Byes and injuries have added to the challenge of fantasy football in Week 6, reducing the luxury of sitting players in difficult matchups.
As injuries to key offensive players continue to pile up, the threshold for a startable player is lowered.
This week, I am adding an extra player to each position who may be worth a dart throw.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Starts:
| Week 6 Starts | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | QB | Bears |
| Chase Brown | RB | Bengals |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Titans |
| Zach Ertz | TE | Commanders |
Week 6 Fantasy Football Sits:
| Week 6 Sits | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jaguars |
| Brian Robinson | RB | Commanders |
| Quentin Johnston | WR | Chargers |
| Ladd McConkey | WR | Chargers |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | Eagles |
Quarterback Lineup Advice, Fantasy Football
Start Caleb Williams in Week 6
A matchup against a Jaguars defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks provides an opportunity to start Williams in Week 6.
The rookie quarterback has thrown multiple touchdowns and for over 300 yards in two of his last three games and now plays a pass-funnel defense that struggles to cover wide receivers. The Bears have three above-average wide receivers.
Joe Flacco threw for 3 touchdowns and eclipsed 300 passing yards against the Jaguars a week ago
If the Bears lean on the passing game, Williams should be able to connect on some deep passes. The Jaguars allow the highest completion rate on passes over 15 air yards.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Jones
Jones has improved since his Week 1 prime-time struggles and faces a Bengals team that provides a great fantasy football environment. The Bengals have an elite offense and a struggling defense.
Sit Trevor Lawrence in Week 6
Lawrence is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, but the Bears have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, making me lean toward sitting Lawrence in Week 6.
The Bears have not allowed a passing touchdown in three straight games and are allowing an average of 174 passing yards per game this season.
As mentioned in Rich Hribar’s worksheet, the Bears have held opposing quarterbacks under their fantasy points season average in every game.
Lawrence will need to improve his season-long accuracy and efficiency to be a viable fantasy starter this week.
Running back Lineup Advice, Fantasy Football
Start Chase Brown in Week 6
Zack Moss is practicing on Thursday, but Brown has earned more touches and should be started in Week 6 with the Bengals as a favorite.
Brown has conceded passing snaps to Moss all season, but this game provides a good opportunity for the Bengals to be playing with the lead, giving Brown a better run out.
Brown is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and faces a Giants defense that plays light boxes and allows the fourth-highest average yards per carry.
Honorable Mention: Dameon Pierce
Pierce was the dark horse candidate for my favorite start of the week, but Joe Mixon returned to practice on Thursday afternoon. This will be a backfield to keep an eye on as Bobby Slowik continues to spend early downs running the ball.
Sit Brian Robinson in Week 6
Robinson is battling through an injury and faces a difficult run defense, making him a sit candidate in Week 6.
Robinson was limited to 7 carries on Sunday and has not practiced yet this week, signaling he is playing well below full health.
Fortunately for fantasy football, Robinson found the end zone twice last week, but that is unlikely against the Ravens, who are allowing a league-low 3.1 yards per carry.
In the early season, the Ravens have been a pass-funnel defense, allowing the fourth-fewest average fantasy points per game to running backs.
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Wide Receiver Lineup Advice, Fantasy Football
Start DeAndre Hopkins in Week 6
Regardless of the Titans' starting quarterback, Hopkins has a favorable matchup against a predictable Colts defense in Week 6 and should be started in fantasy football.
The Colts provide fantasy value for all opposing players. Colts opponents are averaging over 70 plays per game.
The Titans should be able to continue this trend with early indications of Anthony Richardson starting and Jonathan Taylor unlikely to suit up on Sunday.
Hopkins has had a higher target rate than Calvin Ridley against Cover 3 this season and has more than double the production in terms of yards per route run, making him my favorite receiving option on the Titans.
Honorable Mention: Michael Wilson
Wilson is averaging over 7 targets per game over the last three weeks and faces a Packers secondary which ranks last in success rate on passes outside the numbers, where Wilson runs the majority of his routes.
Sit Quentin Johnston & Ladd McConkey in Week 6
Chargers receivers face the league’s stingiest pass defense in a game with a total of 35, making both Johnston and McConkey sit options in Week 6.
Jim Harbaugh has signaled the Chargers will not be involved in many games with a fantasy football friendly game environment.
The Chargers are playing with the slowest pace and running at the second-highest rate, which has led to the lowest offensive play volume.
The defense has been solid, allowing the fewest points per game.
A low-volume passing attack against Patrick Surtain does not provide a high floor or ceiling for Chargers pass catchers this week.
Tight End Lineup Advice, Fantasy Football
Start Zach Ertz in Week 6
Unfortunately, rookie Ben Sinnott is a figment of the fantasy community’s imagination, leading to another week in which 33-year-old Ertz is targeted enough to provide a reception floor and a startable option in Week 6.
Ravens opponents have passed at the second-highest rate, and the game environment sets up for a high-volume and scoring game.
Ertz is coming off an 8-target game, which could be replicated as the Ravens are facing an average of 8.4 tight end targets weekly and allowing the most yards per game to opposing tight ends.
Bank on volume over efficiency with Ertz this week.
Honorable Mention: Chigoziem Okonkwo
Okonkwo averaged 7.5 targets against the Colts last season and saw a slight uptick in his usage before the bye. The Colts are allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Sit Dallas Goedert in Week 6
Both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are returning to the lineup this week, which moves Goedert to the fourth option in the Eagles offense and a sit in Week 6 (and moving forward).
Since the addition of Brown by the Eagles, Goedert has been targeted on 17.4% of passes with both Brown and Smith on the field compared to 25.8% with both off the field.
Regardless of the opposition, Goedert becomes a low-volume bench stash until one of the elite receivers misses time.
