CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 6

Welcome back to the college football waiver wire watch. Throughout the college football season, we'll pick two guys from every conference who either caught our eye in the previous week or who have an upcoming favorable matchup. As always, we'll answer any questions or comments in the comments section below.

First, though, here are the guys who came through last week and may still be available in your leagues:

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (33.2 points)
Miami of Ohio D/ST (24.5 points)
Braylon Braxton, QB, Southern Miss (23.2 points)
Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky (20.2 points)
Dallen Bentley, TE, Utah (16.9 points)
Gavin Harris, TE, New Mexico State (15.7 points)
Toledo D/ST (12.0 points)
Missouri D/ST (11.5 points)

70+ Club in Upcoming Slate: Here are the college games that have an Over/Under closest to the 70-point mark, which potentially means a plethora of fantasy points. Enjoy these barn burners and roster some players in these games if you can.

65.5 points - Texas State at Arkansas State
63.5 points - Boise State at Notre Dame
61.5 points - Western Kentucky at Delaware
61.5 points - Virginia at Louisville
60.5 points - Kansas State at Baylor

*Fantasy Points referenced are in DraftKings format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

American Conference Waiver Wire Pickups

Brendon Lewis, QB, Memphis (29 Percent Rostered)

Lewis is heating up over his last two games at 34.5 fantasy points per contest. He's been one of the best on the ground all season long with 65 carries for 353 yards and six touchdowns. If he's going to throw multiple touchdowns like he did at FAU in Week 5, he could have elite upside. Memphis looks like it could be the best Group of Five school and it's going to continue lighting up the scoreboard to prove itself to the rest of the nation. Also, look at WR Cortez Braham (4 percent rostered).

Drayden Dickmann, WR, Rice (46 Percent Rostered)

Since Dickmann is still rostered in fewer than 50 percent of leagues, he remains in this article because he ranks second in the nation with a team target share of 40.5 percent. He also has a touchdown in back-to-back games. The Owls' number one receiver should continue to see a healthy number of targets against FAU and UTSA over the next two weeks. Although he's averaging just 9.1 fantasy points per game, his volume suggests that it's only going to go up from here.

Week 5 Rewind: Memphis RB Sutton Smith (3.6 points - 7 ATT, 26 YDS, 1/2 TAR, 0 YDS) & Rice WR Drayden Dickmann (13.5 points - 3/7 TAR, 45 YDS, 1 TD)

ACC Waiver Wire Pickups

Chandler Morris, QB, Virginia (26 Percent Rostered)

Morris has apparently become addicted to scoring touchdowns. In his last two games, the transfer from North Texas has 10 total touchdowns, six through the air, and four on the ground. While he did also throw three interceptions against Florida State, he came up big at the end, and led the team to a massive upset over the Seminoles. He has another big game at Louisville this upcoming week, and it's probable he keeps the touchdowns flowing.

Nate Sheppard, RB, Duke (5 Percent Rostered)

Sheppard could be one of the best true freshman running backs in the country. He certainly played the part at Syracuse in Week 5 with 15 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns to go along with four catches for 33 yards. He's led the backfield in carries for Duke in each of the last two games. The Blue Devils are 3-2 on the season and should see what they have with their young and talented back the rest of the way. If they do that, Sheppard could be a difference maker for fantasy rosters.

Week 5 Rewind: Boston College TE Jeremiah Franklin (2.4 points - 1/3 TAR, 14 YDS) & Florida State RB/WR Micahi Danzy (7.2 points - 3/4 TAR, 42 YDS)

BIG 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Conner Weigman, QB, Houston (26 Percent Rostered)

Weigman's lowest fantasy output through four games has been 19.8 fantasy points. He's averaging 23.8 fantasy points per game with dual-threat production. In fact, he's scored at least one rushing score in each of the last three weeks. He was previously a highly touted prospect before an underwhelming tenure at Texas A&M, so we know he has the potential. I don't love the matchup against Texas Tech this week, but I do love getting a jump-start on him on the waiver wire for the rest of the Big 12 schedule.

Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati (8 Percent Rostered)

Allen had a monster performance at Kansas with 11 catches (on a career-high 14 targets) for 128 yards and a touchdown. He's been a touchdown magnet with five scores over his last three games. He's averaging 7.5 targets per game which suggests he should be rostered in far more leagues than he is. Moreover, the Bearcats' defense is not very good, so they're likely going to play in a ton of shootouts in the Big 12 this year. With so many players transferring in the offseason, it only makes sense that it could take a month or so before we know the best fits, and Allen certainly fits that profile.

Week 5 Rewind: Utah TE Dallen Bentley (16.9 points - 5/5 TAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD) & West Virginia RB Tye Edwards (*DNP - Undisclosed Injury)

Big Ten Waiver Wire Pickups

Luke Lindenmeyer, TE, Nebraska (4 Percent Rostered)

Back in Week 4, Lindenmeyer was tied for second in the nation at the tight end position with nine targets. Against a tough Michigan defense, he grabbed seven catches for 60 yards. The Cornhuskers were on a bye last week, so Lindenmeyer is generally available in most leagues. He's averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game and has an excellent matchup against Michigan State this week. It's also sneaky valuable that Nebraska recently had a bye and will not be off again until Week 12. Tight ends will become increasingly more important as the weather changes in the Midwest.

Griffin Wilde, WR, Northwestern (6 Percent Rostered)

Wilde has at least seven targets in all four games this year. He's coming off his best performance of the year where he converted all seven of his targets for 98 yards and a touchdown in a win over UCLA. The transfer wideout was a stud at South Dakota State in 2024 with 70 catches for 1,147 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's the number one receiver for the Wildcats, and they're heavily favored against UL Monroe this week. Following a tough game at Penn State in Week 7, he's in play against Purdue, Nebraska, and USC after that.

Week 5 Rewind: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (18.9 points - 13/23, 233 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, 8 ATT, 26 YDS) & Iowa QB Mark Gronowski (11.5 points - 19/25, 144 YDS, 1 INT, 8 ATT, 7 YDS, 1 TD *Left w/ Injury)

C-USA Waiver Wire Pickups

Gavin Harris, TE, New Mexico State (1 Percent Rostered)

The tight end position is already tough to predict, and there's a lot of teams on bye in Week 6. Good thing there weren't many fantasy managers who picked up Harris. He has at least three catches in all four games, and he is averaging six targets per contest. His volume suggests he should have more than just his lone touchdown, so look for a score or two against Sam Houston this week.

Nick Minicucci, QB, Delaware (16 Percent Rostered)

At 26.5 fantasy points per game, Minicucci has been one of the best fantasy performers in all of the conference. He's been a high-volume producer at 35.3 passing attempts and 9.8 rushing attempts per game. The high number of opportunities has allowed him to rack up 12 total touchdowns versus just two interceptions through four games. If this volume continues into the conference portion of the schedule, he'll be just fine for fantasy rosters. Be aware that the Blue Hens were just on a bye during Week 5 and have yet another break in Week 7.

Week 5 Rewind: New Mexico State TE Gavin Harris (15.7 points - 6/7 TAR, 97 YDS) & Missouri State QB Jacob Clark (7.3 points - 8/15, 143 YDS, 3 ATT, 16 YDS)

MAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Jacquon Gibson, WR, UMass (19 Percent Rostered)

Gibson leads the nation in target share with 40.6 percent of his team's targets. It's not like the Minutemen don't throw the ball either, as he's averaging 13.0 targets per game. The only reason he's not rostered in more leagues is because UMass recently had road games at Missouri and Iowa. While he wasn't necessarily a play against those defenses, he still combined for 11 catches (on 22 targets) for 67 yards. He's had at least 10 targets in all four games this year. Just imagine what he'll be able to do against MAC defenses which starts this week versus Western Michigan.

Joshua Long, TE, Eastern Michigan (3 Percent Rostered)

Long is available in nearly all leagues, and he has commanded 15.5 percent of his team's targets. At five targets per game, he has amassed 15 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns through five games. With MAC play going into full gear over the next month, Long should see his number of targets increase. It will be a bonus when the weather gets colder as tight end play will be even more prevalent in this part of the country.

Week 5 Rewind: UMass WR Jacquon Gibson (9.0 points - 6/12 TAR, 30 YDS) & Eastern Michigan QB Noah Kim (13.8 points - 17/28, 175 YDS, 1 INT, 8 ATT, 18 YDS, 1 TD)

Mountain West Waiver Wire Pickups

Liam Szarka, QB, Air Force (8 Percent Rostered)

The sophomore had quite the week against Hawaii with a school-record 417 total yards on his way to 39.0 fantasy points. He wasn't really drafted in many fantasy leagues because he's a new face with the Falcons in 2025, and Josh Johnson (1 percent rostered) was considered the starter. He's coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, and he also has five passing touchdowns in Air Force's last two games. While he has also thrown an interception in each of the last three games, he's been too good to not keep him as the starter.

Kyri Shoels, WR, San Jose State (0 Percent Rostered)

Shoels showed out at Stanford with 10 grabs (on 12 targets) for 147 yards and a touchdown on his way to 33.7 fantasy points in Week 5. The best part is that he's available in nearly all leagues, and he is relatively unknown at the moment. It doesn't appear that he's a one-week wonder either as he racked up 13 catches (on 17 targets) for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first three games. The Mountain West has some bad defenses too, so this could be perfect timing to jump on Shoels.

Week 5 Rewind: San Diego State WR Jordan Napier (13.4 points - 6/7 TAR, 52 YDS, 4 ATT, 22 YDS) & Boise State RB Dylan Riley (5.6 points - 16 ATT, 46 YDS, 1/1 TAR, 0 YDS)

SEC Waiver Wire Pickups

Michael Hawkins, QB, Oklahoma (11 Percent Rostered)

With John Mateer's (100 percent rostered) surprising hand surgery, Hawkins becomes Oklahoma's starting QB at the perfect time. The Sooners have a game against Kent State which will allow for them ease Hawkins in. The reason this is a smash spot for fantasy purposes is because Hawkins is a dual-threat quarterback. In the three games where he saw significant action in 2024, he averaged 21.0 passing attempts and 15.3 rushing attempts per game. This Oklahoma squad is much more talented than that team last year, so there's great upside here. One of those weapons is TE Jaren Kanak (45 percent rostered) who leads the nation at the tight end position with 307 receiving yards.

Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky (37 Percent Rostered)

McGowan continues to dominate with the Wildcats as he made it four straight games with a touchdown against South Carolina. He also reeled off his second straight 100-yard rushing performance. He's averaging an impressive 22.0 fantasy points per game. While he does play Georgia and Texas in his next two games, he's the focal point of Kentucky's offense, and the volume is too good to pass up. He's received at least 15 carries in all four games, and he is probably being under-utilized in the passing game right now.

Week 5 Rewind: Kentucky RB Seth McGowan (20.2 points - 17 ATT, 112 YDS, 1 TD) & Mississippi State WR Brenen Thompson (6.3 points - 3/4 TAR, 33 YDS)

Sun Belt Waiver Wire Pickups

Wayne Knight, RB, JMU (5 Percent Rostered)

Knight is one of the most versatile backs in the nation. Not only has he impressed on the ground with 48 carries for 341 yards and three touchdowns at 7.1 yards per carry, he's been busy in the passing game with 13 grabs in four games. He has at least three catches and four targets in all four games this year. The heavy volume of carries has resulted in 19.6 fantasy points per game. With upcoming games against Georgia State, Louisiana, and Old Dominion, he should continue his career year with the Dukes.

Chauncy Cobb, WR, Arkansas State (3 Percent Rostered)

Cobb is coming off his best game of the season with eight catches (on 10 targets) for 126 yards against UL Monroe. He has yet to score his first collegiate touchdown for the Red Wolves, but it has to be coming soon as their number one receiver. Ark State has an explosive matchup upcoming with Texas State as that game has one of Vegas' higher totals for the week. WR Corey Rucker (98 percent rostered) was drafted in most leagues, however, Cobbs has been the more consistent receiver so far.

Week 5 Rewind: App State WR Jaden Barnes (0.0 points - 0/3 TAR) & Southern Miss QB Braylon Braxton (23.2 points - 13/22, 152 YDS, 2 TD, 12 ATT, 41 YDS, 1 TD)

INDEPENDENTS & PAC-12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame (36 Percent Rostered)

No disrespect to teammate Jeremiyah Love (100 percent rostered), but Price has been right there with him from a explosive play standpoint. Love has eight total touchdowns, and Price has seven total touchdowns. With Notre Dame putting so much of their offensive gameplan in the hands of the running backs, it's no surprise to see that they can support a couple of running backs for fantasy starting line-ups. It also looks like Notre Dame opened the season with the two toughest defenses (Miami and Texas A&M) they're going to see all year long.

Week 5 Rewind: Notre Dame QB CJ Carr (33.2 points - 22/30, 354 YDS, 4 TD, 2 ATT, 0 YDS)

DEFENSE & KICKER RECOMMENDATIONS

Defense

Oklahoma (vs. Kent State) - Available in 61 percent of leagues because the Sooners were on a bye in Week 5. They should dominate the MAC opponent.

Old Dominion (vs. Coastal Carolina) - The Monarchs are averaging 9.2 fantasy points per game and have dominated non-power conference opponents. They're available in 93 percent of leagues and Coastal Carolina has struggled this year.

South Florida (vs. Charlotte) - The Bulls are coming off a bye and averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game. Rostered in just 25 percent of leagues currently.

Week 5 Rewind: Missouri vs. UMass (11.5 points - 6 PA, 1 SK, 1 TA), Toledo vs. Akron (12.0 points - 3 PA, 2 SK, 1 TA) & Miami of Ohio vs. Lindenwood (24.5 points - 0 PA, 3 SK, 2 TA, 1 TD)

Kicker

Tate Sandell, Oklahoma - The Sooners could be the highest scoring team in college football this week. Sandell is rostered in just 23 percent of leagues and is averaging 7.8 fantasy points per game.

Nico Gramatica, USF - Trying something new this week, why not recommend the same defenses and kickers? Gramatica is available in 85 percent of leagues and is likely going to have multiple opportunities this week.

Tyler Robles, Texas State - If the other two guys are rostered, Robles is a good option in that game between Texas State and Arkansas State. Rostered in just three percent of leagues and averaging 9.7 fantasy points per game.

Week 5 Rewind: Houston Ethan Sanchez (9.0 points - 2/2 FG, 3/3 XP), Boston College Luca Lombardo (6 points - 1/1 FG, 3/3 XP) & Indiana Nicolas Radicic (8.0 points - 2/2 FG, 2/2 XP)

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: MEM Brendon Lewis, OU Michael Hawkins, AF Liam Szarka

RB: DUKE Nate Sheppard, JMU Wayne Knight, KY Seth McGowan

WR: CIN Cyrus Allen, UMASS Jacquon Gibson, RICE Drayden Dickmann

TE: NMST Gavin Harris, NEB Luke Lindenmeyer, EMU Joshua Long

D/ST: OU (vs. Kent), Old Dominion (vs. CoCar), USF (vs. UNCC)

K: OU Tate Sandell, USF Nico Gramatica, TXST Tyler Robles

Be sure to check out our college football custom rankings and our player rankings cheat sheet for up-to-date season-long rankings, as well as our college football weekly rankings to help guide your lineup decisions. During the season, our college football DFS optimizer and value report are powerful tools to help build DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.