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5 RBs To Scoop Before Your Rivals
The next man up...
I got pretty excited about Germie Bernard yesterday and forgot to highlight some of the RB adds for the week.
With Jahmyr Gibbs, Chase Brown, Aaron Jones and Ollie Gordon all on bye, here are a few names who could help out in Week 6 …
Dameon Pierce / PHI
There’s “next man up” and then there’s the “next man, after the next man, after the next man up,” which is what we have in Philly with Will Shipley (plantar fascia), Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (IR) all out of the picture. Though there appears an outside shot that Barkley plays this week.
Dwain’s take: “Pierce played 78% of snaps and handled 65% of the attempts in Week 5. The Eagles face a tough RB matchup in Week 6 against the Panthers (-1.2 PPG), but get a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Cowboys (+4.9). Pierce would be a high-end RB3 if Barkley is out in Week 6.”
Dylan Sampson or Raheim Sanders / CLE
The Browns are in a similar spot as the Eagles with Quinshon Judkins questionable with an ankle injury. Unfortunately, Sampson is still on IR (he’s eligible to come off this week, though) and Sanders is dealing with a hip injury. I’d try adding one or the other for cheap this week depending on how news breaks.
Dwain’s take: “Sanders would be a high-end RB3 without Judkins. He is available in 94% of leagues and is a 2-7% bid option in deeper formats unless we hear Judkins will miss extended time—that would bump him to 10-15% territory.”
Kendre Miller / NO
Travis Etienne is still on IR (eligible to return in Week 9) and Alvin Kamara is banged up and barely played last week, which led to Miller playing 59% of the snaps and finding the end zone.
Dwain’s take: “Miller is available in 93% of leagues and would be a short-term rental as a high-end to mid-range RB3 if this workload holds even when Kamara is healthy. New Orleans has a plus RB matchup against the Giants (+1.8 PPG) before a neutral matchup against Pittsburgh (+0.0) and then a bye.”
Kimani Vidal / LAC
This blurb should come with a trigger warning for Omarion Hampton managers, but Vidal scored a 42-yard TD on Sunday and has forced a three-way committee with Hampton and Keaton Mitchell. I think he’s intriguing as a stash, but let’s be honest—it’s a contingent play on a bad offense.
Dwain’s take: “Outlook: Low-end short- and long-term value. He is an RB4-5.”
For more ideas on waiver adds, check out the full Week 6 Utilization Report:
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Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …
🚨 Off to a slow start through 5 weeks? Turn your season around with 20% off of FantasyLife+ for a limited time with code HELPME20.
🧀 Do the Packers have multiple WR1s? One is especially rising up the rankings.
🤔 If you started 1-4 … is trading your best player the solution?
🎯 He may be second fiddle on his team. Should he be your prime trade target?
5️⃣ If you trade for this WR in dynasty … you have Faith in 5, too.
🐦⬛ Star QB, bulldozer RB & top defense. Super Bowl favorite?
🪓 If K9 got chopped in your league … how much should you bid on him?
🔮 So much upheaval in college football rankings. Who could win it all?
✈️ This RB’s touches are taking flight. Big man has wheels.
🙌 A rookie WR is primed for a big day. Zone in on the matchup.
🚑️ No Hendo for multiple weeks? Brutal. Update here.
👌 We haven’t seen this in 28 years. NFC > AFC?
🦶 ADJUST THE KICKER RANKS. There’s a new one in LA who’s worth adding, tbh.
☝️ Who’s No. 1? Not the one you want.
🤯 Is this player a fantasy cheat code? Comparing him to Sonic.
Upgrades In The Week 6 Rankings: Freedman’s Faves
It’s Week 6, and the sample size keeps getting larger, which means more to work with when creating Freedman’s Favorites. We’re going position by position as our resident “wet blanket” reveals his favorite plays, as well as the top players in his fantasy football rankings. Let’s get into it:
Quarterback: Love is all you need
Running Back: Cookin’ up a storm in Vegas
Wide Receiver: Golden child has arrived
Tight End: TE is ready for bounceback
Week 5 Receiver Score: Still Believe in Loveland?
We get it. It’s been pretty rough for Colston Loveland at the start of the 2026 season. Same for Emeka Egbuka, and the upheaval at quarterback for both teams hasn’t helped. But could there be buy-low opportunities for each pass catcher? Very possible. Zain Dhanani explores all options in the latest edition of Receiver Score. ⤵️
Week 6 Guillotine Leagues™ Waiver Wire Targets
The Guillotine League waiver wire is more conventional this week. You can put a star next to the name of the most-chopped player this week. How much are you bidding on CeeDee Lamb? There are more big names. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major chop it up over the Guillotine waiver wire to advise where you should spend your FAAB. Please subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel.
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