Week 6 Waivers: Claim Tyjae Spears for the Bench

In FCT's Week 5 data, Tyjae Spears caught 9 passes on 9 targets and had 2 carries. Receiving work gave him a way to contribute while handoffs were scarce. We would claim Spears if he is on our wire, then keep him on the bench until another box score shows whether that work continues.

Set the waiver queue around the spot you need to fill. A vacant start calls for opportunities you can use this week; a bench opening gives you time to examine another workload. That choice matters most at running back, where Spears' catches invite a claim but his carries leave a start unsettled.

Pickup of the week

Tyjae Spears is our preferred bench claim because a pass to a running back can matter even when rushing work is scarce. He scored 5.3 half-PPR points in Week 5. The FCT Week 6 projection for Spears is 6.3 half-PPR points at IND. Add him if he is on your wire, but bench him unless his targets continue or his carries rise. If both paths to touches narrow, use that bench spot for another claim.

Normal-league pickups

Put the open starting position at the top of your claim queue. Passing attempts can cover a quarterback vacancy, while repeated targets give a receiver more chances than one productive catch. Claim from these groups if a player is on your wire, and let the lineup opening decide which position comes first.

QB pickups

Quarterback claims

Michael Penix offers the passing-volume choice for an open quarterback start. He attempted 32 passes in Week 5. We would claim Penix first from this group for an immediate start, then check his next attempt count before relying on him again. Jalon Daniels had 7 rushing attempts in Week 5. That ground work gives us another scoring path to consider. Deshaun Watson gained 40 rushing yards in Week 5. Keep Watson behind those options until another box score shows whether the rushing contribution continues.

RB pickups

Running back claims

Tyjae Spears remains our bench choice among these backs because his catches can contribute without a large carry total. Keaton Mitchell had 6 carries and 4 targets in Week 5. Add Mitchell for depth if he is on your wire, then inspect both parts of his workload in the next box score. Corey Kiner gained 52 rushing yards in Week 5. We would place Kiner later in the claim queue and check his next carry count before considering a start.

WR pickups

Wide receiver claims

Keenan Allen gives a manager filling a receiver start a target-based choice. He drew 9 targets in Week 5. Claim Allen first from this group if he is on your wire. Makai Lemon drew 7 targets in Week 5. Claim Lemon for the bench if you can wait to see whether those chances continue. Tez Johnson gained 64 yards on his only target in Week 5. Keep Tez Johnson on the bench until a later box score shows a broader receiving workload.

TE pickups

Tight end claims

Dalton Schultz is our claim for an open tight end start. He caught 3 of 4 targets in Week 5. The FCT Week 6 projection for Schultz is 6.7 half-PPR points at JAX. Claim him if he is on your wire and the position needs an immediate answer.

Evan Engram caught all 4 of his targets in Week 5. Add Engram for depth, then see whether passes keep coming his way. Elijah Higgins gained 57 receiving yards in Week 5. Leave Higgins on the bench until another box score clarifies his target workload.

Deeper pickups

A thin waiver queue can make an unused bench spot valuable even when your starters are set. Claim the following players if they are on your wire and you can wait for another game. Snaps, carries, passing attempts and targets in the next box score should decide whether each stash stays.

Deeper QB pickups

Deeper quarterback claims

Daniel Jones gives us the passing-workload choice in this deeper group. He attempted 44 passes in Week 5. Claim Jones first here if a quarterback start is open. Sam Darnold attempted 29 passes in Week 5. Stash Darnold if the start can wait, then check whether that passing work continues. Geno Smith attempted 30 passes in Week 5. Hold Smith as another bench choice until his next attempt count helps settle a start decision.

Deeper RB pickups

Deeper running back claims

TreVeyon Henderson needs more work before a stash becomes a start. He had 4 carries in Week 5. Stash Henderson if he is on your wire and your bench has space; wait for more touches before starting him. Tyrone Tracy drew 3 targets in Week 5. Check Tracy's next receiving workload while leaving him on the bench. Pierre Strong had 5 carries and 4 targets in Week 5. We would inspect both totals again before moving Strong into a lineup.

Deeper WR pickups

Deeper wide receiver claims

Chris Godwin is the immediate-start choice among these deeper receivers. He caught 3 passes in Week 5. The FCT Week 6 projection for Godwin is 8.1 half-PPR points vs. PIT, the highest Week 6 projection among these deeper receivers. Claim him if he is on your wire, then check kickoff news before committing to a start.

Josh Cameron drew 6 targets in Week 5. Consider Cameron for a bench spot and use his next target count to decide whether to keep him. Jahan Dotson caught 2 passes in Week 5. We would wait for another look at Dotson's targets before relying on him.

Deeper TE pickups

Deeper tight end claims

Cade Otton's playing time makes his next target count worth checking. He played 66 offensive snaps in Week 5. Add Otton first from this deeper group if you need tight end depth, then see how often those snaps turn into receiving chances. Theo Johnson drew 3 targets in Week 5. Leave Theo Johnson on the bench while checking his next receiving workload. Mason Taylor caught 3 passes in Week 5. Claim Taylor for depth if he is on your wire, and revisit the choice after his next game.

Claim order

Put Keenan Allen first for a receiver vacancy and Dalton Schultz first for a tight end start, provided either is on your wire. When those starting spots are covered, use a bench claim on Tyjae Spears. After the next game, check Spears' targets alongside his carries: hold him if the receiving work continues, but seek another claim if both paths to touches narrow.