Fantasy football bye weeks are in play again in Week 6. Here's looking at the notable players from Minnesota and Houston who need replacing in starting lineups and the best options.
What fantasy football players have a Week 6 bye? Best pickups to replace Vikings, Texans in lineups originally appeared on The Sporting News
Bye weeks can come at fantasy football players fast. The 2025 NFL season is no exception as the second set of teams will be out of action in Week 6.
Navigating bye weeks is a part of a winning fantasy strategy. Although you don't want to go overboard with an extreme roster makeover with a few players off, you still want to maximize your lineup while some regular starting options are out.
Here's what teams are idle in Week 6 and what players need to be best replaced.
MORE: Complete fantasy football bye-week schedule
What NFL teams have a Week 6 bye in 2025?
The Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans are the next two teams on bye this week.
By position, here are the notable skill players not playing:
- Quarterbacks: Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy, C..J. Stroud
- Running backs: Jordan Mason, Nick Chubb, Woody Marks
- Wide receivers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Nico Collins
- Tight ends: T.J. Hockenson, Dalton Schultz
- Kickers: Will Reichard, Kai'mi Fairbairn
You could find many of these names already reside on your league's Week 6 waiver wire (or even leftover from the Week 5 FAAB pickups list).
Best bye-week QB pickups for Week 6
With only Stroud and Wentz/McCarthy out, this is more for deeper streamers and superflex/two-QB leagues.
Bryce Young, Panthers (19% rostered in Yahoo! leagues): Young gets a second straight sweet home matchup (where he's much better than road games) against the Cowboys after the Dolphins came to Charlotte in Week 5. He is a volume-based play for garbage points against a weak pass defense.
Mac Jones, 49ers (4%): Jones had to start again for Brock Purdy in Week 5, so he might need to go again for a fourth time in potential high-scoring affair with Baker Mayfield, hopefully with some key receiving help back after the mini-bye.
Best bye-week RB pickups for Week 6
Don't go crazy trying to find one-week RB2 or FLEX options for Mason, Chubb or Marks. You might have solid options already on your roster, even at wide receiver.
Kendre Miller, Saints (28%): Miller looked good running in Buffalo in Week 4 and is getting more power touches behind Alvin Kamara. He can produce well at home against the Patriots after seeing the Giants well there in Week 5.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (13%):Rodriguez's team is trying to figure out the right backfield mix but however considering that, Washington should be able to run well all-around on Chicago.
Keep tabs on start-sit tips during Week 6 with our weekly fantasy rankings.
Best bye-week WR pickups for Week 6
This is where you want to consider the most options with mounting injuries, upcoming busier buys, and not having either Jefferson or Collins to ball out for you as WR1s.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (50%): Doubs was a TD machine with a troika against the Cowboys in Week 4 before the bye. He can burn the Bengals well for another score and an efficient receiving day.
Calvin Austin III, Steelers (13%): Austin's speed and quickness can give the Browns some problems for a pass defense that can struggle on the road.
Elic Ayomanor, Titans (32%): Ayomanor has been flashing as best he can in a struggling passing game with Cam Ward. He can let loose a little more against the Raiders.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens (32%): Bateman is hard to trust long-term in a crowd of Ravens' receivers, especially with Lamar Jackson likely to miss Week 6. But Cooper Rush should want to target Bateman well against the Rams' weakness at corner in likely trail mode.
Troy Franklin, Broncos (29%): Franklin is starting to feel it as the No. 2 for his former Oregon teammate Bo Nix. He can crank up the big-play speed against the Jets' secondary away from Sauce.
Tre Tucker, Raiders (47%): Tucker has been a big-play scorer so far and the Titans can give up plenty in that way.
Best bye-week TE pickups for Week 6
Brenton Strange, Jaguars (38%): Strange can take advantage of the best matchup on the board for tight ends so far against the Seahawks.
Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (29%): Fannin has headed up the full youth movement in the passing game and the Steelers have proved to be very giving to the position.
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