Fantasy Footballers - Week 6 Waivers + Full Stream Ahead, Nasty Boys

Episode Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers dive into Week 6 waiver wire pickups, analyze the fallout from recent NFL injuries, and arm listeners with actionable streaming options at quarterback, tight end, and defense. The trio delivers their signature mix of astute analysis and playful banter while reminding fantasy managers: the season is far from over, and now is the time to capitalize on emerging trends, new data, and value on the wire.

Main Themes

• Don’t Panic: Plenty of Season Left
  The hosts emphasize not giving up if your fantasy team is struggling after five weeks, asserting that with two-thirds of the season remaining, major turnarounds are possible.
• Injury Fallout and Waiver Wire Strategy
  Big-name injuries and depth chart changes shake up backfields and receiving corps, creating new waiver opportunities.
• Real Talk on Start/Sit and Trade Decisions
  The crew debates risky trade scenarios and which players are worth holding, cutting, or acquiring based on rest-of-season outlook.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

0. Staying in the Fight: Perspective on Early Season Struggles

• Emotional Toll of Fantasy Football:
  “There's so much weight put into the first part of the season in terms of the emotional impact...But yeah, we're not that far into the season. There's a lot of football left to be played.” — Andy (05:00)
• Stories surface of teams starting poorly (e.g., 0-4 or 1-4) yet rallying to championships.

1. Recent NFL Action & Recaps

• Jacksonville vs. Kansas City MNF Recap:

  • Trevor Lawrence's unusual double-fall-down rushing TD dissected (11:42).
  • Controversial PI call criticized; Andy calls it “the worst call I've seen so far this year.” (09:26).

• Cardinals’ Unique Misery:

  • Only NFL team to lose three consecutive games on walk-off field goals; Jason jokes, “Excellent, the plan is working.” (10:19)
  • Lighthearted Titanic fan debate leads to: “You either go down with the ship or you don't switch teams. That's all I'm saying.” — Andy (37:54)

2. Coaching Decisions on Discipline & Player Usage

• Rant on punishment-through-benching: “Discipline them some other way. Make them carry your luggage...If they can help you win, they should play.” — Andy (07:41)
• Discussion on situational usage (e.g., Trayvon Henderson potentially relegated to more return work).

3. Week 6 Waiver Wire Priorities

Running Backs

• Michael Carter (Cardinals):
  “Michael Carter is my number one by a lot...played way more snaps, got five targets.” — Jason (23:45)

• Chargers Backfield:

  • Hassan Haskins and Kamani Vidal discussed as speculative adds; neither excites the hosts, but opportunity is king.
  • “I will say that neither one of those players are very good...maybe this is put the ball in...Justin Herbert's hands more.” — Mike (28:53)

• Kareem Hunt (Browns): Two TDs but skepticism about his ceiling.

• Stash Discussion:

  • Kendre Miller (Saints), Burchard Smith (Chiefs), and others mentioned as low-priority stashes.
  • Day 2/3 rookie RBs historically slow to break out (33:14).

• Drop Candidates:
  RJ Harvey (no), Trayvon Henderson (no), Woody Marks (no), Isaiah Pacheco (maybe), Kareem Hunt (maybe).

Wide Receivers

• Spot Starts and Depth Adds:

  • Kendrick Bourne (SF): Huge week, but Jauan Jennings’ return is looming.
  • Romeo Doubs (GB): “Spot start category, a great Cincinnati, Arizona—the next two weeks.” — Andy (36:44)
  • Ryan Flournoy (DAL): “If I could pick another team, it would be freaking Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield for sure. Between him and Abuka…” — Andy (38:24)
  • Tyquan Thornton (KC): Quietly productive.

• Trend:
  No slam-dunk weekly starters on waivers; most pickups are band-aids or stash-and-wait.

• Drop/Hold Candidates:
  Jerry Jeudy (hold one more week), Jameson Williams (hold), Keon Coleman (drop for high-priority RBs only).

Tight Ends

• Mason Taylor (CHI):
  “Last week we told you pick up Mason Taylor—this week, 12 targets. Nine catches, 67 yards. He was targeted so much.” — Andy (45:31)
• Jake Tonjes (SF): Viable streamer amid 49ers injuries. “Probably play Tonjas because he's got a better chance of scoring...because he's got a quarterback, a real quarterback.” — Andy (47:55)
• Theo Johnson (BUF) & A.J. Barner (MIN): Both getting red zone looks, worth speculating as weekly dart throws.
• General Strategy:
  “If you're doing the thing where you're playing Juwan Johnson one week or Zach Ertz one week or Mark Andrews one week...Mason Taylor and Theo Johnson should be picked up as a second tight end in hopes they develop.” — Mike (51:03)

Quarterbacks (Full Stream Ahead)

• San Francisco 49ers QB (Whoever Starts): Best streamer versus a banged-up Tampa Bay.
• Matthew Stafford (LAR):
  “He’s leading the entire NFL in passing yards right now...He gets the Baltimore matchup we just saw C.J. Stroud go ham.” — Mike (53:34)
• Bryce Young (CAR): Facing DAL—defense is vulnerable vs QBs; “If you need to get a little bit nasty...go with Bryce Young.” — Jason (54:11)

Defenses

• Pittsburgh Steelers: Facing rookie Dillon Gabriel (CLE).
• Vegas Raiders: “Perfectly fine with the Raiders. Going to put pressure on Cam [Ward] all day long.” — Andy (52:22)
• Green Bay Packers: As a plug-and-play if dropped due to bye.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Not Punishing Talented Players with Benching:
  “Discipline them some other way...That doesn't help your ballclub. I thought this was actually quite ridiculous…” — Andy (07:41)

• On Jamar Chase Trade Dilemma:
  “I think that there is an opportunity potentially to trade Chase.” — Andy (17:07)
  “Jake Browning is awesome for Jamar Chase...But if they make that change...it's Brett 'ripping farts.' That will not go well.” — Mike (18:04)

• On Waiver RB Confidence:
  “Michael Carter is my number one by a lot...I know he's the guy.” — Jason (23:45)

• On Rookie RB Patience:
  “Rookies that have shown a little bit—they might get opportunity as the season goes along. You don't want those guys on waivers.” — Mike (32:52)
  “Bucky Irving at this point had one 12-point game through his first five weeks...” — Andy (34:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:05 – Season perspective: “Don’t give up yet”
• 11:10 – Cardinals coaching woes/play-calling recap
• 13:01 – Mahomes, Stafford, and Herbert: trade and waiver thoughts
• 14:58 – News & notes: Amari Hampton IR, McLaurin optimism, Christian Watson activation window
• 22:43 – Running Back waivers (Carter, Haskins, Vidal Sassoon, Chargers/Cardinals breakdown)
• 35:08 – Wide Receiver waivers: Spot starts and speculative adds
• 45:18 – Tight End streamers and debate (Taylor, Tonjes, etc.)
• 51:33 – Defense streamers (Steelers, Raiders, Packers)
• 53:01 – QB streamers (Stafford, Bryce Young, SF QB situation)

Tone & Style

• Knowledgeable but lighthearted, with typical “Footballers” banter:
  • “Would you rather be Jack or Rose?”
  • Nicknames abound: “Tonjas McBasketball,” “Vidal Sassoon,” and playful riffs about cats on planes and the Titanic.
• Critical yet optimistic—encouraging fantasy managers to keep grinding.
• Candid about the limitations of certain waiver pickups—“No slam-dunk names,” but opportunity can trump talent.

Bottom Line for Week 6

• Be proactive on the waiver wire, especially in chaotic backfields like Arizona and LA Chargers.
• Target spot-starters at receiver, but real league-changing options may require patience.
• Stream quarterbacks and defenses against turnover-prone or rookie-led offenses.
• Hold onto highly-drafted rookies—breakouts often come mid/late-season.
• Don’t panic: There’s still time to overturn a slow start and win your league.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode, featuring a full redraft of the first two rounds and Thursday Night Football preview!

For full league-winning strategy, access to advanced tools, and more, check out jointhefoot.com.