Week 6 fantasy football waiver wire targets: Kenneth Walker and Randall Cobb can help in bye weeks

Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona Cardinals

After scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, Eno Benjamin celebrates.
AP Photographer: Ross D. Franklin

6.8 percent of ESPN fantasy rostered players

25 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 28 receiving yards, and 1 score for 14.3 fantasy points in Week 5.

Eno Benjamin capitalized on his moment after Arizona’s main running back James Conner went down with a rib injury, scoring a touchdown and proving productive on the ground and via the air. In the coming weeks, Benjamin should be a viable fantasy starter if Conner is sidelined for a prolonged period.

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker III scores against the New Orleans Saints on the ground.

AP Image: Derick Hingle

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 47.7%

Week 5 stats: 88 yards on the ground, 1 touchdown; 14.8 fantasy points

Rashaad Penny sustained a fractured tibia against the Saints on Sunday, thus Kenneth Walker III will likely see a substantial increase in playing time over the coming few weeks. Given head coach Pete Carroll’s preference for running the ball, Walker may amass impressive statistics.

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rachaad White makes a run.

Peter Joneleit via AP

23.9% of ESPN fantasy rostered players

14 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 28 receiving yards; 7.2 fantasy points in Week 5.

Last weekend, Rachaad White scored a touchdown, and he has gradually increased his involvement in the Buccaneers’ passing attack. Currently, he is clearly behind Leonard Fournette, but if Fournette suffers an injury, White’s usage might swiftly increase.

Joshua Kelley is a running back for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Joshua Kelley confronts a defender while playing for the Cleveland Browns.

Photo by: AP/Kirk Irwin

1% of ESPN fantasy rostered players

49 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 33 receiving yards, and 1 score for 16.2 fantasy points in Week 5.

Sunday, backup running back Joshua Kelley averaged 4.9 yards per carry against the Browns, which is respectable. While it’s difficult to take touches away from Austin Ekeler, expect the Chargers to shift the workload more toward Kelley in order to keep Ekeler fresh.

Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Tevin Coleman advances against the Carolina Panthers by diving forward.

AP Picture by Rusty Jones

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 0%

Week 5 stats: 23 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 44 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns for 21.7 points in fantasy football.

Last week, Tevin Coleman played only one snap for the 49ers and did not touch the football. On Sunday, he scored two touchdowns. Jeff Wilson Jr. is still the undisputed man of the 49ers’ backfield, but considering the team’s recent injury history, especially at the running back position, Coleman is worth stashing if roster space permits.

Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts running back

Deon Jackson resists a tackle from a Denver Broncos defender.

AP Image: Jack Dempsey

1.3% of ESPN fantasy rostered players

Week 5 stats: 62 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 29 receiving yards — 13.1 points in fantasy football

With Jonathan Taylor already out last Thursday and Nyheim Hines sustaining a concussion early in the game, Deon Jackson was the only remaining back for the Colts. The Colts have a few additional days of rest before their next game, so check the injury reports before investing too much in Jackson, but if he’s the starting man again next week, he should produce well.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

Against the New York Jets, Raheem Mostert avoids a tackle.

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

68.3% of ESPN fantasy rosters are filled.

113 running yards, 1 reception, 9 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown for 19.2 fantasy points in Week 5.

Despite the addition of Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert continues to dominate the Dolphins’ backfield. On Sunday, Edmonds had only one carry compared to Mostert’s 18 carries. Edmonds remains on the rosters of more leagues than Mostert. This will not last long.

WR for the Indianapolis Colts, Alec Pierce

Alec Pierce defends against a Denver Broncos defender.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

ESPN fantasy percentage rostered: 8.6%

Week 5 stats: eight receptions for 81 yards and 16.1 fantasy points.

Alec Pierce’s output has increased in each of the games he has played so far this season. Pierce’s familiarity with the Colts’ scheme continues to grow, and with Indianapolis sure to trail in many games this season, he is positioned for a few breakout performances in the near future.

Brown, Dyami, WR, Washington Commanders

In competition with the Tennessee Titans, Dyami Brown catches a pass.

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

0.1 percent of ESPN fantasy rostered players

Two receptions, 105 receiving yards, and two touchdowns for 24.5 fantasy points in week five.

With fantasy players’ bye weeks beginning the next week, it’s time to consider adding some volatile players to your roster. When several prominent players are on bye, it is often necessary to gamble on a player like Dyami Brown. Sunday, Brown had only two receptions, but he scored on each of them. After his performance against the Titans, Washington will want to get him more open for big passes.

Jakobi Meyers, wide receiver with the New England Patriots

Jakobi Meyers rejoices after scoring against the Detroit Lions.

Photo by: AP/Michael Dwyer

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 64.6%

Week 5 stats: 7 catches, 111 yards receiving, 1 touchdown = 24.1 fantasy points

Note that Jakobi Meyers is now averaging 18 fantasy points every week. He just had his greatest game of the season with Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe at the helm. Now is a fantastic moment to purchase stocks.

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers receiver

Randall Cobb is jubilant following a play against the New York Giants.

AP Image: Kin Cheung

ESPN fantasy percentage rostered: 3.4%

Week 5 stats: seven receptions for 99 yards and 16.9 points

The Packers have been waiting for a second wide receiver to rise to the occasion with Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb did so on Sunday. Cobb received 13 targets from Aaron Rodgers against the Giants in London. With so many passes falling into his lap, he has tremendous fantasy potential for the remainder of this season.

Josh Reynolds, wide receiver, Lions

Josh Reynolds catches a reception versus the Seattle Seahawks.

AP Picture by Duane Burleson

23.7% of ESPN fantasy rosters contain players.

Week 5 stats: 6 catches for 92 yards and 15.2 fantasy points

Four weeks in a row, Josh Reynolds has scored at least 12 fantasy points, and he is presently the 26th best fantasy receiver with nearly 33 percent of the 2022 season remaining. He should be on the rosters of all leagues.

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints Tight End

Taysom Hill scores against the Seattle Seahawks on the ground.

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

ESPN fantasy percentage rostered: 11.4%

112 running yards and three touchdowns for 34.1 fantasy points in week 5.

Undoubtedly, Taysom Hill will outlive us all. On Sunday, the Saints’ utility man led his team to victory by rushing for three touchdowns and passing for another score. Hill’s productivity is difficult to anticipate, but through five weeks he has scored five touchdowns. If your stud tight end has a bye week coming up (for example, if you have Darren Waller on your team for next week), Hill is a great player to wager on.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks quarterback

Before a play against the New Orleans Saints, Geno Smith signals.

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 32%

Week 5 passing statistics: 268 yards and three touchdowns for 24 fantasy points

It may be time to add a second quarterback to your squad, as bye weeks are once again forcing fantasy managers to make innovative selections. Geno Smith is the tenth-best fantasy quarterback through five games, so he may already be generating more points than your starting quarterback.

Carson Wentz is the quarterback for the Washington Commanders.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz avoids a Tennessee Titans defender.

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 47.7%

359 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception for 21.9 points in Week 5.

The Washington Commanders will be chasing many games this season, and if you’re willing to risk Carson Wentz throwing a few interceptions, he has the potential to toss three touchdown passes on any given Sunday.

Using a rushing defense, the New England Patriots

Jared Goff is sacked by Matthew Judon for a loss.

Photo by: AP/Michael Dwyer

ESPN fantasy roster percentage: 13.5%

1 touchdown, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 2 sacks, 0 points allowed for a total of 17 fantasy points in week 5.

On Sunday, the New England Patriots absolutely stifled the NFL team with the highest scoring offense, the Detroit Lions. Next week, they will face the Cleveland Browns, who lead the league in rushing but struggle to throw the ball. Bill Belichick excels at defending against one-dimensional teams.

Streaming defense: Commanders in Washington

Ryan Tannehill is brought down by Montez Sweat for a sack.

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

20.1% of ESPN fantasy rosters contain players.

5 sacks and 21 scores allowed allowed for 7 fantasy points in Week 5.

Washington’s defense has been subpar for fantasy purposes so far this season, but a good matchup against the Bears next week makes them worthy of consideration if you’ve been switching defenses every week.