Thursday Night Football turned from snore fest to an exciting contest thanks to Laviska Shenault scoring a 97 yard touchdown on a kickoff return early in the third quarter. The Seahawks made it a game in the second half, giving viewers a treat. Most of the conversation surrounding this game will revolve around Jordan Mason getting injured and Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor proving once again that running backs shine in the Shanahan scheme. On the IDP side of things, Fred Warner caused havoc, Malik Mustapha started for the injured Talanoa Hufanga but was injured leading to Hufanga’s presumptive injury replacement George Odum to having a solid day, finally, Julian Love and Tyrel Dodson proved once again that they are among the top options at their position. 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.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 6

Start em

Xavier McKinney (S – GB)
McKinney continues to be a ballhawk for the Packers, most recently racking up two solos, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two passes defended. The interception marked his fifth consecutive game with a pick. It is unwise to chase picks, but at some point, you roll with a player while he is cooking, regardless of whether or not he is a boom or bust play. We are there now with McKinney. Treat him as a top-25 option for Week 6 against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.

Antonio Johnson (S – JAC)
Johnson was excellent in Week 5, tallying eight solos and three assists. Johnson has recorded five or more solos in each of his games this season, putting him firmly in the top-15 mix going forward. Tap Johnson as a DB1 option for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Rodney McLeod (S – CLE)
Rodney McLeod was excellent in Week 5, tallying six solos, one assist, two tackles for loss, and one pass defended. McLeod could get some more burn in Week 6 if Grant Delpit (concussion) is ruled out. Delpit has missed the first two practices of the week and could be ruled out on Friday. McLeod is a DB3 option if he is starting.

Travon Walker (DE/LB – JAC)
Travon went off in Week 5, tallying four solos, one assist, three sacks, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. He has been a nonfactor when not taking down the quarterback, but the three sacks put him at five on the season and returns him to being locked in as a DL2 option during the byes. Treat him as such for a tasty Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Start him wherever possible.

Ventrell Miller (LB – JAC)
Miller was at it again in Week 5, tallying six solos, one assist, and one tackle for loss. Miller played 59 percent of the snaps after playing 84 percent when Devin Lloyd was sidelined but showed enough that he should continue to soak up snaps as long as Foye Oluokun is sidelined. If Foye misses more time, tap him as a top-25 option for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

DeMarvion Overshown (LB – DAL)
Overshown continues to shine for the Cowboys, most recently racking up seven solos, one assist, and one pass defended. He has shown up in the plus matchups and has another one on two this week against the Detroit Lions. Fire him up with confidence as a top-25 option, thanks to the plus matchup.

Sit em

Josh Hines-Allen (DE/LB – JAC)
Hines-Allen showed up in Week 5, tallying three solos, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. The sack was just his second of the season, so hopefully, this is a step in the right direction. Hines-Allen is more low end DL2 as opposed to the DL1 you drafted him to be and should be viewed as such until he starts to heat up. Treat him as part of the top-25 conversation for Week 6, but those in leagues where you only need to start two DLs should exhaust their other options first before tapping Allen, despite the plus matchup.

Daniel Ekuale (DT – NE)
Ekuale was excellent in Week 5, racking up four solos, five assists, 0.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss. Ekuale is now up to a full sack on the season but has not done enough to warrant starting consideration, even in deeper formats. He is worth a stash since he is playing north of 70 percent of the snaps, but he is more of a depth piece than someone who should ever sniff your starting lineup. Look elsewhere for your Week 6 DL3/4.

D.J. Davidson (DE – NYG)
Davidson was excellent in Week 5, tallying two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Davidson played just 33 percent of the snaps, and the sacks were the first of his career, so there could be an expanded role coming for the young pass rusher. Still, without a significant injury in front of him, he is going to be buried on the depth chart in terms of snaps behind star pass rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Leave Davidson on benches for Week 6, regardless of league size or format.

Bud Dupree (DE/LB – LAC)
Dupree showed up in Week 4, racking up two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Dupree has been quiet through his other three contests and should be considered an ocean deep league option only. Those not paying in 16+ team 11 v 11 formats should look elsewhere for their Week 6 DL3/4.

Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)
Cooper was solid in Week 5, notching three solos, two assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss. He has put together back-to-back strong weeks and could be set to see an expanded role going forward. For now, he belongs glued to benches despite the surprising production, as he played just under 35 percent of the snaps over the two weeks, which is too little for him to be an option during a light bye. Keep Cooper rostered but benched for Week 6.

Winston Reid (LB – CLE)
Reid went off in Week 5, racking up four solos, four assists, 0.5 sacks, and two passes defended. Reed saw an expanded role with Jordan Hicks hurt but cannot be trusted as long as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Devin Bush are healthy ahead of him. Keep him benched for Week 6 despite the plus matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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