Each week, we highlight the top fantasy football exemption pickup prospects available in at least 50% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues. If you want a roster going into Week 6, keep an eye on the names below. As a reminder, the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Vikings will be absent for the next week.
quarterback
Daniel Jones, New York Giants (9%)
The time has come, friends. Each season, Jones is worth adding to your fantasy roster if only to remind you of all the possibilities in the human experience: joy, despair, hilarity.
Jones will face Cincinnati’s serviceable defense next week, but the rookie will need Malik Nabors back at his disposal after missing Week 5. Despite not having a superstar receiver, Jones still managed to score multiple points against Seattle on Sunday. I added the usual hectic production.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I can confidently start Jones against the Bengals. But at least you can start him reluctantly and hope for less disastrous results.
Recommended FAB offer (assuming $100 budget): $6
Additional QB options:
Justin Herbert is returning from a brutal bye against Denver, but those planning further ahead will want to know he’ll be in the Week 7 win over Arizona on Monday night.
Kevin Stefanski still doesn’t sound like a coach preparing to sit an obviously desperate quarterback, but he’s bound to be one day. Jameis Winston is probably already registered in a super flex league.
Drake Maye’s time has reportedly come, and the upcoming matchup between Houston and Jacksonville will be particularly friendly.
running back
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (23%)
Bigsby is starting to look suspiciously similar to Jacksonville’s featured player.
He cleared 100 rushing yards on just 13 carries against the Colts, doing much of his damage on the top and bottom runs.
Bigsby’s 65-yard score basically ticked off the entire running back bingo card: vision, patience, ferocious arm, breakaway speed, premature celebration. It’s a completely dirty game.
For the first time, Bigsby actually outperformed Travis Etienne (although he outran and passed him, of course). Etienne still managed 60 scrimmage yards on 12 touches, six of which were receptions, so it’s not like he wasn’t useful. Bigsby has done too well to simply remain in a subordinate role.
FAB: $26
Tyron Tracy Jr., New York Giants (23%)
You can’t reasonably expect Tracy to leapfrog Devin Singletary in the Giants’ backfield hierarchy, but he may earn a stronger role going forward. Tracy had a great performance against the Seahawks, carrying 18 times for 129 yards. He’s a receiver coming out of college, so he’s a player with a complete skill set. The rookie left a trail of would-be tacklers Sunday afternoon.
Singletary is currently dealing with a groin injury and is unlikely to be at full capacity in Week 6, if at all. Regardless of his status, Tracy earned further opportunities.
FAB: $16
Roshon Johnson, Chicago Bears (20%)
As a reminder, D’Andre Swift has made a point of reestablishing control of Chicago’s backfield over the past two weeks. However, Johnson has emerged as an important supporting player. He’s made home calls in back-to-back games, including a pair on Sunday, serving as the team’s unwavering No. 2 rushing option. Weighing 225 pounds, the Johnson has the traditional style and dimensions of a short-yardage bulldozer. He is definitely approved to use the flex to survive a bye.
FAB: $9
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Various other RBs add:
Braylon Allen has been quiet in back-to-back games, but continues to play in about a third of the Jets’ backfield snaps. If things go according to New York’s script, it seems clear that newcomers will play a key role.
Antonio Gibson made a ceremonial start Sunday, but continued to run behind Rhamondre Stephenson in the Patriots’ offense. Vet still gained 56 scrimmage yards on seven touches and continued to serve as an efficient support player (in a fearsome offense).
Justice Hill was quiet in Sunday’s OT shootout, but he is one week away from totaling 96 yards and a score against Buffalo. He’s set to play in some fantasy matchups (Washington, Tampa Bay), so he should continue to be a strong flex option.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire shouldn’t have much trouble claiming some of the responsibilities in KC’s backfield when the team returns from its Week 6 bye. Consider adding him this week ahead of the rush (and while he’s still IR eligible).
If you’re looking for a support back in an uninteresting offense, Jahlil McLaughlin is the guy for you. He returned to the end zone against Denver on Sunday and handled nine touches.
Jeremy McNichols is still Washington’s No. 3 behind two of its best players, so don’t get too excited about his recent scoring output. But his teams are racking up points and yards, so he makes sense as the deepest league stash.
Ty Chandler and the Vikings can’t help us in Week 6 as they are headed for a bye. However, it’s worth noting that Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury and is reportedly on week-to-week consideration, leading to an excessive workload. For Chandler.
wide receiver and tight end
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (48%)
Through five games, Mooney is essentially having the kind of season he probably expected Kyle Pitts to produce. He wore down the Bucs on Thursday night, catching nine balls for 105 yards and spiking two on 16 targets. This grab was especially stupid.
Mooney is up to 40 targets this season and has had four consecutive weeks with 50 or more receiving yards. He may not be the team’s No. 1 receiver obviously, but he’s as good as 1A. It’s hard to believe that Mooney is still eligible for our weekly pick-me-up feature, but we’re still here. Go get him. Atlanta travels to the Carolinas this week.
FAB: $26
Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (7%)
Tolbert delivered a career-best performance during the prime-time stage in Week 5, capping a seven-catch night with the game-winning touchdown.
Dak said during training camp that the receiver he spent the most time with over the summer was having a historically great season. Jalen Tolbert was that guy this year pic.twitter.com/ViWwF2DGV3
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 7, 2024
This season, he produced at least one surprise moment every week, hitting 20 of his 29 goals on the year. Tolbert has been on the field for at least 67% of the snaps every game (89% on Sunday night) and clearly lives in Dak Prescott’s circle of trust. His breakout seems warranted. His passer rating when targeted this season is 111.7, so attempts in his direction are generally a good idea.
Target volume won’t be a concern for Tolbert in the near future, as Brandin Cooks (knee) is on IR and won’t be available until November.
FAB: $16
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (40%)
Downs has earned a spot the past two weeks with Joe Flacco controlling Indy’s offense, catching 17 passes for 151 yards and one score on 21 targets. He’s a quick spotter and a technician who keeps the chain moving. Whether he can continue to develop after Anthony Richardson returns is an open question, but he’s the kind of easy-button receiver AR desperately needs.
If Flacco does indeed stay under center for the Colts in the matchup at Tennessee, Downs would be much closer to being required to start at full PPR.
FAB: $9
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (45%)
The game against the Texans wasn’t a completely clean game for Coleman, but the rookie made the most of his only catch.
Buffalo has a wealth of short-range receivers, but is in dire need of players who consistently win (and take chances) downfield and outside the numbers. Unless this team addresses that shortcoming through a trade, they really need Coleman to accelerate his development schedule. It’s clear he won’t be short on goals in the coming weeks.
FAB: $6
Additional WRs and TEs to consider:
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s features and limitations are pretty well established at this point, so we believe none of you will ever empty your wallet. He was predictably busy on Monday night, catching seven balls for 130 yards (and assisting on an interception), and should continue to be heavily involved if healthy. However, you can expect KC to strengthen its receiving room. The Chiefs are headed for a bye, so JuJu won’t be able to help you over the next week. If you already have him tucked away on your roster, the opportunity to sell high is clearly open.
Alec Pierce has given us a great ride this year, scoring three times on 13 catches and averaging a ridiculous 28.3 yards per reception. He’s still a low-volume, high-volatility fantasy commodity, but he’s at least tied to a quarterback who can take advantage of his ability to turn the field over.
With Malik Nabors out, Darius Slayton had a great day against the Seahawks (8-122-1). It’s unlikely Nabors will reach double-digit goals when he returns to the team, but he’s clearly the preferred option for Daniel Jones with his ability to make big plays.
Quentin Johnston is back from his bye in LA and ready to resume his TD-or-bust fantasy season. There’s no question he has highlight potential, but he could also be a shutout any given week.
Demario Douglas isn’t exactly tied to the most dynamic offense in the league, but volume is flowing in his direction. He has drawn nine targets in two of his last three games.
Allen Lazard may be doomed in fantasy if Davante Adams finds his way to New York, but it’s still notable that he scored four TDs in five games. Volume is also not a concern, as Lazard has seen 18 targets in the past two weeks.
Tyler Conklin has had at least six targets in each of the Jets’ past three games, catching 15 balls for 165 yards. He has been a solid short-range answer for Aaron Rodgers so far.
defense
Philadelphia Eagles (34%)
Philadelphia won a bye and is preparing for back-to-back matchups against the Browns and Giants, so this pickup won’t need any special justification. Stream and enjoy.
FAB: $2
Los Angeles Chargers (12%)
LA has a legitimately hilarious D that has produced seven takeaways and 11 sacks through four games. The team returns from a bye and faces Bo Nix and Denver’s dominant offense, but they have a clear advantage. A charger will be useful for at least a week.
FAB: $1
