Fantasy Football: Top 5 players to add for Week 6

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) defended by Baltimore Ravens safety Will Hill (33) and linebacker CJ Mosley (57) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

If your fantasy football team has been crippled by injuries or bad drafting, or if you just need a boost for a playoff run, consider adding these top 5 players to your lineup.

The process of building a successful fantasy football team only begins with the draft. Fantasy team owners that find themselves off to a hot start need to remain diligent and prepared to make any potentially beneficial roster changes. And on the bright side, struggling fantasy teams can fight their way back into contention with a few strategic waiver wire moves.

This week, rather than using labels like “sleeper” or “bust” to rate players, I’m going to keep it simple. The following are five potentially available players that can help your fantasy team for the rest of the season.

Next: 5. Chief Running Back in KC

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) in the second half of the game at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Kansas City 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

5. Charcandrick West

Let me prefix this section by noting that, if you were a Jamaal Charles owner, you have my condolences. I am too.

If you don’t play in a keeper league, feel free to drop Charles. ACL tears are typically season-ending injuries. If you do play in a keeper league, consider shopping Charles. Selling low in fantasy is never ideal, but neither is building a fantasy team around an injury prone running back.

Regardless of whether or not you owned Charles, consider picking up his probable replacement, Charcandrick West. Although it was suspected at the start of the season that Knile Davis would be the No. 2 back in Kansas City, West dominated Davis in terms of carries and yards following the Charles injury (7 carries for 31 yards vs. 2 carries for 2 yards). Monitor both players going forward, but if you have to grab one, West is the better option.

Next: 4. Big Target in Cleveland

4. Gary Barnidge

After a slow start to the season, Browns tight end Gary Barnidge has caught fire. He has posted three consecutive games with at least 75+ receiving yards and a touchdown. If your fantasy team needs a tight end, it is time to add Barnidge.

If someone else already added Barnidge in your league, monitor his status. The Browns face a brutal matchup against the Broncos defense in Week 6. If Barnidge suffers a hiccup this week, inpatient owners may drop him. Be ready to pounce if he becomes available.

The Browns might surprise many this week if they can utilize Barnidge in a primary role and if by any chance they defeat the Broncos, his fantasy value will skyrocket once it’s all said and done.

Next: 3. An Intriguing Special Teamer

Oct 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars running back Corey Grant (33) and James Michael-Johnson (52) chase Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey (43) during the second half of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bobby Rainey

If your league does not award points for players’ special teams production, feel free to skip to the next slide.

But if you happen to be in a league where players can earn points for kick/ punt returns, consider picking up Buccaneers’ running back Bobby Rainey. As a traditional running back, Rainey has been an average option at best. He’s never posted a season with more than 566 rushing yards or 5 rushing touchdowns.

However, as a special teams player, Rainey has been solid all season. He is the primary kick and punt returner for Tampa Bay, and has yet to post a game with less than 75 all-purpose yards. Going forward, Rainey should continue to rack up yards as a special teamer. Grab him now. Just don’t start him Week 6 when the Buccaneers are on bye.

Next: 2. Dynamic Receiving Threat in Jacksonville

Oct 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

2. Allen Hurns

Because there’s a litany of different kinds of fantasy football leagues -with different amounts of teams and unique scoring systems- I try to provide a wide variety of different options for fantasy players.

With that in mind, Jaguars’ wide receiver Allen Hurns is already owned in many fantasy leagues. But, for at least a third or so of you reading, he should still be available. He’s been quietly making some noise so far this season.

Considering his amazing slew of impressive stat lines to start the season (60, 68, 70, 116, and 116 receiving yards through his first five games, respectively), anyone who can still add Hurns should pounce on the opportunity.

Next: 1. Another Jaguar?!?!

Oct 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas warms up prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

1. Julius Thomas

Prior to joining Jacksonville, Julius Thomas was one of the most dominant tight ends in the league. He posted back to back campaigns of 12 touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. Along with Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, anyone who wanted Thomas on their fantasy team would have to expend a high draft pick.

However, a move to a new team and an injury that caused him to miss the first few games of the season have caused Thomas’ value to plummet. Some even believe he won’t post similar stats because he doesn’t have Peyton Manning throwing to him anymore.

Thomas returned to action last week, hauling in two passes for 20 yards. If you’re fortunate enough to play in a league where he is still available on the wavier wire, take a chance on Thomas. Assuming he’s able to replicate any of his past success against the upcoming Houston Texans, he will not be available for long.

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Fantasy Football: Top 5 players to add for Week 6

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