Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 6

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Yahoo!: 51% owned | ESPN: 32% owned

Technically, Herbert doesn't count for this list on the Yahoo! format due to an ownership that is 1% too high. However, he's too good not to consider here, especially with the injury to Prescott putting a damper on many fantasy players' seasons.

He started off his Week 5 contest against the Saints with three touchdowns in the first half, making big plays all over the field and building off a strong Week 4 showing (290 yards, three TDs). Anthony Lynn seemed to confirm that he trusted him as the starter going forward, and though a Week 6 bye means you won't be able to use him right away, he'll be very useful with several appetizing matchups ahead, like the Jaguars, Raiders, Dolphins and Jets within his next five games.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins

Yahoo!: 20% owned | ESPN: 21% owned

The veteran has recorded at least 23 fantasy points in each of the last four weeks, proving that, a) he still has a big arm and a gutsy approach to the game that makes him a startable option and, b) the Dolphins continue to lean on him as their offensive leader. A Week 6 date with the abysmal New York Jets after the league rearranged the schedule makes him an extremely attractive streaming candidate, but he holds value as someone to hold on to when more attractive matchups present themselves down the road.

Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys

Yahoo!: 3% owned | ESPN: 0% owned

Just because he's heading the Dallas offense doesn't mean he's capable of putting up the same gaudy, record-breaking numbers that Dak Prescott was posting. Still, he's no slouch, and the Cowboys went out and got someone with his experience as a starter and proven ability to win.

Thus, he makes sense as a viable replacement for Dak Prescott owners, though he won't be as matchup proof. You won't have to worry about matchups in the coming weeks, however, with contests against the Cardinals, Eagles and Washington Football Team all featuring exploitable secondaries. The Dallas defense also means that Dalton will likely have to throw a good amount in shootout potential.

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

Yahoo!: 40% owned | ESPN: 42% owned

I don't have the data in front of me, but I would be willing to bet you that Mattison's ownership was a lot higher earlier on in the season. Then, Dalvin Cook went and did his thing, looking as healthy as ever and shouldering the load in Minnesota, and fantasy owners who needed flashier options like Mike Davis or Devonta Freeman went ahead and let go of Mattison.

Now, Mattison is the flashier option, as Cook left the game and was sidelined due to a groin injury. An MRI will reveal the full scope of the injury and its severity, but with a bye week coming in Week 7, the likely outcome may be that Cook misses out on a great Week 6 matchup against the Falcons. A one-week stint as a top-tier starter is more than worth a pickup if you need running back help... and who, especially in 2020, couldn't use a little bit of support on that front?

Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers

Yahoo!: 16% owned | ESPN: 9% owned

In case you haven't heard, Chase Claypool had a pretty good Week 5. Like, a he-had-four-touchdowns type of good. Obviously, it didn't hurt that Diontae Johnson, who had become a huge target hog for Ben Roethlisberger, was injured and left the game early on. However, an explosion like this that came after some other evidence that he was a legitimate threat in the offense is too much to leave on the league's waivers.

He'll undoubtedly be a hot commodity, so expect other teams to be on the lookout and use a lot of their FAAB. Depending on Diontae Johnson's status, his case as a strong pickup becomes even stronger.

Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles

Yahoo!: 3% owned | ESPN: 0%

Last week, my RADIO.COM Sports Fantasy Football Show co-host Stephen Andress kicked off the show with this rather poignant statement: "Who the F is Travis Fulgham?"

We found out more about that answer in Week 5 after he completely eviscerated the Steelers secondary -- not exactly a shoddy group -- to the tune of 10 catches, 152 yards and a touchdown. With injuries to Jalen Reagor, DeSean Jackson, Dallas Goedert and Alshon Jeffery continuing to leave the Eagles receiving corps shallow, there's no reason to expect that such a massive performance would be an anomaly. It's hard to imagine Wentz targeting a receiver 13 times one week, and then abandoning him the next.

If I had to choose between Claypool and Fulgham as my priority waiver wire pickup, I'd probably go Claypool. However, I could easily see his explosive week as more anomalous than Fulgham's.

Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals

Yahoo!: 34% owned | ESPN: 42% owned

The Cardinals' second-leading receiver in 2019 (68 catches, 709 yards) remains the second WR in line in 2020, though the WR1 has changed from Larry Fitzgerald (75 catches, 804 yards in 2019) to DeAndre Hopkins (45 catches, 528 yards through five weeks).

Kirk had his biggest game in Week 5 against the Jets, hauling in five of seven targets for 78 yards, and a tasty matchup against the super vulnerable Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 makes him a plug-and-play option that has 100-yard upside. Weeks 7 and 9 also feature good matchups -- the Seahawks in Week 7 and the Dolphins in Week 9 -- making Kirk a solid option going forward, especially if his role continues to grow over Andy Isabella and other receivers.

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Yahoo!: 39% owned | ESPN: 34% owned

An injury to Keenan Allen thrust Mike Williams into the spotlight for the remainder of the Chargers-Saints Week 6 thriller.

With Herbert proving to put up better fantasy football numbers -- not only for himself, but for his receivers -- than Tyrod Taylor was, Williams is worth owning regardless of Allen's injury status. If Allen does miss time, Williams can be played as a high-floor, high-ceiling WR2.

Dynasty leagues: Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears

Yahoo!: 1% owned | ESPN: 2% owned

Week 5 may not have been the performance that Bears fans and hopeful Mooney owners wanted to see, but he seems to be climbing the depth chart each game and could very well become a top wideout for the Bears if Allen Robinson can't come to terms with Chicago and Anthony Miller continues to struggle.