Astute fantasy football managers are always thinking ahead. That strategy applies to improving your roster through free agency and the waiver wire before everyone scrambles to acquire a impactful player later.
Hoping for some luck helps, but a lot of luck is the "residue of design." Those who can anticipate hot pickups in the second half of the fantasy season and have room on their bench should get ahead of the competition.
Here's looking at some deep sleepers to target as cheap additions you could land from the Week 6 waiver wire.
Fantasy football's best roster stash targets for Week 6
Quarterback
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (22% rostered in Yahoo! leagues)
Penix and fellow NFC South sleeper Bryce Young of the Panthers have let down out of the gate. But Penix flashed enough at the end of last season and in two of his four games this year to think he can get rolling with Drake London and other weapons after an early Week 5 bye. There's too much good skill around him in a favorable ssytem to think he won't produce more consistent staring results. His schedule opens up better than Young through Week 14 and he's just as available.
Week 6 Fantasy Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK | Half-PPR Cheat Sheet
Running backs
Emanuel Wilson, Packers (3%)
Josh Jacobs is back to running well and producing as the clear lead back but Wilson continues to be a productive deserving No. 2 with great burst and scoring potential when given the opportunities behind Green Bay's stout offensive line. Wilson is a premium handcuff should anything happen to Jacobs and can develop some standalone FLEX value in the right matchups after the bye.
Brashard Smith, Chiefs (10%)
Smith has been buzzed to get more work behind Kareem Hunt and at the expense of Isiah Pacheco with his receiving skills and dynamic open-field running. Hunt is doing well scoring in the end zone, but the running game needs a spark. Smith can provide the down the stretch as a rookie for Andy Reid.
Blake Corum, Rams (14%)
Kyren Williams is compiling good fantasy numbers from scrimmage but he has struggled of late with fumbling for Sean McVay. Corum, the former Michigan stat, is there to get a bigger workload should McVay see more such issues with Williams in key games. Corum is another top-flight handcuff at the least.
PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: Fantasy RB handcuff rankings & depth charts
Wide receivers
Isaiah Bond, Browns (5%)
The former Texas and Alabama receiver has some first-round talent for an undrafted rookie and has a big shot with Jerry Jeudy fading and Cedric Tillman hurt.
The Browns are dedicated to pushing rookies into key roles, led by Dillon Gabriel, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin Jr. for the offense. It would make sense to have to Gabriel lock more into Bond.
Tory Horton, Seahawks (7%)
Horton is getting snaps like the speedy big-play No. 3 rookie he is working well behind Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.
He's a little big-play and scoring dependent, but if injury pops for Kupp, Horton can be thrust into key downfield complementary role to JSN.
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 6 Sleepers | Week 6 Busts | Week 6 Waiver Wire
Jack Bech, Raiders (1%)
Tre Tucker got off to a hot start, but Brock Bowers is hurting at tight end, and Jakobi Meyers has had been exploding for interception-happy Geno Smith.
Bech was drafted in fantasy early as a rookie for so much offseason promise but his targets have seen a steady uptick with Las Vegas looking for something to spark Chip Kelly's attack.
NEW - FANTASY TOOLS: NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts | Fantasy Injury Reports
Tight end
Gunnar Helm, Titans (0%)
Chig Okonkwo is the tight end from this team with the most fantasy attention despite doing little week after week. Helm, the rookie from Tesas, is starting to see an uptick in receiving work.
The Titans need someone other than Calvin Ridley and Elic Ayomanor to boost Cam Ward in the passing game. Helm can help a lot of TE-needy teams in a few weeks.
📋 More Week 6 fantasy advice:
- Omarion Hampton injury fantasy outlook: Pick up Chargers' Hassan Haskins or Kimani Vidal?
- Joe Flacco Bengals fantasy tips: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown
- RB Drops Week 6 • WR Week 6 Drops • TE Week 6 Drops