Identifying Week 6 sleepers and avoiding potential duds can make all the difference for your team. Whether you’re looking for under-the-radar players poised for a breakout or trying to dodge early-season letdowns, our team of Featured Pros has you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the key players you should start and those you might want to bench based on expert insights and analysis.
Identifying Week 6 sleepers and avoiding potential duds can make all the difference for your team. Whether you’re looking for under-the-radar players poised for a breakout or trying to dodge early-season letdowns, our team of Featured Pros has you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the key players you should start and those you might want to bench based on expert insights and analysis.
“Davante Adams is about to be traded, so you’re getting a solid role. Tre Tucker disappointed last week, but he has 15+ fantasy points in two of his last three games and has played over 80% of the snaps in three straight. Pittsburgh isn’t the easiest draw, but the role is awesome for a WW option.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
“I don’t know if he’ll stay below the top 100 once Nico is announced out for this week, but Tank Dell is due for an increased role. He’s played 67% of the snaps for the season, and while I don’t expect him to jump to 100%, he should get more snaps and targets without Nico around. We saw the upside last year, and I think we get to see it again this week.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
“Dare Ogunbowale – It seems like it might be another week for Joe Mixon on the sidelines. Even if he is not, I like Ogunbowale as the receiving back in Houston. Dare caught 10 balls in the past two games and even threw in 15 carries last week. With Mixon out, the 68% snap share Ogunbowale received last week entrenches him as an RB2.”
– Michael Tomlin (Fantasy Six Pack)
“I believe Romeo Doubs is a solid start for a few reasons. For starters, knowing how the Packers operate under Matt LaFleur, it would appear the Packers will want to get him involved often in his first game back from suspension. In addition, the Packers have had a tough time finding production from a receiver not named Jayden Reed due to Dontayvion Wicks‘ drop issues and Christian Watson‘s inability to stay on the field. There is a role that needs to be filled, and Doubs will likely be asked to fill it this week.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)
“Ja’Lynn Polk played 100% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 5. That’s every single snap! He’s the clear top outside receiver but in New England, that hasn’t meant much. The change to Drake Maye could trigger something positive, though, meaning Polk has the chance to break out in Week 6. If you’re desperate at WR, you can do worse.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
“Ja’Lynn Polk has seen his snap share increase from between 50-60% the first three weeks to 83% and 100% the last two weeks. That hasn’t translated into big production so far, but that could change with the Patriots’ quarterback swap from Jacoby Brissett to Drake Maye.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)
“Jalen Tolbert is finally making waves in the NFL, and fantasy managers should take notice. Currently ranked WR40 by ECR, I have him at WR35 based on his recent performance and potential. After being drafted in the 3rd round from a smaller school, Tolbert is starting to find his rhythm. In a recent game, he racked up 10 targets, including a game-winning touchdown, showing he can be a reliable option. With Brandin Cooks now on IR, Tolbert’s role has expanded significantly. Over the last two weeks, he’s posted an impressive 80% route share and an 18.8% target rate-only 3% less than CeeDee Lamb. This week, the Cowboys face a Detroit defense that ranks 5th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. With a projected high-scoring game (Over/Under at 48.5), Tolbert is positioned as a solid WR3 or flex play. If you’re looking for a boost in your lineup, Tolbert could be the player to watch as he continues to carve out his role in Dallas. Don’t miss the opportunity to snag this emerging talent!”
– Daniel Mader (Fantasy Football Advice)
“Ray-Ray McCloud III is a solid sleeper start in Week 6. It may be flying under the radar, but McCloud is an every-down player for the Falcons. He has seen 16 targets over the past two games and five or more targets in all but one game. This week, he faces a Panthers team that surrenders 7.9 yards per pass attempt (tied for second-most in the NFL). Even if the Falcons are not in a tight game, they will continue to throw and have McCloud involved.”
– Zach Brunner (FlurrySports)
“Rashod Bateman is the player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex ranking that is a good sleeper start this week. He had four receptions on eight targets last week and is becoming a nice secondary target of Lamar Jackson. In three of his five games this season, he’s had 40+ receiving yards per game. He has two receiving IDs on the season. Bateman has a strong matchup this week against Washington and the following week against Tampa. He makes for a nice bye week play for those who need wide receiver assistance.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“Dalton Schultz is ready to break out. With Nico Collins shelved for a spell, Schultz should be leaned on more heavily in the passing game. He already saw a season-high six targets a week ago and faces a Patriots defense that has performed below average fantasy-wise versus tight ends. At worst, Schultzy is a serviceable bye-week replacement.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
“Zach Ertz is a solid tight end streaming option this week. Ertz caught just two of his eight targets (30% Target share) for 10 yards. Ertz was targeted four times in the red zone but only caught one pass, with no touchdowns. The Commanders’ tight end left a boatload of production on the table (70 air yards), but the usage is positive for him to be a streaming tight end option in a plus-matchup versus the Ravens in Week 6. Baltimore is second in yards, targets, and catches to TEs this season.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Call me a glutton for punishment, but I would probably start Mark Andrews this week. Lamar Jackson badly underthrew Andrews on a would-be touchdown last week right before he added salt to the wound by throwing the next pass to Charlie Kolar for a touchdown. If Andrews had caught that touchdown, he would be higher in this week’s rankings. Andrews could be involved in a high-scoring game with a Washington defense that ranks 27th in DVOA versus tight ends in the passing game.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
Duds
Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
“Mike Evans. Matchups can be noisy, but apparently not when it comes to Marshon Lattimore. He and Evans have beef, and he stifled the Bucs WR in their lone meeting last year (7 pts), and Evans has produced just ONE WR1 finish across 13 meetings with Lattimore. He’s had more than 8.4 points just one time in the last NINE clashes.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
“Mike Evans is too talented to ever bench in fantasy. But if there was a week to sit him, it would be on his annual trip to New Orleans. Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has a lot of experience against Evans in his career, and he’s given the veteran receiver fits. Four of Evans’ nine career games with 15 or fewer receiving yards came against the Saints with Lattimore in coverage against him.”
– Scott Spratt (FTN)
“Rhamondre Stevenson might be the most game-script-dependent running back in the league. In the Patriots’ close games, Stevenson has averaged over 17 PPR points per game. In the games they have been blown out, he has managed just three PPR points per game. The Texans are currently a touchdown road favorite and look to be ready to blow out New England.”
– Michael Tomlin (Fantasy Six Pack)
“The player I think most likely to disappoint fantasy managers is Chris Olave. Olave has finished as WR25 or better just once this season and is ranked as WR19 heading into Week 6. With Derek Carr likely out for Week 6 as well due to injury, I find it hard to trust Olave will get good enough quarterback play to support his current ranking.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)
“I’m not trusting a banged-up Brian Robinson Jr. against a strong Ravens run defense. Sure, this game could be a shootout, but Robinson looked hampered by the injury last week and was ultimately uninvolved after a series of uninspiring runs. There’s a real risk he disappoints by failing to get those touchdowns this time.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
“Even if Brian Robinson Jr. is active despite his knee injury again this week, he may need to stay on your bench. After being on the injury report last week, Robinson totaled only seven touches. This possible lack of a workload is concerning, especially when coupled with the match. The Ravens surrender the fewest yards per carry this season (3.1). Washington may need to use Austin Ekeler a bit more as a result of the matchup.”
– Zach Brunner (FlurrySports)
“Rico Dowdle has been making headlines lately, and with an ECR of RB22, some might see him as a rising star. However, I rank him a bit lower at RB32, and here’s why you should tread carefully. Last week, in a primetime matchup, Dowdle showcased his skills with 20 carries and a receiving touchdown, finishing as an RB3 overall in Week 5. His performance has raised eyebrows, especially as he starts to create distance between himself and Tony Pollard, which could lead to more opportunities for him moving forward. However, this week presents a tough challenge. The Detroit Lions have been stingy against running backs, allowing the 5th least fantasy points to the position. They’ve continued their strong defensive play from last season, limiting big plays on the ground. In fact, they rank 2nd in the league for the least yards after contact allowed and 7th for the fewest runs of 10+ yards. Adding to the concern, Dowdle has struggled to create much after contact this season, with only four missed tackles. While he may be getting touches, the potential for explosive plays seems limited against such a tough defense. Don’t let Dowdle’s recent primetime performance cloud your judgment in light of these factors. Consider him more as a bye-week flex play this week, at best. While he’s showing promise, relying on him as a key part of your fantasy lineup could lead to disappointment against the Lions. Proceed with caution!”
– Daniel Mader (Fantasy Football Advice)
“Deebo Samuel is the player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings that is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week. In the past two games from his return from injury, Samuel has only been targeted a total of eight times. A total of four receptions in his last two games is not sitting well with his fantasy managers. His matchup at Seattle is a tough one. Unless San Francisco makes an increased effort to get him more involved in the offense, he will continue to disappoint fantasy managers.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“Chuba Hubbard has been one of the most pleasant fantasy surprises to date. I’m not saying to bench him; I’m just saying to temper expectations as he faces a Top 5 fantasy rush defense in the Atlanta Falcons. I’m not comfortable with him as an RB2, more so as a flex.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
“Most likely to disappoint fantasy football managers? Sounds like Najee Harris. Despite great workloads and matchups the last two weeks, Harris has yet to crack a top-24 finish. On the year he hasn’t logged more than 11.1 points with zero TDs to boot. Even in another solid on-paper matchup versus LV, I can’t help but think we are in for more lackluster production from Harris, especially with Jaylen Warren close to returning.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“I am not as high on Brandon Aiyuk as most analysts seem to be this week. I think last week’s game was an encouraging sign for Aiyuk’s long-term outlook. But I do not see his matchup this week with Seattle being overly favorable. Seattle’s recent struggles in pass coverage have mostly been over the middle of the field. Aiyuk is running over 80 percent of his routes from the outside. This feels like a game where Deebo Samuel and George Kittle will do more of the heavy lifting from a receiving standpoint than Brandon Aiyuk.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
