As fantasy football enters Week 6 with four teams on a bye, the waiver wire offers limited but valuable pickup opportunities for fantasy managers. Mike Barner highlights five players who are underutilized yet poised to make an impact in their upcoming games. These players have the potential to provide key points, especially given their increased roles due to injuries or favorable matchups.

Pat Freiermuth of the Pittsburgh Steelers is a top tight end option, seeing more targets as the team faces a depletion of wide receivers. Following a two-touchdown game in Week 5, Freiermuth is set to face the Buccaneers, a team that has been vulnerable to tight ends this season. Keenan Allen of the Indianapolis Colts also stands out; after returning from a groin injury, Allen continues to command a high target share with key teammates sidelined, making him valuable in point-per-reception (PPR) formats.

Tyler Higbee from the Los Angeles Rams has repeatedly shown strong performance recently, especially with fellow tight end Terrance Ferguson on injured reserve. His consistent snaps and targets, combined with an upcoming matchup against a high-scoring Arizona Cardinals team, suggest he could be a reliable scoring option. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper has stepped up with injuries in the receiving corps, finding the end zone multiple times and emerging as a key red zone target, especially if DeVonta Smith remains out for Week 6.

Lastly, Kendre Miller of the New Orleans Saints is a noteworthy addition for those in deeper leagues, sharing carries with Alvin Kamara while Travis Etienne Jr. remains on injured reserve. Miller’s recent touchdown and the Saints’ favorable matchup against a weaker run defense make him a sleeper pick. These five players together provide fantasy managers with promising prospects to bolster their lineups as the season progresses.