Fantasy football is back! We bring you our weekly list of players who might be potential waiver wire busts or who have downside. Some of these players may appear in our waiver wire suggestions, but this list is designed to point out factors that could impact or limit their production.
Fantasy football waiver wire advice, Week 6: Hot players with potential downside
Fantasy football is back! So are injuries and now bye weeks, though, so you may be looking for a short-term fix or a long-term solution. There are some players who are hot on the waiver wire lists who could have some potential downside. We bring you the top-five list here.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
TE Tim Wright -- New England Patriots (owned in 9 percent of all leagues)
New England Patriots tight end Tim Wright finally broke through, catching all five of his targets for an 85-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots went back to their bread-and-butter two tight end sets and the offense was much better for it. However, Rob Gronkowski still got the majority of the targets (11 to Wright's five) and Wright only averages around 20 offensive snaps per game. He will remain an iffy fantasy target until the Patriots offense settles into a rhythm.
RB Ben Tate -- Cleveland Browns (owned in 76 percent of all leagues)
Cleveland Browns running back Ben Tate came back with a vengeance in Week 5 thanks in large part to facing the Tennessee Titans philanthropic defense. Tate carried the ball 22 times for 123 yards in a comeback win over Tennessee. However, the Titans are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs and Tate won't always face a defense that weak. He also struggles to stay healthy. Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West will remain in the mix as well.
RB Benny Cunningham -- St. Louis Rams (owned in 5 percent of all leagues)
St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham should get the prime-time running back role for the Rams if Zac Stacy can't go, but it's looking like Stacy will play in Week 6. After Stacy went down Sunday with an ankle injury, Cunningham busted out a 14-yard touchdown run and finished with 47 rushing yards. The Rams' running back committee will continue and coach Jeff Fisher isn't known for riding the hot hand.
RB Antone Smith -- Atlanta Falcons (owned in 8 percent of all leagues)
Atlanta Falcons running back Antone Smith is a multipurpose dynamo, showing skills in both the running and passing games. In fact, Falcons head coach Mike Smith admitted after the game Sunday that the 29-year-old deserved more playing time. The Falcons so far have seemed committed to their running back platoon of Devonta Freeman, Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers, plus Smith, so it's a situation to monitor. Smith will also compete with Devin Hester, Roddy White and his fellow running backs in the passing game. We will have to see it to believe it.
WR Justin Hunter -- Tennessee Titans (owned in 46 percent of all leagues)
The Sunday performance by Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter against the Browns is being called a breakout after he finally got the start over Nate Washington. Not so fast, as head coach Ken Whisenhunt is only a week removed from calling out his young wide receiver and telling everyone he still needs work. It remains to be seen whether Hunter can duplicate his three receptions, 99 yards and one touchdown from Week 5. Also, it was Hunter’s least-targeted game of the year with five. He will remain a shaky start until he shows more consistency.
