As I write this, it’s hard to get the image of Dak Prescott’s gruesome injury out of my head. This is on a par with Joe Theisman (also on MNF), Napoleon McCallum and in baseball, Moises Alou. So glad he got immediate care from one of the leading surgeons, so we’re all hoping for him to attack his rehab as well as he did the Washington defense.

But the NFL is about next man up, and in the loco season of 2020 that is unlike any other, what continues to be true is that we move forward. It’s time to look ahead to Week 6, and if you have Dak on your roster with no backup, the option is to play the streaming game or a platoon. Si se puede. There are options out there (even if you’re in 2-QB or Super Flex leagues).

And it’s time to grab the player who, if he’s not the next breakout rookie WR, at the very least he’s a boom-bust player whom you need on your roster. Along with other options that could be good grabs for your roster this week and going forward.

Here we go with Los Waivers for Week 6:

QUARTERBACK

STREAMER OF THE WEEK
Kirk Cousins vs. ATL
32%
Yes, the Vikings have been more run-oriented this season, and Cousins has yet to throw for 300 yards, but the Falcons are giving up 30.2 fantasy points per game to QBs, which is the most by 6 ahead of #2. Cousins has been doing a good job of finding Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, who can feast on the Atlanta secondary.

Ryan Tannehill vs. HOU
48%
Cousins and Gardner Minshew went for 260 and 301 yards, respectively, against the Texans’ D. Tannehill now has A.J. Brown back, and with the Titans already having had their bye, there is no worry of sitting the QB. Houston is in the middle of the pack allowing 18.4 Fantasy PPG to the QB, but this game has definite shootout potential.

Daniel Jones vs. WAS
34%
So Jones had a great matchup against the Cowboys and finished with 222 yards passing. Here’s another great matchup with Washington, which is #5 in giving up 21.4 Fantasy PPG to QBs. The difference this week is that the Giants are home. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick @ DEN
21%
Fresh off throwing for 350 yards against the 49ers, Fitzpatrick goes to Mile High to take on a defense that’s tied with Washington by allowing 21.4 Fantasy PPG. As the Bronco secondary heals up, it’s time for some Fitz Magic.

Andy Dalton vs AZ
3%
Next Man up! It’s Dalton’s turn to take over the command of the offense. Local writers have said Dalton is the best backup QB the Cowboys have had. He still has the full complement of offensive weapons that is the envy of the league, so someone should be open regularly. Matthew Stafford and Teddy Bridgewater have feasted on the Cardlinal defense, which just lost sack specialist Chandler Jones. 

RUNNING BACK

RB PICKUP OF THE WEEK
Alexander Mattison vs. ATL
41%
Subbing in for Dalvin Cook, Mattison ran 20 times for 112 yards in the second half. Early reports are calling for Cook to sit out Week 6 against the Falcons. Mattison would be great insurance in case Cook is out this week, and any others. Getting a starting RB on waivers for a run-oriented team is very rare this time of year. Keep in mind the Vikings have a bye week 7.

J.D. McKissic @ NYG
6%
This is really a dart throw if you need a RB because of byes, injuries or other. McKissic wasn’t much of a factor in the running game – 1 carry for 3 yards – but he did catch 6 of 8 targets for 46 yards. The Giants haven’t been able to stop anyone, and are 12th against RBs in Fantasy PPG against with 21.0. 

WIDE RECEIVER

Chase Claypool vs. CLE
17%
Wow! That’s all that really can be said after Claypool caught 7 of 11 targets for 110 yards and 3 TD, adding another rushing TD from the 2. We’ve seen glimpses of the speed-size combo, but with Diontae Johnson out Claypool exploded with opportunities. Keep in mind, he won’t reach these heights again – a slew of Hall of Famers have played for the Steelers since the last time the team had a player score 4 TDs in 1968 – so don’t be disappointed on weeks Claypool scores just one TD. The Browns’ secondary is injured and #3 in fantasy points allowed to WR at 31.1.

Travis Fulgham vs. BAL
3%
He had 3 targets coming into this game. That’s right, 3! So no one saw him getting 13 targets and catching 10 for 152 yards and a TD against Pittsburgh’s stout defense (well, not so much against the pass). With so many WR hurt for the Eagles, Fulgham has to be taken seriously. Just be cautious of this week’s matchup against the Ravens, who are allowing just over 160 yards per game to WR and a paltry 18.5 Fantasy PPG to the position.

Brandin Cooks @ TEN
44%
Cooks looked cooked after getting a big fat 0 in Week 4. Let me repeat myself: We manage our teams for the week ahead, not the one behind. Cooks finishing with 8 receptions on 12 targets for 161 yards and 1 TD against the Jaguars showed that he is still a viable play with Deshaun Watson as his QB. The Titans are allowing 25.6 Fantasy PPG to WR, so Cooks is playable this week.

Henry Ruggs BYE
44%
This play is only if you have the room on your bench to stash Ruggs during his bye week. That 72-yard bomb showed why he was the first WR picked in the NFL Draft, and what Las Vegas Review Journal beat writer Vinny Bonsignore told us that Derek Carr did want to go deep with the right weapons. It’s a tough matchup against Tampa Bay coming off the bye in Week 7, but then the schedule lets up afterward.

Christian Kirk @ DAL
34%
Kirk had his most targets of the season (7) on the way to catching 5 balls for 78 yards. The WR2 for the Cardinals has been there for the taking, and Kirk is the first one taking a step forward. Look at the matchup. Dallas has given up 9 TDs to WR this year, and 32.6 Fantasy PPG. Then Seattle follows a week later. Grab Kirk, pronto!

Mecole Hardman @ BUF
40%
I never loved the idea of calling Hardman a “handcuff WR.” I always thought he was more of a boom player waiting for the opportunities. With Sammy Watkins hurt, those opportunities are coming. He’s still at best the 3rd option in the passing game, but with Patrick Mahomes pitching it, that’s all you need. Especially with Buffalo’s stout secondary battling injuries, this could be a breakout opportunity for Hardman.

N’Keal Harry vs. DEN
32%
It’s hard to forget the 12 targets that Harry got Week 2. Yes, it was Seattle. But that was also with Cam Newton playing QB, which should be the case in Week 6. Denver has been bad against the WR position (27.4 Fantasy PPG), so this could be a week to sneak Harry into a flex role.

Preston Williams vs. NYJ
22%
Williams busted out with a great matchup against the 49ers’ decimated secondary to finish with 4 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD. The Jets have not put up much of a fight against WR, allowing 23.8 Fantasy PPG. Ryan Fitzpatrick is definitely looking for him, so he could be a good bye-week streamer.

STREAMING KICKER OF THE WEEK

Chris Boswell vs. CLE
18%
The Browns have allowed only 323 yards to RB this season, which could mean stalled drives that lead to FG. Boswell made 29 of 31 FG last year, and is perfect on 5 attempts this year. 

STREAMING DEFENSE OF THE WEEK

Washington @ NYG
7%
Let’s hark back to Week 1, when the Washington D-line manhandled the Eagles and sacked Carson Wentz 8 times. The Giants have not been able to do a good job protecting Jones and Chase Young is healthy. Washington could pile up points with sacks. 

KICKER