CLEVELAND, OH – Week 6 of the NFL season is here, which means your fantasy team is probably dealing with injuries and bye weeks. The Bills, Raiders, Bears and Colts are on a bye, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of great options to plug into your lineups.
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Here are the players you should start in Week 6:
Start 'Em
Le’Veon Bell – Sam Darnold is back under center this Sunday, which should boost Bell’s fantasy value. He hasn’t rushed for 100 yards this season. He's scored at least 11 PPR points in every game this season. Bell is a rock solid RB1 this week against a Cowboys defense that gave up four touchdowns to Aaron Jones in Week 5.
Chris Carson – Much like Bell, Carson has a great matchup. The Browns allowed 275 rushing yards to the 49ers in Week 5. Carson has 49 rushing attempts for 222 yards over the past two weeks. He’s a borderline RB1 with plenty of upside.
Terry McLaurin – McLaurin had at least five receptions in each of his first three games of the season. He didn’t fare as well in Week 5, but he should bounce back against the Dolphins. Case Keenum is expected to start at quarterback, which helps McLaurin's value. Miami has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.
Kyler Murray – Murray posted QB1 numbers last week against the Bengals. That trend should continue in Week 6 against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Cardinals are at home and Murray should produce both through the air and with his legs.
James White – The Patriots will be without Phillip Dorsett on Thursday night, which means someone will need to step up in the passing game. White has been that guy for years now and that should continue against a weak Giants’ defense. Even if the Patriots have a run-heavy game plan with Sony Michel, White should have plenty of value. He’s a RB2 with plenty of upside in PPR and a RB3 in standard leagues.
Matt Breida – Breida went off for 114 rushing yards and two touchdowns last week. He has a chance to build on that performance Sunday against the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed an opposing running back to rush for at least 96 yards in three of their first five games. Breida is a safe RB2 with plenty of upside in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is out this week, which could hurt Breida long-term, but it shouldn’t keep him from having a productive game in Week 6.
Matt Ryan – Ryan has passed for 300 yards in every game this season. His streak should continue against a Cardinals defense that’s allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Ryan has at least 20 fantasy points in four out of five games this year. He’s a top five option this week.
Sit 'Em
Leonard Fournette – Fournette is averaging 105 yards from scrimmage in his last eight games. He’s catching the ball more than he has in past seasons, which has certainly bolstered his value in PPR leagues. Unfortunately, he could struggle this week against the Saints. The New Orleans defense hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. They held Ezekiel Elliott to 35 yards on 18 carries in Week 4. Avoid Fournette in daily games and temper your expectations in season long leagues.
Todd Gurley – Gurley is dealing with a thigh contusion that kept him from practicing Wednesday. He hasn’t looked like himself all season long. Gurley has a tough matchup against San Francisco even if he does play. The 49ers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Jordan Howard – Howard has emerged as the lead running back in the Eagles’ backfield, but he could have a tough day against Minnesota. The Vikings have allowed just one rushing touchdown and three total scores to running backs this season. Howard is a RB3 with bust potential.
LeSean McCoy – McCoy still has some gas left in the tank, but he hasn’t been productive with Damien Williams in the lineup, averaging less than six fantasy points in PPR leagues in three games with Williams active. McCoy should be avoided in daily and is nothing more than a flex option in Week 6.
Baker Mayfield – Mayfield could turn things around this week against Seattle, but it’s hard to put him in your lineup after an awful Week 5 performance. He finished with -2 fantasy points against the 49ers. Mayfield is a borderline QB1 with bust potential and should be avoided in daily leagues. Make him earn his way back into your fantasy lineups.
Sleepers
Kenyan Drake – The Redskins have allowed four touchdowns to running backs in their last two games. Drake should get the ball early and often in a battle between two of the worst teams in the league. Drake is a RB3 with some upside in Week 6.
Adrian Peterson – New Redskins head coach Bill Callahan is expected to rely on the running game more than Jay Gruden did, which should benefit Peterson. Miami has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Peterson hasn’t rushed for more than 37 yards this season. He could triple that total against Miami.
Preston Williams – Williams has 25 targets in his last three games. He’s a sneaky play against a Washington team allowing the third most points to wide receivers this season. DeVante Parker is also worth a look in deeper leagues.
Dede Westbrook – Westbrook has value, especially in PPR leagues. He’s been consistent over the past few weeks and that could continue this week against the Saints. D.J. Chark should have to deal with Marshon Lattimore, which opens the door for Westbrook to have a productive week.
Byron Pringle – Pringle exploded for six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown last week. Sammy Watkins is expected to be out, which opens up the door for Pringle to duplicate his Week 5 performance. Tyreek Hill’s potential return looms, but Pringle is a WR3 with upside if Hill sits.
Malcolm Brown – Brown becomes a RB2 if Gurley can’t play this week. He has Sean McVay’s trust and would get the majority of the snaps. He has a tough matchup against the 49ers, but he’s worth considering in daily games and adding in season long leagues as Gurley’s handcuff.
