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.

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Week 6 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Caleb Williams (QB)

Last week Williams showed some life as the QB6 in fantasy. We’ll see if he can build upon the last two weeks with a soft secondary matchup this week. Since Week 4, among 30 qualifying quarterbacks, Williams has ranked second in yards per attempt, 14th in CPOE, 18th in passing yards per game, and 17th in highly accurate throw rate. Not amazing but also an improvement over what we saw in his first three games. I will note that he also still had the 12th-highest off target throw rate in that sample, so it’s not all sunshine and dreams come true over the last two weeks. Jacksonville has been a bottom of the barrel pass defense all season and a wonderous fantasy point injection for quarterbacks. They have allowed the second-most passing yards per game, the fifth-highest yards per attempt, the seventh-highest CPOE, and the most fantasy points via passing this season.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Lawrence finally displayed a pulse in fantasy football last week. He logged his first game with more than 15 fantasy points as the QB10 for the week (22.2 fantasy points). Unfortunately for Lawrence, his stay among the QB1s in fantasy will be short-lived as he is banished back to the basement this week. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 22nd in yards per attempt, 20th in passer rating, 29th in CPOE, and 22nd in fantasy points per dropback. Chicago has been a brutal matchup for quarterbacks, allowing the fourth-lowest success rate per dropback and fantasy points via passing and the seventh-lowest yards per attempt. Lawrence is an easy sit in 1QB leagues.

Baker Mayfield (QB)

Mayfield has been having arguably his best season as a pro in 2024. He is the QB3 in fantasy points per game. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks second in passing touchdowns, third in passer rating, and 11th in CPOE. He faces a Saints pass defense that has been allowing a ton of yardage (seventh-most passing yards per game allowed) but has cracked down in every other category. New Orleans has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns (only one) in the NFL, the 13th-lowest CPOE, and the fifth-lowest success rate per dropback. Mayfield should post another solid stat line in Week 6 but don’t expect smash numbers.

Spencer Rattler (QB)

Rattler will draw the Week 6 start in place of Derek Carr, who will be sidelined for a few games (oblique). Rattler will have his work cut out for him this week. He wasn’t exactly impressive in the preseason. Among 60 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 48th in passing grade, 46th in yards per attempt, and 38th in adjusted completion rate. Before Kirk Cousins ripped this pass defense apart, this same secondary allowed the fourth-lowest passer rating and CPOE, the fifth-lowest yards per attempt, and the third-lowest fantasy points via passing. Rattler will be tested early and often against a defense that is eighth in blitz rate.

Will Levis (QB)

Levis is dealing with a shoulder issue, but the Titans sound optimistic he will play this week. That’s how we’ll approach the situation until we hear an update. The Levis rollercoaster in 2024 has been real. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 29th in yards per attempt, 31st in passer rating, and 30th in fantasy points per dropback, but he is also eighth-best in CPOE and 11th in catchable target rate. If there was ever a “get right” matchup for Levis and this passing game it is the Colts. They have allowed the second-highest yards per attempt, the fifth-highest passer rating, and the fourth-highest passing yards per game and CPOE.

Deshaun Watson (QB)

Watson has been absolutely dreadful this season as the QB26 in fantasy points per game. At this point, I don’t trust him in any fantasy lineup or format. He has had countless solid to amazing matchups to this point in 2024, but he hasn’t been able to capitalize in any game. Despite the coaching staff’s affirmations that Watson is the starting quarterback, we can’t rule out that Watson could get benched during a game moving forward. At some point, sanity and common sense have to return to the decision-making for this franchise. Among 35 qualifying quarterbacks, Watson ranks 34th in yards per attempt, 20th in CPOE, 29th in passer rating, and 32nd in fantasy points per dropback. Philly has allowed the 12th-highest yards per attempt, the 14th-highest passer rating, and the tenth-most passing yards per game.

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Week 6 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Amari Cooper (WR)

Cooper has been receiving a truckload of hollow volume from Watson all year. He has a 26.6% target share, a 51.1% air-yard share, 1.06 YPRR, a measly 41.6 receiving yards per game, and a 33.6% first-read share. Only 59.6% of his target volume has been deemed catchable. He is tied with Jeudy for the team lead in end-zone targets. Philly is 18th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers. Cooper remains a volume or plug-and-pray play.

Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Jeudy has handled an 18.1% target share with a 30% air-yard share, 1.13 YPRR, and a 20% first-read share. He is tied with Cooper for the team lead in end-zone targets. Jeudy has three top 36 wide receiver weekly finishes this season (WR33, WR27, WR31). If you’re in a bye-week jam, Jeudy is a low-end flex or WR3 option, but in most formats and situations, you’re not starting him. It’s tough to have any faith in any part of the Cleveland offense right now. Philly is 18th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Tank Dell (WR)

Dell has had a rough 2024 season so far as the WR70 in fantasy points per game. Dell has seen only a 13.3% target share, a 21.5% air-yard share, and a 13.3% first-read share with 1.07 YPRR. Dell has one end zone target and two red zone looks this season. New England has the sixth-highest rate of two-high this season (51.3%). Against two-high, Dell has had a disappointing 13% TPRR, 0.84 YPRR, and a 13% first-read share. Last year, against this coverage type, Dell posted a 20% TPRR, 2.02 YPRR, and a solid 17.4% first-read share. With Diggs likely to get the Christian Gonzalez treatment, Dell could be leaned on this week. Dell is likely to see Jonathan Jones (69.2% catch rate and 106.9 passer rating) and Marco Wilson (career: 69.3% catch rate and 115.2 passer rating) for most of the day.

Stefon Diggs (WR)

Diggs has been a surprise this season as the WR12 in fantasy points per game. He has a 21.1% target share, 1.81 YPRR, and a 26.2% first-read share. He has drawn one end-zone target while ranking second on the team in red-zone targets (three). New England has the sixth-highest rate of two-high this season (51.3%). Against two-high, Diggs is second on the team in TPRR (21%) and first-read share (24.7%) while producing 1.50 YPRR. Last week, Diggs played even amounts on the perimeter and in the slot after Nico Collins was out. This is important because this week, he is likely to be shadowed by Christian Gonzalez (55.6% catch rate and 65.2 passer rating). He won’t be able to get away from Gonzalez in the slot, as Gonzalez has moved into the slot on 17.3% of his snaps this season. Gonzalez has followed Ja’Marr Chase, Garrett Wilson, D.K. Metcalf, Tyreek Hill, and Brandon Aiyuk on 53.8-90% of their routes. Only Metcalf finishes with more than 60 receiving yards in his coverage. Diggs should be fed volume this week, but I’m not incredibly high about his Week 6 outlook.

DeMario Douglas (WR)

Douglas is the WR73 in fantasy points per game with two top 36 weekly finishes (WR26, WR36). Douglas has one red zone target this season. He has been a dependable weapon for the passing attack when they have featured him. This season, he has a 16.8% target share, 1.20 YPRR, and a 21.1% first-read share (leads the team). Since Week 3, Houston has had the 12th-highest rate of single-high (58.8%). Against single-high, Douglas has seen his target share increase to 18.8% and his first-read share jump to 23.3%. Douglas will run about 77% of his routes against Jalen Pitre (65% catch rate and 92.3 passer rating).

Ja’Lynn Polk (WR)

Over the last two weeks, Polk has had an 84.2% route share, a 19.7% target share, a 45.2% air-yard share, 0.67 YPRR (ewwww), and a 27.7% first-read share. He hasn’t done much with the volume, with only 21.5 receiving yards per game. Polk has two red zone targets this season. Polk is a worth a stash in deeper leagues, but he’s not a player I’m rushing to get into any lineups. Houston has allowed the 12th-lowest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Terry McLaurin (WR)

Mclaurin is the WR32 in fantasy points per game as Daniels’ alpha wide receiver. He has been a volume hog with a 26.1% target share, a 55.1% air-yard share, 2.20 YPRR, and a 31.6% first-read share. Daniels’ progression has been noticeable for McLaurin’s fantasy stock. Since Week 3, McLaurin is the WR13 in fantasy points per game. McLaurin leads the team with four end-zone targets. Baltimore has been giving to perimeter wide receivers, allowing the fourth-most receiving yards per game and the tenth-highest passer rating when targeted. McLaurin will run about 80% of his routes against Marlon Humphrey (65.5% catch rate and 88.1 passer rating) and Brandon Stephens (62.5% catch rate and 90.2 passer rating).

Zay Flowers (WR)

Flowers is the WR39 in fantasy points per game with three weeks of WR3 or higher production on his 2024 resume (WR35, WR11, WR14). Flowers has earned a 25.2% target share with 1.77 YPRR and a 31.3% first-read share. Flowers should be able to take advantage of a still suspect Washington secondary that has allowed the ninth-highest passer rating when targeted and the 12th-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Flowers is tied for third on the team in red zone targets. Flowers will run about 66% of his routes against Benjamin St. Juste (59.5% catch rate and 110.8 passer rating) and Mik Sainristil (73.7% catch rate and 137.3 passer rating).

Ladd McConkey (WR)

McConkey is the WR42 in fantasy points per game, but he has two WR2 weekly finishes this season (WR19, WR19). He has been the Bolts’ clear WR1 with a 25.8% target share, a 30% air-yard share, 2.20 YPRR, and a 30.5% first-read share. Denver has the tenth-highest single-high rate (58.3%). Against single-high, McConkey has seen similar market share metrics, but his YPRR has jumped to 2.71. This efficiency will help McConkey combat a challenging matchup this week. Denver has allowed the lowest PPR points per target and the ninth-fewest receiving yards per game to slot receivers. McConkey will run about 67% of his routes against Ja’Quan McMillian (69.7% catch rate and 81.9 passer rating).

Quentin Johnston (WR)

This isn’t the week to look to Johnston for help in fantasy. He is likely going to draw shadow coverage from Patrick Surtain (71.4% catch rate and 55.1 passer rating). Surtain has followed D.K. Metcalf, Mike Evans, George Pickens, Garrett Wilson, and Jakobi Meyers on 50-95.8% of their routes. Surtain hasn’t allowed a receiver in his shadow coverage to surpass 30 receiving yards (zero touchdowns). Sit Johnston.

George Pickens (WR)

Pickens is the WR50 in fantasy points per game with two top-24 fantasy performances (WR24, WR23). Last week, it looks like he was shoved into the coaching staff’s dog house. Oh, what fun. Arthur Smith has brought his player usage circus to Pittsburgh. Pickens had a 61.3% route share, a 21.4% target share, and a 22.2% first-read share. His route share ranked fourth on the team. Hopefully, his usage rebounds this week, but with Arthur Smith, you just never know. Overall, Pickens has a 25.5% target share, a 45% air-yard share, 2.44 YPRR, and a 32.6% first-read share. Pickens leads the team in red zone targets while ranking 13th in the NFL in this statistical category. The Raiders have been a tough draw for perimeter wide receivers, allowing the seventh-lowest PPR points per target and the eighth-fewest receiving yards per game.

Jakobi Meyers (WR)

Meyers will be the team’s de facto WR1 this week. With Davante Adams out, Meyers has had a 31.1% target share, a 38.9% air-yard share, 1.95 YPRR, and a 34.1% first-read share. Meyers leads the team in red zone targets (five). He may get shadowed by Joey Porter Jr. (66.7% catch rate and 86.3 passer rating) this week. Porter Jr. has shadowed three times this season, following Drake London, Courtland Sutton, and Quentin Johnston on 65.2-85.7% of their routes. None of those wide receivers finished with more than 44 receiving yards in his coverage. Only Johnston secured a touchdown. Last week, Meyers only saw Patrick Surtain on 50% of his routes, but Gardner Minshew only fed him two targets with Surtain opposite him. Meyers made the most of his opportunities with Surtain, not on him. This week, I don’t see O’Connell challenging Porter Jr. if he is following him throughout the entire game. Sit Meyers this week.

Week 6 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Bijan Robinson (RB)

This isn’t the type of season I envisioned for Robinson as the RB24 in fantasy points per game. Atlanta has scaled back his workload over the last two games. He has played 64-67% of the snaps with 13 touches and 75.5 total yards per game. The big problem for Robinson is that Atlanta has leaned into their passing game so heavily that it has limited his overall volume some. He has been splitting the workload with Allgeier since Week 4. Robinson has had a 57.5% snap rate on rushing plays, a 66.7% snap rate on passing downs, and a 57.1% snap share in the red zone. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 16th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 27th in yards after contact per attempt. This could be the big Robinson game that we have been waiting for. Carolina can’t stop anyone on the ground. Carolina has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the fifth-highest success rate to zone runs (Robinson 82.1% zone).

Chuba Hubbard (RB)

Hubbard is the RB12 in fantasy points per game, but he didn’t really take off until Andy Dalton got the starting gig. Since Dalton has been under center, Hubbard has been the RB5 in fantasy points per game, averaging 21.6 touches and 128.3 total yards per game. Overall, among 59 qualifying backs, Hubbard ranks 21st in explosive run rate and 16th in yards after contact per attempt. Hubbard should keep rolling along this week. Atlanta has allowed the fourth-highest missed tackle rate and rushing yards per game, the third-highest rushing success rate, and the seventh-highest zone rushing success rate (Hubbard 72% zone).

Tyler Allgeier (RB)

Allgeier is a low-end flex this week. Overall, this season, he is the RB52 in fantasy points per game, averaging 7.8 touches and 44.6 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, he hasn’t been amazing on a per-touch basis, ranking 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 29th in yards after contact per attempt. If Atlanta jumps out to a big lead or is salting the clock away late, Allgeier could get an expanded role this week. If that happens, Allgeier could payoff for Fantasy GMs struggling to fill out lineups this week. Carolina has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the fifth-highest success rate to zone runs (Allgeier 78.8% zone).

David Montgomery (RB)

Montgomery is the RB8 in fantasy points per game, averaging 18.1 touches and 91.3 total yards per game. Montgomery and Gibbs have been the twin engines of the Detroit offense. Despite his fantasy production, Montgomery’s efficiency metrics have slowed some this season. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 31st in yards after contact per attempt. Montgomery could be held in check this week against what has been a surprisingly formidable Dallas run defense. The Cowboys have kept backs in check with the ninth-lowest explosive run rate, the seventh-lowest missed tackle rate, and the 13th-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Montgomery is a volume play this week.

Rico Dowdle (RB)

Dowdle is coming off his best game of the season. He had a season-high 50% snap share with 22 touches and 114 total yards. Over the last two weeks, among 41 qualifying backs, he has shown some glimmer of hope, ranking 20th in yards after contact per attempt. Overall, this season, he’s the RB34 in fantasy points per game, averaging 13 touches and 64.4 total yards. This isn’t the week to go chasing last week’s results for Dowdle. He has a horrible matchup this week against Detroit’s top-shelf run defense. The Lions have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game, the fourth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the lowest yards per carry and success rate to zone runs (Dowdle 55.6% zone).

Braelon Allen (RB)

Allen could see more work this week as New York should lean into their ground game to win this week’s battle with Buffalo. Allen has played 26-36% of the snaps this season, averaging eight touches and 43 total yards. Among 59 qualifying backs, he ranks 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt and sixth in yards after contact per attempt. Buffalo has allowed the sixth-highest explosive run rate, the seventh-most rushing yards per game, and the seventh-highest yards per carry to gap runs (Allen 53.1% gap).

D’Andre Swift (RB)

Swift has been awesome over the last two games as the RB3 in fantasy points per game, averaging 65% of the snaps, 23 touches, and 142.5 total yards per game. Over that span, among 40 qualifying backs, he ranks 22nd in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 35th in yards after contact per attempt. Good matchups and volume have been the engines of his production, while his tackle-breaking has remained modest. Swift will be running into brick walls this week on the ground, so he’ll need all the passing game usage he can get. Jacksonville has kept rushers in check with the eighth-lowest rushing yards per game, the tenth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the second-lowest yards after contact per attempt allowed. Swift has an 11.2% target share while ranking ninth in YPRR and seventh in receiving yards per game (33) among 35 qualifying backs. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most receptions and receiving yards to running backs.

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB)

Etienne is dealing with a shoulder issue, and it has drastically affected his playing time. Over the last two games, he has averaged only 45% of the snaps with 12 touches and 60 total yards. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks 25th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. The Bears run defense has been up and down. While they have the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate and the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, they have also been exceptionally vulnerable to gap runs. They have allowed the ninth-highest explosive run rate and have given up the fourth-highest yards per carry to gap runs and the 11th-highest success rate to this run play type (Etienne 64% gap). With this snap rate cut, he’s a dicey RB2, but the path is there for him to pay off this week, even with limited volume.

Tank Bigsby (RB)

Bigsby exploded in Week 5 with a 40% snap rate, 14 touches, 129 total yards, and two scores. He played 60% of the rushing play snaps and had a 33% red zone snap rate. In the three games this season, Bigsby has played at least 29% of the snaps, he has averaged 11 touches and 97.3 total yards. He’s been absolutely electric. Among 57 qualifying backs, Bigsby is putting up efficiency stats that would make De’Von Achane blush last year, ranking first in explosive run rate, third in missed tackles forced per attempt, and first in yards after contact per attempt. The Bears run defense has been up and down. While they have the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate and the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, they have also been exceptionally vulnerable to gap runs. They have allowed the ninth-highest explosive run rate and have given up the fourth-highest yards per carry to gap runs and the 11th-highest success rate to this run play type (Bigsby 67.6% gap). Bigsby is a strong flex play this week that could finish with RB2 numbers.

Week 6 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Cole Kmet (TE)

Since Kmet’s big performance in Week 3, he has had a 63% route share, a 17.3% target share, 2.54 YPRR, and a 17.9% first-read share. His route share is passable, but the rest of his market share metrics are strong, considering the current fantasy landscape for the tight-end position. Overall, Kmet is the TE8 in fantasy points per game who ranks third on the team in red-zone targets. Kmet sits at the fringe of TE1 status again this week against a Jacksonville defense that has held the position to the 12th-fewest receiving yards.

Juwan Johnson (TE)

Johnson has seen his usage tick up over the last two games, with at least 68% of the snaps in each contest. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has had a 63.2% route share with an 11.3% target share, 0.92 YPRR, and a puny 9.8% first-read share. Johnson is a low-end matchup-based streamer this week against a Bucs team that has allowed the 13th-most receptions and receiving yards to the tight end position.

Cade Otton (TE)

Otton has become the team’s trusted WR3 in the offense over the last three weeks. In that period, Otton has had a 19.2% target share, 1.81 YPRR, and a 16.4% first-read share. He is third on the team with three red zone targets. Since Week 3, he has been the TE11 in fantasy points per game. Otton should be a TE1 again this week against a Saints defense that has permitted the third-most receiving yards and the fourth-most receptions to tight ends.

Tucker Kraft (TE)

Kraft is a stone-cold baller. He is the TE4 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 13.5% target share. Among 41 qualifying tight ends, he is fifth in YPRR, eighth in receiving yards per game, and 14th in FD/RR. He leads the team with five red zone targets. Since Week 3, Arizona has had the ninth-highest single-high rate in the NFL (59.2%). Against single-high, Kraft is second on the team with 2.69 YPRR and third in FD/RR (0.093). Arizona is a middle-of-the-road matchup, allowing the 13th-highest yards per reception and 16th in receiving yards per game to tight ends.

Dallas Goedert (TE)

Goedert is the TE2 in fantasy points per game, but that is inflated with Philly dealing with no DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown for nearly two weeks. Both should be expected to return this week. In Weeks 1-2, Goedert was the TE13 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 14.1% target share with 1.21 YPRR and a 15.8% first-read share. The Browns have been a difficult assignment for tight ends, allowing the 11th-fewest receiving yards and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position.

Dalton Schultz (TE)

Schultz has been on the outside looking in this year. Houston hasn’t leaned on him much, but that could change this week. Schultz is the TE25 in fantasy points per game with an 11.6% target share, 0.77 YPRR, and an 11.5% first-read share. He has two red zone targets this season. New England has the sixth-highest rate of two-high this season (51.3%). Against two-high this season, Schultz only has an 11% target share and an 11% first-read share. Last year, against two-high, he was second on the team in TPRR (25%) and first-read share (18.5%) with a strong 1.79 YPRR. The matchup this week also leans in the direction of Houston, featuring the tight end position. New England has allowed the third-highest yards per reception and the seventh-most receiving yards to tight ends.

Week 6 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 6 Kicker Start/Sit Grades