Fantasy Football Week 6: Chad Ochocinco and More WRs Worth a Risk

Receiver is normally one of the deeper positions in fantasy football. Yet, with some injuries and, of course, those lovely bye weeks, owners everywhere have been left scrambling a little bit to fill some holes.

To fill those holes, you probably need to take a gamble. Maybe the gamble is taking a young receiver that has shown promise, but not yet broken out. Maybe the gamble is taking an older receiver in hopes that he'll have a throwback game.

Whatever category they fall into, they are risks. Judging by the percentage of ESPN leagues that these guys are available in, it's likely that they are available for you.

James Jones

Given the secondary that he's competing against and the quarterback he has throwing him the ball, I actually don't think Jones is much of a risk. But given that he's starting in fewer than 20 percent of ESPN leagues, a lot of you don't seem to agree.

I understand that it's easy to get lost in the shuffle in Green Bay. After all, 12 receivers caught passes for them on Sunday night.

But against the Rams' secondary, I am not sure that it will matter. They will put all of their attention on Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley. When that happens, Jones will be matched up in single coverage against a defensive back that's just not worthy of single covering a receiver like Jones.

Jason Avant

Now, Avant had some bad plays on Sunday. That doesn't really change his fantasy production in a significant way, but it can change how he's targeted.

But the Redskins will be keyed in on DeSean Jackson. They have to be. The Eagles also throw a lot. That's a combination that will result in favorable matchups and opportunities for Avant.

I know that Philadelphia is struggling now, but they have a lot of talent at receiver. It's easy for Avant to get lost in the shuffle with their opponents. That leaves potential for a gigantic fantasy day.

Chad Ochocinco

At some point, he has to learn the offense and become a target for Tom Brady—he's just too good not to.

The fact that Ochocinco is not Brady's primary target is good. Defenses aren't putting their best men on him. When Ochocinco does get to learn this offense, he will break out in a big way.

In a week with six teams on bye, don't be afraid of a gamble.