Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Week 6 waiver targets: Opportunity knocks for these unexpected stars

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 8:53 AM ET

Opportunity is everything when it comes to fantasy football.

These players made the most of theirs in Week 5 and could cash in again in Week 6.

RB Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals

With running back James Conner out for the season with an ankle injury and Trey Benson on injured reserve with a torn meniscus, Arizona promoted Carter from its practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of last week’s game with the Tennessee Titans.

A former fourth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2021, Carter saw 23 touches on Sunday, rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while catching all five targets for 22 yards, good enough for 18.30 fantasy points, ninth-most among running backs in Week 5.

Teammate Emari Demercado saw no targets and just three carries on Sunday and would have scored a 72-yard touchdown had he not carelessly dropped the ball before crossing the goal line. He still finished with 81 yards but will likely find himself in head coach Jonathan Gannon’s dog house.

IT HAPPENED AGAIN

Cardinals have a 72-yd TD taken off the board pic.twitter.com/BMDvEYklhC
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 5, 2025

Carter should continue to work as the team’s lead back on the road against the Indianapolis Colts next week.

Carter remains available in 61 percent of leagues.

RB Rico Dowdle | Carolina Panthers

By running for 206 yards and a score against the Miami Dolphins, Dowdle finished Week 5 with a league-high 32.40 fantasy points. The 27-year-old running back led the Dallas Cowboys in rushing with 1,079 yards last season, but had only 28 carries through four games behind starting running back Chuba Hubbard.

Hubbard missed Sunday’s game with a calf injury after missing the last two games of the 2024 season with a calf strain. Even if he returns for Week 6, Carolina will surely use him cautiously after Dowdle’s breakout performance in Miami.

This week, the Panthers travel to Arlington, Texas where Dowdle will look to prove a point against his former Cowboys teammates.

Dowdle remains available in 42 percent of leagues.

TE Theo Johnson | New York Giants

Johnson made our list of stash-worthy players prior to the regular season and had a breakout performance with six catches for 33 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The second-year tight end finished with 21.30 fantasy points and now has three touchdowns in his last two games. Somebody had to step up once wide receiver Malik Nabers went on season-ending IR, and right now Johnson looks to be the favorite target of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

This week, the Giants will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football, four days after the Eagles allowed former Giants tight end Evan Engram to catch a touchdown pass in a 21-17 loss to the Denver Broncos.

At 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds, Johnson’s athleticism should keep him on the field where he’ll make an excellent target for Dart. As long as he continues to see 80 percent of offensive snaps, he’s a must-have player at a difficult position.

Johnson remains available in 89 percent of leagues.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

More must-reads: