There were some complaints on Twitter because of the “questionable” recommendations early on in the season, but those have disappeared with the production of our players. Some people laughed at some of the picks, but we haven’t missed on many this year. This article aims to find flex players in smash spots because those guys need to be in your lineup. That’s becoming more important with so many injuries, and we’ll try to keep the good plays coming in!

The premise behind this article is simple. Identifying fantasy football smash plays that are on the fringe of your starting lineup. We will rarely recommend a Top 20 player at any position, but we want to help you fill those critical flex spots!

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Smash Starts for Week 6

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. ARI

I have a feeling that Stafford is going to become a must-roster player over the next few weeks! He has always been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and adding a guy like Cooper Kupp only makes him better. That gives him two elite wideouts, which is fantastic since Stafford is slinging the ball all around the field. Stafford is fourth in passing yards and second in pass attempts this season. The touchdowns are the only thing slowing him down, but those are only a matter of time with studs like Puka Nacua and Kupp. Arizona is also an astounding matchup, as they’ve been allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Backs

Isiah Pacheco (KC) vs. DEN

Get Pacheco in your lineup before Thursday! He wasn’t drafted as a starter in most fantasy leagues, but he needs to be in there against Denver. The Broncos are having historically bad numbers as a defense, allowing the most fantasy points to opposing backs this season. That’s terrifying against a pounding back like Pacheco, who has scored at least 13 fantasy points in three straight games. He’s also flirting with 15-20 carries a game in that span and should get a ton of work since Kansas City is a 13.5-point favorite in this tasty matchup. He’s also -175 to score on DraftKings, and that’s a good indicator of how well they think he’ll perform.

Raheem Mostert (MIA) vs. CAR

People have been getting worried about Mostert, but he’s impossible to fade with De’Von Achane getting injured. Mostert was still averaging over 20 fantasy points per game when splitting work with Achane, but he should get all the work he can handle with the speedster sidelined. That means 20 touches and all the goal-line carries. Facing the Panthers is the perfect situation, with Carolina surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs this season. And we haven’t even discussed the game script, with Miami entering this matchup as a 14-point favorite. Three touchdowns are not out of the question in this superb spot!

James Cook (BUF) vs. NYG

Cook crapped all over your lineups last week, but we’re encouraged by the usage. He’s played at least 59% of the team’s snaps in four of five games this season, and scored at least 11 fantasy points in three of those. We believe that’s his floor in this matchup because Buffalo should bludgeon the New York Giants. The Bills enter this matchup as a 14-point favorite, with Cook likely getting numerous goal-line touches. The Giants have also allowed the sixth-most rushing yards and the second-highest yards per carry in the NFL. Please don’t leave this guy on your bench!

Wide Receivers

Garrett Wilson (NYJ) vs. PHI

Wilson has fallen further than almost any player since season-long drafts, but we’re still encouraged by his workload. He’s one of the league-leaders with a 32% team target share, and is really the only threat in this passing game. That’s important in this matchup because NY will have to throw to keep up with Philly. The Eagles are also that can be vulnerable through the air, sitting 25th in passing yards allowed. If Zach Wilson attempts even 30 passes, Wilson should be looking at double-digit targets and has the talent to go off in that type of role!

Jordan Addison (MIN) at CHI

Addison has been sitting on numerous benches through the opening weeks, but this is the time for him to thrive. He’s expected to be the top target now that Justin Jefferson is out, which is great since Kirk Cousins is top-5 in pass attempts and yardage! Addison saw nine targets when JJ was limited last week, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this rookie become one of the best wideouts in Jefferson’s absence. Plus we can’t overlook the spectacular matchup with Chicago, the team that’s surrendering the most passing yards in the NFL.

Adam Thielen (CAR) at MIA

We had Thielen in here last week, and he will remain in here until he’s in everyone’s lineup or falls off a cliff. Both could happen, but he’s been absurd through the opening month. The Panthers’ top wideout has at least seven receptions in four straight games, averaging 11 targets and 96 receiving yards per game in that same span. Those are some of the top marks in the NFL, and you better believe he’ll get plenty of work in a game where Carolina has to throw a ton to keep up with the best offense in the NFL.

Tight Ends

Logan Thomas (WAS) at ATL

There’s one major factor that’s being overlooked when evaluating Thomas’s fantasy value. People forget that Eric Bienemy is the Commanders’ new offensive coordinator, and he’s notorious for using his tight ends as one of the key parts of the offense. That led to Thomas totaling nine catches for 77 yards on 11 targets last week! We’ve seen Thomas hound targets in the past, and it looks likely to continue in this Bienemy offense. This matchup is the icing on the cake, with Atlanta allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

D/STs

Miami Dolphins D/ST (vs. CAR)

It’s hard to believe that the Miami D/ST is sitting on some waiver wires. They haven’t done much as a D/ST, but it’s mainly because of teams scoring garbage-time points to lower their fantasy numbers. This is still a talented unit, and they should go off against Carolina. The Panthers rank 28th in points scored and 25th in total yardage. That’s why Miami enters this magical matchup as a 14-point favorite in a game with a 48-point total. If you do that math, the Panthers are only projected to score 17 points!

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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.