DJ Moore, Ja’Marr Chase, and Breece Hall. Three guys who exploded for fantasy teams last week. Unfortunately, your roster can’t have performances like these each week.
Every week players will bust and may even put up a goose egg. While it’s nice to have players explode for 30+ points, it’s even more important to avoid the guys who will let you down each week.
Using information on player usage, offensive environment, and weekly matchups, it’s possible to avoid these weekly disasters. With that being said, get these players out of your lineup in Week 6.
RHAMONDRE STEVENSON, RB NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
At Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. Eastern
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has struggled over the last few weeks. Stevenson seemed to have a great role in the New England offense but this role has slowly diminished. In Week 1, he played 74 percent of snaps but Stevenson was in a near 50-50 split with Ezekiel Elliott last Sunday.
Fortunately for Stevenson owners, he currently has a hold on the short yardage and goal line role. However, Elliott is creeping in and taking snaps in nearly every other scenario.
On top of losing work to teammates, Stevenson has lost nearly all of his touchdown upside. Well, he hasn’t “lost” it but his touchdown upside has been minimized over the last few weeks. How did this happen? The Patriots have not scored a touchdown in the last two games. When an offense appears as inept as the Patriots have been for the last few weeks, it’s difficult for players to score touchdowns and fantasy points.
The reason for benching Stevenson in Week 6 is primarily driven by the struggles of the Patriots’ offense, not the reduced role. It’s difficult to produce a fantasy-relevant running back in an offense that scores 1.5 points per game.
Stevenson has an average matchup with the Raiders in Week 6 but should stay on your bench if possible. It’s best to keep him out of your lineup until this offense shows a shred of competency. I know it’s difficult to bench your third-round pick, but this offense is a disaster and will lead to disappointing fantasy performances.
SAM HOWELL, QB WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
At Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. Eastern
At this point in the season, Howell is more of a bye week streamer than an actual fantasy starter. However, following a QB5 outing last week against Chicago, some people may be considering Howell as a starter in Week 6. If this is you, just take a moment to remember what led Howell to success last week.
First, there’s the Chicago defense. The Bears are allowing 23 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the most of any team. Chicago has been sliced up by every quarterback they’ve faced, allowing 295 passing yards and 31.4 points per game.
The game script from Howell’s Week 5 matchup also perfectly played out in his favor. Chicago was out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter and led 27-3 by halftime. This massive lead for Chicago meant that Howell would throw a lot in the second half. Actually, Washington started throwing in the second quarter and just didn’t stop.
Howell had a premium matchup and was somehow gifted with 55 consecutive pass plays. This was the perfect storm for Howell to have a big day in fantasy and he will not see a better set of circumstances this season.
As of now, Sam Howell is a fill-in starter, nothing more. Don’t let last week cloud your judgment. Howell faces a much tougher test in the Atlanta defense and another 25+ point performance is unlikely.
MILES SANDERS, RB CAROLINA PANTHERS
At Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. Eastern
Carolina’s offseason addition at running back has not made much of an impact yet this season. Miles Sanders has yet to have a big day on the actual field or the fantasy gridiron. Sanders is still looking for his first 100-yard game and 20 fantasy point performance.
Sanders’ performance and usage have both been limited by a groin injury during recent games. This injury has led to a fairly even split between Sanders and Chuba Hubbard. In fact, Sanders has played less than 50 percent of snaps each of the last two weeks. In Week 5, Sanders saw only seven touches on 48 percent of snaps.
This ugly snap share split will likely continue into Week 6. It’s unlikely that Sanders has fully recovered from his groin issue. On top of that issue, Sanders is now dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of practice. With multiple injuries piling up, Carolina will be limiting his workload once again.
Sunday also brings a matchup against the mighty Miami Dolphins. Nobody would be surprised if this game gets out of hand pretty early. A blowout in this game means fewer touches for Sanders and Carolina running backs in general.
Sanders has let you down in the last few weeks. Nothing is changing this week, don’t fall for the same trap again. Get Miles Sanders out of your lineup this week.
AMARI COOPER, WR CLEVELAND BROWNS
Vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m. Eastern
Similar to Rhamondre, it may be difficult to draft a player that you spent an early-round pick on. But benching Amari Cooper in Week 6 is as obvious of a call as it gets.
First, we have the quarterback situation. In the absence of Deshaun Watson in Week 4, Cooper was held to one of the worst stat lines of his career. Cooper finished with one catch for 16 yards, not great. Unfortunately for Cooper and the Cleveland offense, they will be without their starting QB once again this week. Watson’s replacement will be former XFL legend P.J. Walker. Walker made a handful of starts last season in which he didn’t look great. While certainly a step down from Watson, Watson is still capable of delivering some big plays.
That pass was incredible but don’t expect anything like this on Sunday.
Outside of a downgrade at quarterback, the Browns will also be dealing with one of the league’s toughest defenses. The 49ers defense has been nothing short of dominant in 2023, allowing a league-best 13.6 points per game.
I know it’s tough to send a player like Amari Cooper to the bench. Unfortunately for him, nothing is in his favor in Week 6. Benching Cooper may not be easy, but it’s something that must be done.
TERRY MCLAURIN, WR WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
At Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. Eastern
So, the Commanders called 55 straight pass plays last week, their top receiver must’ve had a big day. Wrong. Sam Howell attempted 51 passes that led to five Terry McLaurin targets. Less than a 10 percent target share for the top receiver in Washington is not ideal for fantasy. A low target share has been common for McLaurin throughout the season. McLaurin has a 16.2 percent target share this season, 60th among all pass catchers. It’s incredibly difficult to find success with this level of volume.
McLaurin and Howell haven’t developed a connection just yet. That’s fine, Howell is young and we are only five games into the season. McLaurin has plenty of time to get going and develop a connection with his QB, so I am not panicking just yet.
Although I’m not panicking about the rest of season outlook, I am benching McLaurin in Week 6. Scary Terry is already lacking in targets but now has to square off with the Atlanta secondary.
Atlanta ranks 6th in fantasy points allowed to WRs and has shut down several top WRs this season. Only one receiver has had a productive game against the Falcons, Amon-Ra St. Brown. Adam Thielen, Nico Collins, and Calvin Ridley have all been boxed by this secondary. Expect McLaurin to have pedestrian numbers like these other receivers.
