Start 'Em, Sit 'Em For Week 6 Fantasy Football Lineups: Jordan Love Is A Smash Start

• MarShawn Lloyd | Packers: We are getting pulled back in. After stinking up the fantasy streets for four games, Lloyd emerged with 16.7 points in Week 5. He accounted for 64% of the rushing attempts before resting in the fourth quarter with a big lead. This could be a rug-pull situation where Matt LaFleur leans into the hot hand each week, but a matchup against Dallas makes me more willing to lean into the uncertainty. The Cowboys have pulled an ole against stampeding RBs (+4.7 PPG), giving Lloyd the second-best matchup. Lloyd is a low-end RB2 with RB1 upside if his role sticks.  
   
• Jeremiyah Love | Cardinals: Lost in all of the gnashing of teeth around Love's 2.2 points last week: he has quietly already taken over the RB1 role for Arizona. The No. 3 Draft pick is battling an ankle injury, and Arizona is a 13-point underdog in the Wet Blanket's model. Not ideal for an RB who is still ceding much of the pass-down work to Allgeier and could rest late to protect the ankle. But with four teams on bye, Love makes my top-24. I don't want to get cute and bench him for options like Dameon Pierce or Kendre Miller. Give me the elite prospect with a good Utilization trend. Love is a low-end RB2. Like last week, he didn't practice on Wednesday, so keep an eye on his health.
   
• Blake Corum | Rams: Kyren Williams has surged ahead in the Rams backfield recently, but much of his role increase has come in highly competitive games. Los Angeles is a 13-point favorite (1st) with a 32-point team total (1st). This smells like a game where Williams and Corum could eat. Corum is a mid-range RB3.

RBs That Bombed In Week 5 That I Am Starting Again In Week 6

"'Cause I gotta have faith

I gotta have faith

Because I gotta have faith, faith

I got to have faith, faith, faith"

- George Michael

• Ashton Jeanty | Raiders: I can't lie. I am officially concerned about Jeanty. But despite my qualms, he is still the lead back for Las Vegas against a Bills defense green-lighting the No. 4 boost to RB units (3.7 PPG). And they provide a 4.0 PPG boost in the receiving game, where Jeanty has remained a plus player. With a solid team total (24.1) in Freedman's model, I am fading Jeanty's 10.7-point Week 5 performance. Jeanty is a low-end RB1 against Buffalo in Week 6. 

RB Injury Watch For Week 6 In Fantasy Football

• Kyle Monangai | Bears → D'Andre Swift & Roschon Johnson: Monangai (toe) is week-to-week and didn't practice on Wednesday. Swift (hip/knee) was estimated as a full participant in a walkthrough practice. If Monangai is out and Swift is fully healthy, he is a borderline RB1 with a 24.7 team total (7th). Johnson moves into low-end RB2 territory if Monangai and Swift are out against the Falcons.
   
• Jeremiyah Love | Cardinals → Tyler Allgeier: Love didn't practice Wednesday as the team opted to rest him with an ankle injury. This was the process last week as well. But should Love miss the game, Allgeier would be an every-down RB worthy of mid-range RB2 treatment.
   
• Breece Hall | Jets → Braelon Allen: Hall (quad) missed practice on Wednesday and remains week to week. Allen has scored 8.7 and 18.6 points in two games without Hall, hogging 89% of the snaps and 88% of the attempts. Allen is a mid-range RB2 with low-end RB1 upside against the Patriots if Hall is out.
   
• Saquon Barkley | Eagles → Dameon Pierce: Barkley (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. With Will Shipley already ruled out, Pierce could lead the backfield in Week 6 against the Panthers. Pierce played 78% of snaps and handled 65% of the totes last weekend. With a full week to prepare for Shipley's absence, I am baking in some uncertainty to the workload. Pierce projects as a mid-range RB3 with RB2 upside if Barkley is out. 
   
• Quinshon Judkins & Dylan Sampson | Browns → Jaleel McLaughlin & Audric Estime: Judkins (foot) didn't practice Wednesday and is questionable. The team opened Dylan Sampson's 21-day practice window, but he didn't participate on Wednesday. This isn't an ideal matchup against Baltimore, the third-hardest matchup for RBs (-3.6 PPG). So I would rather avoid this situation, but here are the scenarios:
  • Judkins OUT + Sampson active with full practice by Friday: Sampson is a mid-range RB3.
  • Judkins OUT + Sampson OUT: Jaleel McLaughlin becomes the favorite to lead the team, but Audric Estime is the bigger back and could handle the early-down work. They are borderline RB3s unless we gain clarity on roles.

RB SICKO STARTS For Week 6 Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS, in 14-16-team or 12-team leagues with 2-3 flex spots. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of light. You could get lucky.

• Rachaad White | Commanders: White led the team with a 60% snap share in a shootout. The Commanders are 9.5-point dogs and likely to trail against the 49ers. White is the passing-down back, and San Francisco has boosted RB passing PPG by 4.1 PPG—the second-most. White is a sneaky mid-range RB3 who is rostered in 48% of leagues.

RBs To Sit In Week 6 Fantasy Football

Omarion Hampton | Chargers

They say a picture is worth a thousand words:

That is the Chargers backfield rotation over the last three games. Hampton is an early-down grinder with the short-yardage role.

The Bolts have the worst team total (15.9) and are 8.5-point underdogs in Freedman's model.

What is the short-yardage role worth on an offense that can't block or score points? Nothing.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 7.0
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 12.1
• Floor: 5.0

Hampton is a mid-range RB3, even on a week with four byes. Life comes at you fast.

Week 6 RB Downgrades to Sit in Fantasy

• Alvin Kamara | Saints: Kamara conceded the early-down work to Kendre Miller last week. He dealt with a back issue in practice and played only 28% of snaps, which may have been why. But he was limited on Wednesday with the same thing. We don't know for sure how this will play out, but I moved Kamara down to mid-range RB3 status. He is startable in deep leagues, but should be benched in smaller ones (I am also not that excited about playing Miller).
   
• Rico Dowdle | Steelers: Dowdle (toe) could return in Week 6, but the tune in Pittsburgh has shifted. Mike McCarthy is no longer saying this will be a 1-2 punch upon Dowdle's return. After multiple blowup games by Jaylen Warren, he is now slated to be the offense's focal point. Dowdle is a high-end RB4 against the Buccaneers' tough run defense.

Wide Receivers To Start In Week 6 Fantasy Football

Mike Evans | 49ers

Evans ranks second in the NFL in TPRR (31%) behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In three games where Evans hasn't left with an injury, he has averaged 18.6 PPG.

Last weekend, he placed 26.3 fantasy points in fantasy managers' coffers. He dominated with a 36% target share.

I dug deeper into the underlying factors behind Evans' success in this week's Utilization Report and offered a range of outcomes for the rest of the season. The 49ers have the second-highest team total (29.95) in the NFL Game Model, and the Commanders have sanctioned the No. 5 boost to WR corps (5.3 PPG).

Evans has quickly moved from WR3 conversation to WR2 status. But things are even better this week. 

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 17.6
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 25.1
• Floor: 13.2

Evans is a mid-range WR1 against Washington in Week 6.

Matthew Golden | Packers

Matthew Golden moved into WR2 territory in my Utilization Report rest-of-season outlook two weeks ago. But I still wanted to write him up in this column for Week 6 because not everyone has read that, and Golden has not been a top-24 WR in many consensus views.

Golden is averaging 15.7 PPG (17th) with a strong underlying profile. His 79 Utilization Score ranks 13th thanks in part to an 85% route share and 25% target share.

He is garnering big-time air yards with 125 (3rd) with a 14.5-yard aDOT. But he is not a downfield-only option. His 8.8 average route depth is in the sweet spot for WR booms.

His historical Utilization Score comps have averaged 15.7 PPG—exactly in line with his average for the season. That bodes well for continued production.

The Packers boast the fourth-highest team total (25.75) in Freedman's model, and the Cowboys boost opposing WR production the 10th-most (2.7 PPG). And that number doesn't really do the matchup justice. Per SumerSports, Dallas powers the No. 1 passing-game success rate (56%) and passing EPA per play (0.36). 

Wheels up.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 14.6
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.9
• Floor: 10.8

Golden is a high-end WR2 and is a must-start in Week 6.

WR Upgrades Fantasy Lineups In Week 6

Starting in most formats:

• Jalen Coker | Panthers: Coker (quad) fully participated in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play against Philadelphia. While the Eagles are a tough matchup for outside WRs (-5.1 PPG), they provide the biggest boost to slot options (+7.2). Coker leads Carolina in slot snaps (42%) and benefits from a high percentage of targets off play action (32%). Coker is a mid-range WR2.
   
• Josh Downs | Colts: Downs has not come through despite a full-time role (91% route share), averaging 9.0 PPG. But the Titans have provided the sixth-highest boost to WR rooms, with 4.1 PPG, 3.1 of that from the slot, where Downs plays 56% of snaps. Indianapolis also has a strong team total (24.25). Downs is a borderline WR2.   

In consideration in deeper leagues:

• Carnell Tate | Titans: Tate broke out in Week 4 with 21.5 points but fell to 1.6 last week in a tough matchup against Houston. The No. 4 NFL Draft pick has an outstanding 26% target share and gets a more winnable matchup against the Colts. He could face Sauce Gardner, but Gardner hasn't been himself this year. He ranks 48th out of 101 corners with at least 100 snaps in PFF Coverage Grade (61.4). Tate is a high-end WR3 with four teams on bye.
   
• Germie Bernard | Steelers: Bernard led the Steelers with a 29% target share and 14.4 points, with an 82 Utilization Score in the first game without Michael Pittman Jr. (out at least three more games). I would have him even higher, but the Buccaneers have been the third-most-difficult matchup for WRs (-6.4 PPG).  

WRs That Bombed In Week 5 That I Am Starting Again In Week 6

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm keeping the faith …"

- Billy Joel

• Michael Wilson | Cardinals: Wilson played only 53% of the pass plays in the fourth quarter against the Lions because of blowout conditions. Over the first three quarters, he had a 96% route share with a 22% target share. He was in his usual role (7.7 average route depth), often saw motion at the snap (26%). But it was just an off game, leading to a disappointing 7.3 fantasy points. The Rams have been solid against WR rooms (-1.9 PPG), but Wilson should get the targets he needs to bounce back in PPR and half-PPR formats. Wilson is a mid-range WR2.

WR Injury Watch For Week 6 In Fantasy Football

• DeVonta Smith | Eagles: Last week, the Eagles were optimistic that Smith could return by Week 6. But he did not practice on Wednesday. If he practices fully by Friday, he is a mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside. If he only gets in a limited session, he is a borderline WR2. If Smith is out, Dontayvion Wicks enters the WR3 conversation, and Makai Lemon becomes a WR4 option in deeper leagues.
   
• A.J. Brown | Patriots: Brown (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. The Patriots have the fifth-highest team total (25.75) in a matchup against the Jets. If Brown is activated and gets in a full practice by Friday, he becomes a low-end WR2. If he is limited, he is a high-end WR3. 
   
• Rashee Rice | Chiefs: Rice (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, which isn't great given Kansas City is coming off a bye week. Rice's production has slumped in 2026, but the Chargers run the 11th most zone (75%). Historically, he has earned more opportunities against zone, but his TPRR is 16% this year. He does have a 1.94 YPRR.  Rice would be a low-end WR2 in a week with four teams on bye.
   
• DJ Moore | Bills: Moore (AC joint) did not practice on Wednesday. The Bills have a great team total (28.2) and a nice matchup against the Raiders. Las Vegas has dealt a 3.4-PPG boost to WRs (7th). If Moore plays, he risks re-aggravation and leaving the game, which makes it hard to push him beyond WR3 territory, but he offers WR1 upside if he stays healthy. Moore is a boom-bust WR3 if active.   
   
• Ladd McConkey | Chargers: McConkey (foot) got in a limited practice session on Wednesday after not practicing last week. Unfortunately, the Chargers own the lowest team total (16.2) and draw a tough matchup. The Chiefs are the eighth-hardest WR matchup (-4.1 PPG). Still, if McConkey gets in a full practice by Friday, he will be a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside.   
   
• Stefon Diggs | Commanders → Antonio Williams: Diggs (hamstring) didn't play in Week 5. His status is once again up in the air for Week 6 against the 49ers. The Commanders are a 9.5-point dog in Freedman's model, and San Francisco has played WRs fairly well (-2.8 PPG). But they run the eighth-most zone (76%), where Diggs thrives. The veteran WR leads the Commanders with a 25% TPRR against zone. If he can't play, Antonio Williams would start again—he ranks second in zone TPRR (24%) for Washington. Diggs will be a mid-range WR3 if he practices fully at some point this week. If he can't go, Williams is a borderline WR3. 

WR SICKO STARTS For Week 6 Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS in 14-16-team or 12-team leagues with 2-3 flex spots or multiple starting WRs. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of hope. You could get lucky.

• Ja'Kobi Lane | Ravens: Lane (wrist) had his 21-day practice window opened. He practiced fully on Wednesday and is tracking to play. Rashod Bateman is dealing with a shoulder injury and has underperformed. Lane could push for the starting role quickly, but we need Lamar Jackson, who didn't practice Wednesday, back to unlock the ceiling for the Ravens' offense. The Browns have granted a 2.9-point boost (9th) to WRs, but most of that has come in the slot (+2.6). Lane will have his hands full on the outside when facing Denzel Ward. Lane is a WR6 with Bateman. If Bateman is out, Lane ascends to boom-bust WR4 status and is available in 90% of leagues.

Wide Receivers To Sit In Fantasy Football Week 6

Jaylen Waddle | Broncos

Waddle has a solid 22% target share but is playing only 79% of the passing plays. That won't cut it in a Broncos offense averaging 19.4 PPG (26th).

The WR that Denver traded a Round 1 pick for is averaging 9.7 PPG with a lowly 57 Utilization Score.

 If that isn't enough to worry us about Waddle in Week 6, the game environment isn't favorable.

• Team Total: 20.1
• Seahawks vs. WR units: -4.4 PPG (seventh-hardest)

Waddle still has the big-play ability to create production on his opportunities, but this is a highly fragile situation, and the projection model reflects that.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 10.8
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 17.4
• Floor: 7.8

Waddle falls out of WR2 territory down to mid-range WR3 status in Week 6. He should still start in deeper leagues, but can hit the bench in smaller formats.

WR Downgrades to Sit in Week 6 Fantasy Football

• Jakobi Meyers | Jaguars: The Jaguars are a run-balanced offense (-2% DBOE) and rank 24th in regulation plays per game (58.6). The offense runs through Parker Washington, leaving Meyers battling Brenton Strange for the No. 2 option. That has been a seesaw, with Strange winning the last two weeks. That has led to 6.3 and 5.7 points from Meyers. The Texans have given up plenty of fantasy points so far but have primarily faced high-powered passing attacks. The Jaguars can be that any given Sunday, but it is hard to know when. Meyers is a mid-range WR4 who I don't want in my lineups in Week 6 despite all the byes.    
   
• Marvin Harrison Jr. | Texans: Harrison will play his first game for the Texans on Sunday, and he should have some familiarity with the offense. There is overlap between Nick Caley's scheme and Mike LaFleur's. We could see C.J. Stroud look to pepper his old college teammate with targets, but there is also a significant risk that Harrison doesn't play a full-time role. He could also play the same vertical boundary role we saw in Arizona, which isn't ideal for WR production in this era of the NFL. I want to wait and see how the team uses Harrison before getting him into lineups. Harrison is a borderline WR4 against the Jaguars.

Tight End I Am Starting In Week 6 Fantasy Football

Dalton Kincaid | Bills

Kincaid busted in Week 6 against the Rams' No. 1 TE defense (-7.6 PPG). But this week he gets a Raiders team allowing the fourth-best boost (5.8 PPG).

We also saw a season-high route share for Kincaid against Los Angeles at 82%.

It is hard to tell if that was a blip from a shootout script, but it was nice to see the former Round 1 pick bounce back after a 56% route share in Week 5.

With DJ Moore banged up and few other options, Kincaid could be the centerpiece of Buffalo's passing game plan this weekend. And the Bills have the third-highest team total (28.2) in Freedman's model. 

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 11.1
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 16.9
• Floor: 16.9

Kincaid is a mid-range TE1 with high-end TE1 upside.

TE Upgrades Fantasy Lineups In Week 6

• Dallas Goedert | Eagles: Goedert (MCL) returned to action in Week 5 and notched a 25% target share. He finished the day with 9.8 points and a 73 Utilization Score. The Panthers have coughed up the fifth-highest boost to TEs (4.6 PPG). Goedert is a low-end TE1 with the assumption that DeVonta Smith is playing. If Smith is out, he will move closer to mid-range TE1 territory.

TEs That Bombed In Week 6 That I Am Starting Again In Week 6

" Don't stop believin'

Hold on to that feelin' "

- Journey

• George Kittle | 49ers: Kittle managed only 7.4 points in a high-scoring game against Seattle last week. But he has a great bounce-back setup in Week 6 against the Commanders. The 49ers have the second-highest team total (30), and Washington has been obliterated by TEs, licensing a 10 PPG boost. Kittle has a median projection of 16 points with an Xfinity Best ceiling of 22.4 points. Kittle is a high-end TE1 and worthy of a flex spot if you took him late as your TE2.

TE Injury Watch For Week 6 In Fantasy Football

• Kenyon Sadiq | Jets: Sadiq is in concussion protocol but made a good first step with a limited practice on Wednesday. If Sadiq can't play, Mason Taylor would play a larger role if you are in a deep TE-premium league. Taylor would be a mid-range TE2 with low-end TE1 upside if Sadiq is out and Omar Cooper Jr. isn't activated off of IR. Adonai Mitchell is listed as doubtful.

TE SICKO START For Week 6 Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS in 16-team leagues or TE-premium formats with two flex spots.

• Oronde Gadsden II | Chargers: It probably won't happen, but Gadsden gets the third-best TE matchup (+8.2 PPG) and had a 76% route share last week with Charlie Kolar back. Gadsden is a low-end TE2 with low-end TE1 upside. How about that for a range of outcomes, y'all!?!? SICKO!!!!!!

Tight End To Sit In Fantasy Football Week 6

Kyle Pitts | Falcons

Pitts had a season-high 15.2 points last week. But his role is spelled ROLLERCOASTER. Every other game, he gets enough playing time.

And his 16% TPRR isn't great. If you are looking for a positive, that has been better the last two games. Okay, I would start Pitts over my SICKO call in Gadsden, but I'd rather have him on my bench.

The Bears are the fourth-hardest matchup for TEs (-5.7 PPG), and their offense has shortened the game for opponents. Chicago ranks No. 1 in average time of possession at 35.15 minutes per game.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 6.5
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 10.5
• Floor: 4.6

Pitts' outlier ceiling is 15.7 points, but his outlier floor is 2.5. He is a boom-bust TE2.