Fantasy Football: Week 6 Watch List Candidates
Scouring the waiver wire can be a daunting and time-consuming task due to the sheer amount of talent that is usually available in a league each and every week. The purpose of this article is to identify players who should be put on watch lists so that fantasy owners can be proactive and aware of potential free agent gems over the course of the 2018 regular season. Keep in mind that the names listed below are owned in a small percentage of leagues, but nonetheless offer statistical upside and therefore warrant our attention. Week 5 consisted of names like Keke Coutee and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Now, let’s look ahead to Week 6 and players to watch for.
TE Geoff Swaim, Cowboys (12% Owned)
As it stands, the Dallas Cowboys lack talent at the wide receiver position. Due to this shortage of depth, TE Geoff Swaim has been asked to take on a larger role in 2018 than initially expected. So far, he has accumulated 14 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown across 19 targets. Even more, Swaim has hauled in at least 3 catches in four different games this season. For fantasy purposes, Geoff is merely a TE2 with streaming appeal. Stash or place him on watch lists and monitor if his usage continues to trend up over the next few weeks before thinking about placing him in a lineup.
WR Josh Reynolds, Rams (2% Owned)
With Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp both dealing with documented concussions from last week, Josh Reynolds warrants a speculative add in most scoring formats. In the event that Cooks or Kupp are forced to miss time now or in the future, Reynolds will enter the WR3 conversation in starting lineups. The Texas A&M product only has 13 career receptions to his name in the NFL, but his 6’ 3” body frame complements the Rams aerial attack as a vertical field stretcher. At the very least, Reynolds should be placed on watch lists leading up to Week 6 while details surrounding the availability of Cooks and Kupp become more clear.
RB Rod Smith, Cowboys (2% Owned)
Handcuffs are often overvalued or a complete waste of space on a roster, but some carry tremendous upside. Rod Smith fits the latter end of that description behind Ezekiel Elliott, as the Dallas Cowboys are paper thin in terms of depth at the running back position. In 2018, Zeke has recorded 93 carries for 480 yards (1st in the NFL) and two rushing touchdowns. He has done so while dealing with various ankle and knee injuries. Smith has managed to sprinkle in 10 rushes for 37 yards this season, and a remains a sound insurance policy for Elliott owners in fantasy.
RB Josh Adams, Eagles (1% Owned)
Opportunity is paramount in fantasy football and Josh Adams now has a realistic chance to showcase his talent in Philadelphia. Jay Ajayi tore his ACL last week, which leaves Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood atop the Eagles running back depth chart. Adams figures to carve out a role too, and his college pedigree indicates that he might even become relevant in fantasy as well. In his final season at Notre Dame in 2017, Adams silently ran for 1,430 yards with nine rushing touchdowns. His production is overlooked because he was not selected in this year’s draft, but his talent is undeniable. Monitor his production this Thursday night against the New York Giants and acquire him via free agency if he impresses in the contest.
RB Jamaal Charles, Jaguars (11% Owned)
With rumors circulating that Leonard Fournette could be held out until after Jacksonville’s Week 9 bye to rest his hamstring, T.J. Yeldon appears to be locked in as a borderline RB1 until further notice. Since Corey Grant sustained a Lisfranc injury this past week, the Jaguars are suddenly in desperate need of help alongside Yeldon at the tailback position. Enter Jamaal Charles, a 31-year-old who averaged 4.3 yards per carry with the Denver Broncos in 2017 on merely 69 rushing attempts. Charles is far from the elite talent that he used to be but belongs on watch lists in the event that he earns regular snaps for Jacksonville in Fournette’s absence.