Best fantasy football QB waiver wire pickups for Week 6

Welcome to the Week 6 waiver wire watch!

The month of October is underway and another weekend of NFL action is in the books. We’re reaching the point of the season where nearly every fantasy-starter worthy quarterback is accounted for in most leagues, making it more difficult to find under-the-radar gems on the wire. However, there are a few who balled out over the weekend and they’re still waiting for someone to add them to their roster.

We’ll go over some Week 5 performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 6 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max.

Week 6 byes: Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings

The Seahawks came out on the losing end of a 38-35 barnburner against the Buccaneers on Sunday, but Darnold put on a show in what was his most explosive game with the team so far. The veteran traded haymakers with fellow 2018 draftee Baker Mayfield all afternoon, going 28-34 for 341 yards with four touchdowns and an unfortunate interception in the fourth that eventually led to a walk-off field goal for Tampa Bay.

His 135.4 passer rating was the third-highest among starting QB’s by the end of Sunday’s slate and his 28.6 fantasy points were second only to C.J. Stroud for the week. Despite the loss, Seahawks fans have to be excited about the rapport that he’s establishing with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and fantasy managers have to be excited about this too, as he has a strong chance at being a top-10 fantasy QB for a second straight year.

Week 6 matchup: @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET

With Brock Purdy missing his third game in four weeks, Jones once again stepped up for the 49ers in their 26-23 overtime victory over the Rams on Thursday and may have triggered a QB controversy in the process. The fifth-year veteran completed 67.3% of his passes in the primetime NFC West showdown, racking up 342 yards and two touchdowns in the process. He’s been solid for San Francisco in his three starts and it is reflected by his metrics, boasting a total EPA of 18.37% and a success rate of 53.79%.

We’ll have to wait and see what Purdy’s status is ahead of next week’s road matchup against the Bucs, but there is some belief that Kyle Shanahan should ride the hot hand and start Jones for the foreseeable future. Even if he doesn’t get the nod in Tampa, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to snag him and have him on your roster.

Week 6 matchup: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET

Miami’s season is quickly going down the drain but Tagovailoa is at least doing his part to keep the 1-4 team competitive. The veteran completed 75% of his passes in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Panthers, throwing for 256 yards with three touchdowns to earn 22.7 fantasy points for the week. Sure, the Dolphins blew a 17-point lead as the offense stalled in the second half, but the QB’s numbers were still great so that’s not your problem as a fantasy manager.

It was his best performance of the season and they may just keep letting him air it out as this disaster season rolls on. If one of you QB’s is hurt or on a bye in the coming weeks, he wouldn’t be a bad choice as a one-week streamer.

Week 6 matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. ET

It took nearly an entire calendar year, but Rattler finally got his first win as an NFL starter as the Saints dispatched of the Giants in a 26-14 victory on Sunday. In fact, he’s the first QB drafted by the Saints to win a game with the organization since 1998. His numbers for the week were decent as he went 21-31 for 225 yards and a touchdown and he’s currently the No. 20 fantasy QB with an average of 15 points per game.

Spunky is a word to describe Rattler this season and his ability to run around a little bit boosts his value as an emergency backup option in fantasy. If you’re in a deeper league and have QB troubles, give him a look.

Week 6 matchup: vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET