Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice: Matthew Stafford, Raheem Mostert, James Cook (Week 6)

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! Here are all of our picks for this week, and below we dive into a few notable players.

Smash Starts for Week 6

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.

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!