Week 6 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Projections for Top 10 Players at Each Position

Believe it or not, we're already in the sixth week of the 2016 NFL season. The week kicked off with a bang on Thursday night when the San Diego Chargers upset the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, 21-13.

For a lot of fantasy owners, Thursday night's game was a disappointment. Running back C.J. Anderson produced just 71 combined rushing and receiving yards with no scores. Wide receiver Travis Benjamin had just 71 yards receiving and a fumble. Receiver Demaryius Thomas caught five passes but had just 35 yards to show for it.

If you had any players who weren't Hunter Henry (six receptions, 83 yards, touchdown), you might find yourself in a bit of a fantasy hole with 14 games remaining. Well, we're here to help with our projections for the top fantasy options remaining in Week 6.

We will be looking at skill players worth starting—along with some to avoid—and providing our performance projections.

We'll base our picks on factors such as past performances, matchup, roster makeup and health, where applicable. Our rankings are based on the points-per-reception (PPR) format.

Rank	Player	Opponent	Start/Sit	Proj. Stats
1	Cam Newton, CAR	@ NO	Start	290 YDS, 2 TDs, 38 RUSH YDS, TD
2	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	@ MIA	Start	340 YDS, 3 TDs
3	Drew Brees, NO	CAR	Start	350 YDS, 3 TDs, INT
4	Aaron Rodgers, GB	DAL	Start	320 YDS, 2 TDs
5	Russell Wilson, SEA	ATL	Start	275 YDS, 2 TDs, 25 RUSH YDS
6	Carson Palmer, ARI	NYJ	Start	300 YDS, 2 TDs
7	Tom Brady, NE	CIN	Start	270 YDS, TD, 1 RUSH YD, TD
8	Blake Bortles, JAX	@ CHI	Start	340 YDS, TD
9	Brian Hoyer, CHI	JAX	Start	330 YDS, TD
10	Andrew Luck, IND	@ HOU	Start	340 YDS, TD, INT
-	Ryan Tannehill, MIA	PIT	Sit	240 YDS, TD, 2 INT, FUM
-	Case Keenum, LA	@ DET	Sit	260 YDS, INT
-	Cody Kessler, CLE	@ TEN	Sit	270 YDS, INT, FUM

Quarterbacks

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

For the second week in a row, we're going to kick things off with a look at Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and his recovery from a Week 4 concussion.

Last week, Newton was unable to go because of the injury. This week, it appears that Newton will be ready to face the New Orleans Saints. Though he has yet to be officially cleared for return, Newton was at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.

He seems to be in remarkably good spirits.

If Newton is cleared, it doesn't sound like the Panthers will hold him back any after the concussion.

“That’s one thing about Cam Newton,’’ Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said, per David Newton of ESPN.com. “We can call a play, and he can drop back and take off running on his own. We’re going to play our offense accordingly.’’

Expect Newton to take full advantage of his dual-threat ability against the Saints defense, which has had its fair share of issues this season. New Orleans is currently allowing an average of 422.8 yards per game (31st in the NFL) and 32.5 points per contest (last in the NFL).

While the defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers isn't exactly worlds above the one in New Orleans—the Steelers are allowing an average of 302.0 yards per game through the air, 30th in the league—we can't really recommend starting Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill may rack up some yardage, especially if he's trying to keep pace with the Steelers, but he is also a massive turnover risk. The former Texas A&M standout has committed nine turnovers this season to go with seven total touchdowns.

Until Tannehill becomes more consistent and cuts down on the turnovers, it's best to avoid him in fantasy.

Rank	Player	Opponent	Start/Sit	Proj. Stats
1	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	@ MIA	Start	102 YDS, TD, 4 REC, 64 YDS
2	DeMarco Murray, TEN	CLE	Start	108 YDS, TD, 4 REC, 22 YDS, TD
3	David Johnson, ARI	NYJ	Start	78 YDS, 6 REC, 46 YDS, TD
4	LeSean McCoy, BUF	SF	Start	125 YDS, TD, 3 REC, 21 YDS
5	Lamar Miller, HOU	IND	Start	102 YDS, TD, 3 REC, 25 YDS
6	Jordan Howard, CHI	JAX	Start	118 YDS, TD, 2 REC, 9 YDS
7	Mark Ingram, NO	CAR	Start	102 YDS, TD, 1 REC, 12 YDS
8	Todd Gurley, LA	@ DET	Start	66 YDS, 3 REC, 28 YDS, TD
9	Christine Michael, SEA	ATL	Start	108 YDS, TD
10	Ezekiel Elliott, DAL	@ GB	Start	78 YDS, 3 REC, 38 YDS
-	Terrance West, BAL	@ NYG	Sit	56 YDS, 2 REC, 8 YDS
-	Jay Ajayi, MIA	PIT	Sit	48 YDS
-	Jeremy Hill, CIN	@ NE	Sit	34 Yds, 1 REC, 4 YDS

Running Backs

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Around two years ago, DeMarco Murray was generally considered the best running back in the game. He led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards in 2014 and was a candidate for NFL MVP.

Murray might not lead the league in rushing this year, but the Tennessee Titans back is certainly in the running for fantasy MVP. Through five games, he already has 461 yards rushing, 24 receptions, 172 yards receiving and five total touchdowns.

Murray is a virtual must-start at the running back position and a definite one this week.

This week, the Titans host the Cleveland Browns, who not only possess the league's only winless record but an incredibly inconsistent defense. Cleveland is currently allowing an average of 402.6 yards per game (29th in the NFL) and 29.6 points per contest (31st).

Though Cleveland is rated a somewhat respectable 14th against the run by Pro Football Focus, the team has a tendency to give up late-game rushing yardage—since, you know, the Browns are almost always trailing.

Cleveland is 21st in the league in terms of rushing yardage allowed, an average of 114.2 yards per game. Expect big things for both Murray and fellow Titans back Derrick Henry.

Don't expect big things from Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill in his matchup with the New England Patriots.

Hill is averaging a modest 3.8 yards per carry this season and will be playing a defense that knows how to shut down the run. Last week, New England held the then-top rushing team to a mere 1.2 yards per attempt.

Rank	Player	Opponent	Start/Sit	Proj. Stats
1	Antonio Brown, PIT	@ MIA	Start	8 REC, 127 YDS, TD
2	Allen Robinson, JAX	@ CHI	Start	8 REC, 116 YDS, TD
3	Jarvis Landry, MIA	PIT	Start	9 REC, 99 YDS, TD
4	Jordy Nelson, GB	DAL	Start	5 REC, 78 YDS, 2 TD
5	A.J. Green, CIN	@ NE	Start	9 REC, 92 YDS, TD
6	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU	IND	Start	8 REC, 101 YDS, TD
7	Julio Jones, ATL	@ SEA	Start	8 REC, 95 YDS, TD
8	Odell Beckham Jr., NYG	BAL	Start	7 REC, 102 YDS, TD
9	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI	NYJ	Start	7 REC, 100 YDS, TD
10	T.Y. Hilton, IND	@ HOU	Start	8 REC, 124 YDS
-	Golden Tate, DET	LA	Sit	4 REC, 53 YDS
-	Brandon LaFell, CIN	@ NE	Sit	4 REC, 48 YDS
-	Kamar Aiken, BAL	@ NYG	Sit	3 REC, 55 YDS

Wide Receivers

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is an ageless wonder. Even at 33 years old and in his 13th season, the former Pitt star is playing about as well as anyone in the league.

He may not have the numbers of guys like Julio Jones or Antonio Brown, but he still has the ability to take over a game—Fitzgerald does have 361 receiving yards and five scores.

Last week, the Cardinals needed someone to take over with starting quarterback Carson Palmer out with a concussion. Fitzgerald delivered with six receptions, 81 yards and two touchdowns.

That's how the great ones play the game.

This week, Fitzgerald will be coming off 10 days' rest and should have Palmer back under center.

Fitzgerald and the Cardinals will also get to take their shot at home against a very shaky New York Jets defense. New York is currently ranked 31st in passing yards allowed with an average of 303.0 per game. The Jets are also rated 31st in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

Fitzgerald should find an opportunity to fantasy-feast in this game. If the contest remains somewhat competitive, he could even end up having one of the best overall days among Week 6 receivers. The key will be whether or not the Cardinals need to pass the football for four full quarters.

If they do, Fitzgerald could be in for a truly massive outing.

One guy who probably isn't in store for a great game is Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate, who has been a bit of a fantasy bust. While Tate does have 17 receptions through five games, he hasn't reached the end zone or compiled more than 50 yards in a single game.

Things probably won't get any better this week with the Los Angeles Rams coming to town. The Rams are rated 10th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

Rank	Player	Opponent	Start/Sit	Proj. Stats
1	Greg Olsen, CAR	@ NO	Start	5 REC, 71 YDS, TD
2	Travis Kelce, KC	@ OAK	Start	5 REC 64 YDS, TD
3	Rob Gronkowski, NE	CIN	Start	6 REC, 108 YDS
4	Delanie Walker, TEN	CLE	Start	4 REC, 48 YDS, TD
5	Jimmy Graham, SEA	ATL	Start	6 REC, 66 YDS
6	Martellus Bennett, NE	CIN	Start	3 REC, 33 YDS, TD
7	Coby Fleener, NO	CAR	Start	5 REC, 57 YDS
8	Zach Miller, CHI	JAX	Start	5 REC, 56 YDS
9	Zach Ertz, PHI	@ WAS	Start	5 REC, 54 YDS
10	Jason Witten, DAL	@ GB	Start	5 REC, 50 YDS
-	C.J. Uzomah, CIN	@ NE	Sit	3 REC, 29 YDS
-	Jacom Tamme, ATL	@ SEA	Sit	4 REC, 19 YDS
-	Will Tye, NYG	BAL	Sit	2 REC, 16 YDS

Tight Ends

It's hard not to love the matchup for Panthers tight end Greg Olsen this week.

We've already mentioned that the Saints haven't been very good on defense, and it's worth noting that the team is rated just 27th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

Matchup aside, it's just hard not to love Olsen as a fantasy option. He already has 516 yards receiving and two touchdowns this season and is coming off an incredible night.

In Week 5, Olsen racked up 181 yards on nine receptions, and with backup Derek Anderson at quarterback. Not only is Olsen matchup-proof, but he's quarterback-situation-proof. Don't even think about sitting him now that it appears Newton is on his way back.

Heck, don't even think about trading Olsen—even if you have a guy like Rob Gronkowski on your bench.

Feel free to try trading Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah if you can get something for him, even with starter Tyler Eifert still out.

Uzomah has had some respectable games this season—like last week's five-catch, 43-yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys—but he isn't likely to find a ton of success against the Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

It doesn't help that Uzomah's value will plummet once Eifert is finally cleared to take the field.