Weekly Rankings: Ranking Each Position for Week 6

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Welcome to QB List’s weekly rankings! Each week, I’ll be taking a look at the upcoming matchups and ranking each position, as well as flex positions.

Week 6 Notes:

• If you were concerned when Matt Ryan was pulled from Sunday’s game against the Steelers with a foot injury, don’t worry, X-rays came back negative for any fractures and he should be fine. Still, pay attention to him during practice this week in case there are any setbacks. He should be a very solid QB1 against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that’s given up more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team in football.
• Was Jameis Winston bad last week? Yes, he was, but I don’t entirely blame him. He was going up against a fearsome Bears pass rush and a solid Bears secondary. This week, he’s up against the Atlanta Falcons beat up secondary that’s given up at least 21 fantasy points to every quarterback its faced since Week 2, making Winston a QB1 this week. He might be on your waiver wire, so if you’re missing Drew Brees this week, go grab him.
• So far this year, Andy Dalton has thrown multiple touchdowns in every game except one (last week, which was a defense-dominated game for the Bengals). He’s also currently eighth in the league in DVOA, ahead of names like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Cam Newton. This week, he faces a Steelers secondary that’s given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in the league, making him a QB1 week.
• So far this year, the Steelers have not given up more than 20 fantasy points to a single running back yet, and they’ve yet to allow more than 100 total rushing yards. Their secondary, however, has been awful, and as a result, I could see the Bengals attacking the Steelers more through the air than on the ground. That being said, Joe Mixon is still an amazing talent and should be a low-end RB1, just temper your expectations.
• Is Dalvin Cook coming back this week? He might, but it’s not clear right now. He’s been limited at practice, so monitor him this week. However, if he does play (which is what my ranking assumes), he’ll be up against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the league so far this year. If Cook is healthy, given his talent, the upside is huge.
• I know, Isaiah Crowell went absolutely nuts last week and is going up against a Colts run defense that’s given up at least 27 fantasy points to opposing running backs every week except one this year. So why do I have him outside my top 20? I just don’t trust it. I have a hard time putting my faith in Crowell, especially while he’s still pretty consistently splitting time with Bilal Powell in that backfield. While Crowell had the big game, Powell saw nine more offensive snaps than Crowell last week, so I have a difficult time expecting a big game out of him.
• My ranking of Lamar Miller obviously assumes he plays, which it seems like he will (at least, according to Bill O’Brien). If he doesn’t, slot in Alfred Blue as an RB3 against a Bills run defense that’s allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year.
• It looks like Matt Breida isn’t going to play this week, which means it’ll be all Alfred Morris most likely. Morris hasn’t been amazing or anything, but he’ll still be starting, and that volume means something in fantasy. He’ll be up against a Packers run defense that’s been top-10 in the league, however, which limits his upside to a flex play in most leagues.
• With Jay Ajayi done for the season, Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood are set to see more snaps. I like the upside of Clement more, especially in PPR leagues, which is why I have him ranked higher, but as of now, they’re both flex plays.
• It’s beyond me why some people are jazzed about Aaron Jones this week. Of the three main Packers running backs, Jones saw the fewest snaps last week with just 22, compared to Ty Montgomery‘s 29 and Jamaal Williams‘ 33. There’s just not a lot of clarity here, and while I’ll acknowledge Jones has the most upside of the three, I can’t justify him as anything more than a flex play.
• Robert Woods has been excellent so far this year, and this week he’s got a really nice matchup likely against Bradley Roby, who hasn’t been playing great this year. I’m actually a big fan of all the Rams wide receivers this week, but Woods above all. Cooper Kupp also looks poised to have a favorable matchup against Chris Harris Jr. and he looks cleared to play this week, so make sure to slot him into your lineup as well.
• Tyler Boyd was a disappointment last week, but I expect him to have a really solid week this week. He’ll likely be matched up against Mike Hilton, which is great news for Boyd, as Boyd has five inches of height and about 13 pounds on Hilton, which should make him tough for Hilton to cover well.
• The Titans secondary hasn’t been bad this year, and as a result, I’m not overly excited about the Ravens’ receivers. John Brown is the one to start of the three given his upside, but his likely matchup against Adoree’ Jackson should prove difficult for him, as should Michael Crabtree‘s likely matchup with Malcolm Butler.
• DeSean Jackson is the very definition of a boom-or-bust player, but he’s been a lot more consistent this year, dipping below 112 yards just once. I could see this week being another boom week for him, as he’ll be up against a porous Falcons secondary, especially in what will likely be a matchup against Robert Alford. As a result, I’ve got Jackson as a low-end WR2 this week.
• As I’m sure his owners already know, T.Y. Hilton isn’t likely playing this week. If you have to start a Colts wide receiver this week, it probably should be Ryan Grant, as he’ll likely see the biggest uptick in targets, but going up against Darryl Roberts, I’m not all that excited about Grant. As a lottery ticket though, Chester Rogers is interesting. He’s had eight catches and double-digit fantasy points in each of the last two weeks and should be in a favorable matchup against Buster Skrine, so if you’re desperate, he’s worth a look.
• After two pretty bad weeks, Mohamed Sanu has been pretty solid, putting up double-digit fantasy points in every game since. Against a bad Buccaneers secondary, I kind of like him as a flex play. It’s worth noting that he’s been limited in practice this week, but as of now, I’d expect him to play.
• My ranking of Randall Cobb obviously assumes he comes back this week, it seems like he might, but just keep an eye on him in case he doesn’t. If he doesn’t, Geronimo Allison will get a boost, but I’m not all that excited about Maquez Valdes-Scantling likely up against K’Waun Williams or Richard Sherman, both of whom have been playing well this year.
• Greg Olsen might be back this week, but keep a close eye on how he progresses in practice. If he is back, slot him in as a low-end TE1.
• Jordan Reed has one of the most favorable matchups of the week this week, likely going up against Mike Adams for much of the game. As a result, I think you can feel pretty confident about slotting him in as a top-five tight end.

Check out the rest of the rankings below: