Fantasy Football Thursday Night Start 'Em or Sit 'Em: Britt, Mendenhall & More

Must-Start Options:
Quarterback - Ben Roethlisberger (Pit)
Running Back - None
Wide Receiver - Mike Wallace (Pit), Antonio Brown (Pit)
Tight End - Heath Miller (Pit)

Others to Consider:

Running Back – Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers

The only reason he isn’t in the must-start section is because this will be just his second game back. However, given what he showed in Week 5 (81 yards and 1 TD on 14 carries) and Tennessee’s struggles against the run (144.2 yards per game and 6 TD), this seems like a perfect matchup. Mendenhall proved in one game that he was the Steelers' best option in the backfield, so expect a nice performance.

Verdict – Start in all formats

Quarterback – Matt Hasselbeck – Tennessee Titans

With Jake Locker out again it will be Hasselbeck under center. While he hasn’t been completely awful, he also hasn’t been great and draws a tough matchup. It's hard to recommend using him here.

Verdict – A QB2 for the desperate, but that’s about it

Running Back – Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans

I know he had one good game sandwiched in there, but I wasn’t really expecting a renaissance until Week 7 when the schedule starts to get easier. In other words, don’t be surprised if his struggles continue for another week. I know it is hard to sit the player who was likely your top pick, but you also probably already came up with a back-up plan. I don’t expect much to change here.

Verdict – If you are desperate he is a low-end option; otherwise save him for Week 7

Wide Receiver – Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans

You would think after surprisingly playing on Sunday that Britt would be considered a good play here. Unfortunately that’s just not the case. He was targeted just five times, picking up two catches for 23 yards. We all know how explosive he can be, so maybe just being out there and getting the reps, after not practicing, will help him be ready for this one? It just sounds like a bit of a stretch, but you never know. Britt has a habit of exploding when we least expect it, but this is a tough matchup without his starting QB.

Verdict – Monitor the news, but consider him a high-risk, high-reward WR3 option and nothing more

Wide Receiver – Kendall Wright – Tennessee Titans

He is coming off a big game, with nine catches for 66 yards (and 11 targets). There is potential, but averaging just 7.9 yards per reception, he clearly is more of a PPR option than anything. However, with 44 targets to lead the team, there is definite value there.

Verdict – Potential WR3 in PPR leagues, but a risky option

Wide Receiver – Nate Washington – Tennessee Titans

He leads the Titans in yards, but a healthy Britt basically eliminates his value. There isn’t enough reason to roll the dice.

Verdict – Forget him

Tight End – Jared Cook – Tennessee Titans

He has quietly been emerging and should play a much bigger role in the offense this week. With touchdowns in two of his past three games, there is a lot to like.

Verdict – Borderline TE1, so usable depending on your alternative

Make sure to check out all of our Week 6 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 50 Wide Receivers
• Top 25 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Defenses