Week 6 Exemption Wire Watch
October is here, and as we wrap up another weekend of NFL games, there’s still a Monday night showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars. But it’s a good time to start thinking about ways to enhance your roster for the upcoming week.
Here are some standout players from Week 5 that you might want to check out on the exemption wire before Week 6 rolls around. Just a reminder, we’re considering exemptions as those players on the roster in 60% of Max’s league.
Goodbye for Week 6
Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings.
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (22.6%)
The Seahawks faced a tight 38-35 game against the Buccaneers. Darnold had a standout performance, marking his most exciting outing with the team so far. Taking on the Buccaneers, he went 28-34 for 341 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his skills even amidst the loss. It’s also worth noting that he has a passing rating of 135.4, ranking third among starting QBs during the late window on Sunday. Seahawks fans must be feeling hopeful about his growing connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and fantasy managers are likely watching this closely too—he could very well rank among the top 10 fantasy QBs again this season.
Week 6 matchup: @Jacksonville Jaguars, 1pm
Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco 49ers (3.9%)
With Brock Purdy sidelined for a good chunk of the season, Jones stepped up during a thrilling 26-23 overtime win against the Rams. He completed 67.3% of his passes, racking up 342 yards and two touchdowns. He’s shown solid performances during his starts, as indicated by a total EPA of 18.37% and a 53.79% success rate. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Purdy’s return next week against the Buccaneers, but it might not be a bad idea to grab Jones and stash him.
Week 6 matchup: @Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25pm
Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers (44.4%)
With Chuba Hubbard out due to a calf injury, Dowdle delivered a phenomenal performance, leading the Panthers to come back from a 17-point deficit to win 27-24. He posted an impressive 206 rushing yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, plus a 28-yard reception. It seems likely he’ll be getting more touches in the upcoming weeks, and a bid for him should definitely be on your radar.
Week 6 matchup: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1pm
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals (44.9%)
The Cardinals struggled in a 22-21 loss over the weekend, marking their third straight defeat. However, Carter had a productive outing with 51 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, and a touchdown. With injuries to James Connor and Trey Benson, there’s a real opportunity for him to take on a larger role. Like Dowdle, you might want to act quickly if you want to add him to your squad.
Week 6 matchup: @Indianapolis Colts, 1pm
Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (3.9%)
With several offensive players injured, the 49ers leaned on Bourne, who delivered an impressive 10 receptions for 142 yards during his game against the Rams. This marked his first game leading a significant target share. The situation is a bit uncertain as players recover from injuries, but at least fantasy managers know he has the potential to perform when needed.
Week 6 matchup: @Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25pm
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas Cowboys (0.7%)
Flournoy had a surprising breakout during the Cowboys’ 37-22 win against the Jets. He caught six of nine targets, totaling 114 yards and added 10 rushing yards. Previously, he had only five receptions for 35 yards before this game, so his performance was quite the surprise. The Cowboys’ offense has been explosive, making him an intriguing option to consider.
Week 6 matchup: @Carolina Panthers, 1pm
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks (1.5%)
In the exciting Seahawks-Bucs game, Barner had a standout performance, grabbing all seven of his targets, along with two touchdowns for 53 yards. He led all fantasy TEs for the week, racking up 17.3 points in standard leagues and 24.3 in PPR formats. With Darnold targeting him, especially in the red zone, he’s becoming a popular choice among fantasy managers.
Week 6 matchup: @Jacksonville Jaguars, 1pm
Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins (57.8%)
Though the Dolphins are facing some turmoil, Waller is making strides in his comeback. He recorded five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown in the recent loss to the Panthers. His performance comes as he’s been a key receiver for Tua Tagovailoa, and despite the challenges the team faces, his role remains significant.
Week 6 matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1pm
