Waiver Wire Week 6 for Fantasy Football: Pickup Woody Marks, Pat Freiermuth?

Week 5 wasn’t quite as harsh on the injury front compared to Week 4, though Texans RB David Montgomery (groin) and Eagles RB Will Shipley (foot) are a couple of injuries to watch as we approach Week 6. As usual, we have standout performances to react to, and the Texans acquired WR Marvin Harrison Jr. via trade, making an impact on the waiver wire for Week 6.

We’re hitting a slow point in the fantasy football season for the waiver wire, but there’s always upside to target. Quarterback and tight end options are at the forefront thanks to notable Week 5 outings.

Let’s look at Week 6’s waiver wire options for fantasy football, including QBs, RBs, WRs, TEs, and D/ST streaming candidates.

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Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6: Who to Target for Fantasy Football

The Week 6 waiver wire is headlined by a trio of quarterbacks and a pair of tight ends. It’s an underwhelming week for wide receivers and running backs, with each mostly focused on potential roles or injury fallouts.

For each waiver wire target, we’ll highlight their Week 6 matchup and projections on PrizePicks, followed by a fantasy football roster percentage via FantasyPros. Keep in mind each weekly positional ranking provided for Week 5 does not account for Monday Night Football between the Bills and Rams.

Top Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

This is arguably the best position group for Week 6’s waiver wire. 

We’ll focus on Raiders QB Kirk Cousins, Texans QB C.J. Stroud, and QB Jameis Winston. However, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is also demanding attention following his third consecutive game with at least 20.0 fantasy points.

Raiders QB Kirk Cousins

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Bills

Roster Percentage: 45.6%

Kirk Cousins’ rostered rate is bound to surpass 50.0% entering Week 6, perhaps meaning it’s your last chance to scoop up the veteran in your fantasy football league.

Week 5 was actually his lowest fantasy point total yet at 13.7 (QB18). However, Cousins is still QB6 for the season, supported by 19.3 fantasy points per game (QB11). 

Following Sunday’s 17-point performance in a 45-17 loss vs. the Patriots, Las Vegas is coming off its worst offensive game. However, the unit tallied 28.8 PPG over the first four weeks, and RBSDM still gives this unit 0.021 EPA per play (12th) and a 43.8% success rate (14th).

Further, Kirk’s advanced metrics check out thanks to 0.228 adjusted EPA per play (10th) and a 51.8% success rate (sixth).  

Most importantly, the Raiders have a tantalizing Week 6 matchup with the Bills, who allow 26.8 PPG (25th) and 5.5 yards per play (20th) — both rankings are before Monday Night Football. Buffalo cedes a 51.1% dropback success rate (31st), and PrizePicks gives this game a healthy 53.5 over/under.

Make Kirk Cousins picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Jaguars

Roster Percentage: 46.1%

Look, I get it. The Texans were 0-4 ahead of Week 5, and even following a dominant 26-3 win over the Titans, Houston’s chances to appear in the postseason are still slim with a 2.56x payout to quality for the playoffs. 

However, it hasn’t been due to C.J. Stroud’s play. He’s quietly had a nice season with 280.4 passing yards per game, 7.6 yards per passing attempt, 6 passing TDs, and 0 INTs. That’s good for QB12 in fantasy football and 17.8 FPPG.

His production has only gotten better over his last two games, boasting 23.1 (QB5) and 20.9 (QB11) fantasy point totals. Even Stroud’s efficiency checks out, including a 49.8% success rate (10th), and his 9.4 air yards per attempt (sixth-highest) is a good base for racking up yards.

One could argue this Houston offense will improve over the coming weeks, too. The Texans acquired the 2024 NFL Draft’s #4 overall pick, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., via trade with the Cardinals on Sunday. Remember, this is Stroud’s former teammate at Ohio State; perhaps he can tap into Harrison’s potential following an underwhelming start to the wideout’s career.

Furthermore, Texans WR Tank Dell returned to practice last week. Headlined by WR Nico Collins, Stroud could have a strong receiving unit for the remainder of the 2026 season.

Predict More or Less for C.J. Stroud’s pass yards on PrizePicks.

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Giants QB Jameis Winston

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Saints

Roster Percentage: 7.1%

We had Jameis Winston among our waiver wire targets a week ago, and now we are doubling down after he put up 25.7 fantasy points (QB5) in Week 5’s wonky 27-27 tie vs. the Commanders.

Most importantly, Winston didn’t have a turnover. However, Pro Football Focus still gave the veteran 2 turnover-worthy plays. This is something to keep an eye on going forward, as -2 points for every turnover is never ideal.

Following Week 5’s QB5 finish, he’s now posted 22.9 FPPG over the last two weeks. That includes 288.0 passing yards and 3.0 passing TDs per game in the split.

While Winston may not be a long-term solution for fantasy football, he could be a quality streaming option when you’re in a tough spot. That’s especially the case for Week 6 vs. the Saints, who surrender 30.2 PPG (31st) and 5.7 yards per play (26th).  

Lock in Jameis Winston picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Other Week 6 QB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (vs. Buccaneers): 27.5% roster percentage
• Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett (vs. Rams): 42.1% roster percentage
• Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. (vs. Bears): 11.7% roster percentage

Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6  

Frankly, Week 6’s waiver wire options at running back are slim pickings. Our top targets are players with rostered rates above 50.0%.

For example, Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd comes off his best performance with 16.7 fantasy points (RB10) thanks to 2 rushing TDs. However, he’s not an ideal waiver wire target with a 54.5% roster rate.

Instead, we’ll focus on only one player with a roster percentage above 50.0%, followed by a player more widely available. 

Texans RB Woody Marks

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Jaguars

Roster Percentage: 52.4% 

If you’re fortunate enough to have Woody Marks available on the waiver wire, he could be the top priority of the week.

David Montgomery exited Sunday’s game with a groin injury. That led to a season-high 84.8% snap rate for Marks, with his previous only 50.6% in Week 1. 

Houston didn’t hesitate to lean on Woody, as he racked up 15 carries for 62 rushing yards and 4 targets, 4 receptions, and 23 receiving yards. He produced 12.5 fantasy points (RB19), surpassing his 9.1 season-high from Week 3. 

If Monty misses more time, Marks could be a weekly start, and that ties to this Texans offense with the potential for more scoring opportunities alongside QB C.J. Stroud and an improved passing attack.

This may even give Marks the platform to surpass Montgomery for more touches for the remainder of the season. 

Montgomery has struggled with 2.7 yards per carry and 2.19 yards after contact per carry. Marks, in comparison, has 3.5 YPC and 2.51 yards after contact per carry. Plus, Woody has 5 runs of 10+ yards on 43 attempts, while Montgomery has 1 over 52 carries. 

Marks still touts mediocre to below-average per-carry numbers, but it’s still better than Monty. That’s something to watch on a Texans offense with a concerning 30.9% rush success rate (31st).

Lock in Woody Marks picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Eagles RB Dameon Pierce

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Panthers

Roster Percentage: 2.0% 

Dameon Pierce, on the other hand, is widely available with only a 2.0% rostered rate. After Will Shipley left Sunday’s contest, Pierce dominated snaps with a 77.4% snap rate.

This pickup hinges on several injuries, like Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s hamstring injury. If Saquon continues to miss time, alongside Shipley missing Week 6’s game vs. the Panthers, Pierce is poised to take most of Philly’s work in the backfield.

Don’t expect Pierce to carry your fantasy team to a win, though. He produced only 11 rushing attempts for 14 yards (1.3 YPC), paired with 2 receptions, -2 receiving yards, and 3.2 fantasy points (RB42) in the 19-17 loss vs. the Jaguars in London. 

Pierce’s 5 targets were encouraging for PPR leagues, and if he’s RB1 for Week 6, red zone touches could be ahead against a Panthers defense surrendering 27.3 PPG (27th).   

Add Dameon Pierce to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 6.

Other Week 6 RB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Raiders RB Mike Washington Jr. (vs. Bills): 44.0% roster percentage
• Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell (vs. Chiefs): 35.7% roster percentage
• Bengals RB Samaje Perine (Bye): 5.0% roster percentage
• Saints RB Kendre Miller (vs. Giants): 7.7% roster percentage
• Titans RB Tyjae Spears (vs. Colts): 33.9% roster percentage

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Top Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

We’re sticking with the Eagles for our top wide receiver target for the waiver wire. Plus, Raiders WR Tre Tucker continues to enjoy plenty of snaps on a productive Las Vegas offense.

Elsewhere, keep an eye on injuries to Commanders WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring) and Steelers WR Roman Wilson (finger). 

Commanders WR Antonio Williams (11.0% rostered rate) becomes a target if Diggs misses more time. Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. is on injured reserve with a foot injury, and Wilson is now set to miss multiple games, drawing attention to Steelers WR Germie Bernard (5.5% rostered rate).

Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks

Matchup: vs. Panthers

Roster Percentage: 33.7% 

After posting only 5.0 FPPG over his last two games, Dontayvion Wicks stepped up with 11.3 fantasy points (WR27) in Week 5. That could have been much more considering a missed throw from QB Jalen Hurts.

He received 8 targets, alongside TE Dallas Goedert’s team-high 9 targets. With Eagles WR DeVonta Smith out due to his hamstring injury, Wicks tied rookie WR Makai Lemon for a team-high 41 pass snaps. 

Wicks hasn’t scored since his season-high 15.3 fantasy points in Week 1, but a TD could be imminent. In fact, PlayerProfiler gives Wicks a 30.8% red zone target share (ninth among WRs). Even when Smith returns from injury, this could hold as DeVonta has only 2 red zone targets on the season.

Wicks rarely leaves the field thanks to an 80.9% snap share (22nd). The Panthers are still without starting CBs Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve. In Week 4, Carolina allowed 406 passing yards vs. the Lions.  

Make Dontayvion Wicks picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Raiders WR Tre Tucker

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Bills

Roster Percentage: 38.2% 

We mentioned Kirk Cousins’ Week 6 matchup with the Bills. With Buffalo giving up 7.5 yards per passing attempt (22nd) and 256.3 passing yards per game (30th), that translates to a league-high 34.4 FPPG for opposing WRs, per Pro Football Reference. 

Since Week 2’s 22.9 fantasy points outburst (WR7), Tre Tucker is averaging 8.1 FPPG over his last three games. That includes 5 targets for 4 catches, 41 receiving yards, and 7.5 fantasy points (WR41) on Sunday.

However, Tucker’s 165 pass snaps and 28 targets on the season still lead the Raiders’ wide receivers. His 10.4 FPPG (WR35) won’t knock your socks off, but he could fill your flex this week if you’re in a tight spot.

Lock in Tre Tucker picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Other Week 6 WR Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Eagles WR Darius Cooper (vs. Panthers): 6.0% roster percentage
• Steelers WR Germie Bernard (vs. Buccaneers): 5.5% roster percentage
• 49ers WR Brandin Cooks (vs. Commanders): 0.7% roster percentage 
• Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas (Bye): 14.7% roster percentage 
• Jets WR Adonai Mitchell (vs. Patriots): 23.9% roster percentage
• Texans WR Tank Dell (vs. Jaguars): 26.4% roster percentage
• Commanders WR Antonio Williams (vs. 49ers): 11.0% roster percentage
• Cardinals WR Jalen Brooks (vs. Rams): 0.6% roster percentage
• Cardinals WR Kendrick Bourne (vs. Rams): 3.1% roster percentage

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Top Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

A pair of tight ends catch the eye for this week’s waiver wire. Jaguars TE Brenton Strange comes off back-to-back strong performances, while Week 5’s big-time outing from Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth could not be a fluke going forward.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Buccaneers

Roster Percentage: 17.6% 

Pat Freiermuth comes off his best fantasy performance by a mile, generating 5 catches for 44 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs, and 21.5 fantasy points (TE4) on 7 targets.

As mentioned, the Steelers offense will be without WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson for at least two more games. That opens up more targets on this offense, and Freiermuth’s 25 targets on the season are already tied for the second-most on the team behind WR D.K. Metcalf’s 36.

For the season, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has -0.003 adjusted EPA per play that ranks 32nd. But since Week 3, that’s up to 0.172 — which ranks 16th among qualifying QBs. 

After Pittsburgh’s tallied 29.3 PPG over its last three games, it makes sense to still want exposure to this offense. Upcoming matchups vs. the Buccaneers, Saints, and Browns adds to the argument.

Tampa Bay allows the 11th-most FPPG to tight ends (12.7), the Saints cede 30.2 PPG (31st), and the Steelers totaled 24 points and 361 yards vs. the Browns in Week 4. 

Predict Pat Freiermuth stats on PrizePicks for NFL Week 6.

Jaguars TE Brenton Strange

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Texans

Roster Percentage: 38.2% 

Brenton Strange has now recorded back-to-back top 10 weekly finishes, posting 16.5 fantasy points in Week 4 (TE4) and 13.8 points on Sunday (TE9).

He turned 8.0 targets per game into 7.0 catches and 81.5 receiving yards in the two-game split. Even more encouraging, Strange has done this without a touchdown over his past two contests. 

His 16.8% air yards share ranks ninth among TEs, paired with a healthy 7.8 average depth of target (12th). Further, Strange has enjoyed an 88.9% catchable target rate (third), and he produces after the catch with 83 YAC (15th). 

Add Brenton Strange picks to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 6.

Other Week 6 TE Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Raiders TE Michael Mayer (vs. Bills): 11.1% roster percentage
• Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (Bye): 29.8% roster percentage
• Panthers TE Darren Waller (vs. Eagles): 22.1% roster percentage
• Commanders TE Chig Ononkwo (vs. 49ers): 18.4% roster percentage
• Dolphins TE Greg Dulcich (Bye): 6.5% roster percentage
• Rams Tyler Higbee (vs. Cardinals): 3.6% roster percentage

Top Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

The Chiefs face a low-scoring Chargers offense (16.8 PPG), but the 49ers’ and Colts’ D/ST could be the more intriguing streaming options thanks to turnovers.

49ers Defense

Week 6 Matchup: vs. Commanders

Roster Percentage: 28.6% roster percentage 

In Week 5, the 49ers forced 4 turnovers vs. the Seahawks. Plus, the pass rush had its best performance of the season by generating 5 sacks and 8 QB hits. San Francisco totaled 18.0 fantasy points (D/ST1) in its 32-29 win at Seattle. 

Week 6 brings a much more favorable matchup vs. the Commanders — who tallies only 6.1 yards per passing attempt (27th). That plays into the Niners’ hands, as they surrender only 3.7 yards per carry (seventh) in the ground game.

The defense is now up to 1.4 takeaways per game (12th), and ESPN credits San Francisco 56% pass rush win rate (sixth). This unit could only get better, as EDGE Nick Bosa has appeared in only two games and could return from his calf injury in Week 6 or Week 7.

Make your Commanders vs. 49ers picks on PrizePicks!

Other Week 6 D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Colts D/ST (vs. Titans): 15.4% roster percentage
• Chiefs D/ST (vs. Chargers): 24.2% roster percentage

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Injuries continue to impact the waiver wire, as Texans RB Woody Marks and Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks are intriguing adds — especially if Texans RB David Montgomery and Eagles WR DeVonta Smith continue to miss time. 

Elsewhere, Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth and QB Texans C.J. Stroud draw attention following strong Week 5 performances for fantasy football.

Don’t wait until kickoff — make your NFL Week 6 picks on PrizePIcks now! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!

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