Fantasy Football Outlook: DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin, Kyle Pitts (Week 6)

Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover.

Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines

DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI)

Over the first two weeks, Smith looked like Philadelphia’s new No. 1 wide receiver. He was the WR6, averaging 17.7 half-point PPR fantasy points over the first two weeks. However, the former Alabama star has struggled since his hot start, totaling 19 targets over the past three weeks, averaging only 5.7 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, A.J. Brown has 35 targets over the past three games, seeing at least 13 twice. Furthermore, Dallas Goedert (nine) and D’Andre Swift (six) both saw a season-high in targets, while Smith had only five for the third time over the past four weeks.

Eventually, the Eagles will find a way to balance out the offense so that Smith, Brown, Goedert, and Swift all have meaningful fantasy value. However, that’s not likely to happen this week against the New York Jets. The AFC East team has shut down wide receivers since Week 2, giving up zero touchdowns and only 75.3 receiving yards and 11.7 fantasy points per game. According to Fantasy Points Data, New York has surrendered only 1.25 yards per route run this season, the fifth-lowest average in the NFL. Take advantage of Smith’s recent struggles and trade for the star receiver. His schedule is much more fantasy-friendly moving forward.

Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)

Fantasy players had high hopes for Washington’s passing attack this season. McLaurin and Jahan Dotson were potential top-24 wide receivers. Instead, both have struggled this year, averaging a combined 30.9% target share and 15.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, McLaurin struggled last week against the Chicago Bears despite the easy matchup and coming off a strong performance the week before, totaling four receptions on five targets for 49 receiving yards and 6.9 fantasy points. Furthermore, he had only two more targets than Jamison Crowder despite playing 50 more snaps and running 40 more routes.

Unfortunately, the former Ohio State star has a date with Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell this week. According to Fantasy Points Data, the Falcons primarily play zone coverage, using it in nearly 65% of their defensive dropbacks this season. Meanwhile, Terrell has allowed only 33.3% of the passes thrown his way in zone coverage to be completed, according to PFF. Over the past two weeks, Atlanta has held Calvin Ridley and Nico Collins to five receptions on six targets for 77 receiving yards and 16.2 fantasy points combined. It’s time for fantasy players to bench McLaurin and Dotson until things turn around.

Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)

It only took Arthur Smith five weeks to realize that Pitts needs more than 5.3 targets per game in this offense. The third-year tight end had a breakout performance in Week 5, totaling seven receptions on 11 targets for 87 receiving yards and 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points, posting season highs in every category. Furthermore, last week was the first time Pitts had a target per route run rate higher than 21% this year, seeing a target on 40% of his routes. While that is encouraging news for the rest of the season, fantasy players should temper their expectations in Week 6.

First and foremost, Jonnu Smith isn’t going anywhere. The veteran tight end has seen his route run improve as the year has progressed. Last week, he ran one fewer route than Pitts (25-24), had three fewer targets (10-7), and only one less reception (7-6). More importantly, the Washington Commanders have been one of the top teams slowing down tight ends this season. Outside of Cole Kmet last week, the Commanders have held tight ends to only 3.4 fantasy points per game. Despite his breakout performance in Week 5, Pitts belongs on the bench this week because of his matchup.