Week 6 of the fantasy football season comes with additional injury attrition. De'Von Achane (knee), Justin Jefferson (hamstring), James Conner (hamstring), Khalil Herbert (ankle), and Anthony Richardson (shoulder) all will be out for multiple games, leaving owners further scrambling for answers. At the same time, some of their replacements gain some real value and some other performers are set to come back healthy.
That makes figuring out who to play this week and every week more difficult. Before getting into the regular dose of fantasy start 'em sit 'em lineup advice, just keep in mind only the Packers and Steelers are off in Week 6. That means you won't have access to Najee Harris, Christian Watson, and George Pickens, among others.
Here's a look at "The Decider's" Week 6 rankings and recommendations for season-long leagues, along with some DFS values to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. 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.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their Premium VIP lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizer, and Team Sync platform to give you custom tools and advice! Use discount code SPORTING.
MORE: Get NFL RedZone with Sling (50% off first month)
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NYG)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. CAR)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at NYJ)
- Justin Fields, Bears (vs. MIN)
- Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at CHI)
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. IND)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. SEA)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. DAL)
Stronger starts
10. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. ARI). Stafford has been throwing a ton since Week 1 and finally got his multiple TDs in Week 5. This is a smash spot at home with his new dynamic trio of wideouts with Cooper Kupp back.
11. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. TEN in London). He's been a bit frustrating, but he should get more help from his receivers and tight ends in a fine matchup across the board. He'll also have some good running room overseas.
12. Brock Purdy, 49ers (at CLE). The Browns on paper are a tough matchup, but so were the Cowboys and Rams and he smashed those. It's hard to sit him as an efficient consistent QB1 for a high-scoring offense when he's in the zone with all of his weapons.
13. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at CIN). Coming off a bye, he will get it done with volume opposite Joe Burrow, and his wideouts will have nice success downfield.
14. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. DET). Mayfield also has had an efficient start with good blocking and spread-it-out receiving help, and he will need to put it up often again at home post-bye.
15. Jared Goff, Lions (at TB). Goff is outdoors, but the Bucs have secondary issues. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs will score enough points to force Goff to air it out, and the Lions' running game will be contained more than usual.
16. Sam Howell, Commanders (at ATL). Howell isn't pretty and will probably come with more mistakes here, but he can compile with his arm and legs on the road with predecessor Taylor Heinicke in the house on the other side.
DFS picks
Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. SEA, $6,300 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel). Even after his healthy breakout in the desert, he remains rather cheap in a strong matchup vs. another NFC West team. Lock it in for cash games.
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars (at DEN, $5,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel). Those looking for a wacky tournament pivot can go for some Minshew Mania right back where it started in Jacksonville. He will need to chuck often as the Jaguars stop the run and light it up all game with Trevor Lawrence.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
18. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. NO). This is a tricky spot at home against a similar defense to the Falcons in terms of scheme, and the Saints just pitched a shutout on the road.
19. Josh Dobbs, Cardinals (at LAR). The Rams keep containing average passing games not involving Jalen Hurts, and this one is on the road.
20. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at LAC). The matchup says "yes," but the recent body of work says "no." Also, Kellen Moore will likely tip off Brandon Staley on some ways to keep him rattled.
21. Russell Wilson, Broncos (at KC). The Chiefs are a legit nasty pass defense with pressure and coverage, so the garbage might be trashed.
22. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders (vs. NE). He looked OK and still didn't get it done against the Packers, so no in this revenge game.
23. Bryce Young, Panthers (at MIA). He's temping after his three-TD breakout, but it could also be a massive bust.
24. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (vs. WAS). In theory, he can have a Fields-like game and is playing better, but he's another lower-reward, higher-risk option.
WEEK 6 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at CLE)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. CAR)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at LAC)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at HOU)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. IND)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. WAS)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (if he returns, vs. DAL)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at NYJ)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- David Montgomery, Lions (at TB)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at CIN)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. NE)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. SEA)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (if he returns, at BUF)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. ARI)
- Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at CHI)
Stronger starts
17. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at LV). The Raiders' run defense is hemorrhaging, so this is his best chance to get on track. He dropped 172 yards and a TD on them last season.
18. Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. BAL in London). It's week to week based on game script, and this matchup isn't great. However, until he is totally faded or hurt, you gotta keep rolling him out.
19. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at ATL). He struggled in a smash spot last week -- and the Falcons can contain the run -- but he'll do enough as a receiver to get the job done.
20. Breece Hall, Jets (vs. PHI). Sure, the matchup is tough, but he's getting the volume and just needs one or two big plays to pay off.
21. Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (at KC). He's kind of the Breece Hall of Denver now, and he should get the key touches, making him game-script proof against the Chiefs.
22. James Cook, Bills (vs. NYG). He was erased by the Jaguars in London, but he should get plenty of cleanup work in a romp back at home on Sunday night.
23. Emari Demarcado, Cardinals (vs. LAR). Yep, you're starting him like you would have a healthy James Conner (hamstring).
24. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at MIA). With Miles Sanders (shoulder) out, Hubba will get plenty of rushing and receiving touches.
25. D'Onta Foreman, Bears (vs. MIN). With Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Khalil Herbert (ankle) out, Foreman will also get plenty of rushing and receiving touches.
DFS Picks
D'Andre Swift, Eagles (at NYJ, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel). We're different types of Swifties this week against the Jets, who are most vulnerable against the run as shown by McLaughlin and Perine (also as receivers) last week.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
26. Zack Moss, Colts (at JAX). Moss? Taylor? Moss? Taylor? This is crazy, Colts. What have you done to us? You ease in a guy after you paid him a lot? You fade this guy after staying hot? The matchup is bad so don't chase Week 5's points.
27. Dameon Pierce, Texans (vs. NO). The Texans' run blocking isn't piercing anything here.
28. Jerome Ford, Browns (vs. SF). Have you driven a Ford lately on the 49ers? He's headed to Tony Pollard-like disappointment.
29. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. DET) Ew. The Lions are nasty run-stoppers now.
30. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at JAX). Taylor? Moss? Taylor? Moss? Not gonna do either.
31. Gus Edwards, Ravens (vs. TEN in London). Justice is not serving him well, and the Bus doesn't travel well over water.
32. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (vs. WAS). He ramped up his workload out of nowhere last week, but this is a clear Bijan game.
33. Tyjae Spears, Titans (vs. BAL In London). It might be happening to the point of full flex trust soon, but he's not quite ready yet in this matchup.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. CAR)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. SEA)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. NYG)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. ARI)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. IND)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. ARI)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. DAL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (if he returns, at TB)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. NE)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at LAC)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at NYJ)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at NYJ)
- D.J. Moore, Bears (vs. MIN)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at CLE)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. NYG)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NYG)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at CIN)
- Chris Olave, Saints (at HOU)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at CLE)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. IND)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (assuming he plays, vs. DET)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (at MIA)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. NE)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. BAL in London)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. SF)
Stronger starts
26. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at CHI). With Justin Jefferson (hamstring) out, he'll be a home-run play down the road from Addison and Sheffield by Wrigley Field (in Jordan's town), especially against a bad secondary.
27. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. LAR). He's Hollywood playing in Hollywood and will again be a key target for Joshua Dobbs in garbage time.
28. Drake London, Falcons (vs.WAS). London can have a big game when lined up on rookie Emmanuel Forbes.
29. Tutu Atwell, Rams (vs. ARI). He can ballet-dance to another score here playing off Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
30. K.J. Osborn, Vikings (at CHI). The Purple Goblin is back. He should get nice targets with no J.J. playing off Addison in a pass-happy attack.
31. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. DET). The Lions are not as good in the slot without Brian Branch (ankle), and Godwin can his best game a la Thielen.
32. Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. PHI). You just need to hope he can make a big play to score against this struggling secondary.
33. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at CIN). Lockett should go back to being more involved, and the Bengals can leak vs. No. 2s outside.
34. Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. TEN in London), If the rookie can hold on to the ball, he'll fly across the pond to his best game yet.
35. Josh Downs, Colts (at JAX). Minshew-to-Downs is a thing, and the Jaguars are better covering on the outside.
36. Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. DAL). He's good enough to see the required targets against a beatable secondary.
DFS picks
Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. IND, $6,700 DraftKings, $7.000 FanDuel). Ridley went off in his Jags debut in Week 1 and got hot again vs. the Bills working outside for big plays. He goes off for a second time in this matchup.
Jordan Addison, Vikings (at CHI, $5,700 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel). No Jefferson? Move up on to another other first-round Vikings receiver not named Laquon Treadwell. Addison ... you know this game you're killing the Bears ... oh, Addison, our aim is true.
Drake London, Falcons (vs. WAS $4,800 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel). London isn't DJ Moore but he can still smoke the Commanders' secondary with his size and retain his strong relevance with ROI.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
37. Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (at JAX). Pittman isn't good enough to break free from the Tyson Campbell matchup the way Stefon Diggs can.
38. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at ATL). He's not commanding much of anything from Sam Howell on the outside, and this isn't a good spot vs. A.J. Terrell.
39. Nico Collins, Texans (vs. NO). This is not good for him outside again vs. Marshon Lattimore.
40. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at KC). Really? This is so uninspiring.
41. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at KC). Really, again? The Chiefs' cornerbacks are good.
42. Michael Thomas, Saints (at HOU). No way when Chris Olave can't even get going with Derek Carr.
43. Tank Dell, Texans (if he plays. vs. NO). Dude, you can't go here against this deep pass defense.
44. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (vs.DAL). You can't go here until you see if he has a consistent role.
45. Allen Lazard, Jets (vs. PHI). Lazard had a great spot last week and did little.
46. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at ATL). He could just as easily end up with nothing vs. a touchdown like the past two games.
47. DJ Chark, Panthers (at MIA). He is coming alive a little, but he's still not a reliable play, as he probably gets Xavien Howard.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (if he plays, vs. DEN)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at CHI)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. TEN in London)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at TB)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at NYJ)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at CLE)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. IND)
Stronger starts
8. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at ATL). He's hot, and the Falcons just ceded a nice game to Dalton Schultz.
9. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. MIN). Kmet finds the end zone again with a 6-60 line.
10. Zach Ertz, Cardinals (at LAR). The Rams woke up Dallas Goedert, and Ertz scored on the Bengals last week
11. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. WAS). He's back alive with Desmond Ridder playing OK, and the Commanders did just give it up to Kmet.
12. Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. PHI). The Eagles have been shaky vs. the tight end, and that lines up with Conklin's key usage for Zach Wilson.
13. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. NO). The matchup isn't the best, but he's scored the past two weeks and has a key role in the offense that will only expand if Tank Dell (concussion) misses this game.
14. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. DET). The Lions are letting tight ends score rather often, and Otton should get more involved after the bye.
15. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. DAL). There's always worry about Donald Parham Jr. denting the end zone instead, but the Cowboys just failed to cover George Kittle downfield.
DFS pick
Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. MIN), $4,600 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel). Kmet is bringing it again and doing more than scoring as the best complement to DJ Moore. You can get fine ROI at these prices.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
16. Darren Waller, Giants (at BUF). There's no Matt Milano, but it's hard to trust the Giants' offense in general against better overall defenses.
17. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (vs. WAS). The correction to Kyle Pitts is happening, finally.
18. David Njoku, Browns (vs. SF). No joke, he's not doing much on the 49ers.
19. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at LV). Where has he gone? Where is the Patriots' passing game? Ugh.
20. Noah Fant, Seahawks (at CIN). Fant doesn't see enough targets, making him too long-pass dependent.
21. Hayden Hurst, Panthers (at MIA). Darren Waller was OK against the Dolphins, but there's also the Tommy Tremble factor now.
22. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at SF). Schoonmaker can be a heartbreaker, and the Chargers aren't bad vs. the position.
23. Foster Moreau, Saints (at HOU). He's finding a role here with no Juwan Johnson (calf), but he's hard to trust even after what Kyle Pitts did.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Eagles (vs. NYJ)
- Bills (vs. NYG)
- 49ers (at CLE)
- Chiefs (vs. DEN)
- Ravens (at TEN in London)
- Saints (at HOU)
- Dolphins (vs. CAR)
8. Vikings (at CHI). Justin Fields can still make key mistakes even when he's balling out.
9. Falcons (vs. WAS). They could get some sacks and mistakes from Sam Howell.
10. Jaguars (vs. IND). They can pressure Gardner Minshew well when he drops back often.
11. Commanders (at ATL). They draw Desmond Ridder and should be motivated to rebound.
12. Texans (vs. NO). They play better at home, and it's Derek Carr.
13. Raiders (vs. NE). They play better at home, and it's Mac Jones.
DFS pick
Bengals (vs. SEA, $2,900 DraftKings, $4,200 FanDuel). The Bengals were massive in the desert with sacks and a pick-six. They can produce some OK results vs. Geno Smith and the Seahawks' banged-up offensive line.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
14. Cowboys (at LAC). Not against Herbert.
15. Browns (vs. SF). Not against Purdy.
16. Lions (at TB). The Bucs have been rather clean with Mayfield.
17. Patriots (at LV). They're not good on paper, just name only.
18. Jets (vs. PHI). This one Hurts.
19. Seahawks (at CIN). Bury them against Burrow.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
