Welcome to the 2025 Waiver Wire for Week 6!
Week Five of the 2025 NFL season is officially in the books, which means that it is time for our 2025 WAIVER WIRE FOR WEEK 6! In today’s discussion, we will be going over the most significant targets on the waiver wire currently for week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
Quarterbacks
Mac Jones (SF)
- In week 5, Mac Jones completed 67% of his passes for 342 yards and 2 TDs. He scored 22.2 fantasy points in week 5.
- Sleeper Rostership: 6%
- ESPN Rostership: 2.2%
- Yahoo Rostership: 4%
It seems that no matter who is under center for the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan makes it work time and time again. It’s such a trusted system and infrastructure that it doesn’t really matter who’s back there playing QB. Plus, if Brock Purdy continues to miss time and Mac Jones continues to be the starter for the next few weeks, the 49ers should be getting their top weapons back and healthy again.
Even though Mac Jones is coming off an excellent performance this past week, this could be an extremely short window of relevance for him, if any window of significance at all, honestly. With the 49ers having a bit of an extended break between games, I expect Brock Purdy to be back and healthy again next week, and thus, Mac Jones will go back to being the backup once again. Jones is a speculative add here, pretty much. In Superflex leagues, sure, go for it. But in typical 1QB leagues, you’re not going to be nearly as aggressive on this player.
- Next 3 opponents: @ TB, vs. ATL, @ HOU
Sam Darnold (SEA)
- In week 5, Sam Darnold completed 82% of his passes for 341 yards and 4 TDs, and also threw an INT. He scored 28.6 fantasy points in week 5.
- Sleeper Rostership: 36%
- ESPN Rostership: 14.4%
- Yahoo Rostership: 31%
Sam Darnold looks extremely comfortable in this Klint Kubiak system this season. He is being quick and decisive with the football, and stepping up big in key situations and crunch time when plays need to be made. If you need a QB to stream or just a reliable starter in the future, absolutely pick up Darnold, because this time next week, I highly doubt that you will be able to get him like you can right now.
Next 3 opponents: @ JAX, vs. HOU, BYE
Dillon Gabriel (CLE)
- In week 5, Dillon Gabriel completed 58% of his passes for 190 yards and 2 TDs. He scored 16.1 fantasy points in week 5.
- Sleeper Rostership: 11%
- ESPN Rostership: 2.2%
- Yahoo Rostership: 4%
In his first career start in the NFL, Dillon Gabriel looked a lot better than expected right off the bat. He seemed very comfortable for basically the entire game against an elite defense in London. In Cleveland, Gabriel is supported by a great running game with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, and has built an immediate connection with his top two TEs, it seems, with David Njoku and Harold Fannin, especially down in the redzone area. If you need a stable, high-floor bye week fill-in here and there at the QB position, Dillon Gabriel is a more than fine option for this exact scenario.
Next 3 opponents: @ PIT, vs. MIA, @ NE
Running Backs
Kendre Miller (NO)
- In week 5, Kendre Miller ran for 41 yards on 10 carries, and also added eight receiving yards on one reception and one target as well. He scored 5.4 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 3.00 yards after contact/att (led RBs on team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 28%
- ESPN Rostership: 21%
- Yahoo Rostership: 31%
It appears that, based on the last couple of weeks, we are starting to see a slight shift in philosophy with Kellen Moore and this New Orleans backfield. Alvin Kamara is clearly still the electric pass-catching back, but Kendre Miller is getting more and more of the early-down work for this offense with each passing week. It also seems that Miller is absolutely the goal-line back in this offense, which is very exciting and provides a lot of value to us, obviously.
Keep in mind that this is still the Saints, though, and they’re always going to pass a ton due to trailing by a lot during games every single week. Even though Kendre Miller has been very efficient with the limited touches that he has gotten so far this season, it’s still limited touches at the end of the day. The ceiling for this player might not be there for a lot of this year, unfortunately.
- Next 3 opponents: vs. NE, @ CHI, vs. TB
Wide Receivers
Kendrick Bourne (SF)
- In week 5, Kendrick Bourne hauled in 10 receptions for 142 yards on 11 targets. He scored 19.2 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 22.4% target share (tied for 1st on team), 3.74 YPRR (led team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 15%
- ESPN Rostership: 6.5%
- Yahoo Rostership: 4%
Kendrick Bourne and Mac Jones had an immediate connection with one another this past week, which isn’t as surprising as you might think, because the two were together in New England a few years ago. If everyone for the 49ers is hurt, Kendrick Bourne will have to continue to step up for this offense in a big way.
Just like with Mac Jones, this is a speculative add. I expect Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, and George Kittle to be back within the next week or two for the 49ers, which would make Bourne completely irrelevant once again. Don’t just look at the box score here and go overboard. Be careful/mindful.
- Next 3 opponents: @ TB, vs. ATL, @ HOU
Tory Horton (SEA)
- In week 5, Tory Horton hauled in 3 receptions for 39 yards and a TD on 4 targets. He scored 11.4 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 2.44 YPRR (4th on team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 14%
- ESPN Rostership: 4%
- Yahoo Rostership: 6%
It seems that we are literally right on the edge of Tory Horton overtaking Cooper Kupp as the #2 option for Sam Darnold and this Seattle passing attack. By this time next week, it will have happened, I’m sure. So get ahead of it. Stash Tory Horton while you still can and before it’s too late. Yes, this TD pace for Horton probably isn’t sustainable for the entire season. Still, when it keeps happening every week, it is absolutely something to pay attention to, especially when it’s a Day 3 rookie like Horton.
Next 3 opponents: @ JAX, vs. HOU, BYE
Tight Ends
Theo Johnson (NYG)
- In week 5, Theo Johnson hauled in 6 receptions for 33 yards and 2 TDs on 7 targets. He scored 18.3 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 3 endzone targets (led team), 51.6% slot rate (2nd on team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 10%
- ESPN Rostership: 5.5%
- Yahoo Rostership: 11%
Rookie QBs love their tight ends because it’s a nice, reliable safety blanket for them as they adjust to the NFL. It seems that Jaxson Dart and Theo Johnson have already built a strong connection with one another, and that connection will only grow stronger as time passes. Additionally, Dart will want to get the ball out of his hands quickly for short, easy completions, which will provide Theo Johnson with numerous opportunities. Additionally, Johnson tested off the charts athletically at the NFL Combine a couple of years ago, which is exciting in itself.
With Malik Nabers unfortunately tearing his ACL in week 4, I don’t know how much touchdown opportunity there will be for this Giants offense as a whole going forward, and for Theo Johnson specifically. This isn’t a good situation for any Giants offensive weapon, not named Cam Skattebo, unfortunately.
- Next 3 opponents: vs. PHI, @ DEN, @ PHI
Mason Taylor (NYJ)
- In week 5, Mason Taylor hauled in 9 receptions for 67 yards on 12 targets. He scored 13.2 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 26.1% target share (led team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 20%
- ESPN Rostership: 8.1%
- Yahoo Rostership: 13%
Outside of Garrett Wilson, there are no other relevant pass catchers in this Jets offense this season (excluding Breece Hall, of course). Enter Mason Taylor, who has gotten more and more opportunities and playing time as the season has gone on. This is a very exciting add just based on the target volume alone.
Although Mason Taylor is on the rise in this Jets offense, Justin Fields’ passing ability can be very inconsistent on a week-to-week basis, unfortunately. So the opportunity will be there for Taylor, obviously, but that might not always translate to big production for the player on a week-to-week basis, unfortunately.
- Next 3 opponents: vs. DEN, vs. CAR, @ CIN
Darren Waller (MIA)
- In week 5, Darren Waller hauled in 5 receptions for 78 yards and a TD on five targets. He scored 16.3 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 3.00 YPRR (2nd on team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 68%
- ESPN Rostership: 48.2%
- Yahoo Rostership: 67%
It seems that Darren Waller has clearly cemented himself as the #2 pass catcher in this Miami Dolphins offense behind Jaylen Waddle (excluding De’Von Achane, of course), which has provided him with a ton of opportunity, especially in the redzone.
The downside here is that we could be just days away from Mike McDaniel being fired now, and the entire Dolphins offense could be blown up as a result, more than it already has been. So even though Waller himself is exciting, the situation surrounding him isn’t exactly the most stable in the world, unfortunately. This could get really ugly, really quickly.
- Next 3 opponents: vs. LAC, @ CLE, @ ATL
AJ Barner (SEA)
- In week 5, AJ Barner hauled in 7 receptions for 53 yards and 2 TDs on 7 targets. He scored 20.8 Half PPR fantasy points in week 5.
- Notable advanced metrics from week 5: 2.65 YPRR (3rd on team)
- Sleeper Rostership: 3%
- ESPN Rostership: 0.8%
- Yahoo Rostership: 2%
The Seattle Seahawks’ passing game is on fire right now, to many people’s surprise. We know Seattle’s history with TEs and how much they like to feature them in their offense, and heading into the season, that featured guy was supposed to be highly drafted rookie Elijah Arroyo. However, so far this season, it has been AJ Barner receiving all the playing time and opportunities at TE for Seattle, not Arroyo.
Just like with Tory Horton, AJ Barner keeps scoring TDs, as Sam Darnold clearly loves to throw to him when the Seahawks get down in the redzone and have to score. Pick up AJ Barner to see where it goes over the next couple of weeks and capitalize on the hype right now.
Next 3 opponents: @ JAX, vs. HOU, BYE
Defenses
Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 6 opponent: Miami Dolphins
- Week 5 Half PPR scoring: 3.0 points
- Sleeper Rostership: 19%
- ESPN Rostership: 35.6%
- Yahoo Rostership: 55%
The Chargers boast one of the very best defenses in the NFL currently, and playing the Miami Dolphins is a dream matchup for the unit. The Dolphins currently have a terrible offensive line, and without Tyreek Hill, they also have a limited set of weapons on offense.
New England Patriots
- Week 6 opponent: New Orleans Saints
- Week 5 Half PPR scoring: 8.0 points
- Sleeper Rostership: 20%
- ESPN Rostership: 41.7%
- Yahoo Rostership: 16%
The Patriots just shut down the Buffalo Bills’ high-powered offense this past week, so if they can do that, they can absolutely do it against the Saints and probably dominate, honestly. Even though the Saints have surprisingly been a very fast-paced team and offense so far this year, it hasn’t translated to much of anything because it’s still Spencer Rattler at QB, who isn’t very good at all at the end of the day.
