Fantasy Football Alert: Top Ten Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 6)

K, Dallas Cowboys
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 21.0%

As long as Tony Romo stays consistently shaky in the redzone, Bailey will continue to consistently produce points. He has made 15 of his16 attempts this season and has kicked at least three field goals in each of the past four games. We imagine the Cowboys will keep continue to keep him busy.

TE, New York Giants
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 2.0%

If you have gone this far into a season and are still looking for a reliable tight end, Ballard just might be your answer. If not, he’s a solid backup now that bye weeks are in full effect. The Giants offense has been rolling as of late, and Ballard has benefited with two straight games of at least 72 yards and two touchdowns in the past three games.

WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 36.3%

This is probably a pickup more for 12 or 14-team leagues. QB Andy Dalton just had his best game of the season, though it was against the Colts, completing 78% of his passes. Six of those went to Simpson for 101 yards. A.J. Green is easily the No. 1 target, but Simpson should continue to get decent looks.

RB, Cleveland Browns
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 15.4%

The source of this suggestion roots directly from all the rumors and strange occurrences surrounding Peyton Hillis lately. Hillis has been held out of a game by his agent because of strep throat, he has seen a drop in both playing time and production, and he is now dealing with a hamstring injury. Rumors that he was going to get traded were shut down by coach Pat Shurmur, but this seems like a really rocky relationship for both parties. If Hillis falls out of favor or continues to have injury issues, Hardesty will be the immediate benefactor.

RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 66.1%

If you read our weekly Start or Sit? articles, you would have seen that LeGarrette Blount was going to be out and Graham was set to get the start. He more than met the challenge with 109 yards on only 17 carries and was a crucial piece in the Bucs huge win over the Saints. We consider Graham a handcuff, meaning anytime Blount loses carries or sits out, he is an immediate play. Pick him up and keep a close eye on Blount’s injury.

WR, St. Louis Rams
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 4.4%

For those unfamiliar with Alexander, he is a dude that actually beat out Philly WR Jeremy Maclin at Mizzou before falling victim to one of the five knee surgeries he has endured throughout his career. Three of the surgeries have been ACL tears, one for a cartilage chip, and last year’s was arthroscopic knee surgery. The surgeries have cost him plenty of time on the field, not to mention missing the NFL Combine and going undrafted, but he put an impressive end on his college career. In his final record-breaking season at Mizzou, he had 113 catches, 1,781 yards, and 14 TDs and  showed flashes last year for the Rams that have kept hope alive. In 2011, Alexander is popping up on the radar once again. In Week 2 he had 122 yards and a TD, and in Week 6 against Green Bay he put up six receptions for 91 yards. While the recent acquisition of Brandon Lloyd puts a dent in Alexander’s value, he surely has the skill set to be Bradford’s go-to man if he stays healthy.

RB, Dallas Cowboys
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 3.3%

Though he only had 10 carries, Murray led the Cowboys rushing attack against the Patriots after Felix Jones left the game with a high ankle sprain. Murray wasn’t particularly effective, collecting only 35 yards, but he surely is more favored than Tashard Choice after Choice lost a fumble in the first quarter. He is set to start if Jones can’t go, and that makes him a nice flex option this week.

WR, Denver Broncos
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 0.2%

This could be one of the biggest in-season turnarounds for a player if things go how we think they will. No. 1 Broncos receiver Brandon Lloyd was traded to the St. Louis Rams, and ESPN reports are saying that WR Eddie Royal’s status is also up in the air. If Royal goes, then Thomas is going to become a starter the second his finger is fully healthy.

WR, Cleveland Browns
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 8.0%

Little was named a starter coming off a bye week and saw 12 targets against Oakland in his first game in the spotlight. The rookie out of North Carolina has caught six passes in each of the past two games and is only going to get better as he continues to work more with Colt McCoy and they develop a rhythm. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the No. 1 receiver.

WR, Green Bay Packers
Owned in ESPN Leagues: 65.1%

He hasn't been getting a ton of receptions, but what he's been lacking in catches, he has made up for with touchdowns. After complaining earlier in the season about not getting enough attention, Jones has now completed three straight games with one score in each. He is a must-start in deep leagues and should be spot started at the flex in leagues with 10 teams.