Bye weeks really shook up some of the FTR week five rankings, and that’s not going to stop in week six. Luckily, we didn’t have too many injuries last week (knock on wood), but this week was difficult to rank nonetheless. These rankings will be tailored toward a start 7, PPR format, but you can really apply this to all formats.
The rankings below are based on statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. Let’s dive right into the rankings and start setting those lineups!
Week 6 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tier 1
1. CeeDee Lamb vs DET
2. Ja'Marr Chase @ NYG
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown @ DAL
Tier 2
4. Malik Nabers vs CIN
5. Drake London @ CAR
Tier 3
6. Marvin Harrison Jr. @ GB
7. Mike Evans @ NO
8. Garrett Wilson vs BUF
9. Jayden Reed vs ARI
10. Chris Godwin @ NO
11. Deebo Samuel Sr. @ SEA
12. DJ Moore vs JAC
13. Brandon Aiyuk @ SEA
Tier 4
14. A.J. Brown vs CLE
15. DK Metcalf vs SF
16. DeVonta Smith vs CLE
17. Stefon Diggs @ NE
Tier 5
18. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs SF
29. Diontae Johnson vs ATL
20. Tee Higgins @ NYG
21. Amari Cooper @ PHI
22. Brian Thomas Jr. @ CHI
Tier 6
23. Terry McLaurin @ BAL
24. Chris Olave vs TB
25. Zay Flowers vs WAS
26. Darnell Mooney @ CAR
27. Wan'Dale Robinson vs CIN
28. Christian Kirk @ CHI
Tier 7
29. Jameson Williams @ DAL
30. George Pickens @ LV
31. Michael Pittman Jr. @ TEN
32. Ladd McConkey @ DEN
33. Khalil Shakir @ NYJ
34. Rashid Shaheed vs TB
35. Jakobi Meyers vs PIT
36. Jauan Jennings @ SEA
Must Start: Wide Receiver
DeVonta Smith vs CLE
For those who are new here, In order to qualify to be the FTR start of the week you have to projected out as a back end WR2/RB2 according to ESPN’s projections. After suffering a concussion in week three, it’s clear that some people are a little scared of DeVonta Smith. ESPN has Smith as their WR25 for the week, dropping him outside of the WR2 range. That said, Smith has had plenty of time to rest and this is the first concussion of his career.
Once Smith hits the field, I expect him to be 100%, but the same can’t be said for AJ Brown. While Brown should be playing in week six, he’s dealing with a hamstring injury, which typically lingers for quite some time. Either way, Smith scored 15.4 points next to Brown in week one and 20.4 points without him in week two. Now that Smith has an above-average matchup with the Browns, who have allowed the 13th most fantasy points to wide receivers (175.1), I’m 100% starting him.
Week 6 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1
1. Saquon Barkley vs CLE
2. Alvin Kamara vs TB
3. Derrick Henry vs WAS
Tier 2
4. Kenneth Walker III vs SF
5. Jordan Mason @ SEA
6. Jahmyr Gibbs @ DAL
Tier 3
7. Josh Jacobs vs ARI
8. Bijan Robinson @ CAR
9. Breece Hall vs BUF
10. Jonathan Taylor @ TEN
11. Joe Mixon @ NE
12. James Cook @ NYJ
13. James Conner @ GB
14. David Montgomery @ DAL
15. Chuba Hubbard vs ATL
Tier 4
16. J.K. Dobbins @ DEN
17. Brian Robinson Jr. @ BAL
18. Tony Pollard vs IND
Tier 5
19. D'Andre Swift vs JAC
20. Najee Harris @ LV
21. Rhamondre Stevenson vs HOU
22. Travis Etienne Jr. @ CHI
Tier 6
23. Zack Moss @ NYG
24. Rico Dowdle vs DET
25. Rachaad White @ NO
26. Chase Brown @ NYG
Tier 7
27. Bucky Irving @ NO
28. Jerome Ford @ PHI
29. Javonte Williams vs LAC
30. Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs CIN
Tier 8
31. Austin Ekeler @ BAL
32. Zach Charbonnet vs SF
33. Braelon Allen vs BUF
34. Roschon Johnson vs JAC
35. Alexander Mattison vs PIT
36. Tank Bigsby @ CHI
Must Start: Running Back
J.K. Dobbins @ DEN
The game script isn’t perfect for J.K. Dobbins in week six but he should be finding his way in starting lineups this week. ESPN has Dobbins projected out as their RB22 for the week and both Rachaad White and Dobbins are projected 12.9 points. Despite getting bottled up against the Steelers and Chiefs, Dobbins showed a floor of eight points which isn’t bad at all when you put it next to his two, 20 point games.
The Broncos defense has allowed the 11th least fantasy points to running backs (104.7) which isn’t great but it’s not horrible either. What matters to me is that the Chargers are three point favorites, which means Dobbins will see a lot of short targets and rushing opportunities. At this point in the year Dobbins has proven that he’s talented enough to be a lock for your starting if he’s healthy.
