Fantasy football owners face more tough start ’em, sit ’em in Week 6, and things don’t get easier with four teams — Lions, Raiders, Texans, and Titans — off for the first bye week of the 2022 NFL season. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 6 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
Beyond worrying about mounting injury attrition, D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, T.J. Hockenson, Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Dameon Pierce, Brandin Cooks, and Derrick Henry not playing means the player pool is becoming smaller this week. Moreover, the Lions, Titans, and Raiders all feature lackluster defenses that tend to create legit sleepers out of otherwise middling players, which only creates more lineup headaches.
Navigating through a smaller-than-usual array of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start ’em sit ’em recommendations for Week 6. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Josh Allen, Bills (at KC)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. BUF)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at NYG)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at SEA)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
Joe Burrow, Bengals (at NO). Burrow disappointed against the Ravens’ sudden zone defense, but he should shred the Saints back in the Bayou given their recent coverage issues.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. NYJ). Rodgers should put together at least another solid 250-yard, two-TD game as Green Bay gets well in its true home against the other New York team.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at PIT). Brady might not need to do a ton here with the running game revved up and the Steelers becoming listless, but look for a return to multiple TDs.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. ARI). Smith is delivering in a strong system with top wideouts, and he should get good volume opposite Kyler Murray. The Cardinals won’t be able to cool off Smith.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at MIA). Cousins has been a bit disappointing when the Vikings run too much for scores, but he’ll also have at least a couple TDs against a shaky pass defense.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at IND). Lawrence handled the Colts’ coverage under Gus Bradley well earlier this season, and he gets a controlled environment for the rematch.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (at ATL). Garoppolo has a limited ceiling because of San Francisco’s running and defensive prowess, but his top three weapons give him a high floor in such spots.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals ($8,000). He should carve up the Saints’ coverage scheme with his wideouts and be revved up for big numbers in a return to the state where he dominated as a Heisman winner for LSU.
DraftKings tournament pick
Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks ($5,700). There should be some big volume at home, and the price remains nice for putting up numbers against a weak overall Cardinals defense.
Streamer Special
Justin Fields, Bears (vs. WAS). It hasn’t been a Fields of dreams yet, but if you stick with him, he will come through with some fantasy relevance in Chicago’s new offense. It might as well start against an awful Commanders defense at home.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Carson Wentz, Commanders (at CHI). Short week on the road against a tricky pass defense up front? We would rather be thrown under the bus by our coach.
Russell Wilson, Broncos (at LAC). Have you ever done something dangerous, like playing him in fantasy this season or eating his sandwich? Don’t be tempted by Russ again on the road in yet another prime-time disappointment.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. CAR). It’s a sad state of affairs when you can’t even trust him against a team that just fired its coach and defensive coordinator.
Zach Wilson, Jets (at GB). This is tempting because of his rushing TD pop padding his passing in what should be a negative game script, but expect an angry Packers pass defense this week.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. BAL). “Danny Dimes” has passed and run well with limited help, but the numbers won’t be pleasing enough against a defense that’s figured it out.
Jacoby Brissett, Browns (vs. NE). Don’t get sneaky forcing a lame revenge game for him against Bill Belichick.
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (vs. TB). This is also tempting because of his early production and negative game script, but save it for a better matchup soon.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. NE)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. BAL)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at MIA)
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (at LAR)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (at PIT)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (if he returns, vs. JAX)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at CLE)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at GB)
- Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (at ATL)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. NYJ)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. CIN)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at NO)
- Melvin Gordon, Broncos (at LAC)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- David Montgomery, Bears (vs. WAS)
Stronger starts
JK Dobbins, Ravens (at NYG). They strangely took him out of the game plan despite running well vs. the Bengals, and they will correct that against a Giants defense that’s vulnerable to power games.
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. ARI). He walks into the feature role with Rashaad Penny (leg) down, and he will show why Seattle used a second-round pick on him.
Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. NE). He’s attached to Nick Chubb and will keep siphoning off RB2 production against the Patriots.
AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. NYJ). Green Bay should work on getting the run going again, and he can be an RB2 again behind Aaron Jones.
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. MIN). You can run on the Vikings, and the Dolphins will lean on him heavily again with the QB injuries and Chase Edmonds phased out.
James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at IND). The Colts gave up some numbers to the Broncos’ committee, and these two should work well together in a familiar recent matchup.
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at PHI). He has a good history in this matchup, and it’s clear he’s more exciting of a play than Ezekiel Elliott.
James Conner and Eno Benjamin, Cardinals (at SEA). Should Conner go with his rib injury, he can have a nice day against a wilting Seahawks run defense, but Benjamin might have flex appeal anyway given what the Saints just did.
Cam Akers, Rams (vs. CAR). This is a sneaky rebound spot, as the Rams will lean on him to pound on the Panthers’ front-seven to make sure this is a get-right win.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at CHI). He’s worth a shot against an atrocious Bears’ run defense, and he should be called on more often to take the ball out of Carson Wentz’s hand.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots ($7,500). He has the backfield to himself to rip through another terrible run defense in Cleveland.
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks ($6,500). Enjoy the cheapest starting price of the season for another elevated feature back in a great spot.
DraftKings tournament picks
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins ($5,700). Mostert is clearly leading the backfield, and Miami should lean on the run after the Vikings were ripped by the Bears.
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks ($5,400). Yeah, the ownership will be high, but it has to be done to save for other positions.
WEEK 6 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (vs. BUF). He’s hard to trust when not scoring and Jerick McKinnon and Isaiah Pacheco are cutting into the key touches and the matchup is terrible this week.
Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. TB). Here we are, but his recent production is a turnoff, and the Buccaneers won’t cure what ails around him.
Devin Singletary, Bills (at KC). The Bills seem less interested in running the ball, and Singeltary doesn’t get enough juice in the passing game to trust even in a strong spot.
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at PHI). He’s quickly become a lame-duck back with Tony Pollard’s explosive arrow keep pointing up.
All Falcons (vs. SF). They might add a fifth person to the committee replacing Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) this week.
Mike Boone, Broncos (at LAC). He’s tempting given the matchup, but the usage makes him a total flier relative to Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray.
Michael Carter, Jets (at GB). Don’t chase the touchdowns from the Dolphins victory because the game script and chances won’t be the same.
WEEK 6 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. CAR)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at MIA)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at KC)
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (at NO)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at ATL)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at PIT)
- Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at SEA)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. JAX)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. CAR)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (if he plays. vs MIN)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (if he plays, at NO)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at LAC)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at IND)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at ARI)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (at KC)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at PHI)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at PIT)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. MIN)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (if he returns, vs. DEN)
- Chris Olave, Saints (if he plays, vs. CIN)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at CHI)
Stronger starts
Drake London, Falcons (vs. SF). The 49ers’ cornerbacks are down Emmanuel Moseley (knee), and Marcus Mariota should be throwing a ton based on game script.
Devonta Smith, Eagles (vs. DAL). He should continue to fare fine opposite the coverage attention that A.J. Brown is getting.
Allen Lazard, Packers (vs. NYJ). All Lazard does is score TDs with Aaron Rodgers … and a little more.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (at MIA). The Dolphins cannot handle the slot well, and his size can create additional issues.
Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at CHI). This secondary coverage has struggled badly with little experience.
D.J. Moore, Panthers (at LAR). Moore should feel free without Baker Mayfield (ankle) and Matt Rhule.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (at CLE). He sneakily is getting it done and has good chemistry with any of their QBs.
George Pickens, Steelers (vs. TB). He’s the only wideout in play for the time being with Kenny Pickett.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at NO). The Saints are bad enough in the slot to get him six catches for 60 yards.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (vs. WAS). He’s warmed up as a big-play threat the past two weeks, and the payoff comes against these awful corners.
Alec Pierce, Colts (vs. JAX). The Cincinnati kid is legit No. 2 away from Michael Pittman.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (at IND). Marvin grooved last week, but this Jones will come through while a little healthier here.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (at SEA). There’s room for a No. 2 wideout behind Marquise Brown to produce here, and Moore needs to cash while DeAndre Hopkins sits out one last game.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($7,700). The Steelers have zero answers for his size and speed downfield in man-to-man.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars ($7,000). Kirk gets away from bad weather and challenging coverage to light up the Colts and Kenny Moore for a second time.
Gabe Davis, Bills ($6,900). Davis might not have the same explosion as he did against the Chiefs in last year’s playoffs, but the Chiefs’ secondary is primed to give up a big yardage game to him that includes at least one TD.
DraftKings tournament picks
Deebo Samuel, 49ers ($7,600). He didn’t have the monster game he wanted while back in the Carolinas, but he makes for that in Georgia as the Falcons will have fits trying to cover him inside or out.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($7,000). See above, again.
D.J. Moore, Panthers ($5,100). He will come through with P.J. Walker, as he’s already had one big game with him starting. The Panthers will move him around to avoid Jalen Ramsey.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. NE). He’s been great every other week, so that means a clunker is coming as the Patriots scheme to take him out of the game.
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. TB). He’s hard to trust as he slides to more of a No. 2 in terms of key looks.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (vs. BUF). Stop forcing him into your lineup.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at LAC). This matchup isn’t great, outside or inside.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. NYJ). His inexperience won’t help him much against some sneaky good corners.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at ATL). The talent is there but the volume isn’t.
All Jets (at GB). The resurgent backfield around Zach Wilson isn’t helping.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at PHI). You can’t play him with Darius Slay lurking.
Allen Robinson, Rams (vs. CAR). He’s easily droppable at this point.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. BUF)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (at NYG)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals (at SEA)
- George Kittle, 49ers (vs. ATL)
- Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. CAR)
Stronger starts
Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. CIN). He’s not going anywhere as a key part of their rushing attack.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (at IND). He got involved well last week, and the matchup works this week.
Dawson Knox, Bills (if he returns, at KC). He can be effective working the middle in a great spot.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. NYJ). He finds the end zone again in Lambeau.
Irv Smith Jr. Vikings (vs. MIA). He can get it done this time playing off Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
Will Dissly, Seahawks (at ARI). The Cardinals are back to being a primo matchup for fantasy tight ends.
Zach Gentry, Steelers (vs. TB). Here’s your sneaky direct replacement for Pat Freiermuth.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Zach Ertz, Cardinals ($6,000 and $4900). The numbers are starting not to lie with the sample size. The tight ends are crushing the Seahawks every week in every which way. Ertz will rebound from a tough spot vs. his former team.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
David Njoku, Browns (vs. NE). Kyle Dugger is a big-time presence to contain him.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. DEN). The Broncos have held up better against the position of late.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at NO). This is more of a Tyler Boyd week based on the coverage.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at PHI). You can’t play him until Dak Prescott (thumb) is back.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at GB). It’s not working with Zach Wilson, and the Packers contain TEs well.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (at CLE). This is more of a running and wide receiver game.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Rams (vs. CAR)
- 49ers (at ATL)
- Buccaneers (at PIT)
- Packers (vs. NYJ)
- Vikings (at MIA)
- Ravens (at NYG)
- Eagles (vs. DAL)
Stronger starts
Jaguars (at IND). There will be some pop here in the pass rush vs. Matt Ryan.
Patriots (at CLE). It’s a very Belichickian spot to succeed, much like against the Lions last week.
Chargers (vs. DEN). They can keep roughing up Russ Wilson.
Bears (vs. WAS). They are a cheap TNF streamer vs. Carson Wentz.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Patriots ($4,200 and $2,900). Belichick’s crew is on an absolute heater, and there’s no reason to think it will go cold vs. Jacoby Brissett.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Cowboys (at PHI). Not against this red-hot offense.
Saints (vs. CIN). Not against Joe Burrow with cleaned-up scheme.
Browns (vs. NE). Not against that running game.
Bills (at KC). Not against Patrick Mahomes on the road in prime time.
Colts (vs. JAX). Not against non-Russ.
Broncos (at LAC). Not against Herbert on the road in prime time.
Bengals (at NO). Not against this good rushing offense on the road.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 6 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
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