Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week 6 Best Pickups

In most fantasy football leagues, we are quickly approaching the mid-way point of the regular season. If you're near the top of your standings, then just keep doing what you're doing. But if you're heading for 2-3 or worse, it's probably time to stop being patient. Drop the middle-round pick who has provided late-round production, drop the rookie who you're waiting on to establish a more consistent role, and attack the waiver wire, because there are a handful of useful players still available in most leagues and a number of new, intriguing names after Week 5 action. Even if your team is in good position, it's never a bad idea to look for some stashes to help later in the year, and there are plenty of those available, too. With that in mind, you can click through the gallery for a look at the best waiver-wire pickups to target in anticipation for Week 6. Note that we're strictly looking at players who are owned in more than half of Yahoo leagues. (Getty)

Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 24

In Tom Brady's first game back, Hogan tallied receptions of 43 and 63 yards on his way to four catches (five targets) and a career-high 114 yards. It's not a coincidence that his best game in five seasons was his first with Brady. With the future Hall-of-Famer back under center, this offense is a well-oiled machine, and Hogan, who plays in 2-WR sets, is essentially an every-down player in that offense. The role alone makes him a must-own player moving forward, and while there are a lot of targets to go around in this offense, which could make for some inconsistency, he will have weekly WR3 upside after displaying good chemistry with Brady. (Getty)

Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 34

He should have been picked up last week after his eight-target, six-reception, 79-yard breakout game against the Chiefs, but if he's still available in your league, he should really be picked up now. The athletic freak started Week 5 with a 72-yard touchdown catch--his fifth-straight game with a reception of at least 40 yards--and while he really struggled with drops throughout the game, he was still heavily involved (especially in the red zone) and finished with 11 targets, six receptions, 139 yards and two scores. Once a raw prospect with only his physical gifts to fall back on, he's getting better every week and has quickly developed into the Martavis Bryant role. He's a must-own player in all leagues. (Getty)

Brian Hoyer, QB, Chicago Bears

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 18

After throwing for 619 yards, two touchdown and zero interceptions in his first two starts for the Bears, Hoyer again turned in a huge line Sunday, picking apart the Colts for 397 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and 9.2 yards per attempt. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported before Week 5 that Hoyer would start over a healthy Jay Cutler if he continues to play well, so it certainly looks like this is Hoyer's job moving forward. At the very least, he's an attractive Week 6 streaming option at home against a Jaguars defense that entered Week 5 giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. (Getty)

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 35

Powell is only a waiver-wire target in PPR leagues, where he has now recorded double-digit points in three consecutive weeks. In each of those three weeks, he has received exactly four carries and six receptions, compiling 71, 80 and 50 yards. While the upside isn't massive, Powell is perhaps the most consistent PPR fill-in option at an extremely volatile position. (Getty)

Cam Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 2

Chicago Bears wide receiver targets against the Colts on Sunday: Cameron Meredith 12, Eddie Royal 9, Alshon Jeffery 6. Jeffery appears to be less than 100 percent healthy right now, as he's still yet to score a touchdown on the season and has seen seven, five and six targets in three games with Hoyer under center, while Kevin White is on the IR. That has given Meredith a time to shine, as the second-year receiver put up a monster line Sunday: nine catches, 130 yards and a touchdown. He's still more of a deeper-league pickup, but if you're in need of help at the position, he's an intriguing athletic talent with a quickly increasing role. (Getty)

Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 19

There are reports that Lewis, who is eligible to return from the PUP list in Week 7, is doing well in his return from surgery and is expected to be back on the field soon. Even if he's eased back into action and doesn't return to full health until after the Patriots' Week 9 bye, which may be more realistic, he's still worth stashing if you have space on your bench. An elusive threat in space, he was a legitimate PPR RB1 and standard-league RB2 when healthy last year, and James White hasn't exactly done anything special to suggest Lewis won't get his passing-down role back upon return. (Getty)

Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins

Ownership Percentage (Yahoo): 33

With Arian Foster returning to practice this week and a possibility to return in Week 6, Ajayi is more of a stash/handcuff if you're looking for a potential asset later in the season. Foster is far from a lock to stay healthy, and the Dolphins, after maddeningly going with a four-man running back committee for a couple weeks, made Ajayi the clear lead back this week (he played 31 snaps, while Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake each played seven). The second-year back responded with 13 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown, and had a receiving touchdown called back by penalty. He has low-end RB2 potential in deeper leagues if Foster goes down again, so don't go overboard for him, but also don't remove him from your radar. (Getty)