Week 6 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench
Navigating the 2024 fantasy season continues to be a challenge. Injuries have taken some of the top stars out of action, and many managers have lost another for at least four weeks.
The Houston Texans placed standout wide receiver Nico Collins on injured reserve on Wednesday.
This week, managers will also have to deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings being on bye. This means, of course, that some will have to lean into less-than-favorable matchups.
We'll dive into a few of the tougher fantasy situations of Week 6 and make a few start/sit recommendations here.
All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Start: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White is entering a tricky situation because he's no longer the every-down back he was a year ago. Rookie Bucky Irving has been a more effective runner and is starting to cut into White's workload considerably.
Over the past three games, Irving has logged no fewer than nine carries in a contest.
Tampa also has a pivotal divisional matchup against the New Orleans Saints this week. While New Orleans hasn't shut down opposing running backs, it hasn't exactly been friendly to them either.
The Saints have allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points to the position in 2024.
However, managers should still be able to count on White for at least another week. He remains an important piece of the passing attack, which provides managers with a solid PPR floor.
Against the Atlanta Falcons last week, White caught three passes and tallied 66 scrimmage yards. He could have better numbers this week as Tampa looks to control the tempo against a Saints team that won't have starting quarterback Derek Carr (obliques).
Sit: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
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Managers should be more cautious with Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. this week. While Robinson has found the end zone in each of his last three games—and in four of five—his floor against the Baltimore Ravens is limited.
Baltimore sports a terrific run defense, which ranks first in both yards per carry and yards allowed. Only the Chiefs, Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
The risk with Robinson is that he isn't regularly utilized in the passing game—Austin Ekeler is Washington's top receiving back. He's also been dealing with a knee injury that may limit his workload.
Though he tallied two rushing touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, Robinson logged only seven carries for 18 yards with no receptions. He's a touchdown-dependent option this week, which is problematic against the Ravens.
Baltimore has allowed five rushing touchdowns this season but only three to opposing running backs—and quarterback Jayden Daniels is a serious threat to steal red-zone carries.
Start: Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets
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With receivers like Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Collins unavailable this week, managers may have to rely on depth. New York Jets wideout Allen Lazard has provided that and should have a dependable floor for flex play in Week 6.
The Jets offense hasn't been great. There's no getting around that fact, and it likely played a role in New York's decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh.
According to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, Saleh was "seriously considering" firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett before he was, himself, given the boot.
Hackett and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have a relationship that goes back to their days with the Green Bay Packers. So do Rodgers and Lazard, who has been the quarterback's go-to target more often than not.
Lazard was targeted a whopping 10 times in Week 5 and has averaged four receptions and 47 yards over the past three weeks. He has two receiving touchdowns in that span.
This week's matchup with the Buffalo Bills isn't ideal—Buffalo has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers—but Lazard should still deliver as a strong bye-week fill-in.
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Sit: Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
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Los Angeles Chargers receiver Quentin Johnson is a true boon-or-bust flex option who can't be trusted in Week 6.
While Johnston found the end zone three times between Weeks 2 and 3, the nature of Los Angeles' offense makes him a dicey play. Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win with defense and a strong running game, which has limited Johnston's opportunities.
The Chargers have attempted just over 23 passes per game, and Johnston has not seen more than five targets in an outing. He had just one catch for nine yards in his last one.
This week, the Chargers will visit the rival Denver Broncos, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.
With Johnston likely to draw star Broncos defender Pat Surtain II in coverage throughout the game, this isn't the time to bank on the second-year receiver's upside.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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