Fantasy Football Today Express

Episode: EARLY Week 6 Waiver Wire TARGETS! Bourne, Carter, Gainwell, Darnold, & Others!
Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer & Jamey Eisenberg

Brief Overview

This episode is an early breakdown of the most impactful fantasy football waiver wire targets heading into Week 6 of the NFL season. Adam Aizer and Jamey Eisenberg identify the top players available across all positions, discuss key injuries and bye weeks, analyze usage trends, and strategize how fantasy managers should prioritize their pickups to maximize value for the upcoming week and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Week 6 Context

• Bye Weeks: Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings are on a bye.
• Schedule Note: Two Monday night games coming up, adding complexity for waiver planning.

Top Waiver Wire Targets by Position

Running Backs

• Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers)

  • Jamey: “The best player to go get still would be Kenneth Gainwell just because of the uncertainty of Jaylen Warren…” (01:53)
  • If Warren sits, Gainwell is a top priority, even with a tougher matchup.

• Michael Carter (Jets)

  • 66% rostered; right at cut-off for waiver discussion.
  • Jamey: “Carter is I think you got to consider a must add… Got the work that we wanted to see. …Low-end starter.” (03:16)
  • Volume is there; production not eye-popping but opportunity is king.

• Chargers Backfield (Kamani Vidal & Hassan Haskins)

  • Vidal got slightly more snaps after Hampton’s injury, but touches were close.
  • Jamey: “It just could be one of those situations. Until we get to the middle of the week, you may not know who the better of the two is.” (04:07)
  • If you must speculate, Vidal edges Haskins, but monitor reports.

• DeAndre Carter (Cardinals) & Kendre Miller (Saints)

  • Kendre Miller gets more work in New Orleans and represents a safer pickup if you don’t need an immediate starter.

• Deep Leagues: Rico Dowdle (if available, 83% rostered in shallower leagues).

Quarterbacks

• Sam Darnold

  • Jamey: “He’s coming off this amazing game against Tampa Bay... 35+ fantasy points. So against the Jaguars, I think he's worth using as a low-end starter." (05:37)
  • Volume was the key—jumped from 25 to 34 pass attempts.

• Tua Tagovailoa

  • Has been hot, especially with Tyreek Hill's absence, five TDs in last two games.

• Mac Jones

  • Now starts for the 49ers; notable for deeper leagues or in a pinch.

• Bryce Young

  • Favorable upcoming schedule (Cowboys, Jets) despite lackluster play.

• Superflex/2QB:

  • “Please make sure in super flex and two quarterback leagues that Dylan Gabriel's not on the waiver wire. 20 points in the matchup against Minnesota and Pittsburgh.” (07:16)

• Deep Speculation:

  • Brett Rypien may get a start for Cincinnati if the team makes a change.

Wide Receivers

• Kendrick Bourne

  • Jamey: “Kendrick Bourne would be number one for me…he’s the number one receiver to add this week.” (08:43)
  • Outperformed DeMarcus Robinson; high route participation and production.

• Trey Tucker

  • Leading receiver for Raiders after Bowers’ absence; 17 targets in two games.

• Rashid Shaheed

  • Big game recently vs. Giants; next faces Patriots (tough matchup but high-upside).

• Jalen Coker

  • “Hopefully he returns this week. So somebody to keep an eye on there.” (09:34)

• Deep Fliers:

  • Ryan Flournoy: Increased involvement, especially with Pickens drawing coverage.
  • Isaiah Bond: 13 targets in last two games after change at QB.
  • Darnell Mooney: Upside WR, check health after bye.
  • Josh Downs: Two games with 6+ catches, potential PPR sleeper.
  • Tori Horton & Christian Kirk: Horton showing red zone upside; Kirk remains involved but with lower target share lately.

Tight Ends

• Mason Taylor

  • Jamey: “Mason Taylor who's been fantastic in two games in a row, but a lot of targets in the last three games.” (10:53)
  • Favorable matchup schedule coming up: “Four of Mason Taylor’s next six opponents are bottom 10 against tight ends…” (12:16 - Adam)

• A.J. Barner & Theo Johnson

  • Barner: “Two touchdowns, seven targets.” (11:00)
  • Johnson: Could get more targets if Darius Slayton sits.

• Harold Fannin

  • Just got his first touchdown; could benefit from Dylan Gabriel at QB.

• Evan Engram

  • Scored a touchdown last week, could be heating up.

• Other Short-term or Deep Adds:

  • Jake Tongas: Kittle expected back next week, but usable in Week 6.
  • Michael Mayer: If Bowers misses more time, Mayer could have an increased role.
  • Colson Loveland: Long-term speculative add for the Bears, injury status unclear.

• Chicago TE Situation

  • Adam: “When they said they wanted to get the tight end more involved...I do think they want to throw to the tight end more in Chicago.” (12:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gainwell vs. Carter:

  • Jamey: “If Gainwell is the starter for the Steelers even in a matchup against the Browns, he would be my favorite of the replacement options…” (03:23)

• On Bourne:

  • Jamey: “He’s the number one receiver to add this week.” (08:43)

• On Mason Taylor’s schedule:

  • Adam: “Four of Mason Taylor’s next six opponents are bottom 10 against tight ends, and three of them are bottom six.” (12:16)

• On Darnold's value:

  • Jamey: “He had been averaging 25 passes per game...He threw 34 times in week five...and had 35 plus fantasy points.” (05:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:42] Week 6 Context, Bye Weeks & Schedule Complexity
• [01:10] Top Waiver Wire Headliners (RBs: Gainwell, Carter, Chargers Backfield)
• [05:34] Quarterback Waiver Targets Breakdown
• [08:36] Wide Receiver Waiver Targets
• [10:51] Tight End Waiver Targets & Schedule Analysis

Conclusion

This rapid-fire FFT Express episode delivers actionable advice on early waiver wire pickups for Week 6, with the consensus that Kenneth Gainwell and Kendrick Bourne are top targets depending on league needs. The hosts also emphasize tight end streaming and late-week injury monitoring for deeper stashes, providing both shallow and deep league recommendations for fantasy managers looking to shore up their rosters for the playoff push.

For a deep-dive on all waiver pickups and to keep pace with up-to-the-minute NFL changes, catch tomorrow’s full-length episode.