacoby Brissett

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New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) runs against Minnesota Vikings defensive back Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Caesars Superdome | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

• Opponent: at New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Minnesota, 10 carries for 30 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 7%

• FAAB: $5

Opponent: at New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Minnesota, 10 carries for 30 yards, 1 TD

Miller led New Orleans with 10 carries and scored the Saints’ only touchdown in the loss to Minnesota, but he managed just 30 yards. Alvin Kamara had three carries and CJ Donaldson had two, so the early-down work belongs to Miller while Travis Etienne Jr. sits on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The Giants have allowed the 14th-most half-PPR points to running backs. Miller’s limited receiving role caps his ceiling, so he’s a touchdown-dependent flex.

• Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 11 carries for 14 yards

• Rostered:

• FAAB: $3

Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 11 carries for 14 yards

Pierce took over after Shipley’s injury and finished with 11 carries for 14 yards. Philadelphia averaged 1.2 yards per carry behind a line missing Lane Johnson, who retired, and Cam Jurgens, who was traded to Baltimore. The former Houston starter began last week on the practice squad, and he only matters if Barkley and Shipley both sit. Carolina has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to running backs, but Barkley’s week-to-week hamstring status should cap your bid.

• Opponent: vs. Buffalo, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at New England, 1 carry for 5 yards, 1 catch for 5 yards

• Rostered: 42%

• FAAB: $4

Opponent: vs. Buffalo, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at New England, 1 carry for 5 yards, 1 catch for 5 yards

Washington touched the ball twice, even with Ashton Jeanty playing through a plantar fasciitis flare-up and an ankle injury. Jeanty ran 10 times for 27 yards and is averaging 3.3 yards per carry, which keeps the Arkansas rookie relevant. Washington has 125 yards on 25 carries this season, a 5.0 average. Buffalo has allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points to running backs, but he’s a stash who needs Jeanty to miss time before he offers lineup value.

• Opponent: Bye (at Baltimore, Week 7)

• Week 5: at Miami, 14 carries for 68 yards, 2 catches for 10 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 3%

• FAAB: $2

Opponent: Bye (at Baltimore, Week 7)

Week 5: at Miami, 14 carries for 68 yards, 2 catches for 10 yards, 1 TD

Perine out-carried Chase Brown 14 to 13 in the 31-24 win and out-gained him 68 yards to 39. He also caught a 6-yard touchdown from Joe Burrow, who called him “Mr. Reliable” after the game. Brown fumbled and averaged 3.0 yards per carry. Cincinnati is on bye before visiting Baltimore, so Perine is a bench stash for Brown managers. One game with more carries doesn’t create a committee, but it’s the first sign of one this season.

• Opponent: at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Denver, 6 carries for 11 yards, 3 catches for 18 yards

• Rostered: 42%

• FAAB: $3

Opponent: at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Denver, 6 carries for 11 yards, 3 catches for 18 yards

Mitchell totaled 29 yards in the 23-17 loss to Denver, a week after he out-touched Omarion Hampton 15 to 11. Hampton got 15 touches this time, and Kimani Vidal scored on one of his nine, so offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s three-back rotation keeps shifting for an 0-5 team. Kansas City has allowed the 12th-fewest half-PPR points to running backs. Mitchell is a bye-week flex in deeper PPR leagues only.

• Opponent: at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Houston, 2 carries for 0 yards, 9 catches on 9 targets for 28 yards

• Rostered: 22%

• FAAB: $2

Opponent: at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Houston, 2 carries for 0 yards, 9 catches on 9 targets for 28 yards

Spears caught all nine of his targets in the 26-3 loss, but they produced 28 yards, and he ran twice for no gain. Ward used him as a checkdown under heavy pressure while Tony Pollard handled 14 carries. Tennessee should trail often, which keeps Spears involved as a receiver. Indianapolis has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points to running backs. He’s a PPR flex in deep leagues, but 2.5 yards per touch limits him everywhere else.

Widely rostered RBs: MarShawn Lloyd, Woody Marks, Emanuel Wilson

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard (17) carries the ball in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

• Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 6 catches on 9 targets for 80 yards

• Rostered: 1%

• FAAB: $4

Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 6 catches on 9 targets for 80 yards

Bernard led Pittsburgh with nine targets and set career highs in catches and yards in his first NFL start. The second-round rookie from Alabama stepped in with Pittman on injured reserve, and Wilson’s finger injury and Skowronek’s calf injury left the Steelers with four healthy receivers. His role should grow while that depth chart stays thin. Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-fewest half-PPR points to wide receivers, so Bernard is a flex whose value rises if Wilson misses time.

• Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 5 catches on 8 targets for 63 yards

• Rostered: 44%

• FAAB: $4

Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 5 catches on 8 targets for 63 yards

Wicks converted third downs of 10 and eight yards on Philadelphia’s first touchdown drive and finished with a team-high eight targets. He has drawn at least five targets in each of the last four games, and he played through a hamstring issue that limited him in practice Friday. Smith could return against Carolina, which would push Wicks back toward a part-time role. The Panthers have allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, so he’s a flex only while Smith sits.

• Opponent: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Detroit, 5 catches on 8 targets for 70 yards

• Rostered: 6%

• FAAB: $3

Opponent: at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Detroit, 5 catches on 8 targets for 70 yards

Bourne led Arizona with 70 receiving yards in the 45-21 loss with Harrison inactive ahead of the trade. Trey McBride was the only Cardinal with more targets. But Bourne didn’t draw a target in Week 4, and Michael Wilson remains the No. 1 receiver, so his floor isn’t stable. Arizona should keep throwing from behind. The Rams have allowed the 13th-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, making Bourne a volume-based PPR flex in deeper leagues.

• Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 2 catches on 3 targets for 71 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 8%

• FAAB: $2

Opponent: vs. Carolina, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at Jacksonville (London), 2 catches on 3 targets for 71 yards, 1 TD

Cooper turned a third-and-10 throw into a 62-yard touchdown that gave Philadelphia a 14-7 lead. The undrafted second-year receiver from Tarleton State has four touchdowns on seven catches this season, a rate that won’t hold. He drew three targets to Wicks’ eight on Sunday, and he’s caught five of 10 targets with Smith out over the last two games. Cooper is a boom-or-bust deep-league flex whose value depends on Smith missing another game.

• Opponent: vs. Tennessee, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: at Pittsburgh, 5 catches on 9 targets for 45 yards

• Rostered: 31%

• FAAB: $4

Opponent: vs. Tennessee, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: at Pittsburgh, 5 catches on 9 targets for 45 yards

Allen led Indianapolis with nine targets in his return from a groin injury, though the Colts lost 34-22. He has drawn nine targets in each of his last two games, and Alec Pierce remains on injured reserve. Allen is averaging 8.1 yards per catch, so his value comes from catch volume rather than big plays. Tennessee has allowed the 12th-most half-PPR points to wide receivers, which makes him a solid PPR flex against an 0-5 team.

• Opponent: at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay, 3 catches for 90 yards

• Rostered: 8%

• FAAB: $1

Opponent: at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay, 3 catches for 90 yards

Flournoy posted a season-high 90 yards in the Thursday night loss after Lamb left with a quad injury. George Pickens absorbed most of Lamb’s work with 13 targets. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Lamb has a quad bruise and added, “Do not expect this to be a long-term injury.” Green Bay has allowed the 10th-fewest half-PPR points to receivers. Flournoy is insurance for Lamb managers and a deep-league flex only if Lamb sits.

Widely rostered WRs: Malik Washington

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

• Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 5 catches on 7 targets for 44 yards, 2 TD

• Rostered: 15%

• FAAB: $6

Opponent: at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Indianapolis, 5 catches on 7 targets for 44 yards, 2 TD

Noticing a theme with all these Steelers? Targets and playing time are available, so you gotta follow the path of least resistance, folks. Freiermuth scored from 1 and 17 yards out, and the second touchdown came on third-and-6 to push Pittsburgh’s lead to two scores. He has three touchdowns over the last two games. Darnell Washington still takes snaps, and that scoring pace will slow. But Pittsburgh’s receiver injuries should keep Freiermuth busy, and Tampa Bay has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points to tight ends. I rank him TE10, which makes him the top streaming tight end available.

• Opponent: vs. Houston (London), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Philadelphia (London), 7 catches on 8 targets for 68 yards

• Rostered: 32%

• FAAB: $3

Opponent: vs. Houston (London), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Philadelphia (London), 7 catches on 8 targets for 68 yards

Strange caught seven of eight targets for the second straight game and led Jacksonville in catches both times. That’s 14 catches for 163 yards over two weeks after he had seven catches in his first three games. Trevor Lawrence is using the former Penn State tight end as a middle-of-the-field outlet, though he hasn’t scored since Week 1. Houston has allowed the sixth-fewest half-PPR points to tight ends, so Strange is a PPR streamer with a steady floor and a limited ceiling.

• Opponent: at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: Bye (Week 4: vs. Detroit, 3 catches on 6 targets for 36 yards)

• Rostered: 16%

• FAAB: $3

Opponent: at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: Bye (Week 4: vs. Detroit, 3 catches on 6 targets for 36 yards)

Waller caught three of six targets against Detroit before Carolina’s bye, a week after catching five of eight for 51 yards. He has 13 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns in four games, and he’s taken many of his snaps from the slot. Jalen Coker missed Week 4 with a quad injury, and his return would cut into Waller’s targets. The Eagles have allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points to tight ends, so Waller is a bye-week replacement with a low floor.

• Opponent: at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 19

• Week 5: vs. New York Giants, 4 catches on 6 targets for 60 yards

• Rostered: 16%

• FAAB: $1

Opponent: at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 19

Week 5: vs. New York Giants, 4 catches on 6 targets for 60 yards

Okonkwo set a season high in yards in the 27-27 tie, but all four catches came in the first half. He had two catches for 5 yards against Indianapolis the week before, and a hamstring issue slowed his first month. Jayden Daniels played in an elbow brace, and San Francisco has allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points to tight ends. Okonkwo plays Monday night, so he’s a late fallback rather than a priority add.

• Opponent: Bye (at Baltimore, Week 7)

• Week 5: at Miami, 1 catch on 2 targets for 4 yards, 1 TD

• Rostered: 27%

• FAAB: $1

Opponent: Bye (at Baltimore, Week 7)

Week 5: at Miami, 1 catch on 2 targets for 4 yards, 1 TD

Gesicki scored on Cincinnati’s opening drive after an 81-yard kick return, his only catch of the day. He has scored in four of five games. But Ja’Marr Chase returned with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, and Tanner Hudson also scored, which squeezes the targets left for Gesicki. His production depends on touchdowns, so he’s a bench stash in deeper leagues through Cincinnati’s bye.

• Opponent: vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

• Week 5: vs. Las Vegas, 5 catches on 5 targets for 57 yards

• Rostered: 0%

• FAAB: $0

Opponent: vs. New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18

Week 5: vs. Las Vegas, 5 catches on 5 targets for 57 yards

Raridon caught all five targets, including a 31-yarder from Drake Maye, and more than doubled his career receptions in the 45-17 win. The rookie returned from an ankle injury, but Hunter Henry still played more snaps and scored. New England’s two-tight-end sets keep both involved. The Jets have allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to tight ends, so Raridon is a deep-league stash who needs a Henry injury to matter.