Jumping off the bench to take on the smash plays weekly is a challenge that has me excited to tackle.
The premise behind this article is simple: Identify fantasy football smash plays on the fringe of your starting lineup. We rarely recommend a top-10 player at any position, but we want to help you fill those critical Flex spots when making fantasy start sit decisions.
As we look at this Week’s smash plays, prepare to win your matchups.
Jumping off the bench to take on the smash plays weekly is a challenge that has me excited to tackle.
The premise behind this article is simple: Identify fantasy football smash plays on the fringe of your starting lineup. We rarely recommend a top-10 player at any position, but we want to help you fill those critical Flex spots when making fantasy start sit decisions.
As we look at this Week’s smash plays, prepare to win your matchups.
Fantasy Football Smash Starts for Week 6
Quarterback
Jared Goff (QB – DET) at Dallas
Jared Goff returns from his bye, looking to remain hot. He was a perfect 18-for-18 for 292 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. Goff even added a receiving touchdown in Week 4. Goff faces a Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 6 that gives up 17 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Cowboys have allowed three quarterbacks to score multiple touchdowns against them. Goff has a high floor this week with his surrounding weapons and the potential shootout against the Cowboys. Do not overlook Goff as a smash play this week.
Running Back
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC) at Chicago
Fantasy managers are buying that Tank Bigsby has taken Travie Etienne as the lead back in Jacksonville. It is hard to argue that Bigsby has out-snapped and outpaced Etienne in total opportunities, 14-13, last week. Bigsby exploded in Week 5 with 101 rushing yards and two scores. In fairness, Etienne was dealing with a shoulder injury, which opened the door for Bigsby to more opportunities. Bigsby is making the most of his chances and his big-play ability. His upside is undeniable, and even a snap share with Etienne, the explosion last week proves that Bigsby should be more involved in every matchup. Week 6 has the Jaguars in London taking on the Bears who give up 120.8 rushing yards per game. Ride the hot hand, which makes Bigsby an elite smash running back play.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) vs. Cincinnati
Rookie Tyronne Tracy Jr took advantage of his spot start because Devin Singletary was out and led the league in rushing with 129 yards in Week 5. Tracy earned a more extensive role moving forward regardless of the status of Singletary. Tracy Jr. was on many sleeper lists entering this season, with him carving out at least a third-down role. The fifth-round draft pick has a fantastic Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are the bottom ten in fantasy points allowed to the running backs. Consider Tracy Jr., a super smash play for fantasy managers.
Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL) vs. Washington
Zay Flowers has a plus matchup against a Washington Commanders defense that ranks 27th in fantasy points allowed to wideouts this season. Flowers is coming off a game in which he exploded for 111 yards on seven receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. In a matchup in which we will witness offensive explosions from each passing offense, fantasy managers should target the playmakers in this matchup.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) at Baltimore
Scary Terry terrorizes opposing pass defenses with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who makes McLaurin the passing game’s focal point. The former Buckeye tops the NFL with 11 deep targets and has produced two 100-yard games across five games this season. McLaurin takes on a Baltimore Ravens defense this Week that has allowed the most passing yards per game (304.0 yards). McLaurin averages seven targets per game and has produced double-digit fantasy points across his last three games. Make that four consecutive after this Week 6 matchup.
Jameson Williams (WR – DET) at Dallas
Jameson Williams turns a few looks into a huge fantasy day with his big-play ability. Williams and the Lions will be in a shootout this week against the Dallas Cowboys in a matchup with the highest implied point total (52). The reward outweighs the risk here, and Williams will be a hot Week 6 smash play that should always be in your fantasy lineups.
Tight End
Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ) vs. Buffalo
We will see changes in the New York Jets’ playcalling with Aaron Rodgers…sorry, I mean Todd Downing taking over the duties. In any event, Rodgers has been looking for his tight end Tyler Conklin more, with 6, 8, and 9 targets across the past three games. His increase in activity should bode well in a tough division matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Defense
Atlanta Falcons (Defense) at Carolina
Andy Dalton has come back down to earth after blowing up the Raiders’ and Bengals’ defenses upon taking over at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, this week Dalton takes on an opportunistic Atlanta Falcons defense that has created five turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns. The Panthers are in the top five with eight giveaways across five games, which makes the Falcons a sneaky streaming defense in Week 6.
Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
