As we enter Week 6, we see that some of the league’s top fantasy football players are heading into their bye week. This is just one roadblock to keep an eye on along with possible postponements or cancellations. The waiver wire has become even more important this season because of the uncertainty of who will play on a week-to-week basis.
Then, there are other factors. The New Orleans Saints benched Michael Thomas after an altercation at practice. They will be on a bye this week. Thomas is one of the must-start players every week along with a healthy Julio Jones, Mike Evans, and Tyreek Hill. There are plenty of other options to keep track of this week. Here are some of the top starts and sits for Week 6.
WRs to Start in Week 6
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
This matchup between the Vikings and Atlanta Falcons is expected to have a ton of points. The Falcons’ defense has allowed 32.2 points per game this season. Minnesota has been happy with their first-round selection thus far, but Jefferson was held in check against the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 6, Jefferson has an extremely attractive matchup in this one.
The Vikings have been using their rookie receiver often and he is a big play machine. Prior to the Sunday night matchup with the Seahawks, Jefferson had totaled at least 100 yards and averaged 25 yards per reception in each of the last two games. This is a perfect bounce-back opportunity for the rookie. Both Jefferson and Adam Thielen are must-start players against the Falcons, like most receivers would be.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
There is not much to Washington’s offense, but they do have a legitimate No. 1 receiver. McLaurin has 29 catches for 413 yards this season. He was held in check against the Los Angeles Rams and their secondary last week with just three catches. Washington will take a step down in competition this week. He is due for a bounce-back performance against a mediocre defense like the New York Giants.
Washington has used McLaurin as a slot receiver 40 times over the last three weeks. This means he has been matched up with a linebacker and that is an attractive situation. Kyle Allen will be back under center this week for Washington. The Giants have been vulnerable to receivers this season and that will continue against McLaurin.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Parker is not a No. 1 option, but he is a solid WR2 based on matchup this week. The New York Jets have allowed 130.4 yards per game to receivers this season. They have allowed the eighth most fantasy football points to outside receivers through five games. The secondary for the Jets has struggled against all opponents. There is not much to fear when playing New York.
The Dolphins are coming off a game where they scored 43 points against the San Francisco 49ers. Parker saw just three targets but was able to get in the end zone. He has logged double-digit fantasy football points in each of the last four games. Parker is the Dolphins’ top pass-catcher along with tight end Mike Gesicki. He is a solid start this week against the league’s worst team.
Other WRs to start in Week 6: Detroit Lions’ Kenny Golladay (at Jacksonville Jaguars), Pittsburgh Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster (vs. Cleveland Browns), New York Jets’ Jamison Crowder (at Miami Dolphins)
WRs to Sit in Week 6
Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles
The Baltimore Ravens have allowed the second-fewest points to wide receivers this season. Fulgham may have some new bandwagon fans after a huge game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but do not hop on board just yet. Fulgham finished with 10 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown against a talented Steelers’ defense. This was after catching the game-winning touchdown the week before in San Francisco.
Fulgham has definitely become one of the hottest targets on the waiver wire because he has emerged as one of Carson Wentz’s favorite targets. This is a very small sample size and will be difficult to sustain against a defense like the Ravens. Fantasy football managers should want to see a little more from their newest addition. In a tough matchup, keep Fulgham on the bench and see if he can prove himself.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Any Broncos’ wide receiver is a tough play at this point in the season. Jeudy is not the No. 1 option in the passing game with Courtland Sutton out for the season. He caught his first career touchdown in a Thursday night matchup with the Jets but finished with just two catches for 61 yards. Teams know that the Broncos are thin on the outside and will key in on Jeudy.
The combination of the quarterback situation in Denver and the matchup against the New England Patriots makes Jeudy a difficult start. The Patriots have one of the league’s top pass defenses. Drew Lock has been practicing this week, but if he plays, it will be his first game back from a shoulder injury. If he does not, Brett Rypien and Jeff Driskel are unreliable. Proceed with caution with Jeudy.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
The final minute of the win over the Giants in Week 5 will make Gallup look good, but he was not as effective all game. He finished with just four targets throughout the game. Dallas is still a team that likes to establish the run and that will continue more with Dak Prescott sidelined. In the passing game, Gallup has not been the leader.
The Cowboys have been targeting Amari Cooper and rookie CeeDee Lamb much more within the offense. Prescott suffered an ankle injury, which means Andy Dalton will take over under center. With a backup quarterback, it is difficult to trust a WR3. Not to mention, the Cowboys are preparing for the Arizona Cardinals, who are stingy in the pass game. Gallup should be the third option for Dallas.
Other WRs to sit in Week 6: New York Giants’ Darius Slayton (vs. Washington), Carolina Panthers’ D.J. Moore (vs. Chicago Bears), Houston Texans’ Brandin Cooks (at Tennessee Titans)
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