We are six weeks into the NFL season, and many players have had their true values revealed in the world of fantasy football. Your main weaknesses should now be clear on your fantasy roster, allowing you to pick up players from the waiver wire who could potentially fill a void in your starting lineup on either a short-term or a long-term basis.
Gearing up for a potential playoff push should now be your main priority, especially as the trade deadline draws nearer. Adding a few players to plug holes in your roster is a good idea to remain safely within contention in the coming weeks.
We’ll be going over four targets you should be targeting on the waiver wire this week, as well as some honorable mentions that include some players we’ve discussed in previous installments of this series. Let’s get into the list!
Sam Darnold (QB, SEA)
23.1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense have been red-hot over the past few games, and not many receivers have been more consistent this season than Seattle wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba’s presence has helped Darnold’s fantasy value significantly by giving him a talented, high-upside target in this offense.
If you are in need of stable quarterback play, Darnold is a great option who has been extremely productive over the last few weeks. He’s a great pick-up in deeper leagues if you’re looking for a quarterback who can provide consistent production.
Darnold has looked as good as Seattle could’ve expected this season, passing for 200+ passing yards in all but one game this season and recording a 6:1 touchdown to interception ratio over his last two games.
Specifically, Seattle’s downfield passing game has blossomed, allowing them to take deeper shots to their talented pass-catchers. This has given Darnold a boost in value this season.
The veteran free-agency signing has been nothing short of spectacular in 2025 with his new team after spending a year in Minnesota in 2024.
Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC)
27.1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
With rookie phenom Omarion Hampton set to be out for at least four weeks, it was a tough decision ahead of Week 6 regarding which running back would fill his role against the Miami Dolphins defense. If you picked Kimani Vidal over Hasaan Haskins, your gamble paid off. Vidal took 18 carries for 124 rushing yards while also bringing in three of four targets for 14 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Hampton will obviously be out for the next few weeks, so Vidal looks to be the main beneficiary of this backfield split in the meantime. Haskins was far less efficient on his six carries against Miami, which could push him back into a backup role for the next few weeks.
The best part is that Vidal is still only owned in around a quarter of ESPN fantasy leagues, meaning that there should be plenty of leagues in which he is available for pick-up. In just his first game as a starter, he received a promising amount of volume, with 21 total touches.
Overall, Kimani Vidal looks to be the main factor in the Chargers’ backfield at the moment. He will likely remain extremely fantasy relevant until Hampton returns.
Van Jefferson (WR, TEN)
0.2% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
After veteran and top wideout Calvin Ridley left the Titans’ loss to the Raiders early on Sunday with a hamstring injury, Van Jefferson and Chig Okonkwo became the main targets in the passing game for first-overall pick Cam Ward.
Jefferson caught four of six targets for 75 yards during the 20-10 loss, cementing himself as the top target, or at least among the top targets, if Ridley were to miss extended time. If this is the case, Jefferson could hold some hidden value.
When Cam Ward has time to sling the football, he’s able to make some pretty incredible throws downfield. With a rocket arm and the confidence to make any throw on the field, Ward could end up helping Van Jefferson establish some fantasy relevance.
I am a big believer in Cam Ward’s talent and position as Tennessee’s quarterback of the future. Van Jefferson will likely be in for more targets in the coming weeks from Ward, even if Ridley is ready to go in Week 7.
Overall, Van Jefferson has standalone value after receiving six targets on Sunday, but also would be in for an increased role if Ridley isn’t able to play next week.
AJ Barner (TE, SEA)
10.1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has been a major weapon, especially in the red zone, over his whole career in Seattle. Over the course of the 2025 season, Barner has seen his role grow exponentially, culminating in a seven-target performance in Week 5 during Seattle's game against Tampa Bay, in which Barner recorded two receiving touchdowns.
Barner has been a more consistent presence than anyone expected this season, accounting for 205 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns through six games. The tight end position is one of the most volatile and risky in all of fantasy football, and there is no shortage of unreliable contributors at the position.
If your tight end is the weakest part of your fantasy lineup, AJ Barner could be a solid solution to that issue. Like we discussed earlier, Seattle has a strong passing offense with Sam Darnold at the helm of things, which could allow Barner to earn a more regular role. The Seahawks haven’t really distinguished a pass-catcher as the team’s obvious number-two option as a receiver, so the door is open for Barer to earn a major position.
Overall, AJ Barner has been absolutely fantastic this season and should receive more targets from Darnold, especially after catching all but two targets so far this year.
HM. Jaxson Dart* (QB, NYG)
HM. Bryce Young (QB, CAR)
HM. Bam Knight (RB, ARI)
HM. Kendrick Bourne* (WR, SF)
HM. Oronde Gadsden II* (TE, LAC)
HM. Harold Fannin Jr.* (TE, CLE)
HM. Chig Okonkwo* (TE, TEN)
* = Mentioned In Previous Article