In an effort to aid you in your lineup-setting endeavors, I’ll be providing a weekly glimpse into my rankings; meaning, I’ll be highlighting players I like or dislike more compared to the expert consensus rankings as listed on FantasyPros.com or who I simply like or dislike for that given week. My ranking at the time of the writing will be alongside the player’s name. Needless to say, that ranking will likely change as the week progresses.
Bear in mind that I start this writing earlier in the week, so Expert Consensus Rankings will likely be different by the time of publication. These cannot be held against me – only used for credit.
While I do acknowledge that kickers are people too, neither they nor D/STs will be included.
Finally, these cannot be held against me – only used to give credit when credit is due.
As always, feel free to reach me on Twitter for any queries before the slate and I’ll try to get back to you.
*Note that half PPR scoring applies.
Quick Links
- Fantasy Football Rankings Week 6
- Fantasy Football RBBC Breakdown: Week 6
- Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 6
- Buy Low Sell High Fantasy Football Week 6 – RB Edition
- Waiver Wire Week 6 Pickups
Week 6 Likes
ATL @ MIN – QB14
Listen, it hasn’t looked pretty for Ryan and the Falcons this year – hence the termination of Dan Quinn’s employment. The Falcons needed a wake-up call; maybe Quinn’s departure is it. Atlanta has yet to find its first win of 2020 and Ryan has not thrown a touchdown in two consecutive contests.
Fortunately, the Vikings have proven to be a remedial defense for quarterbacks. The hope is that Ryan and company play inspired football – a foreign concept of late. The other hope is that Julio Jones returns so that Ryan will no longer need to decide whether or not to throw the football to something called Olamide Zaccheaus. If Jones remains sidelined, I still like Ryan as a borderline No. 1 fantasy quarterback.
MIN @ ATL – QB11
No need to switch games when each quarterback faces one of the worst defenses in football. Understandably, Vegas and others anticipate this matchup to be the highest-scoring of the slate. What is I believe for the first time this year, I will have Cousins ranked as a starting fantasy quarterback – potentially even a Top 10 quarterback.
MIA vs. NYJ – RB13
Mr. Out of Nowhere continues to dominate Miami’s running back touches, averaging 17.4 touches per game in 2020. In fact, he’s 12th in the NFL in total touches to date (87) – tied with Todd Gurley and ahead of Chris Carson.
The most beautiful combination in fantasy football is when a high volume player draws a favorable matchup. You love to see it. This week he draws the Gang Green, who inexplicably still have Adam Gase under their employ – but I digress. I’m starting Gaskin ahead of fellow running backs David Johnson, Devin Singletary and the gentleman mentioned below.
WAS @ NYG – RB17
I’ll be honest – the J.D. McKissic involvement has me a little worried. Alex Smith checked down many a time to McKissic to the tune of six catches for 46 yards, although Kyle Allen could be back in Week 6. Nonetheless, I’m sticking with the more talented player and the guy who’s still seeing the majority of touches out of the backfield. Gibson is averaging 16.5 touches over his last two contests and draws a more favorable matchup this time around.
MIN vs. ATL – WR20
I really like the Vikings in Week 6; I could have included the entire offense in my “Likes” if I really wanted to. A good strategy to implement this week is to start all of your Vikings – Cousins, Alexander Mattison, Adam Thielen, Jefferson and possibly another guy listed later on.
As was alluded to in the Cousins entry, the Falcons are ostensibly a red carpet for opposing wide receivers. Right now the LSU alum is solidly in WR2 territory.
PIT vs. CLE – WR19
Last week we witnessed the Chase Claypool coming out party in which he scored FOUR total touchdowns in what was his fourth professional football game. Diontae Johnson leaving with a back injury certainly helped, but Claypool is now the most popular waiver-wire target and officially on the fantasy radar.
Personally, I think it’s about time for another big JuJu Smith-Schuster game despite his yards decreasing each week and the fact that he hasn’t topped 70 yards yet. The good news is that the Browns are one of only three teams that have allowed over 1,000 yards to wide receivers. Cleveland has also surrendered the second-most receptions and second-most touchdowns to the position. Finally, as Pittsburgh’s primary slot receiver, JuJu should be able to largely avoid Denzel Ward’s coverage. Keep the faith in JuJu!
DET @ JAC – TE5
I love this meeting for the Hock, especially if Jaguars star linebacker Myles Jack is out again. The Jaguars have been torched through the air this year, especially by tight ends. The 352 receiving yards they’ve given up to the position are third-most. Start Hockenson with confidence.
MIN vs. ATL – TE15
Finally! We saw some Irv Smith action! The sophomore tight end tallied four catches for 64 yards on five targets and looked good doing so. Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are mainstays as Kirk Cousins’ first two reads. Is Smith the third from here on out? Let’s hope so. He’s a fringe starting tight end for me versus the woeful Atlanta defense.
Week 6 Dislikes
CIN @ IND – QB20
There’s no beating around the bush – Burrow has been beaten up in his inaugural NFL campaign. He’s on pace to set the single-season record for sacks taken. Of course, a lot of this isn’t his fault. Bluntly speaking, the offensive line is lousy. Now he faces the defense that is surrendering the least amount of passing yards per game. You probably have a better starting alternative for Week 6.
CAR vs. CHI – QB19
To be clear, I’m not saying you should necessarily bench Bridgewater – certainly not with the way he’s been playing. And he may very well be needed in some starting lineups, especially with four teams on bye. Even so, Chicago’s defense appears to be legitimate so far. Bridgewater will likely be outside of my Top 15 quarterbacks.
NE vs. DEN – RB33
For how bad the Broncos have been in 2020, they have defended the run solidly through four outings. Denver has permitted the fewest receiving yards to the position. Making matters worse for Harris is that Cam Newton could be back from his Covid stint, James White has returned and Rex Burkhead still exists. He’s a serviceable flex, but I’m taking a glass-half-empty approach with Harris.
CLE @ PIT – RB43
Kareem Hunt is the go-to guy in Cleveland’s backfield until Nick Chubb returns. Even with D’Ernest Johnson averaging 11 touches over his last two games, you should be earnest (see what I did there?) to keep him on your bench.
PHI vs. BAL – WR60
Last week was all about Travis Fulgham’s breakout for the Eagles offense, but Ward quietly put up over 10 fantasy points (half PPR), including a touchdown. Frankly, though, I’m not comfortable starting anyone on the Eagles except for Miles Sanders. On top of the poor matchup are the impending returns of Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson. Ward is borderline startable in 14-to-16-team leagues; I’m staying away everywhere else.
GB @ TB – WR47
One would have thought MVS would have turned in a better performance last Monday night with Davante Adams and Allen Lazard sidelined. Robert Tonyan hogged the touchdowns and could be Rodgers’ No. 2 target going forward. Furthermore, some guy named Davante Adams could return. I’m tempering predictions for MVS.
CIN @ IND – TE22
It’s a bummer when you’re only targeted twice in a pass-heavy game script. That’s what occurred a week ago with Sample. The rook has held his own after taking over for C.J. Uzomah. It’s been nothing to write home about, though, at least not since Week 2. He was targeted as many times in Week 2 (9) as he has been in the other four games combined. If I were at Sam’s Club I’d pass on this Sample.
WAS @ NYG – TE21
This listing may come back to bite me in the buttocks. Oh well, Thomas has been practically invisible on the gridiron over his previous two games. I don’t care who his quarterback is; I’ll need to see another good game out of him before I consider starting him again.
Zach hails from the bustling metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Three things Zach enjoys are football, food and water. Three things Zach doesn’t enjoy are kale, mushrooms and the company of those who enjoy either (except hobbits). Zach is a life-long Broncos fan and has been playing fantasy football longer than he hasn’t. He had top-five finishes in FantasyPros’ 2016 NFL DFAC competition and the 2016 SFB480.
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