Thomason: Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 6
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) When I write these waiver articles, I try to think of what most teams can really benefit from in 10- and 12-team leagues. So as you'll see below, I don't have any quarterbacks listed.
That being said, if you are dealing with a quarterback injury and don't have a viable backup, I would make Blake Bortles or Josh McCown as your top add after Charcandrick West and Willie Snead. Both quarterbacks have been fantastic of late and would help tremendously if you're in line to start someone like Alex Smith or Jameis Winston. Lastly, you won't see guys like Thomas Rawls, Marvin Jones or Duke Johnson on the list because their ownership levels are now too high. Generally, I won't list a player who has ownership levels above 60 percent on the major sites.
Here are my top 10 waiver adds for 10- and 12-man leagues in Week 6.
1. Charcandrick West/Knile Davis (RBs, Kansas City Chiefs) -- The early word and snaps over the last few weeks (22 percent for West and 7 percent for Davis) show West as the pickup to make with Jamaal Charles going down for the season. Davis has shown he can produce RB1 stats while filling in for Charles in the past, but it was West who received seven looks after Charles' injury. Meanwhile, Davis has carried twice for two yards over the last three weeks.
2. Willie Snead (WR, New Orleans Saints) – Snead's playing time continues to rise, and he's played the same numer or more snaps than Marques Colston the last three weeks. Snead now has 33 targets, 22 catches, 381 yards and a touchdown on the season, and he just turned in his best day, soaking up 11 targets for six catches and 141 yards. With the Saints defense being so bad, there will be plenty of opportunities moving forward for Snead. He's worth a priority add.
3. Gary Barnidge (TE, Cleveland Browns) -- It's as simple as 20 receptions, 319 yards and three scores over the last three weeks for Barnidge. While the upcoming schedule is difficult, Barnidge just dropped 139 yards and a score on eight grabs against the Ravens, who had been phenomenal against tight ends. This is the most inconsistent skill position in fantasy, so ride the hot hand. Barnidge has been too good not to consider.
4. Antonio Andrews (RB, Tennessee Titans) – I mentioned him last week, and he didn't disappoint for running back-needy teams Sunday. While his rushing line leaves seomthing to be desired (seven carries for nine yards), he did add 45 yards on three receptions and got the goal-line touchdown. Given three players saw seven carries or more for the Titans, this situation isn't ideal -- but again, if you need a running back, take the guy getting goal-line duties and seeing pass receiving work. In his two active games, Andrews has two scores and 58 yards on 19 carries and four receptions for another 57 yards.
5. Ty Montgomery (WR, Green Bay Packers) – Montgomery has played 94 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps the last three weeks, which is the highest total for all their receivers. With Davante Adams having a foot injury, it has opened the door for Montgomery, who has 17 targets over the last four games and has now scored touchdowns in back-to-back games. This is even easier than the reason for picking up Barnidge. Montgomery's quarterback is Aaron Rodgers, so don't overthink it.
6. Jamison Crowder (WR, Washington Redskins) -- Crowder's quickly becoming Kirk Cousins' binky. Over the last three weeks, he's second on the team with 26 targets (Pierre Garcon has 28) and has turned those into 21 receptions and 197 yards. Due to the lack of touchdowns, Crowder becomes more of an enticing option in PPR leagues but is still worth the look in standard leagues, given injuries to Jordan Reed and Desean Jackson. He should still have a significant role when they return.
7. Theo Riddick/Zach Zenner (RBs, Detroit Lions) -- The Lions are a mess right now, and Ameer Abdullah isn't going anywhere, but Riddick is the 13th-ranked PPR running back right now. Having only rushed twice on the season, Riddick has done his damage through the air. He already has 30 receptions for 228 yards and two scores through five games. Meanwhile, Zenner will have a chance to emerge in Joique Bell's "big back" role, but there isn't much positive game script coming out of Detroit these days.
8. Charles Sims (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) -- Even with Doug Martin ripping off 158 yards and three scores Sunday, Sims was able to do his own work. He added 136 total yards and has played on 44percent of the offensive naps on the season to Martin's 51 percent. With Winston being a turnover machine, I think both running backs will continue to be heavily involved.
9. Darren McFadden (RB, Dallas Cowboys) -- For one thing, McFadden became more valuable after being deemed Lance Dunbar's replacement. He saw 10 targets Sunday and caught nine of them for 62 yards. He totaled 14 touches on the day, and with the way the Cowboys have been trailing in games of late, more of these receiving days are ahead. Couple that with the fact Joseph Randle doesn't have a tight stranglehold on the No. 1 gig, and McFadden could end up a real steal from value perspective.
10. Ted Ginn (WR, Carolina Panthers) -- Ginn was a top-24 receiver in heading into his bye week. He has three touchdowns on the season and, outside of Greg Olsen, is Cam Newton's top receiving option. Ginn is seeing 6.3 targets per game and is worth picking up if you're in need of a WR3/WR4.
Just missed: Josh McCown, Blake Bortles, Lorenzo Taliafero/Javouris Allen, Chris Thompson, Brandon LaFell and Kamar Aiken.
*Also, keep an eye on guys like Ahmad Bradshaw and Pierre Thomas, the latter of whom just worked out for the Chiefs. Ben Tate did as well, but that doesn't excite me.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
