FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast | Week 6 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster

Episode 1756 | October 7, 2025 | Hosts: Joey P (Joe P. Zapia), Pat Fitzmaurice, Derrick Brown (Debro)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is dedicated to actionable fantasy football advice as league managers turn from Week 5’s carnage—full of running back injuries—to proactive Week 6 waiver wire moves. Joey P, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Debro break down the best waiver wire pickups at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and streamers for QB, DST, and kicker. They deliver sharp analysis with their trademark humor, providing insights into depth-chart developments, injury fallout, and bargain adds that could pay off big in the coming weeks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

League Trends & Injury Fallout

• Running Backs Dropping Like Flies: Week 5 saw “a whole host of running back injuries and issues,” with managers scrambling for replacements. The cycle of injuries is shaping waiver priorities in an especially unpredictable season.
• Parity in the NFL: For only the second time since 2005, no team remains undefeated after Week 5, and only one winless team remains—the Jets. “Who is the best team? Everyone looks flawed.” (Pat Fitzmaurice, 02:24)
• Waiver Wire Diminishing Returns: Joey P jokes, “We're picking up what's left, but it’s not the heaviest bye week,” making shrewd pickups crucial.

Priority Waiver Adds: Running Backs

• Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

  • Carter emerges as Arizona’s starter due to injury chaos.
  • Played 57.4% of snaps, led the team in carries (18), goal-line work, and caught five passes.
  • Quote: “Carter was basically Arizona's Rashad White. He played like Patty was talking about… he’s the RB8 right now in PPR scoring for the week.” (Debro, 07:41)
  • Both experts agree: Carter is a top priority add with a strong Week 6 matchup vs Indianapolis.

• Imari DeMarcado

  • Fumbled away a long run and landed in the “doghouse.” Carter takes lead, DeMarcado loses trust.
  • Quote: “I just saw a video of Jonathan Gannon blistering Dmercado on the sidelines…” (Pat Fitzmaurice, 06:16)

• Chargers RBs (Hassan Haskins & Kamani Vidal)

  • Amari and Hampton’s injury opens opportunities.
  • Haskins: Goal-line back, history with Harbaugh, higher snap count, but lacks speed.
  • Vidal: Passing-game upside, better outside runner, Troy’s all-time leading rusher.
  • Both are widely available—mixed committee likely, don’t overspend.
  • Quote: “Put in waivers for both these guys, kind of spraying the board, two to three dollar bids for both.” (Debro, 09:41)

• Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

  • Stash alert: Has elite speed (4.39 forty), big-play upside, and backfield is underperforming.
  • Quote: “He’s got the most juice in the backfield. He’s the most talented guy on that roster… wheels up, like the floor in his role moving forward could be Jerick McKinnon, the ceiling is he’s the next Pacheco.” (Debro, 15:31)

• Isaiah Davis (NYJ), Sean Tucker (TB)

  • Davis: Direct handcuff to Breece Hall, must stash in all formats. (Debro, 16:54)
  • Tucker: Limited snaps, little independent value unless White goes down.

• Other Deep RB Stashes

  • Hassan Haskins / Kamani Vidal (LAC): Both worth low bids, but split likely.
  • Brian Robinson: Worth a stash if dropped.
  • Trey Benson & Bashel Tutin: Benson shouldn’t be cut if you have bench/IR space; Tutin preferred for upside among handcuffs.

Wide Receivers: Adds and Drops

• Kendrick Bourne (SF, formerly NEP)

  • Erupted for 142 yards as injuries strike 49ers WRs.
  • Near-term starting role likely, especially if other starters remain out.
  • Quote: “Maybe Kendrick Bourne is the John C. Reilly of wide receivers… not a leading man long-term, but can produce when cast as one.” (Pat Fitzmaurice, 26:06)
  • Worth flex in Week 6 vs Tampa Bay, bid up to 8-10% if WR needy.

• Torrey Horton (SEA)

  • Strong red zone connection with Sam Darnold (9 TDs), but only plays half the snaps.
  • Not an “every-week” start, but worth a stash for the upside if an injury occurs. (Debro, 29:12)

• Isaiah Bond (CLE)

  • Explosive rookie, seeing 19-20% target share, especially interesting in good upcoming matchups.
  • More streamer/fill-in during bye weeks than season-long starter.

• Other Notables

  • Luke McCaffrey (WAS): Touchdown upside but role shrinks once Terry McLaurin returns.
  • Xavier Hutchinson (HOU): Benefiting from playing time, but not expected to sustain production.
  • Jalen Tolbert (DAL): Droppable with CeeDee Lamb returning.

Tight Ends: Streamers & Rest-of-Season Ranks

• Mason Taylor (NYJ): Has 21 targets and 14 catches the past two weeks. “He’s the number two target in the Jets offense.” (Pat Fitzmaurice, 38:05)
• Theo Johnson (NYG): Two-TD game, more relevant if Darius Slayton misses time.
• Darren Waller: Big Week 5, should see continued involvement if healthy.
• Rest-of-Season Ranking: Taylor > Waller > Johnson (Debro & Pat agreement, 37:25)

QB/DEF/Kickers: Streaming Picks for Week 6

• Quarterbacks

  • Bryce Young (CAR vs DAL): Favorable matchup; Dallas allows 304 YPG.
  • Geno Smith (if desperate); streaming pool is “gross.”
  • Spencer Rattler (NO at NE): Only if desperate; upside in experienced matchup.

• Defenses

  • Packers vs Bengals: “The pickoff machines.”
  • Patriots vs Saints: Turnovers possible with Rattler.

• Tight Ends

  • Mason Taylor (Jets vs DEN): “Number two target in the Jets passing game.” (Pat, 41:25)
  • Bryn Strange (Matchup-based streamer vs SEA, who bleed points to TEs)

• Kickers

  • Chris Boswell (PIT): Mike Tomlin values field goals, should get opportunities.
  • Brandon McManus (GB): Packers should move the ball, expect field goals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I want you to read between the lines between these fingers… Right here, buddy.” — Joey P teasing Derrick Brown (00:35)
• “If you fumble, like, I don’t know, 20 or 30 more times, your job might be in jeopardy.” — Joey P on Rhamondre Stevenson’s struggles (01:40)
• “Kendrick Bourne is the John C. Reilly of wide receivers.” — Pat Fitzmaurice (26:06)
• “He’s got the most juice in the backfield. He’s the most talented guy on that roster.” — Debro on Brashard Smith (15:31)
• “With all that being said…what’s the difference between Mac Jones and Brock Purdy besides draft capital?” — Joey P on the 49ers’ QB situation (39:53)
• “Quarterback streaming is disgusting. It is gross. It is horrible this week.” — Debro (39:04)
• “Put in waivers for both these [Chargers RBs], kind of spraying the board, two to three dollar bids for both.” — Debro (09:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Waiver Wire Headlines & Carter Analysis: 05:00 – 08:22
• Deep RB Stashes (Haskins, Vidal, Chargers Backfield): 08:22 – 12:57
• Priority RB Handcuffs (Davis, Tucker, others): 16:09 – 19:09
• Top WR Adds (Bourne, Horton, Isaiah Bond, McCaffrey, Hutchinson, WR Drops): 23:47 – 35:42
• Tight Ends (Taylor, Johnson, Waller) & Rankings: 37:25 – 38:12
• Streaming QBs for Week 6: 38:27 – 39:49
• Streaming DEFs and Kickers: 41:48 – 43:38
• Top 5 Waiver Rankings (Recap): 44:12 – 45:30

Hosts’ Top 5 Waiver Priorities for Week 6

Pat Fitzmaurice

1. Michael Carter
2. Mason Taylor
3. Kenneth Gainwell
4. Brashard Smith
5. Kyle Menon

Derrick Brown

1. Michael Carter
2. Mason Taylor
3. Brashard Smith
4. Kenneth Gainwell
5. Kendrick Bourne

Summary Table: Must-Add Players

| Position | Name | Rationale | % Rostered (approx.) | Bid Advice | |----------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------| | RB | Michael Carter | Starting role, volume, PPR utility | 39-59% | Top priority | | RB | Brashard Smith | Explosiveness, upside in KC’s backfield | <10% | Stash/add | | RB | Haskins/Vidal | Free squares for Chargers usage | ~1% | $2-3 bids | | RB | Isaiah Davis | Handcuff to Breece Hall | 13% | Stash | | WR | Kendrick Bourne | Volume/starting role in SF | 15% | 8-10% if needy | | WR | Torrey Horton | Red zone usage, contingent upside | 15% | Stash for depth | | WR | Isaiah Bond | Bye-week streamer, upside matchups | 26% | Stream/flex | | TE | Mason Taylor | Clear target, streaming TE1 | 13% | Add/Stream | | DEF | GB Packers | Prime matchup vs CIN | 44% | Stream | | K | Chris Boswell | Volume kicker for defensive matchup | — | Stream |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for fantasy managers seeking practical, expert-driven advice in the face of a brutal injury cycle. The hosts blend deep analysis with sharp wit, providing clear prioritization for waivers and insightful commentary on every major position. The consensus: now is the time to act decisively on Michael Carter, monitor backfield chaos for cheap RB production, and don’t sleep on short-term flex options like Kendrick Bourne and Mason Taylor. With league champions often forged in the waiver wire grind, follow these moves to stay ahead of your competition.

For full waiver wire rankings, details, and host Q&A, check out the live stream Tuesdays at 3pm ET and visit fantasypros.com.