Intro
You guys might be wondering why you’re hearing from me since I don’t typically do the start/sit article for DFF. Well, @fantasyfreezer is on vacation, so I’m filling in for him this week. I’ll try to keep the same format and bring you good start/sit advice for the week. I won’t discuss obvious starts or sits, but I’ll focus on borderline players where fantasy owners might have difficult decisions. With that said, let’s jump straight into it.
Starts: Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Browns
Roethlisberger has thrown at least two touchdowns in every game, and he’s drawing a potential shootout matchup here versus the Browns. If you can’t play Roethlisberger this week, he shouldn’t even be on your roster. Fire him up as a QB1.
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars vs. Lions
Outside of a Week 3 stinker versus the Dolphins, Minshew has provided a solid floor throughout the fantasy season. He’s totaled 10 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions, and he adds a few fantasy points each week with his legs. The Lions are a poor defense, so Minshew should find a way to succeed in this matchup. He’s a borderline QB1.
Starts: Running Backs
James Robinson, Jaguars vs. Lions
Robinson had a mediocre performance in Week 5 versus the Texans. He had 13 carries for 48 yards, although he saved his day in PPR formats with five receptions for 22 yards. But, Robinson has dominated the volume in the Jaguars’ backfield, and he will continue that dominance moving forward. Robinson is an RB1 in Week 6.
Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. Falcons
Mattison’s teammate Dalvin Cook will likely miss Week 6 with a groin injury, setting Mattison up for a smash spot versus the Falcons. Assuming Cook misses the game, Mattison will play as a complete workhorse back, with Mike Boone spelling him only for rest. The Falcons are a horrible defense and recently fired head coach Dan Quinn, putting the team in disarray. All of these factors make Mattison a solid RB1 this week.
Myles Gaskin, Dolphins vs. Jets
At this point, there’s no doubt that Gaskin is the Dolphins’ workhorse back. The Dolphins made Jordan Howard a healthy scratch in Week 5, making their backfield a two-way committee between Gaskin and Matt Breida. Gaskin finally scored a touchdown on a goal-line carry, all of which had previously gone to Howard in 2020. Therefore, Gaskin is a solid RB2 this week against this beatable Jets’ defense.
Starts: Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Titans vs. Texans
In case anyone missed Brown’s triumphant return, he torched the Bills on Tuesday night with seven receptions on nine targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. Brown was every bit the star receiver he showed in his 2019 rookie season. The Titans also likely won’t have Corey Davis or Adam Humphries in Week 6, as they’re both on the COVID-19 reserve list. Therefore, Brown is a WR1 this week, and he presents borderline WR1 value moving forward.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers vs. Browns
I know that Smith-Schuster has been a disappointment this season. He only has 21 receptions for 188 yards through four games, although he does have three touchdowns. Smith-Schuster hasn’t been a bad player, catching 87.5% of his targets, his best career-mark. Against the Browns’ defense, you can use Smith-Schuster as a WR2 this week. If he doesn’t impress this week, set off the alarm bells.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Falcons
Yes, Jefferson had somewhat of a dud game in Week 5, catching three of five targets for 23 yards, despite a pristine matchup versus the Seahawks. However, every receiver outside of the absolute top guys has a bad game here and there. In Weeks 3 and 4, Jefferson recorded over 100 receiving yards both weeks, and he’s claiming a significant role in the Vikings’ offense opposite Adam Thielen. Fire him up against the Falcons’ trash defense as a solid WR2.
Starts: Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Cardinals
I understand having concerns surrounding Schultz. The Cowboys lost Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury, and Schultz only had one reception for six yards against the Giants. However, the tight end landscape is a nightmare, so you likely don’t have superior options to Schultz. The Cardinals are the perfect matchup for opposing tight ends, and Schultz remains a mid-TE1 this week. If he flops this week with Andy Dalton, though, adjust your expectations.
Jimmy Graham, Bears at Panthers
I know it’s gross, but Graham has been consistently involved in the Bears’ offense throughout 2020. He’s seen five or more targets in four of the Bears’ five games, catching at least three passes in the same four games. The Bears have a depleted cast of receiving weapons, with nothing behind Allen Robinson. Nick Foles should exploit the Panthers’ porous secondary, and Graham is a low-end TE1.
Sits: Quarterbacks
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers vs. Bears
I hear what some of you might be saying right now. Bridgewater has been great for the last two weeks, scoring 26 and 21 fantasy points. However, he did that against the Cardinals and Falcons, two terrible defenses. Now, he plays the Bears, who played well in Week 5 against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Don’t start Bridgewater this week.
Carson Wentz, Eagles vs. Ravens
At this point, Wentz shouldn’t even be on your roster, let alone in starting consideration. I get that he had hype coming into the year, but it’s time to move on. I expect a disaster in this game against the Ravens’ defense, so Wentz isn’t even in QB2 territory for the week. Get him out of your lineups, even in most superflex/2QB leagues.
Sits: Running Backs
Darrell Henderson/Cam Akers/Malcolm Brown, Rams at 49ers
You cannot trust any of these Rams’ running backs this week against the 49ers. Henderson led the way in Week 5 with 15 carries, although Akers had nine carries, and Brown had eight carries. Head coach Sean McVay vowed to involve Akers more in the offense moving forward, and I have no clue how this backfield will shake out. If I had to choose one player, I’d stick with Henderson, but you’re risking getting two or three points if you start any of these guys. It’s not like the 49ers are a good matchup anyway.
Mark Ingram, Ravens at Eagles
At this point, it’s clear that the Ravens will use Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and Gus Edwards throughout every game. Ingram remains the lead back on the ground with Edwards as his direct backup. Dobbins is a change-of-pace option, and he represents the top threat in the passing game. The Eagles are a pass-funnel defense, so I think Lamar Jackson has a monster game through the air, hurting all three running backs. Leave Ingram out of your lineups.
Jerick McKinnon, 49ers at Rams
With teammate Raheem Mostert out, McKinnon had a sizable role in Weeks 3 and 4. He had 14 carries in each game, scoring 17 and 23 PPR points. However, once Mostert returned in Week 5, McKinnon saw only one carry compared to 11 for Mostert and four for Jeff Wilson. McKinnon caught two receptions on four targets for five yards, but his pass volume was also a disappointment considering the negative game script. You cannot start McKinnon with Mostert healthy.
Sits: Wide Receivers
Michael Gallup, Cowboys vs. Cardinals
I know that this matchup is excellent, but I can’t be confident that Andy Dalton will target Gallup. The Cowboys paid Amari Cooper big money in the offseason, and they drafted CeeDee Lamb in the first round. Therefore, I believe they will direct Dalton to funnel targets to Cooper and Lamb, potentially leaving Gallup out in the cold.
Dalton did target Gallup heavily on the Cowboys’ final drive in Week 5, but the Cowboys didn’t make a game plan for Dalton last week. Moving forward, I expect them to find a way to feature Cooper and Lamb over Gallup like they were before. I prefer to sit Gallup this week, although you can play him as a low-end WR3 if you have to.
Travis Fulgham, Eagles vs. Ravens
Do not chase last week’s points with Fulgham. I know he had 10 catches on 13 targets for 152 yards and a touchdown, but I see that game as more of a fluke. The Eagles should have both Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson back for this game, and they go up against the Ravens’ defense. The Ravens demolished the Bengals’ offense in Week 5, and I don’t see why the Eagles should fare any better. Fulgham is an easy trap to avoid.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Rams
Teammate Deebo Samuel fully returned to the lineup in Week 5, playing on 89% of snaps and leading the 49ers with eight targets. Aiyuk still saw six targets of his own, but there’s no way to trust him moving forward. George Kittle can always have one of those monster games, leaving scraps for Aiyuk. At this point, I would prefer to roll with Samuel over Aiyuk, although ideally, I would play neither 49ers’ receiver.
Sits: Tight Ends
Austin Hooper, Browns at Steelers
I will not allow Hooper’s improved performances in Weeks 4 and 5 to fool me. He had five catches in each game, but I don’t believe he’ll see consistent volume moving forward. The Browns want to run the ball, and they will target Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry as their primary receiving options. They also activated David Njoku from injured reserve, and they have promising rookie Harrison Bryant at tight end. Stay away from Hooper.
Trey Burton/Jack Doyle/Mo Alie-Cox, Colts vs. Bengals
This situation is extremely frustrating because the Colts should support a fantasy tight end. Philip Rivers loves to throw to the tight end position, and head coach Frank Reich heavily targets tight ends in his offense. Unfortunately, the Colts now have a messy three-way timeshare at tight end. Doyle played the most snaps in Week 5, but both he and Alie-Cox had zero receptions. Burton produced five catches for 33 yards, but you can’t trust him either. Wait a week on these guys despite the strong matchup against the Bengals.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.
