It was an exciting and interesting Week 6, where we saw the some new names enter into our collective fantasy football minds. Injuries and breakout stars are going to send fantasy managers scrambling to waivers this week, and we can full you in on who to target before waivers clear.
1. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
With Miles Sanders missing the game against the Miami Dolphins, Chuba Hubbard stepped into the fold and looked like the most productive runner on the Panthers’ roster. Hubbard managed to garner 16 fantasy points on twenty touches and Carolina looked to establish their run game and control the tempo. Even when Sanders returns it’s hard to imagine Hubbard not being involved somehow, he may even take over as the primary back should the gap in production grow between the two.
2. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson missing games is good news for Jerome Ford owners and even better news for anyone who jumps on Kareem Hunt on the waiver this week. The Browns are clearly going to lean on their top tier offensive line and dynamic duo of runners as they did in their upset win against San Francisco 49ers. Hunt finished with fifteen touches on the day and looks as though he is shaking some of the rust off. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Hunt takes over at the primary ball carrier in Cleveland in the coming weeks.
3. Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams is slowly working his way into one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. After serving his suspension from the league Williams has seen a slight bump in work after his initial game back, and should continue to see that number grow. In his limited snaps Williams managed to cement himself as a deep ball threat, putting up 53 yards and a touchdown on just two catches. As Williams sees more time in this offense his viability as a starting fantasy receiver should continue to grow. Stash him while you can.
4. Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Fantasy managers finally saw the desired usage out of the highly touted rookie tight end that they were so desperately looking for in a baron tight end market. Mayer got some hefty usage with five catches on six targets for 75 yards on the day. If the Raiders consistently plan on giving Mayer five or more targets a game, he could quickly ascend into one of the top fantasy tight ends. Stash him and see if he gets a similar type role once again before you commit to starting him if you can.
5. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Now that Gardner Minshew is entrenched as the Colts starter for seemingly the rest of the season with Anthony Richardson out, rookie receiver Josh Downs is getting a lot more targets. Downs is a seriously smooth route runner that dominates the short area and consistently comes up with chunk plays off short catches. With Alec Pierce expected to miss time the Colts will need to rely on Downs even more as they season progresses. Stick him in as a WR2 in PPR leagues and start with confidence.
