Fantasy Focus Football – The BEST Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 6

Podcast Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Stefania Bell, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay (ESPN Fantasy Football)
Episode Theme:
A lively breakdown of waiver wire pickups for Week 6, injury updates, Monday Night Football reactions, and strategic debates to help listeners manage their fantasy squads midseason.

Episode Overview

The ESPN Fantasy Focus crew delivers their top waiver priorities for Week 6, contextualizing moves amidst critical injuries and emerging roles, while also reviewing the aftermath of a wild Monday Night Football. They dive deeply into RB options, streaming QBs, tight end woes, and some trade strategizing—all with their trademark blend of sharp analysis and good-natured banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Monday Night Football Reactions

[01:54–10:13]

• Wild Game: The Jaguars pulled out a win no one saw coming; “I still don’t know how they won that game last night” – Field Yates (01:56).
• Fantasy-Relevant Takeaways:
  • Running Backs: Kareem Hunt vultured TDs, making life hard for Pacheco investors; but Pacheco looked fully healthy and energetic even in a limited role. “He looked a lot like the Isaiah Pacheco before the injury last night…I think he’s back as far as what his style is.” – Stefania Bell (05:15)
  • Mahomes & Lawrence: Both QBs led their teams in rushing, with Mahomes generating significant fantasy value on the ground. “Patrick Mahomes…has three games with at least 57 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown this season.” – Daniel Dopp (08:53)
  • Emerging WRs: Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs in targets; Brian Thomas showing improved chemistry with Lawrence and could be a trending flex play.
  • Injury Watches: Travis Hunter is “so special if he gets 85% of the snaps” (Field Yates), but injury risk rises with his two-way use.

Waiver Wire Priorities for Week 6

[12:55–34:07]

Running Backs

• Chargers Backfield Upheaval

  • Omarion Hampton to IR: “All we knew was that he had injured his ankle and was in a walking boot after the game...no guarantee he’s back after four games.” – Stefania Bell (13:13)
  • Adds:
    • Hassan Haskins: Anticipated lead back, power runner, likely early-down and goal-line guy. “Harbaugh really likes Hasan Haskins…that’s the likeliest person to get the most work.” – Stefania Bell (16:01)
    • Kymani Vidal: Expected to be change-of-pace and passing downs; deeper-league stash.
  • Wildcard: Keep an eye on Gus Edwards possibly joining (speculative).

• Arizona Backfield Clarity

  • Michael Carter (Cardinals): “My top RB add this week” – Daniel Dopp (18:26); strong usage after Trey Benson injury; out-snapped rival RBs, and is rostered in only 41.8% of leagues.

• Bucky Irving (Rams): Still at least a week away due to foot and shoulder; “plan on no Bucky Irving, and be surprised if you get him back [before Week 9].” – Stefania Bell (19:35)

• Deep Stash/Handcuff Options:

  • Tajie Spears, Tyler Allgeier: Both have independent flex value and elite upside if injury strikes the starter.

Tight End

• Darren Waller (Dolphins):

  • “Priority add given how bad the tight end position is…17.5 points in back-to-back games.” – Daniel Dopp (20:18)
  • Dolphins’ tight end usage is spiking post-injury to other weapons.

• Tight End Position Woes

  • Only 3 of the preseason top 10 TEs are currently top-10 performers.
  • “If you can get a difference-making TE for a moderate cost…Brock Bowers could come back and be TE1 the rest of the way.” – Field Yates (45:35)

Quarterback

• Matthew Stafford (Rams) – Top Streaming Option
  • “Back-to-back games of 25 fantasy points, faces the Ravens who give up loads of points to QBs…My priority streaming quarterback this week.” – Daniel Dopp (28:12)
  • Especially important if you need a replacement for injured Lamar Jackson, who may sit with a hamstring issue.

Defense

• Rams Defense (vs. Ravens):
  • Good streaming choice if Lamar sits: “There’s a dramatic difference between Kyle Shanahan working with spare parts vs. the Ravens working with spare parts…” – Field Yates (34:16)

Deep League/Bench Stashes

• Kendrick Bourne: Open WR opportunity due to San Francisco receiver injuries; “could be a bench stash for deeper leagues” (29:59)
• Tajie Spears, Tyler Allgeier: Described as insurance backs with league-winning upside
• Christian Watson: Returned to practice post-ACL—deep stash with possible late-season value (31:45)
• Colston Loveland: Tight end stash, “desperate for anybody…if he jumps Cole Kmet, you might be in business at a position where literally anyone who can get 8 points a game is startable.” – Field Yates (53:18)

Injuries & Strategy

[13:13–25:48]

• Key RB Injuries: Keep tabs on Rashad White; likely out another 1–2 weeks.
• Tight End Injuries: Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer updates—must hold or roster a 2nd TE in the meantime (24:27). Bowers is “week to week” and may not be the same when he returns.

Buy/Sell/Trade Strategy

[34:45–45:53]

• Baker Mayfield: Rest-of-Season Top 6 QB

  • “My answer is…Baker Mayfield is a top five or six at worst QB for the rest of the season.” – Field Yates (35:24)
  • Debate about trust in Mahomes, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, Drake May as alternatives.

• Sell High:

  • Jamar Chase: “He’ll have 4–5 more huge games but you might get a steadier weekly top 10 option after a boom week” (39:02).
  • Quentin Johnston: Possible sell-high if managers are wary of production drop-off or role changes.

• Buy Low:

  • Brock Bowers – If the manager is frustrated and you can afford to wait.
  • T.J. Hockenson: Another buy-low option due to funk in Minnesota, but talent and role should eventually win out.

Tournament/Show League Update

[10:13–12:32]

• The ESPN crew recaps their own fantasy league standings—including heartbreak and the importance of “victory points” as a tiebreaker metric.

Lightning-Round Mailbag (Select Q&A and Notable Moments)

• Should you drop Joe Mixon?
  • “If you have Joe Mixon in your IR spot…drop him.” – Stefania Bell (58:21)
• What to do with Lad McConkey?
  • “He’s obviously way too good to drop, but you don’t want to sell low…He is a hold for me.” – Field Yates (62:45)
• Scatter Boo this week?
  • “Scatter Boo will be inside my top 25 backs this week.” – Field Yates (60:32)
• Stafford or Daniel Jones in Week 6?
  • “I have Matthew Stafford as a borderline top five quarterback this week.” – Daniel Dopp (63:41)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “[Mahomes] has three games with at least 57 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown this season. Can’t really run the ball so they literally cann. He has been salvage.” – Daniel Dopp (08:53)
• “He looked a lot like the Isaiah Pacheco before the injury last night. I think those questions have been answered.” – Stefania Bell (05:15)
• “If the Jaguars ever committed Travis Hunter to becoming an 85% snap offensive player...very clear how much upside he would have.” – Field Yates (03:08)
• “Jake Ferguson is TE1…was he even drafted inside the top 10?” – Daniel Dopp (21:06)
• “Harbaugh really likes Hasan Haskins. That’s the likeliest person to get the most work.” – Stefania Bell (16:01)
• “Back to back games of 25 fantasy points … Matthew Stafford…is just giving away fantasy points like it's candy to other quarterbacks.” – Daniel Dopp (28:12)
• “If you have Joe Mixon on your roster, I'm telling you, drop him.” – Stefania Bell (58:21)
• “He’s been on the short list…and people, I hear you, it’s a health thing. If you can get a MO [Bowers] at low cost, then yes—he could come back and be TE1 rest of the way.” – Field Yates (45:45)
• “If Brock Bowers doesn’t get hurt…that gap [over the field] would be there.” – Stefania Bell (48:29)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:30 – Show open, sponsor banter, game recap setup
• 01:54–10:13 – Monday Night Football breakdown & fantasy fallout
• 10:13–12:32 – Show League & Standings Update
• 12:55–16:44 – Chargers RB Waiver Fallout & Injury Details
• 16:44–19:35 – Haskins/Vidal discussion, RB pickup logic
• 19:35–25:48 – More RB injury notes; Tight end pain & strategy
• 25:48–28:49 – Streamer QBs & Defensive pickups
• 28:49–34:07 – Deep bench stashes; Last waiver tips
• 34:07–35:24 – Field in the Blanks Segment
• 35:24–45:53 – Buy/Sell/Trade: Mayfield, Jamar Chase, Bowers
• 45:53–49:59 – T.J. Hockenson, general buy/sell thoughts, teardrop dilemmas
• 53:08–55:35 – Midseason breakout watch: Colston Loveland, Tele McMillan, Woody Marks
• 58:07–64:08 – Listener mail: Mixon, Stafford vs. Daniel Jones, Lad McConkey, Scatter Boo, etc.

Tone and Style

• Fun, fast-paced, and filled with friendly digs.
• The hosts blend advanced data, sharp analysis, and honest admission of frustrations with jokes and energy.
• They don’t hesitate to call out their own tough decisions or “bad luck,” making the podcast relatable for listeners at all fantasy experience levels.

Key Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• RB Priorities: Hassan Haskins and Michael Carter are top adds with injury-induced volume. Don’t sleep on deep stashes/handcuffs as insurance.
• TE Doldrums Continue: Darren Waller, if available, is a must-add—consider stashing Loveland or trading for Bowers/Hockenson if you’re stuck.
• Matthew Stafford: A prime streaming QB; Rams D a strong play if facing shorthanded Ravens.
• Sell-high: Jamar Chase; Buy-low: Brock Bowers, T.J. Hockenson, A.J. Brown, Rashee Rice (stash while injured).
• Start: Scatter Boo and Stafford with confidence in Week 6.

For further questions: Ask the crew via their show chat (Eric Moody, @EricNMoody).
Fantasy Football success is all about adaptation—use this week’s wire to pivot smarter than the competition!