We have reached the “tweener” portion of the fantasy football season where it is still relatively early, but there is also an ever-growing data sample that can be used to take action with slightly more confidence. With each passing week, it will hopefully become more apparent to fantasy managers the caliber of players they have rostered as well as the level of risk they may need to take to move up in the standings. Whatever your record is currently, it will be crucial to stay plugged in and keep your rosters stocked through this stretch of the season where injuries and bye weeks are not going away any time soon. Stay focused, stay hungry, and let’s go win Week 6!
Week 6 Byes: Lions, Raiders, Texans, Titans
Article Overview/ How to Use:
- Analysis: Highlight a variety of RBs, WRs, and TEs (< 65% rostered on ESPN and/or Yahoo) who I feel could produce fantasy value, either that specific week as a replacement in your lineup or as a bench/ stash option.
- Ranking RBs, WRs, and TEs (< 65% rostered) in order. Please note that the players who are highlighted in the article are not always my top-ranked streamers. These rankings & notes could be useful for teams in deeper leagues or as a means to fill out your “Watch List”.
- List of Impact Backups or players who would gain significant fantasy value if the starter was inactive. These names would make excellent stash candidates, but likely not worthwhile streamers due to lack of usage as the backup.
- Although base rankings tend to skew toward 12-team, half-PPR leagues, I will provide clarifications if a player is best used in a specific scenario or league type.
- Recap the performances of the previous week’s highlighted players.
* If anyone featured below is at risk of not playing or is relegated to a bench role late in the week, I will do my best to keep you all updated on Twitter (@BrandonMillerFB). All players below are under 65%-rostered as of 10/12/22.
Running Back
Eno Benjamin (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
James Conner (ribs) has not been able to practice since exiting early Sunday while Darrel Williams (sprained knee) is already considered doubtful to play, potentially leaving Eno Benjamin in a “last man standing” situation for Cardinals RB touches this week in Seattle. Even if it ends up being just a short-term add while the other Arizona RBs are banged up, I am interested to see what the second-year back from Arizona State does in an expanded role. While rookie Keaontay Ingram may cut into his workload slightly, I believe Benjamin has three-down potential as his 4.5 yards per carry rank 19th in the league and he has proven to be a capable receiver out of the backfield (averaging 3.4 targets per game despite a secondary role so far). The Seahawks are bottom-five in fantasy points allowed vs RBs, cementing Benjamin as a high-end Flex if he has the backfield to himself.
Brian Robinson (RB, Washington Commanders)
The rookie Robinson had to overcome a lot before making his NFL debut last week and he will now aim to continue ramping up as the Commanders’ primary RB. I am not sure he is quite there to be trusted in starting lineups just yet; he is still rounding into form and will likely split touches with Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic to some degree all season. I think it would be wise to pick up Robinson (47% ESPN, 62% Yahoo) now before the split begins tilting more in his favor, as expected. The Commanders take on the Bears on Thursday Night Football, so make sure he is on your roster before then; if he plays well in front of a national audience, it may be too late to add him next week.
RB Streamers (ranked): Eno Benjamin, Tyler Allgeier, Brian Robinson, Darrell Henderson (68% Yahoo), Mike Boone, Khalil Herbert, Deon Jackson (monitor Taylor + Hines status), J.D. McKissic, Joshua Kelley, Rashaad White, Isiah Pacheco, Tevin Coleman, Caleb Huntley, Alexander Mattison, DeeJay Dallas, Jerick McKinnon, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Samaje Perine, Keaontay Ingram, Mark Ingram, Zack Moss, Avery Williams, James Cook, Sony Michel, Matt Breida, Latavius Murray, Nyheim Hines (concussion-stash), Dontrell Hilliard (bye-stash), Pierre Strong Jr, Gus Edwards (stash).
Wide Receiver
Alec Pierce (WR, Indianapolis Colts)
A thing of beauty, the Colts’ offense most certainly is not. Even before Jonathan Taylor‘s injury, Indy has been desperate for consistent playmakers when they have possession, particularly in the passing game. Pierce has the raw physical tools to make contested catches and could become a weekly fantasy contributor if the targets remain. He has seen his targets steadily increase over the past three weeks (five, six, nine) and has exceeded 80 yards in each of the last two games. If you decide to roll with Pierce in your lineup, I would not recommend actually watching the Colts play, but the final line should produce a nice floor with that volume.
Zay Jones (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Jones made his way back into the lineup in Week 5 after missing one week with an ankle injury and maintained his average of eight targets per game. The targets only resulted in three catches for 12 yards, so most likely he is still widely available if your team is in need of WR depth. Indy has been solid against opposing WRs, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game, but Jones should benefit from the target volume combined with most of the focus being centered on Christian Kirk. Before last week’s inefficient performance, Jones hauled in 19-of-24 targets (79.2%), so I feel the setup is there for a bounce-back as a fringe WR3/WR4.
WR Streamers (ranked): Romeo Doubs (63% ESPN, 65% Yahoo, priority add WR3/Flex), Devin Duvernay, Isaiah McKenzie, George Pickens, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Alec Pierce, Rondale Moore, Darnell Mooney (68% ESPN, 54% Yahoo), Randall Cobb, Michael Gallup, Corey Davis, Zay Jones, Tyler Boyd, Elijah Moore (73% ESPN, 66% Yahoo), Marquez Callaway, Richie James, Chase Claypool (66% ESPN), Noah Brown, K.J. Osborn, Joshua Palmer, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Robbie Anderson, Darius Slayton, Khalil Shakir (monitor Isaiah McKenzie status), Kendrick Bourne, Mecole Hardman, Russell Gage, Ben Skowronek, Nelson Agholor, Jahan Dotson (inj-stash), Kadarius Toney (inj-stash), Wan’Dale Robinson (inj-stash), Robert Woods (bye-stash, 69% ESPN, 67% Yahoo), Nico Collins (bye).
Tight End
Taysom Hill (TE, New Orleans Saints)
As the recipient of a Week 5 Taysom Hill tail-whipping in multiple leagues, I can personally vouch that he can straight-up win you weeks when things break right. The Saints have too many injuries to name on offense; keep an eye on the practice reports late in the week when it comes to Jameis Winston and their top pass-catchers. Hill gets his touches in a variety of ways, which makes him unpredictable but also increases the odds of him finding the end zone in some fashion. I do not think he will replicate last week’s mega performance with four total touchdowns (three rushing, one passing), but his opportunities near the goal line make him as likely as any TE to score in Week 6.
TE Streamers (ranked): Taysom Hill (43% ESPN, 79% Yahoo), Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan, Irv Smith Jr., Evan Engram, Tyler Conklin, Hunter Henry, Dawson Knox (monitor status – 66% ESPN, 64% Yahoo), Logan Thomas (monitor status), Mo Alie-Cox, Will Dissly, Juwan Johnson, Cole Kmet, Daniel Bellinger, Mike Gesicki.
Impact Backups/ Injury Stashes
This is a new section I am trying out so do not be surprised if there are tweaks throughout the season (constructive suggestions in the Comments are always welcome and very much appreciated as well!). Although this article’s primary focus is to rank and discuss RB/WR/TEs who are fantasy-relevant and 65%-rostered or less, I also believe it is extremely important to plan ahead by setting your roster up with contingency options if disaster strikes. Not many things in the fantasy sports universe are worse than having a successful regular season undone by gut-wrenching injury luck. That said, here is my first-ever(!) list of Top Impact Backups and Injury Stashes, in order, regardless of position:
Top Impact Backups: Eno Benjamin (likely starter this week), Alexander Mattison, Khalil Herbert, Rachaad White, Samaje Perine, Darrell Henderson (68% Yahoo), Nyheim Hines, Jaylen Warren, Dontrell Hilliard, Matt Breida, Jordan Mason, Isiah Pacheco/ Jerick McKinnon, James Cook, Gus Edwards, Pierre Strong Jr.
Graduated (add if available): Jamaal Williams, Ken Walker, Michael Carter.
Top Injury Stashes: Gus Edwards (Ravens have shown a tendency to utilize two backs when Edwards and Dobbins are healthy), Jahan Dotson (not a long-term absence; TD-machine so far), Kadarius Toney/ Wan’Dale Robinson (the Giants WR1 can’t be Richie James all season, right?), Jameson Williams (talented rookie but also will need to climb depth chart past other Detroit WRs), Greg Dulcich (Broncos TE designated to return).
Looking Back
Accountability is everything, so here is a quick look back at last week’s recommendations
Tyler Allgeier (RB, Atlanta Falcons): Allgeier was solid but not great, leading the Falcons’ rushing attack with 13 carries for 45 yards. He should factor in on early downs and near the goal line and is a fringe RB3/RB4 while Patterson and Williams are absent.
Dontrell Hilliard (RB, Tennessee Titans): Hilliard had just one rush for zero yards as the undisputed backup to Derrick Henry (28 carries), but he was involved as a receiver with four catches (five targets) for 23 yards and a score. Not much has changed; he is still a great backup to stash but will have minimal standalone value outside of some work in the passing game.
George Pickens (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers): Although Pickens was third in targets (eight) for the Steelers, he led the team in catches (six) and receiving yards (83). His arrow is pointing up as long as the volume sticks around.
Devin Duvernay (WR, Baltimore Ravens): With Rashod Bateman (foot) out last week, Duvernay stepped into the top WR slot and turned in five catches (seven targets) for 54 yards along with three rushes for 24 yards. He is a solid WR3/Flex play for as long as Bateman is out and is more of a boom-bust WR4 when everyone is healthy on account of his big-play ability.
Logan Thomas (TE, Washington Commanders): Thomas was ruled out with a calf injury late last week and will now miss his second game in a row on Thursday. When available, he is a back-end TE1 streamer based on the target volume.
Make sure to check out our weekly priority waiver wire adds article and waiver wire podcast for more insights on who you should be submitting claims for heading into each Wednesday; it is a great way to get a head start on acquiring players often discussed in this article. Good luck in Week 6!
(Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)