NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em
Welcome into our Week 6 fantasy football start/sit picks! As the season rolls on, strategic decisions become more critical than ever. This week, we’ll dive into key player matchups, uncovering who to start and who to sit based on current trends and match-ups.
START 'EM
Tony Pollard
Pollard is installed as a small home favorite against the Colts, and in one of the best spots we will see for him this season. There was a ton of smoke around Tyjae Spears' role growing in his second season, but that just hasn’t come to fruition. Pollard is averaging over 18 touches per game this season, and paces the team with nine touches inside the 20. Indianapolis has faced the third-most carries this season and allowed the 8th most receptions to opposing backs. Fire up Pollard with confidence in all leagues.
Bucky Irving
Irving will be no secret this week, with Rachaad White listed doubtful for the Buccaneers. That being said, as long as he is confirmed out, Irving is a must-start in any league you have him. He was already taking over the lead role from White prior to this week, and now will have a chance to really showcase what he can do in a starting role.
Darius Slayton
Slayton is in a smash spot on Monday night with Malik Nabers still sidelined due to a concussion. Nabers has missed one full game – in which Slayton posted an 8-122-1 line vs the Seahawks in Seattle. Seattle is a team that excels in coverage due to strong outside CB play – this is not necessarily the case for his Week 6 opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. On top of the match-up being strong, it was encouraging to see Slayton essentially be a 1-for-1 replacement for Nabers. He was the first-read target on 37% of passing plays per FantasyPoints data, which would be one of the best roles for any WR in the NFL. I would 100% be starting Slayton in any league I have him – and will be looking at overs on his props in that market as well.
SIT 'EM
Rico Dowdle
Dowdle has come on in recent weeks for the Cowboys, but I wouldn’t be going out of my way to start him in Week 6. Despite this being one of the most attractive games on the slate featuring a 52.5 total, the match-up is not good. Detroit addressed their run defense big-time this off-season bringing in DJ Reader from the Bengals. Reader has been a difference maker as the Lions are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to RBs this season. This is one of the toughest spots he’ll see all season, and for that reason, I’m out on him.
Javonte Williams
Like Dowdle, Williams has been ascending in terms of his role and on-field play, but we catch him in one of the toughest possible match-ups this weekend. Williams and the Broncos face-off with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, who have been elite at stopping the run under Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is an old-school coach who made defending the run a big point of emphasis upon his hiring. They’ve allowed the least fantasy points to RBs this season, as well as the lowest EPA/rush. Overall, I won’t be riding Williams in Week 6 and would potentially be looking to sell high with him via trade with Audric Estime now back from injury.
Anthony Richardson
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned for Anthony Richardson this weekend. Not only is he coming back from a hip injury that could potentially hinder his rushing upside…he also happens to be in an insanely tough match-up on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Richardson has been elite from a fantasy perspective anytime we’ve seen him on the field in his career, so it really takes a nightmare spot for me to advocate benching him. The entire Colts offense takes a hit this weekend due to injuries. Jonathan Taylor is out, while Michael Pittman is going to “attempt” to play despite being an IR candidate just two days ago with a back injury. Richardson does two things well right now at the NFL level: use his legs to extend plays and gain yards on designed runs, and throw the ball deep. Tennessee is allowing the least passing yards per game this season and has been elite at preventing splash plays on offense. Richardson could certainly still get there with a rushing touchdown, but I would start someone like Daniel Jones over him this weekend.
Week 6 Touchdown Prediction: Najee Harris
I’m pretty tired of the Najee Harris experiment at this point, but there is reason to go back to the well in Week 6. Harris has been one of the unluckiest players in football this season – ranking first in the NFL in touches without finding the end zone (94). Jaylen Warren is just back from injury, while Cordarrelle Patterson is already confirmed out. Harris can once again expect a heavy workload in a strong match-up.