DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 07: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans during the game at Empower Field At Mile High on September 07, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)
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Injuries continue to alter the fantasy football landscape. In Week 5, we saw Omarion Hampton suffer an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve. In addition to players seeing increased fantasy value because of injuries, others could see their stock plummet because of a declining role or disappointing performance. Here are the top Week 6 fantasy football risers and fallers to keep in mind for your waiver wire claims, lineup decisions, and long-term roster strategy.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Risers
Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Nix led the Broncos to victory over the Eagles in Week 5 with 242 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, and one touchdown. After posting 33 total touchdowns last season, Nix has nine scores through five games. His next three games are against the Jets, Giants, and Cowboys, who have combined to allow 29 passing touchdowns and record just four total interceptions. Nix is worth starting in fantasy for each matchup.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
Henderson is still stuck behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the Patriots’ depth chart, but he lost some competition for carries with Antonio Gibson tearing his ACL in Week 5. Stevenson lost yet another fumble in the same game, giving him three lost fumbles for the season. If he continues to struggle to protect the ball, Henderson could be thrust into a heavier workload. Henderson has disappointed with just 31 carries over five games, but better days could be on the horizon. He has RB2 upside in fantasy.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Njoku wasn’t great with Joe Flacco under center for the Browns, posting 40 or fewer receiving yards in each of his first four games. With Dillon Gabriel taking over in Week 5, Njoku caught six passes for 67 yards and one touchdown. The key was, he was targeted a season-high nine times. Njoku can be a reliable safety valve for the rookie quarterback, so consider him a TE1 moving forward.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Fallers
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco has not topped 45 rushing yards in a game this season, but that’s not even his biggest concern. He does not have a rushing touchdown, with the Chiefs giving him just four total red zone carries. Meanwhile, his teammate Kareem Hunt has three rushing touchdowns on 10 red zone carries. The Chiefs seem to prefer Hunt when they get in close, so Pacheco isn’t worth starting in fantasy right now.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard (calf) sat out Week 5 against the Dolphins. In his absence, Rico Dowdle ran 23 times for 206 yards and one touchdown. While Hubbard should remain the Panthers’ starter when healthy, Dowdle’s emergence in Week 5 could earn him more carries moving forward. Instead of being a reliable RB2, Hubbard could be more of a flex option moving forward.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson has finished with fewer than 40 receiving yards in four of five games. His average depth of target is just 4.8 yards, which doesn’t leave him with much upside. Combine that with Jordan Addison being back from suspension and Hockenson should only be started in deeper fantasy formats.
Takeaway
A combination of injuries and leading roles have resulted in the fantasy values of Nix, Henderson, and Njoku being on the rise. Pacheco, Hubbard, and Hockenson have seen their fantasy values fall as the season has moved along. Staying ahead of these trends is key to winning matchups — check out our Week 6 Fantasy Football Sleepers article for more fantasy football insights.