As we get ready for Week 6 of the 2023 NFL Season, we enter our first critical period of the fantasy football season. Many fantasy managers will face their first serious roster decisions of the season. For managers who lost players to injury in Week 5, this may be their only chance to stay afloat. So let’s take a look at my Week 6 IDP Waiver Wire Targets for fantasy football.
* I will be using ESPN Fantasy Football Rostership & for this Week 6 Waiver Wire article. I will also attempt to give several options at each position, for varying league sizes. The dollar value next to the player’s name is the desired amount of FAAB with a $100 budget.
Defensive Linemen
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions($25)
Week 6 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rostership: 28.7%
How Hutchinson is still available in more than 70% of IDP leagues is mind-boggling. Maybe the public is slow to buy in on the new-look Detroit Lions, but I’m not. Hutchinson has recorded 16 or more fantasy points in three straight games racking up three or more tackles in another three. He has 4.5 sacks on the season and has chipped in one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered.
Hutchinson has defensive player of the year written all over him, add him now if he’s available in your league.
Shallow League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Aidan Hutchinson, DET (28.7% rostered), Harold Landry, TEN (25.6% rostered), Jonathon Cooper, DEN (26.0% rostered)
Deeper League Options (10 to 25% Rostership): Derrick Brown, CAR (15.3% rostered), Zaven Collins, ARI (20.1% rostered), Daron Payne, WSH (16.8% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 10% Rostership): Byron Young, LAR (9.8% rostered), Ed Oliver, BUF (7.3% rostered), AJ Epenesa, BUF (6.6% rostered)
Linebackers
Alex Anzalone, Detroit Lions ($5)
Week 6 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rostership: 5.3%
Anzalone is the second of my trio of Lions defenders. He has had five or more tackles in all five games and exploded for 11 in Week 5. His snap share hit a season-high of 69% in Week 5. He was a noticeable force on the defensive side of the ball.
He has been a key cog in the revamped Lions defense and is going to be a league-winner in the second half of the season. Add this low-cost linebacker before someone else does.
Shallow League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Terrel Bernard, BUF (43.8% rostered), Quincy Williams, NYJ (36.8% rostered), Cody Barton, WSH (31.9%)
Deeper League Options (10 to 25% Rostership): Frankie Luvu, CAR (22.6% rostered), Jordan Hicks, MIN (19.6% rostered), Ja’Whaun Bentley, NE (13.6% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 10% Rostership): David Long, MIA (6.4% rostered), Kaden Elliss, ATL (7.0% rostered), Alex Anzalone, DET (5.3% rostered)
Defensive Backs
Brian Branch, Detroit Lions ($15)
Week 6 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rostership: 8.3%
Branch has had seven or more tackles in two straight games before missing Week 5 with an ankle injury. Week 4 saw him hit a career-high of 67% snaps.
Branch looked like he was on pace for a rookie season breakout. He could easily find his way into the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the year. He is a must-add stud defender who is only available due to his current injury status.
Shallow League Options (25 to 50% Rostership): Kamren Curl, WSH (36.1% rostered), Reed Blankenship, PHI (41.6% rostered), Dax Hill, CIN (26.9%)
Deeper League Options (10 to 25% Rostership): Camryn Bynum, MIN (24.4% rostered), Jordan Whitehead, NYJ (19.5% rostered), DeShon Elliott, MIA (18.8% rostered)
Dart Throw Options (Less than 10% Rostership): Grant Delpit, CLE (9.6% rostered), K’Von Wallace, ARI (8.6% rostered), Brian Branch, DET (8.3% rostered)
If you like Fantasy Football 2023: Week 6 Waiver Wire Targets. Head over to our rankings page for a full breakdown.
