With the first wave of bye weeks having come and gone, we are nearly halfway through many fantasy league’s season as we head to the NFL’s Week 6.
We’re down to two unbeaten teams – San Francisco and Philadelphia – both of whom deserve their own tier together. They also don’t necessarily have a tough test this weekend. And, if you look at the NFL schedule, circling some blowouts shouldn’t be hard, but even choosing a matchup in others is. Good thing you don’t need a winning team to have a standout fantasy player.
I used to write a weekly Start Em, Sit Em with Sleepers and Busts at another publication, but have brought my talents to RSJ and am revamping the launch of that series. Let’s be honest, do you really need to be told to start Joe Burrow and Geno Smith in a likely Cincinnati shootout? Or sit Kirk Cousins without Justin Jefferson?
We’re looking for diamonds in the rough – and this week is no different.
Last week, even though I was on bye, CJay brought you his top five sleepers (because he didn’t use my suggestions). We saw Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin, Saints’ wideout Rashid Shaheed, Lions’ wide receiver Josh Reynolds, Cardinals’ quarterback Josh Dobbs and Panthers’ tight end Hayden Hurst make the list.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 9 carries, 68 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
Rashid Shaheed: 2 catches (2 targets), 28 yards.
Josh Reynolds: 4 catches (5 targets), 76 yards, 1 touchdown.
Josh Dobbs: 15-for-32, 166 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
Hayden Hurst: 3 catches (3 targets), 21 yards, 1 touchdown.
As Richard Sherman would say: “Mediocre.” But hey, at least we weren’t allergic to the end zone.
To help you out, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. eastern
I’m blocked by Gardner Minshew on Twitter after I had a college communication class with him and told everyone how terrible of a group partner he was. But, what he doesn’t seem to have a problem with is communication to yet another new offense. Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve, giving Minshew (17% owned) the start against a tired divisional opponent who just spent two weeks in London. Minshew is 1-0 this season after a Colts upset victory against Baltimore, and he has both Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs at full strength. Besides, who doesn’t want to beat their former team?
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. eastern
The last time I doubled down, C.J. Stroud had more than 300 yards and Nico Collins got his first career touchdown. Before the season started, I wrote Josh Downs (40% owned) would beat out Isaiah McKenzie and be a threat to help Michael Pittman Jr. Welcome to Week 6 and it’s all true.
Downs nearly had 100 yards last week in a divisional matchup with the Titans. Jacksonville has allowed double-digit PPR points to five receivers through five weeks. Maybe that’s Pittman, but Downs had 16 PPR points last week, and I’ll take that off waivers especially if you’re dealing with injuries to guys such as Justin Jefferson (IR) and Mike Evans (hamstring).
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Commanders @ Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. eastern
Logan Thomas is back on this list, and if I was allowed to cuss here, I’d say “F it, we’re going in.” If Thomas holding onto his touchdown after taking a targeted hit to the head against Denver that resulted in a concussion didn’t cement that “he’s got that dog in him”, nothing will. I’d rather eat dirt than trust the Falcons’ secondary against another tight end – they’re second-worst in the NFL. Thomas is the eighth-best tight end in the league heading into Week 6 and tied for fifth in points per game. He’s 65% owned, but 44% started.
Additionally, Terry McLaurin has had a pattern of cold and hot games. If the pattern continues this week, he has a hot game – but one of those came in Week 2 when Thomas was knocked out.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers @ Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. eastern
Miles Sanders has already been ruled out and expected to miss multiple weeks, and Chuba Hubbard is not losing his job to Raheem Blackshear. Most teams are racking up double-digit carries with their running backs against the Dolphins and those same players have stood out in PPR. Nothing should trump Miami’s horrendous showing in Week 1 against the Chargers that got the fantasy world as hyped up for Josh Kelley just as fast as they lost it. But let’s face it, the winless Panthers may need Hubbard to bail out Miami’s pass rush and bail out Bryce Young. Hubbard is 65% owner, but 22% started.
Emari Demercado & Keaontay Ingram, RBs, Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. eastern
If Arizona wants a chance in this game it’s going to have to run the ball. But James Conner is on IR. Emari Demercado filled in after Conner left in Week 5 and averaged 4.5 yards per carry while also finding the end zone. But, the Cardinals activated Keaontay Ingram (neck) to come into the game without an injury designation. Arizona’s receiving corps is unreliable at best, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the backs targeted in a game the Cardinals should be chasing points in.
It’s not always runaway matchups that produce quality sleeper candidates on a weekly basis. Remembering to think of teams chasing points, lopsided run and rush defenses and depth chart movement are all key factors to look at when attempting to gain an edge in fantasy football.
Have a player Kayla should analyze in the coming weeks? Reach out to RSJ.
