Jimmy Graham

Fantasy Football Week 6: Start or Sit?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Who should you start and who should you sit at each position in fantasy football Week 6 in the 2016 NFL season?

Last week had a lot of fantasy football owners scrambling for short-term answers. Not only were many still feeling the effects from injuries from weeks prior, but there was a total of four teams on a bye.

This week, we have a lot of players coming back from either their bye week or injuries. And in Week 6, there are only two teams on a bye. Did I mention those two teams happen to be the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers? So basically unless you have the Vikings D/ST or Mike Evans on your team, you’re not really missing much.

A majority of owners will have more players to choose from while setting their starting lineups in Week 6. As always I will try to find players who might be flying under the radar. In short, don’t freak out when I don’t have Le’Veon Bell listed under my “starts” in the running back section.

This is Fantasy Football: Start or Sit, Week 6 Edition.

Oct 9, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks

Starts

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns – Last week Mariota turned in a performance many people have been waiting for since the start of the season. He killed the Dolphins with four total touchdowns and chipped in 60 yards on the ground. However, that a was in a favorable matchup. Luckily, he gets another favorable matchup against the Browns in Week 6. Cleveland has given up multiple touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks in every game this season and three touchdown passes in three straight weeks. Lightning could strike twice here.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets – Mr. Palmer, you have frustrated many owners up to this point but this is where you bounce back. The Jets defense has given up 300 passing yards in four out of five games this season. They also have given up three or more touchdown passes in three out of five games this season. The Cardinals are coming off a mini bye week and are playing at home where Palmer thrives.

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders – Every so often Smith offers good value as a weekly streaming option and Week 6 happens to be one of those weeks. Despite the talent on the defensive side of the ball for the Raiders, they haven’t been able to gel as a unit. The Raiders just gave up four touchdown passes to Philip Rivers and company. That marked the third time this season they have given up at three touchdown passes or more in a single game. Smith’s sneaky ground game should come into play here as well.

Sit

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks – Although the Falcons won last week and Ryan played well, he did not produce in fantasy land. Now he has to travel to Seattle to play one of the best defensive units in the NFL in one of the toughest stadiums in the NFL. There are just too many better options out there for owners for this week.

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Last week the Eagles defense gave up three passing touchdowns to Matthew Stafford. I don’t see this unit letting an opposing quarterback get the best of them for the second straight week.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos – Despite losing to the Falcons at home last week the Broncos defense only allowed one touchdown pass. In fact, they have never given up more than one touchdown pass in any game this season. Rivers should be on benches this week.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) avoids the leg tackle of Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (53) in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

Start

C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers – I know owners are starting to freak out a little bit. After seeing 20 carries in Weeks 1 and 2, Anderson has averaged less than 15 carries over the last three weeks. During that time he also hasn’t reached the 50 yard rushing plateau. He might be heading into a timeshare with rookie Devontae Booker. Even with all of that working against him, you have to start him against San Diego. The Chargers have given up a rushing touchdown to opposing running backs in four out of five games this season and multiple touchdown runs in two out of five games.

Frank Gore, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans – Gore is flying under the radar as one of the better fantasy running backs this season. Over the last two weeks he has only totaled 30 carries, but he has averaged 4.8 yards per carry during that time. The Texans defensive unit is not the same without superstar J.J. Watt and have given up five rushing touchdowns over their last three games.

Sit

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys – Lacy’s name value is no longer worth it’s weight in terms of fantasy football. He is averaging under 15 touches a game this season and has just three receptions. He hasn’t found the end zone yet this season and the Cowboys defense has only surrendered two rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs so far in 2016.

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots – Last week Browns running back Isaiah Crowell was rendered useless because the Browns had to play from behind. I can see the same thing happening this week with Hill and the Bengals. His teammate Giovani Bernard very well might see more total touches in this game.

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

Start

Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders – Maclin hasn’t done diddly poo this season, but that should change this week. The Raiders have been outright bad against the pass this season and are giving up chunk plays on the reg. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Chiefs used their Week 5 bye to figure out more ways to get Maclin more involved. What a better week to do that than against the Raiders?

John Brown, Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets – Overall, Brown has been a disappoint this fantasy season. However, things are starting to look up. In Weeks 3-4 he averaged eight receptions and 107 receiving yards. He put up a dud (1 reception, 11 yards) in Week 5, but that was with Drew Stanton under center. With Carson Palmer expected to return this week, Brown should get back on track.

Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins – Did you just pick up Coates off of waivers this week? You did? That’s cool beans for you because you get to trot out your new toy this Sunday. The young receiver is too explosive to be held down by arguably the worst secondary in the NFL. Note: Coates is dealing with a hand injury so this is something to keep an eye on. However, if he’s active you’re playing him.

Sit

DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Jackson is purely a boom-or-bust player and so far in 2016, he’s been a bust. He only has one touchdown on the season and hasn’t eclipsed 100 yards receiving since Week 1. The Eagles defense has been hard on opposing wide receivers. Yes they gave up three touchdown passes last week, but keep in mind only one of them went to a wide receiver.

Jeremy Kerley, San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills – The former TCU standout has been excelling in Chip Kelly’s system in 2016. Over the last two weeks he has averaged seven receptions, 95 yards and one touchdown. However, the 49ers just made a quarterback change and have to travel to Buffalo to play a 1:00 p.m. ET game. I’m not sure if Colin Kaepernick will favor Kerley like Blaine Gabbert did and in a difficult matchup, I’m not sure it will matter even if he does.

Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears – In his last game, Hurns found the end zone for the first time this season. Yet, his numbers have been just awful in 2016. He is currently averaging fewer than four receptions and 56 yards a game this season. Hurns was one of the best fantasy wide receivers last season, but that’s not the case this year.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates his touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends

Start

Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons – He is officially back on the TE1 radar after averaging six receptions and 107 yards in Seattle’s last two games. Graham will go up against a Falcons defense that has allowed a touchdown to opposing tight ends in four out of five games this season.

Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins – James has a touchdown reception in three out of the last four games in 2016. He also set a season high in receptions (6) and receiving yards (43) last week against the Jets. The Dolphins don’t do anything well so feel free to pick on them.

Sit

Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans – Yes he scored a touchdown last week and yes he also set a season high in receptions (6) too. Still, he has been inconsistent and unreliable in 2016. Owners can find better on the waiver wire.

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers – Despite the good matchup here, Witten is just too risky. In three out of five game this season, he has had three receptions or fewer. He also has never had more than 66 receiving yards or a receiving touchdown in any game this season.

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) and free safety Mike Mitchell (23) react after a stop against New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

D/ST

Start

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill takes too many sacks and turns the ball over too many times. There’s just too much to like here (unless you’re a Dolphins fan).

Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns – It’s another week and it’s another opportunity to pick on the Cleveland Browns. The Browns will either be starting a banged up rookie quarterback Cody Kessler or rookie quarterback Kevin Hogan. Sure Terrelle Pryor should mix in here and there but it’s still an awful situation for the awful Browns.

Sit

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders – Their six interception performance back in Week 3 is a thing of the past. They play the Raiders who have the ability to drop 30+ on any given week. They are also playing on the road where they are not the same team compared to when they play at Arrowhead.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions – The Rams just gave up 30 points to the Buffalo Bills who aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut. Sure one of those touchdowns came on a pick-six by Case Keenum but Keenum has the “ability” to do that every week.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians argues against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi

Last Week and Season-Long Record of Start/Sit

This week and every week I’ll be keeping track of my recommendations from the week before and total for the entire season. Keep in mind, I’m not going to recommend ridiculously obvious players to sit or start just to pad my stats.

Week 5 QB Starts: Andy Dalton and Carson Wentz – Both quarterbacks threw for over 235 yards and multiple touchdown passes. Result: 2/2

Week 5 QB Sits: Tyrod Taylor and Matthew Stafford – Neither quarterback eclipsed 180 passing yards but Stafford’s three touchdown passes put him over the edge. Result: 1/2

Week 5 RB Starts: Frank Gore, Jordan Howard and Terrance West – Howard went bonkers and West had 95 rushing yards. Gore did manage to average 5.4 YPC on Sunday but he simply didn’t get enough carries/touches. Result: 2/3

Week 5 RB Sits: Matt Jones, Miami Dolphins RBs and Giovani Bernard – Jay Ajayi found the endzone and Bernard had 96 total yards. Jones on the other hand was worse than I expected. Result: 1/3

Week 5 WR Starts: Steve Smith Sr., Tyrell Williams and Robert Woods – Smith was on pace for a good game but an ankle injury prevented that. Williams went off and Woods disappeared. Result: 1/3

Week 5 WR Sits: Tavon Austin, Pierre Garcon and Mohamed Sanu – Garcon caught his first touchdown of the season. Of course he did. Result: 2/3

Week 5 TE Starts: Virgil Green, Martellus Bennett and Will Tye – Green was inactive so we will consider that a wash. Bennett had the best day of all the tight ends in the NFL. Eli Manning missed a wide open Tye for what would’ve been a long walk-in touchdown. Result: 1/2

Week 5 TE Sits: Jacob Tamme and Clive Walford – Walford was inactive so that won’t count in my favor. Tamme was stopped at the one-yard line for a touchdown and that was the difference. Result: 1/1

Week 5 D/ST Starts: Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots – Both defenses did well and even managed to score some points of their own. Result: 2/2

Week 5 D/ST Sits: Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans – The defenses did not do well and made me look good for a brief moment. Result: 2/2

Week 5 Results: 15/23 = 65 percent

Season Results: 72.5/127 = 57 percent