Another week, another snooze fest. Thursday Night Football was a good one on paper, at least in the offseason, but it turned out to be a laugher. Travis Kelce was dominant, the Chiefs defense had their way with the Broncos offense until a garbage time score, and Chris Jones extended his sack streak. Other IDP storylines include Nick Bolton making a triumphant return, Jonathan Cooper and Zach Allen showing why Frank Clark and Randy Gregory became expendable, and Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell having the type of outings fantasy managers expected from them all season. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 6

Start em

Jamal Adams (S – SEA)
Adams had his season debut cut short back in Week 4 but has progressed through the league’s concussion protocol and is expected to play this Sunday against the struggling Cincinnati Bengals. Adams is a DB1 when healthy and seeing a full complement of snaps, but should be treated as more of a DB2 for Week 6. He may be on a snap count again and will likely cede some snaps to the impressive Julian Love, who did a fantastic job as a fill-in on the back end. Start him as a DB2 with DB1 upside for the plus matchup.

Andrew Van Ginkel (DE/LB – MIA)
There have been few defensive players as impressive as Andrew Van Ginkel this season. Shining as a spot starter on the edge or off-ball at middle linebacker, AVG has been a revelation for the Dolphins. He has kept Emmanuel Ogbah to a minor role despite the injury to Jaelan Phillips. He was excellent again in Week 5, racking up three solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Phillips is practicing this week, so if he is active, tap AVG as an LB3 option. However, if the Dolphins decide to sit him for another game, then AVG is an easy LB2/DL2 play. Start the versatile AVG wherever needed, regardless of Phillips status.

Jason Pinnock (S – NYG)
Jason Pinnock has been excellent for fantasy managers through five weeks of the season. He wrapped up Week 5 with an impressive four solos, one interception, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one touchdown. He has been inconsistent enough to keep him out of the DB1 conversation but is an elite DB2 option for as long as he is producing at a high level. Treat him as just that for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Percy Butler (S – WAS)
Percy Butler appears set to get the first crack at starting duties following Darrick Forrest being lost for the season with a fractured shoulder. Jartavius Martin will get some snaps too, but Butler is the one fantasy managers will want to start if needed. Martin is the one you want in dynasty leagues, but in redraft, we are concerned with who is producing now, not who has the makings of a star, when they finally learn the playbook enough to force their way on the field. Butler is stepping into a high-value role with plenty of positive gamescipt to help him along. In Week 6, he will get an exploitable Atlanta Falcons offense that could provide some big play opportunities. Tap Butler as a DB3 option where needed.

Marcus Williams (S – BAL)
Marcus Williams had a quiet outing in Week 5 with just three solos and two assists but played a healthy 95 percent of the snaps in his first game back from being sidelined with a torn pec. Williams is a top-15 option when healthy, and if his Week 5 snap share is any indication, he should be closer to full form this weekend in London. Tap him as a DB2 with DB1 upside for the plus matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Sit em

Demario Davis (LB – NO)
|Demario has been a bit of a disappointment relative to fantasy expectations through five weeks of action. He started the season strong, leaving IDP managers to believe that the ageless wonder would continue to produce as an LB2 play for the rest of the season. Unfortunately, the last three weeks suggest that he may finally be hitting the veteran wall. It is too small of a sample to say that he is in the decline phase, but one thing can be sure: this is no longer the Demario who could spot-start as your LB1. Now more LB4 than LB3, Demario is excellent depth for the byes but should probably be on your bench for Week 6. The matchup against a rookie quarterback is enticing, even one as poised as CJ Stroud, but Davis has been too inconsistent to trust as anything more than a flex option. Look elsewhere for your Week 6 LB3.

Isaiah Simmons (S/LB – NYG)
Isaiah Simmons was tremendous in Week 5, reeling off seven solos and two assists while playing 100 percent of the snaps. However, he got a lot of extra playing time due to the injury to middle linebacker Micah McFadden, who returned to a limited practice on Thursday. If McFadden is active, Simmons could be back to the bit role that held him to a season-high of just 33 percent of the snaps before last week. Simmons is, of course, a start if McFadden is held out for one more week, but if he returns as expected, it would be best to keep Simmons on benches as a stash. He will earn a large enough role to warrant starting sans injury sooner rather than later, but that week is not this week. Keep Simmons benched for Week 6.

Osa Odighizuwa (DT – DAL)
Osa started the season hot but has cooled down over the last three games. He was able to take advantage of two great matchups to start the season but has proven that he will be too inconsistent to trust as a DT1 or DL3. He is playing well enough to roster in deeper leagues but should be held out of lineups for Week 6 despite the plus matchup against a depleted Los Angeles Charges offensive line. Osa will get it going eventually and is still a quality depth piece, but he is no longer someone that needs to be started or even rostered if you are feeling the squeeze. Look elsewhere for your Week 6 DL3.

Jordan Fuller (S – LAR)
The byes are here, but Fuller should remain on benches for Week 6. With just two teams on bye, fantasy managers will want to look elsewhere for their DB3. Fuller had an excellent Week 5, finishing with seven solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss. However, Fuller failed to record more than three solos in any other game this season. He has shown a penchant for knocking the ball loose, but that is certainly not a stat we can chase in fantasy. Fuller, who appeared in our waiver wire column earlier this week, should be on rosters but should remain on benches for Week 6.

Alohi Gilman (S – LAC)
Gilman has been fantastic to start the season, at least when healthy. Gilman was a DNP on Thursday and is in danger of missing Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. He is a DB2 option when healthy, but with a heel injury causing him issues, he will likely be on a snap count even if he does play. Gilman will likely be listed as questionable if he is not ruled out, putting fantasy managers in a bind. Do you wait for your emerging star and play him as your DB2? Do you do so while running the risk that Gilman is ultimately ruled out late Sunday or Monday? The simple fact of the matter is, if Gilman is not off the injury report by Saturday evening, he will be impossible to trust for Week 6 lineups. Keep him stashed at all costs, but look elsewhere for your Week 6 DB2 or DB3.

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.