Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill, TEN (vs BUF) - Tannehill has been a bit of a forgotten man in fantasy circles, but the Titans will remember him on Monday night because they’ll need an outstanding game from Tannehill to beat the Bills. A.J. Brown should be getting healthier and Julio Jones has a chance to play to bolster the arsenal of pass catchers needed to keep up with a red hot Josh Allen. Taylor Heinicke managed three total scores against the Bills mostly in garbage time, so if this one goes south quickly, that could be the best thing for Tannehill’s fantasy prospects.
Taylor Heinicke, WAS (vs KC)
Speaking of Heinicke, he should have a liberal helping of garbage time against Patrick Mahomes II in what should be a get right game from the Chiefs. The Football Team pass defense is abysmal, so the Chiefs should have no trouble building a big lead in short order. Heinicke might be playing for his starting job with Ryan Fitzpatrick getting close to a return. The Chiefs have allowed 30+ point fantasy games to opposing quarterbacks in the last four games.
UPDATE: Terry McLaurin was added to the injury report with a hamstring issue and missed practice on Friday, making him questionable for this week. If he can't go, Heinicke becomes much less attractive.
Geno Smith, SEA (at PIT)
Don’t overlook Smith in DFS in 2QB/Superflex this week. He can add value as a runner - which he did with 23 rushing yards last week, and he isn’t shy about throwing downfield when he comes in. Throwing to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett doesn’t hurt, and neither does facing the Steelers pass defense, which has allowed three total scores or two passing scores and at least 288 passing yards to the last four quarterbacks that have gone up against them.
Mac Jones, NE (vs DAL)
Jones should have to fill the air with footballs to have a chance against the Cowboys, who should be able to push around a diminished Patriots defense. Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts, and even Mike Glennon have put up big numbers in garbage time against the Cowboys over the last three weeks. It also helps Jones fantasy cause that Damien Harris is banged up and keeps on fumbling, and Rhamondre Stevenson hasn’t impressed when he has gotten on the field, forcing Josh McDaniels to lean even more on the passing game.
Running Back
Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (at TB) **Thursday**
Does Miles Sanders qualify as a sleeper? If so, both Eagles backs belong on the list this week even though they are facing a Bucs defense that encourages opponents to abandon the run. Gainwell and Sanders should get a lot of calls on screen passes that both play to Jalen Hurts limited passing prowess and the Bucs overaggressive nature on defense. The Bucs have allowed at least nine running back receptions in three of the last four games, with only the Rams failing to pepper their backs with targets in a comfortable win. Last week, Myles Gaskin resurfaced against them with 10 catches for 72 yards and two scores.
Latavius Murray, Ty’Son Williams, BAL (vs LAC)
We’re digging deep here as the Ravens running game hasn’t been the same with Nick Boyle no matter how much Lamar Jackson is growing as a passer. Murray and Williams are worth considering if you’re desperate because defenses are eventually going to try to take away the pass first against Jackson if he keeps this up, and more importantly because the Chargers are horrendous against the run. They have allowed three 100-yard games in only five weeks, and a 90-yard game in one of the other two. The one running game dud vs. the Chargers was Josh Jacobs in his first week back from injury, playing from behind for most of the game. Murray is more likely to score in this one, while Williams is more likely to break a big play.
J.D. McKissic, WAS (vs KC)
McKissic has had an down-odd, up-even pattern this week, and we’re up in Week 6. That’s just superstition - the real reason to play McKissic this week is the nature of the matchup against the Chiefs. The Football Team is likely to be playing from behind for most of the game, which will get the pass-primed offense featuring McKissic on the field, and the Chiefs pass defense is one we always want to pick on. They have given up nine passing scores in the last three games.
Javonte Williams, DEN (vs LV)
Williams is rowing upstream against an offensive coordinator that is too fast to abandon the run, and a 50/50 committee with Melvin Gordon. Gordon’s injury has migrated up to his hip, so he’s likely not 100%, which could open a path to more work for Williams. The matchup against the Raiders this week is a good one. Las Vegas has allowed a touchdown to a running back in every single game this year, and that includes the Steelers, Ravens, and Dolphins backfields. The Raiders have also allowed the #2 back to score or get double digit touches in every game this year except when they faced the Steelers, who rely almost exclusively on Najee Harris.
Jeremy McNichols, TEN (vs BUF)
The Titans would like to ride Derrick Henry to another win this week, but may not have the luxury unless their defense plays well above the low level of play they have established this year. That could lead to less Henry on the field and more McNichols, who clearly has Ryan Tannehill’s trust and attention in the passing game. McNichols had eight catches in the wild and wooly loss to the Jets, and he had two catches for 26 yards last week even though the Titans rolled over the Jaguars. He might make your PPR week on two second half drives.
Wide Receiver
Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE (vs ARI)
Peoples-Jones has been trending up in targets and converting them while Odell Beckham is languishing outside of Baker Mayfield’s circle of trust. That opens the door for Peoples-Jones to have a big game against the Cardinals, who should do more than enough on offense to get us into the range of the 47-42 shootout the Browns lost to the Chargers last week. Eight different wide receivers have scored against the Cardinals this year.
Mecole Hardman, KC (vs WAS)
Hardman had his highest target total (12) of the season last week, and it comes just as Tyreek Hill has been missing practice with a thigh bruise. Hardman could take over some of Hill’s deep routes, and against a Washington pass defense that has given up eight touchdowns to wide receivers in the last three games - assuming you count Cordarrelle Patterson’s scores as wideout touchdowns.
Rondale Moore, Christian Kirk, ARI (at CLE)
Moore looks ready to break out any week now, coming up just short of a rushing score last week and posting one of the best sideline catches you’ll see. Kirk has shown up his blow up potential already this year and in 2020. With A.J. Green only getting two targets last week and tight end Maxx Williams going on injured reserve with a knee injury, the team should go to more four wide sets, and more of the targets out of those sets should go to Kirk and Moore. The Browns are coming off of a game where they allowed 18-286-2 to opposing wide receivers last week against the Chargers, so there may be plenty to go around.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (vs CIN)
St. Brown continues to trend up in snaps, targets, and production as the Lions continue to put starting wide receivers on injured reserve. Quintez Cephus landing there this week should free up even more opportunity for St. Brown, who has quietly had at least six catches and 65 receiving yards in each of the last two weeks. The Bengals had their hands full with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams last week, and they gave up at least 5-71 to three different Vikings receivers the only time they faced a good passing game.
Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, NE (vs DAL)
Since we are expecting garbage time in Foxboro, you might hit some treasure if you play a Patriots wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers is obviously the safest and best play in PPR leagues, but the Cowboys have been known to let up once they have a lead, so Bourne or Agholor might hit a meaningless big play or two in the second half. Kadarius Toney went off with Mike Glennon at quarterback last week, D.J. Moore had his only two scores of the year against Dallas, and four other receivers have had at least 91 yards through the air against them.
Tight End
Zach Ertz, PHI (vs TB)
Ertz is a slam dunk play this week with Dallas Goedert on the covid list. The Eagles will have to pass a lot against the Bucs because you can’t run on Tampa and Philadelphia could easily fall behind in this one. Ertz matches up well with Jalen Hurts strengths as a short range passer. The Eagles tight ends have combined for at least 6-78-1 in three of five games, so with Ertz getting the majority of the production, he has top five tight end upside this week.
Ricky Seals-Jones, WAS (vs KC)
Seals-Jones will play a full time role this week. Last week he was in on all but one of the 83 offensive snaps, and drew eight targets and three end zone targets. This week he could have even more targets with the Football Team having to pass a lot to keep up with Patrick Mahomes II. Curtis Samuel is likely out and rookie Dyami Brown is just getting back into the swing of things in his possible return this week, so Seals-Jones should be a primary target for Taylor Heinicke. The Chiefs have also given up big games to Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Cleveland tight ends this year.
Mo Alie-Cox, IND (vs HOU)
Alie-Cox had two touchdowns two weeks ago and 3-50 last week, leading into a matchup against Houston. The Texans have given up four touchdowns to tight ends already this year, and Browns tight ends had 11 catches for 107 yards in the one of the others, and Panthers tight ends even posted 3-53 against them despite the fact that the Panthers barely use the position in the passing game. Alie-Cox could hit as a what the heck tight end play/cheap DFS option in what should be a lopsided game.
O.J. Howard, TB (vs PHI) **Thursday**
Rob Gronkowski won’t return in Week 6, so that opens up more opportunity for O.J. Howard, who moved ahead of Cameron Brate in snaps and targets last week. The Eagles have given up four touchdowns to tight ends already this year, all in the last three games, and Tom Brady is likely to throw at least 2-3 on Thursday night.
