Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 6

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who is trending up.

Roster percentages are based on Sleeper leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Dillon Gabriel, Browns

I wouldn't recommend relying on Gabriel to be your weekly starter after one game. However, the lefty is worth a look if you have a hole at quarterback or are in a league with deeper benches than normal. Although Gabriel posted modest numbers of 190 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, context matters. It was his first career start, played overseas, and the performance came against a notoriously effective Vikings defense.

The Browns have a streak of favorable matchups, including this week's contest versus the Steelers. Only the Cowboys and Ravens have surrendered more passing yards per game than Pittsburgh this season. Gabriel will only become more expensive to acquire if he performs well in the coming weeks.

Other QBs to pick up:

• Matthew Stafford, Rams (60%): I wrote about Stafford last week, mentioning that his upcoming matchups with teams like the Ravens were enticing. That's only more true after C.J. Stroud diced Baltimore up. Stafford is over the 50% threshold, but he's worth checking for in your league.

• Sam Darnold, Seahawks (36%): Darnold draws the Jaguars and Texans in the upcoming weeks. Neither matchup is elite, but Darnold seems to be wholly on the same page with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the rest of his offense.

Running backs

Hassan Haskins/Kamani Vidal, Chargers

One of Haskins or Vidal is likely to lead the Chargers' backfield for the next four weeks after Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury Monday. Haskins has the size advantage at 6-foot-2, 228 pounds, but Vidal has been a bit more efficient. Neither back has produced much this season or through their careers, so it's tough to pinpoint who's the better pickup. They even played the same number of offensive snaps (14) Sunday.

Haskins is the back I'd prioritize since he has a shot at being the main runner used near the goal line. Plus, he has three career touchdowns to Vidal's one, as well as more NFL experience.

Michael Carter, Cardinals

There are more question marks than answers on the waiver wire this week, so we have to mention Carter despite being rostered in 59% of leagues. Carter dominated the Cardinals' backfield Sunday against the Titans, tallying 23 touches while playing 58% of the offensive snaps. Emari Demercado (three touches) and Bam Knight (five) were afterthoughts in the opportunity department, and Demercado could see even fewer touches after a costly fumble near the goal line on a 71-yard run.

Carter will likely have at least three more weeks as Arizona's lead rusher while Trey Benson rehabs his knee on injured reserve. Still, the Cardinals' matchups aren't ideal for running backs, and I wouldn't have high expectations for the 26-year-old. He'll likely need to maintain his large volume for strong outputs after averaging 2.83 yards per carry against Tennessee.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Commanders running backs: The majority of Washington's remaining schedule looks very favorable to running backs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (75%) is the most likely to take advantage of the matchups, but Chris Rodriguez (29%) and Jeremy McNichols (12%) have also flashed big-play ability. The excellent schedule kicks off with games against the soft defenses of the Bears and Cowboys over the next two weeks.

• Rico Dowdle, Panthers (71%): We have to break the 50% threshold again this week to talk about Dowdle. The backup runner was electric in place of an injured Chuba Hubbard this past weekend, tallying 234 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. However, his value will be directly tied to Hubbard's health.

Wide receivers

Kendrick Bourne, 49ers

Bourne impressed with a 10-catch, 142-yard performance against the Rams on Thursday. He benefited from the absences of Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings but should see increased usage even when those two return. He's played at least 67% of the 49ers' offensive snaps each of the last three weeks, including 81% against the Rams.

Bourne is in a strong position moving forward, especially if one or both can't suit up for more games this season after Sunday. And he likely has a complete hold on the team's WR3 job now. With that said, I'd shy away from starting Bourne when both Pearsall and Jennings return until we see how the 49ers distribute snap and target shares between them.

Tory Horton, Seahawks

"Scory" Horton returned Sunday, hauling in three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown while playing 49% of the offensive snaps. His opportunities will be inconsistent in an offense that ranks last in passing play percentage, but he's shown on multiple occasions that he can make the most of those chances.

Although Horton has some flex appeal at this point, he'll be reliant on touchdowns for the foreseeable future. He'll become much more appealing as a starter if injuries or other factors let him play more in two-wide receiver sets. Until then, he's a low-floor, high-ceiling asset.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Xavier Hutchinson, Texans (0%): The only Houston receiver who's playing more snaps than Hutchinson is Nico Collins. He's almost matched his 2024 production already, but that's at a 22-yard-per-game clip. Hutchinson is more valuable as a stash in deeper leagues than a must-add receiver.

• Ryan Flournoy, Cowboys (0%): Flournoy had nine targets, six catches, and 114 yards against the Jets with both CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin out Sunday. He's worth a look as a flex stream if both miss Week 6 against the Panthers.

Tight ends

Mason Taylor, Jets

Taylor set personal bests with 12 targets, nine receptions, and 67 yards against the Cowboys. The only Jets player with more targets, receptions, and yards than him is Garrett Wilson, and the LSU product should remain the No. 2 passing option with no real threat to challenge for that title.

New York hosts the Broncos next week. Denver has been above average in limiting tight ends this season, but they haven't completely locked down the position. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert scored a touchdown against them Sunday, and fellow rookie Tyler Warren led the Colts in receiving with 79 yards in Week 2.

Other TEs to pick up:

• AJ Barner, Seahawks (3%): Barner has hauled in four touchdowns this season, including two against the Buccaneers. While he's a TE1 on the year, he's posted poor numbers when he doesn't score. The 6-foot-6, 251-pounder is mostly reliant on plays in the red zone for fantasy purposes, which makes starting him a week-to-week gamble.

• Darren Waller, Dolphins (68%): Waller rightfully jumped well above the 50% rostered threshold after his monster first game back, but we have to mention him again. The 33-year-old has three touchdowns and over 100 receiving yards despite playing just 43% of Miami's offensive snaps over the last two games.