Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 6

 

[October 09, 2024]  By DORIAN COLBERT of RosterWatch

They may not all look secure at first glance, but these players are virtual locks in fantasy football going into Week 6. Also added are some big-name players who you should fade if you have the leeway to do so.

Quarterbacks

Start: Caleb Williams, Bears vs Jaguars

Williams seems to have found his groove after a slow start to his rookie season, throwing five TDs in his past three games and throwing for more than 300 yards in two of those three games. He almost had his first rushing score last week against the Panthers, but his run was nullified by a penalty. This week, Williams faces the Jaguars, the best matchup for opposing QBs going into Week 6, so start him with confidence.

Other locks:

—Kirk Cousins at Panthers

—Dak Prescott vs Lions

—Joe Burrow at Giants

—Jordan Love vs Cardinals

Avoid: Justin Herbert, Chargers at Broncos

Herbert has yet to eclipse 180 yards as a passer this season, as the Chargers have leaned heavily into the run game. With a conservative game plan against Denver's strong secondary, Herbert’s upside is limited.

Running backs

Start: Tank Bigsby, Jaguars at Bears

Bigsby moved into the top running back role for Jacksonville last week, running for more than 100 yards and finding the end zone twice, while Travis Etienne rushed only six times for just 17 yards. Etienne did make inroads as a receiver, but he also suffered a shoulder injury that has him questionable going into Week 6. Look for the Jaguars to lean on Bigsby to carry the load this week against the Bears.

Other locks:

—Breece Hall vs Bills

—Jordan Mason at Seahawks

—Chase Brown at Giants

—James Conner at Packers

Avoid: Alexander Mattison, Raiders vs Steelers

Mattison replaced Zamir White as the lead back for Vegas last week, while White dealt with a groin injury, but it was Ameer Abdullah who led the Raiders backfield in production, gaining 51 combined yards and a TD. With White’s status still up in the air and Abdullah likely to get more opportunities, it wouldn’t be prudent to put Mattison in your lineups in Week 6.

Wide receivers

Start: Zay Flowers, Ravens vs Commanders

Flowers’ fortunes have done a complete turn in the past two weeks, as he was a player I advised to avoid in Week 5. Last week, however, Flowers delivered a 111-yard, seven-catch effort on 12 targets, and he’s poised to continue the upward trend this week against Washington’s secondary. There isn’t a better matchup going into Week 6, and I expect the Ravens to take advantage with their No. 1 receiver.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Other locks:

—Terry McLaurin at Ravens

—Marvin Harrison Jr. at Packers

—Tee Higgins at Giants

—Jayden Reed vs Cardinals

Avoid: Chris Olave, Saints vs Buccaneers

Olave floundered in Week 5, as he was continually blanketed by the Chiefs secondary. He managed only two catches for 10 yards, and things don’t look much better in Week 6, when the Saints will face Tampa Bay, which has a strong secondary. What’s worse is that QB Derek Carr is dealing with an oblique injury. Jake Haener would lead the Saints offense if Carr can’t go.

Tight ends

Tucker Kraft, Packers vs Cardinals

Kraft has become one of Jordan Love’s go-to targets these past two weeks. Kraft has had three TDs and 14 targets since Love returned from his injury, and though this week’s matchup versus Arizona isn’t as easy as it may seem, I fully expect Kraft to garner at least a handful of targets, as he has in the past two weeks. As perhaps the premier red zone option for Love, with Christian Watson sidelined, Kraft’s fantasy outlook is secure.

Other locks:

—Travis Kelce vs Saints

—Zach Ertz at Ravens

—Pat Freiermuth at Raiders

—Brock Bowers vs Steelers

Avoid: Sam LaPorta, Lions at Cowboys

LaPorta is off to a slow start this season, failing to find the end zone through four games. Competing with one of the best backfields in the league and wide receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, LaPorta’s involvement isn’t a necessity for the Lions right now, and it probably won’t be against the Cowboys this week. Dallas has struggled to contain the run this season, it's the third-best matchup for opposing runners, so expect David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to do most of the heavy lifting in Week 6. The Cowboys are in the top 10 in defending tight ends this season, so LaPorta is far from a lock.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com.

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