Fantasy Football Week 6: Rankings, Projections and Waiver-Wire Tips (2024)

A Week 6 showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in a rematch of last year's all-time great divisional-round playoff game has the eyes of the fantasy world jumping at the opportunity to start as many of the players involved in that Sunday matchup as possible.

It is not the only game to pay attention to for fantasy owners looking for a championship this season, nor are the players in that game the only ones worth taking a chance on from the waiver wire.

Ahead of what may prove to be a very prosperous week for many, take a look at these rankings and projections, as well as a few waiver-wire additions to ponder.

All stats according to NFL Fantasy unless otherwise stated.

Waiver-Wire Pickup: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Smith has vastly outperformed expectations to this point in the 2022 season by leading a Seahawks team that is similarly better than expected. With a completion percentage of 75.2, nine touchdowns, just two interceptions and over 1,305 yards, he is a steady option under center.

Not dynamic or particularly explosive, he may not win your weekly matchup, but he is not going to cost you, either. If your starter has a tough matchup or a bye week and you need someone to fill in here or there, Smith is a solid option, especially averaging 19.58 points per game (fifth-best).

Up next? The 23rd-ranked Cardinals pass defense.

He is rostered in only 26.3 percent of NFL Fantasy leagues.

Waiver-Wire Pickup: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

Edwards figures to begin making his presence felt in the Ravens lineup after returning to practice last week after over a year away from the field.

A big, bruising back, he is not going to be mistaken by anyone for Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley. He is not a flashy back, but he is a double-tough steamroller who can establish dominance.

The Ravens have seriously missed someone who can complement the speed and unpredictability of quarterback Lamar Jackson. He is the battering ram, the thunder to the lightning of Jackson and even starting back JK Dobbins. He is a great goal-line option and a guy who can change the tone of any game.

He offers something the Ravens do not have currently and the sort of runner who can put the exclamation point on games with touchdowns rather than Justin Tucker field goals.

Once he gets back in the lineup and has the opportunity to get his feet under him, take a chance, pick him up and reap the rewards.

Waiver-Wire Pickup: Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys

The return of Gallup to the Dallas lineup gives either Cooper Rush or Dak Prescott another weapon to go alongside star wideout CeeDee Lamb, tight end Dalton Schultz and running backs Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard.

His impact was felt in Sunday's win over the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams with a beautiful catch down the sideline that will be on his highlight reel for years to come.

A deep-ball threat, he can make up yards and fantasy points on fewer catches than other receivers, all while threatening to go the distance with every snap of the ball.

Rostered in just 39.3 percent of NFL.com leagues, he is there for the taking, and you should take advantage before his play makes it impossible to snag him that easily in the coming weeks.

Waiver-Wire Pickup: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers

To say the Packers' passing offense does not look as fluid or efficient as it has in years past would be an understatement the size of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' career passing numbers. His numbers have taken a hit this season without star wide receiver Davante Adams.

Following somewhat of a stunning loss to the New York Giants in London in Week 5, do not be surprised to see Rodgers start slinging it across the field more as an early sense of frustration sets in.

That could bode very well for Tonyan, who is a big receiver whom Rodgers trusts (52 receptions, 11 TDs in his healthy 2020 campaign). That is not something he has in the Packers' young, inexperienced offense.

Do not be surprised to see Tonyan's numbers suddenly jump as Rodgers decides to sling it in hopes of finding some sort of consistency as he seeks that elusive second Super Bowl. If Tonyan builds momentum and rediscovers the connection with A-Rod that they shared two seasons ago, scooping him up and stashing him away could be the difference between winning and losing key matchups this fantasy season.

Waiver-Wire Pickup: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars may have suffered a setback with a loss to the Houston Texans in Week 5, but they remain one of the best defensive units in football and a team definitely worth taking a look at on the waiver wire if yours is underwhelming.

The team has compiled nine takeaways and 10 sacks in five games, making them a big-play unit whose abilities in both of those categories make them an intriguing fantasy option.

They are not the first-option start by any means, but when the bye week leaves your team looking for defensive support for the short term, acquiring the Jags unit from the waiver wire is as good a strategic maneuver as any.