Fantasy Football Week 6 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2023)

Welcome to Week 6, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Fitz’s Tiers & Rankings
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• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Week 6 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Lamar Jackson: Jackson has authored a resurgent season to this point that would be even better if his receivers could catch the ball. He has had to deal with the fifth-most drops in the NFL this season. Despite the butter fingers by his receivers, Jackson ranks second in passing grade, 13th in yards per attempt, fourth in big-time throw rate, and tenth in fantasy points per dropback. Jackson should have a field day against the Titans this week. Tennessee has allowed the fourth-highest yards per attempt and fifth-highest passer rating to quarterbacks. They have also surrendered the 11th-highest passer rating and 14th-highest CPOE to deep balls. Jackson ranks 11th in deep ball rate and fifth in deep passing grade. Week 6 Positional Value: High-end QB1

Ryan Tannehill: Tannehill has been hard to watch this year. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks fourth-worst in passer rating, seventh-worst in adjusted completion rate, and 20th in highly accurate throw rate. Among the same sample of quarterbacks, he has the eighth-lowest fantasy points per dropback. Tannehill will struggle again this week against a formidable Baltimore pass defense. Baltimore has held passers to the lowest yards per attempt, third-lowest passer rating, and the second-fewest fantasy points per game. Sit Tannehill if possible. Week 6 Positional Value: Basement-level QB2

Dak Prescott: Prescott is the QB25 in fantasy. His best fantasy finish this season has been QB17 in Week 2. He has the 12th-lowest passing grade, tenth-lowest yards per attempt, and the fifth-lowest aDOT. The belief that Prescott can bounce back this week is centered around the matchup. The Bolts have allowed the second-highest yards per attempt, the eighth-highest passer rating, and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Week 6 Positional Value: QB2

Sam Howell: Howell has been a passing volume monster this season. He is quietly fourth in passing attempts and sixth in passing yards as the Commanders have been forced into pass-heavy scripts with their defense struggling. Howell has been impressive in spurts with the seventh-best highly accurate throw rate. This hasn’t translated to consistent passing success, though, as he is also 15th in yards per attempt and 22nd in fantasy points per dropback. Atlanta has fielded a strong pass defense and pass rush this season. They have held passer to the sixth-lowest yards per attempt and 11th-lowest adjusted completion rate while ranking 15th in passer rating allowed. Atlanta is 11th in pressure rate, facing an offensive line that can’t protect Howell. Howell has faced the sixth-highest pressure rate while leading all quarterbacks in sacks taken. Howell has wilted when pressure, ranking tenth-worst in pressured yards per attempt and sixth-lowest in pressured fantasy points per dropback. Week 6 Positional Value: QB2

Geno Smith: Smith has been a middling QB2 this season. He has only cracked QB1 status once this season. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks ninth in passing grade, 30th in big-time throw rate, and third-best in adjusted completion rate. Smith is the QB22 in fantasy. The Bengals have fielded a stout pass defense. Cincinnati ranks 15th in yards per attempt with the ninth-lowest passer rating and the second-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed. They are 19th in fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks. Week 6 Positional Value: QB2

Joe Burrow: Burrow is getting healthier. Prior to Week 5, his time to throw and aDOT sat at 2.23 and 6.2 as he got the ball out quickly with short passes. Those numbers weren’t wildly different last week, but they were trending in the right direction, with Burrow logging a 2.39 time to throw and a 7.1 aDOT. He also attempted three deep passes last week after only winding up deep a total of ten times in the three games prior. Last week, Burrow ranked ninth in passing grade and sixth-best in adjusted completion rate. If we remove the box score puff game against the New York Giants, Seattle would rank eighth-worst in yards per attempt and passer rating while only generating the 16th-best pressure rate. Burrow should have another strong outing in Week 6. Week 6 Positional Value: QB1

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Week 6 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

D.K. Metcalf: Metcalf is the WR21 in fantasy with a 17.8% target share, a 35.4% air-yard share, and a 23.9% first-read share. Keep your expectations for Metcalf in check this week. The Bengals has defended perimeter wide receivers extremely well this season allowing the fifth-lowest PPR points per target. This year the math has changed for Seattle when facing zone coverage (CIN 64.1% zone). Metcalf leads the receiving group with 2.63 YPRR and a 25.5% first-read share against zone, so while in the past I have talked about Lockett owning the zone throne that mantle has been passed to Metcalf. Week 6 Positional Value: low-end WR2

Tyler Lockett: Lockett has a 20.2% target share, a 36.5% air yard share, and a 22.4% first-read share. Against zone coverage, Lockett’s air-yard share has remained consistent with 37.0%, but his YPRR has dipped from 1.32 to 1.15, his TPRR has dropped from 22% to 20%, and his first-read share has fallen from 22.4% to 19.6%. Lockett leads the team with six red zone targets. He will run about 63% of his routes on the boundary, where the Bengals are strongest as a pass defense. Week 6 Positional Value: WR3

Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Smith-Njigba has a 15.5% target share, 0.70 YPRR, and a 17.9% first-read share this season. None of those numbers inspire confidence, but the matchup this week against Cincinnati could push a few extra targets in his direction. While the Bengals have been elite against outside wide receivers, they are allowing the 14th-most PPR points per target to slot wide receivers (Smith-Njigba 85% slot). Mike Hilton has allowed a 55% catch rate and 80.0 passer rating in slot coverage for the Bengals. Week 6 Positional Value: WR4 with some PPR upside in Week 6

Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk has been on another level this season as the WR13 in Fantasy. He has garnered a 27.0% target share, a 49.1% air-yard share, and a 30.6% first-read share while producing a gawd-like 4.30 YPRR. The Browns have utilized man coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL (36.9%). He’s been excellent against man coverage this season as the 49ers’ go-to weapon. Against man, Aiyuk has 3.29 YPRR, 39.5% of the team’s receiving yards, and leads the team with a 23.8% first-read share. Aiyuk has been unrecoverable this season, so I’m not fading him against the Browns this week. He will run about 76% of his routes against Denzel Ward (54.2% catch rate and 103.5 passer rating) and Martin Emerson (28.6% catch rate and 50.9 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR1/2

Deebo Samuel: Samuel has a 15.9% target share (third on the team), a 26.1% air-yard share, 1.45 YPRR (fourth on the team), and a 17.6% first-read share (third) against man coverage. Samuel has taken a backseat to Aiyuk and Kittle against man-heavy secondaries. Samuel has averaged 13.3 rushing yards in three meetings with man-coverage-heavy defenses this season. Considering the Browns are vulnerable to rushing, we could see Samuel get 4 to 5 carries this week in addition to the pass game work. He has two five-carry outings this season. Samuel will run about 64% of his routes against Denzel Ward (54.2% catch rate and 103.5 passer rating) and Martin Emerson (28.6% catch rate and 50.9 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR3 with WR2 upside if he gets some rushing work

Amari Cooper: Cooper has a 21.7% target share, a 41.4% air-yard share, 1.96 YPRR, and a 30.1% first-read share. The 49ers utilize zone coverage on 73.5% of their coverage snaps (13th-highest). Against zone, Cooper hasn’t seen much of a bump this season. His air-yard share has increased slightly to 42.7% while his YPRR has dipped to 1.81. The 49ers have been tough on wide receivers this season, holding them to the 11th-fewest fantasy points and sixth-fewest receiving touchdowns. Cooper will run about 76% of his routes against Deommodore Lenior (72.2% catch rate and 77.4 passer rating) and Charvarius Ward (60.7% catch rate and 66.2 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR3

Jaylen Waddle: Waddle has been relatively quiet this season as the WR40 in fantasy. His highest weekly fantasy finish was last week as WR20, with 35 receiving yards and a score. He did see a season-high ten targets last week. This looks like the possible Waddle blow-up game that we’ve been waiting for. Against zone coverage, Waddle has a 19.6% target share, a 19.3% air-yard share, 2.84 YPRR, and a 20.6% first-read share. Waddle’s role in this offense is as the zone beating underneath YAC threat. Among 92 qualifying receivers, Hill ranks fifth-best in YAC per reception, but he is still behind Waddle, who is third-best behind only D.J. Moore and Nico Collins. Carolina has the fourth-most missed tackles this season. Week 6 Positional Value: low-end WR1

Michael Pittman: Pittman has a 26.9% target share, a 29.2% air yard share, and a 34.2% first-read share. In Minshew’s one full start, Pittman’s numbers remained consistent, with a 25% target share and a 31.3% first-read share. Pittman is the WR25 this season, but he’s been underperforming compared to his WR16 ranking in expected fantasy points per game. He ranks 12th in red zone targets among wide receivers. This is a great spot for Pittman to enjoy some positive regression. The Jaguars deploy zone coverage (78.6%) at the ninth-highest rate in the NFL. Pittman has seen his target share increase to 29.4%, and his first-read share balloon to 40.5% against zone coverage. Pittman will run about 72% of his routes against Tyson Campbell (65.4% catch rate and 106.7 passer rating) and Darious Williams (67.7% catch rate and 72.8 passer rating). Jacksonville has allowed the fifth-most PPR points per target to outside wide receivers this season. Week 6 Positional Value: WR2 with WR1 upside in Week 6

Chris Olave: Olave leads the Saints with a 25.4% target share, a 42.5% air-yard share, and a 33.3% first-read share. If Carr attacks deep, Olave should be leading the way as he has 15 deep targets this season (leads all wide receivers). Olave has massive positive regression that’s ready to pounce as he leads all receivers in unrealized air yards. Olave will run about 55% of his routes against Steven Nelson (70.6% catch rate and 54.2 passer rating) and Ka’dar Hollman (Career: 38.9% catch rate and 78.7 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR2 with WR1 upside if he can connect deep with Carr

Michael Thomas: Thomas is second on the team with a 21.9% target share and a 26.9% first-read share. He has also seen a 26.1% air-yard share, producing 1.81 YPRR. The Texans utilize zone coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL (84.6%). Against zone, Thomas’s target share falls to 18%, and his first-read share dips to 22.8%. Thomas leads the team with five red zone targets. He will run about 64% of his routes against Steven Nelson (70.6% catch rate and 54.2 passer rating) and Ka’dar Hollman (Career: 38.9% catch rate and 78.7 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR3/4

Nico Collins: Collins is the WR11 in fantasy with a 19.3% target share, a 29.4% air-yard share, and a 24.8% first-read share. Collins ranks eighth in receiving grade and seventh in YPRR. If Stroud is to defeat the Saint’s man coverage, he will need Collins to lead the way in Week 6. Against man coverage, Collins’ YPRR jumps from 3.29 to 4.23, and his first-read share increases from 24.8% to 25.9%. Collins will run about 81% of his routes against Marshon Lattimore (54.5% catch rate and 59.3 passer rating) and Paulson Adebo (50% catch rate and 48.8 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR3

Gabriel Davis: Davis is the WR19 in fantasy with a 14.9% target share, 30.1% air-yard share, 2.05 YPRR, and a 17% first-read share. Against man coverage, his target share increases to 16.3%, but his YPRR (1.77) and first read share (13%) trickle down. Davis ranks tenth among wide receivers in deep targets. The Giants have surrendered the sixth-highest passer rating and the eighth-most receiving touchdowns (tied) against deep passing. Davis will run about 84% of his routes against Adoree’ Jackson (71.4% catch rate and 115.5 passer rating) and Deonte Banks (59.1% catch rate and 104.4 passer rating). Week 6 Positional Value: WR2/3

Week 6 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Tony Pollard: Pollard is the RB14 in fantasy, averaging 20.6 touches and 87.2 total yards. He is 11th in snap share, fifth in weighted opportunity, and second in red zone touches. Despite seeing 31 red zone touches, Pollard has only two touchdowns. Pollard’s inexplicable inability to break tackles this season remains worrisome. Among 63 qualifying backs, he ranks 26th in explosive run rate, 54th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 39th in yards after contact per attempt. The Chargers have the seventh-lowest stuff rate while giving up the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt and the 13th-highest yards before contact per attempt. They have held gap runs to the 11th-lowest yards per carry though (Pollard 65.4% gap). Week 6 Positional Value: RB1

Gus Edwards: Edwards has been the early down grinder for Baltimore. He’s played 43-44% of the snaps in three of five games this season. He is averaging 11.6 touches and 48.4 total yards this season with only three targets. Edwards has not been efficient with his touches this season. Among 63 qualifying backs, he ranks 33rd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 41st in yards after contact per attempt. Yes, Zack Moss ran through this run defense last week, but that is an outlier looking at the full-season stats. Tennessee has allowed the third-lowest explosive run rate while having the tenth-highest stuff rate. They have held backs to the 11th-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Tennessee has allowed the third-lowest yards per carry to gap runs (Edwards 62.5% gap). Week 6 Positional Value: RB4

Justice Hill: In Hill’s two healthiest games this season, he has played between 56-57% of the snaps, averaging 12.5 touches and 49 total yards. Hill will also face tough sledding against the Titans’ run defense this week. Among 63 qualifying backs, he ranks 37th in explosive run rate and 44th in yards after contact per attempt. Hill will also be stifled on his gap runs (58.6%) this week against a team that has held gap backs to the ninth-lowest success rate. Week 6 Positional Value: RB4

Derrick Henry: Henry has been extremely game-script-sensitive this season. He is the RB19 in fantasy, averaging 19 touches and 85.8 total yards. Despite the less-than-stellar consistency from Henry, he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Among 63 qualifying backs, he is 19th in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 17th in yards after contact per attempt. With a close spread, Henry could be fed volume this week, but don’t expect a pretty stat line. Baltimore ranks 16th in explosive run rate while holding backs at bay with the seventh-highest stuff rate and the 13th-lowest yards after contact per attempt allowed. Week 6 Positional Value: Borderline RB1/High-end RB2

Tyjae Spears: Spears is a stone-cold baller. If you have the bench space, ROSTER HIM NOW! If anything happens to Henry, Spears would be a plug-and-play top 15 back weekly. Among 63 qualifying backs, he ranks third-best in explosive run rate, sixth in yards after contact per attempt, and seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt. Okay, since we covered the great with Spears, we have to mention the bad. He has played at least 52% of the snaps in four of five games, but he has only seen double-digit touches twice. Spears has averaged 8.2 touches and 43.8 total yards. Baltimore has held backs to the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game and the second-lowest yards per carry on gap runs (Spears 48% gap). Week 6 Positional Value: RB3/4

Brian Robinson: Robinson is the RB17 in fantasy. His massive Week 2 performance is aiding that standing among running backs because outside of that game, he has been fairly mediocre. If you take that one week out of the equation, Robinson has averaged 14 touches and 57.5 total yards with zero games over 70 total yards. Among 63 qualified running backs, he is 41st in missed tackles forced per attempt and 25th in yards after contact per attempt. The Falcons should be able to hold him in check. Atlanta has the 11th-best stuff rate while ranking 15th in yards after contact per attempt. They have held zone runner (Robinson 65.7% zone) to the 11th-lowest yards per carry. Week 6 Positional Value: RB3

Antonio Gibson: Gibson’s snap share has varied widely from 35-61% of snaps weekly. He has averaged five touches and 37.2 total yards per game. Gibson has three or fewer targets in three of five games. He’s the RB53 in fantasy points per game. His best avenue for a fantasy-relevant game weekly comes via the passing game. The Falcons should be able to hold him at bay this week. Atlanta has held backs to the 13th-lowest yards per reception and the lowest receiving yards in the NFL. Week 6 Positional Value: RB4

Bijan Robinson: Robinson is coming off a disappointing week against the Texans, where he only managed 58 total yards on 16 touches. Robinson also handled his lowest route run rate (46.2%) and snap share (61%) of the season. In the previous four weeks, Robinson had a 69.4-77.3% route run rate and at least 63% of the snaps (72-81% in Weeks 2-4). Among 63 qualifying backs, he ranks 16th in explosive run rate and fifth-best in missed tackles forced per attempt. The snap share for Robinson and losing routes to not only Allgeier but now Cordarrelle Patterson as well are concerns, but he is still the clear lead back for ATL. Washington’s issues against passing have been well documented, but their problems with stopping the run have gone overlooked. The Commanders have allowed the eighth-highest explosive run rate while having the fifth-worst stuff rate and fourth-highest yards before contact allowed. Washington has given up the 12th-highest yards per carry to zone runs (Robinson 64.2% zone). This is a big bounceback spot for Robinson. Week 6 Positional Value: RB1

Tyler Allgeier: Allgeier has seen at least 15 rushing attempts in three of his five games, and he could make it a fourth time in Week 6. It doesn’t make any sense, but Allgeier has outcarried Robinson in the red zone ten to five. The matchup, volume upside, and touchdown equity in the Falcon’s offense all set up nicely for Allgeier to outpace expectations in Week 6. He is a strong flex play that could walk away with RB2 production. Week 6 Positional Value: Flex with RB2 upside

Week 6 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Logan Thomas: After last week’s monster game, Thomas is the TE6 in fantasy. In the three full games he has played, he has commanded a 17.1% target share and 17.7% first-read share with 1.48 YPRR. Thomas is tied for the team lead with four red zone targets. The Falcons are a wonderful matchup for Thomas to get fed against in Week 6. Atlanta has surrendered the fifth-most receiving yards and the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Week 6 Positional Value: TE1

Kyle Pitts: Since Week 2, Pitts has had a 20.5% target share, a 30.4% air-yard share, 1.27 YPRR, and a 23.5% first-read share (third-best). Last week was Pitts’ first game, surpassing 50 receiving yards. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for a player who has not looked like he’s 100% if you turn on the tape. Pitts is third on the team in deep targets. If Ridder does attack this pass defense deep, he should be involved. Pitts is tied with Jonnu Smith and Robinson for second on the team in red zone targets. Washington has allowed the tenth-fewest fantasy points and only one receiving touchdown to tight ends. Week 6 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

Jonnu Smith: Smith has been operating as Atlanta’s WR3 since Week 2. Since that week, he has a 64.2% route run rate, an 18.7% target share, and a 22.4% first-read share. Over the last four weeks among 36 qualifying tight ends, Smith ranks tenth in target share, second in receiving yards per game, second in YPRR, and fifth in first read share. Since Week 2, Smith has been the TE10 in fantasy. We need to put more respect on his name because he has been balling out. The biggest issue with trusting Smith this week is that the matchup is brutal for tight ends. Washington has allowed the fourth-lowest receiving yards and third-lowest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 6 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

T.J. Hockenson: Hockenson is the TE4 in fantasy. Among 34 qualifying tight ends, he ranks eighth in target share (19.1%), tenth in YPRR (1.54), and fifth in first-read share. Hockenson is third in red zone targets and 20th in YAC per reception. The Bears have held tight ends to the ninth-lowest yards per reception while still giving up the tenth-most receiving yards and the fourth-most receptions. Cousins will pepper him this week. Week 6 Positional Value: Top-shelf TE1

Cole Kmet: Kmet is putting together a breakout season as the TE5 in fantasy. Among 34 qualifying tight ends, he is ninth in target share, 13th in YAC per reception, sixth in YPRR, and fourth in expected fantasy points per route run. Kmet faces a Minnesota pass defense that has held tight ends to the ninth-fewest receiving yards and lowest yards per reception but has also allowed the third-most receiving touchdowns. Kmet is 12th in red zone targets among tight ends. The matchup isn’t great, but if he scores this week, he’ll be a top-12 option again. Week 6 Positional Value: TE1

George Kittle: Kittle came roaring back last week with a monster game. He is poised to stack back-to-back lovely fantasy performances this week. Among 34 qualifying tight ends, he ranks 13th in target share (16.1%), fourth in YPRR (1.89), 15th in first-read share (16.5%), and fourth in fantasy points per route run. Kittle could feast again this week against the Browns man coverage. Against man this season, his target share has increased to 20.5%, his YPRR has jumped to a beautiful 2.36, and his first-read share has been a scintillating 23.5%. The only superb tight end that Cleveland has faced this season was Mark Andrews, who secured all five of his targets for 80 yards with a pair of scores. Week 6 Positional Value: Top-three TE

Dallas Goedert: After last week’s eruption game, Goedert is the TE9 in fantasy points per game. Among 40 qualified tight ends, he ranks tenth in target share, 21st in YPRR, and eighth in first-read share. Goedert has three red zone targets in his last three games. Goedert ranks third on the team in play-action targets and second in YPRR on play-action passes. This week against the Jets is another fantastic spot for Goedert for him to stack back-to-back monster stat lines. New York has been Swiss cheese against tight ends this season, allowing the most fantasy points, the most receiving touchdowns, and the ninth-most receiving yards. Week 6 Positional Value: TE1

Dalton Kincaid: Since Week 3, Kincaid bests Dawson Knox with a 65% route run rate, but he’s only drawn an 8.2% target share (3.4 aDOT) with 0.71 YPRR. Until Kincaid’s usage changes with more volume or a plausible aDOT, he’s a difficult player to talk yourself into starting. The Giants have held tight ends to the 14th-lowest fantasy points and zero touchdowns. Week 6 Positional Value: low-end TE2

Week 6 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 6 Kicker Start/Sit Grades