Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 6
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 6 Rankings.
Start
Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars
vs. Rams
The incredible play of the Jaguars' defense has led to diminished fantasy outputs from Bortles - he has yet to pass for over 250 yards in a game this season and only once threw multiple touchdowns. This could change with Jacksonville facing the league's second-highest scoring offense in the Rams, forcing Bortles to take a few more risks to keep pace.
Fearless prediction: 286 yards passing, 34 yards rushing, 3 TDs
Other QBs to start
- Carson Palmer vs. Buccaneers
- Jacoby Brissett at Titans
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
vs. Lions
Adrian Peterson's departure won't have much impact on Kamara, as the rookie's usage wasn't at all encumbered by the veteran's presence. He finished just shy of 100 total yards his last time out and has scored touchdowns in consecutive weeks. Look for his Week 4 total of 15 combined touches to remain his new floor.
Fearless prediction: 56 yards rushing, 62 yards receiving, TD
Other RBs to start
- Elijah McGuire vs. Patriots
- Javorius Allen vs. Bears
- Chris Thompson vs. 49ers
Martavis Bryant, WR, Steelers
at Chiefs
Bryant hasn't caught more than three passes in a game since the season opener and the Steelers have indicated wide receivers Eli Rogers and JuJu Smith-Schuster could be headed for larger roles. Still, Bryant could have a big day even with a lessened workload. Only three teams have allowed more plays of 20-plus yards than the Chiefs this season, and Bryant's already converted three such plays.
Fearless prediction: 77 yards receiving, TD
Other WRs to start
- Taylor Gabriel vs. Dolphins
- Rishard Matthews vs. Colts
- Allen Hurns vs. Rams
Evan Engram, TE, Giants
at Broncos
Any offense the Giants can muster without the services of Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard will likely come via Engram. The rookie was held without a target in Week 5, but he'd received 25 looks over his previous three games. The Broncos allow more than eight targets and 61 receiving yards to tight ends every week.
Fearless prediction: 78 yards receiving, TD
Other TEs to start
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs. Patriots
- George Kittle at Redskins
Sit
Jared Goff, QB, Rams
at Jaguars
Goff is coming off his worst game of the season (and his only poor one so far), as he was held without a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. He faces a tougher task on the road in Week 6 against the league's No. 1 pass defense.
Other QBs to sit
- Eli Manning at Broncos
- Philip Rivers at Raiders
Adrian Peterson, RB, Cardinals
vs. Buccaneers
Peterson was picked up in the majority of leagues following his trade from the Saints, but keep your expectations in check. Give him a week on the bench while assessing his new role before deciding whether to start him or drop him once again.
Other RBs to sit
- James White at Jets
- Doug Martin at Cardinals
- Marshawn Lynch vs. Chargers
Pierre Garcon, WR, 49ers
at Redskins
Even without cornerback Josh Norman, the Redskins' defense is cause for some hesitation. They've held opposing No. 1 receivers to 5.2 targets and just 28.7 receiving yards per game, with Football Outsiders' seventh-best DVOA. Garcon doesn't have much touchdown potential, so a decline in yardage production erodes his value.
Other WRs to sit
- DeSean Jackson at Cardinals
- Sammy Watkins at Jaguars
- DeVante Parker at Falcons
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
vs. Packers
The Packers are one of just six teams that hasn't allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end this season, limiting them to fewer average fantasy points than all but one team. The Vikings will have a much easier time moving the ball with star wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen than forcing it to Rudolph.
Other TEs to sit
- Jared Cook vs. Chargers
- Eric Ebron at Saints
Stash
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Falcons
Sanu was widely dropped due to his Week 4 injury and the Falcons' Week 5 bye, but he had 21 targets in his first three games of the season. It's usage worth stashing. He shouldn't miss more than one or two games.
Roger Lewis, WR, Giants
Lewis is dealt a tough hand in his first game as the Giants' best only wide receiver. His target share in a difficult matchup against the Broncos is much more important than his production. Keep him on the bench while waiting to see if he'll have potential in more favorable matchups.
Quit
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Saints
Ginn is still owned in nearly half of Yahoo leagues despite failing to record 50 yards receiving since Week 1. He scored one touchdown, but his playing time and usage will take major hits with Willie Snead's return to the lineup.
Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears
Cohen's welcome party is officially over. He totaled a season low of seven touches in Week 5, his yards per carry have dropped steadily as the season progresses, and he lost 6 yards on his lone reception from rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Expect Jordan Howard to fully maintain his role as the focus of the Bears' backfield.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)