Fantasy Football Week 6 Quarterback And Top 100 Flex Rankings
- Will Winston keep the Bucs’ fantasy options rolling?
- Thielen starting to pull ahead in the WR race
- 12 tight ends grace the Top 100 as depth at the position continues to build
Five weeks are now behind us and finally the fantasy leader boards are starting to shake out the pretenders, as the cream rises to the top.
The top running backs seem to be the safest to build a DFS lineup around, but Adam Thielen and a few other wide outs have also been solid high-priced building blocks.
Read on to find my Top 20 QBs and Top 100 PPR Flex plays heading into Week 6.
Week 6 Top 20 QBs
| Rank | Player (Team) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | SF | 28.7 | 104.5 | QB 9 | $6,600 |
| 2 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | TB | 14.4 | 123.4 | QB 3 | $6,800 |
| 3 | Tom Brady (NE) | KC | 27.5 | 91.7 | QB 15 | $6,600 |
| 4 | Pat Mahomes (KC) | @NE | 15.8 | 131.1 | QB 1 | $6,900 |
| 5 | Cam Newton (CAR) | @WAS | 16.4 | 91.8 | QB 14 | $6,100 |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | @CIN | 21.6 | 108.5 | QB 8 | $6,500 |
| 7 | Jared Goff (LAR) | @DEN | 14.3 | 114.8 | QB 4 | $6,000 |
| 8 | Philip Rivers (LAC) | @CLE | 21.4 | 111.8 | QB 5 | $5,900 |
| 9 | Andy Dalton (CIN) | PIT | 12.9 | 94.9 | QB 13 | $6,300 |
| 10 | Kirk Cousins (MIN) | ARI | 14.1 | 109.7 | QB 7 | $6,700 |
| 11 | Deshaun Watson (HOU) | BUF | 21 | 110.9 | QB 6 | $6,400 |
| 12 | Andrew Luck (IND) | @NYJ | 22.6 | 103.1 | QB 10 | $6,200 |
| 13 | Jameis Winston (TB) | @ATL | BYE | 6.5 | QB 40 | $5,800 |
| 14 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | @OAK | 19.9 | 71.6 | QB 19 | $5,700 |
| 15 | Carson Wentz (PHI) | @NYG | 21 | 52.9 | QB 28 | $6,100 |
| 16 | Blake Bortles (JAX) | @DAL | 20.6 | 99.6 | QB 12 | $5,600 |
| 17 | Alex Smith (WAS) | CAR | 13.7 | 63.2 | QB 24 | $5,400 |
| 18 | Baker Mayfield (CLE) | LAC | 18 | 40.6 | QB 32 | $5,500 |
| 19 | CJ Beathard (SF) | @GB | 20.7 | 38.5 | QB 33 | $5,200 |
| 20 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | @TEN | 11.2 | 88.2 | QB 16 | $5,200 |
Will Mahomes Legend Continue To Grow Against The Legend?
Week 6 sees Pat Mahomes lead his Chiefs into Foxborough Sunday night for a tilt with Tom Brady.
The Pats defense might look like a cake walk after Mahomes found a way to knock off the Broncos and Jags the last two weeks, but you can guarantee the Pats will have something up their sleeve for the cannon-armed kid.
With plenty of weapons around for both QBs, and not much defense to oppose them, this game could get ugly for the defensive coordinators. The over/under sits around 59.5, depending on your preferred online sports betting site, which is the high mark for the week. So save some “adult sodas” on Sunday for the late game, as it promises to be worth the wait.
Jameis Winston Debuts For The Bucs
Winston is not afraid to attack downfield and throw into tight windows, much like we saw from Fitz. But unfortunately, the uneven play and costly turnovers Fitz is known for have been a calling card of Winston’s young career as well.
All dots connect to Jameis Winston right now. Was the QB1 in December last year. Crushed the preseason with OC Todd Monken. Bucs defense is horrible, running game in toilet. Tons of receiving weapons. Some risk, sure. But upside is huge. Hello, Atlanta.
— scott pianowski (@scott_pianowski) October 11, 2018
The one thing we know is the Bucs are not short on pass catching talent, and this could be the optimal timing for Winstons return, as the Falcons defense is extremely short on talent after early season injuries have crippled them.
In a game with an over/under around 57 you could find worse options then Winston to start this week.
Week 6 Top 100 PPR Flex Rankings
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todd Gurley (LAR)(RB1) | @DEN | 33.3 | 139.5 | RB 2 | $10,000 |
| 2 | Melvin Gordon (LAC)(RB2) | @CLE | 22 | 127.5 | RB 3 | $8,200 |
| 3 | Adam Thielen (MIN)(WR1) | ARI | 24.6 | 123.9 | WR 1 | $8,500 |
| 4 | James Conner (PIT)(RB3) | @CIN | 34.5 | 112.1 | RB 5 | $7,700 |
| 5 | Saquon Barkley (NYG)(RB4) | PHI | 28.9 | 119.2 | RB 4 | $7,400 |
| 6 | Antonio Brown (PIT)(WR2) | @CIN | 28.1 | 102.3 | WR 6 | $8,700 |
| 7 | Davante Adams (GB)(WR3) | SF | 29 | 103.5 | WR 5 | $8,000 |
| 8 | Odell Beckham Jr (NYG)(WR4) | PHI | 31.4 | 96.4 | WR 8 | $7,800 |
| 9 | AJ Green (CIN)(WR5) | PIT | 17.2 | 94.9 | WR 11 | $8,000 |
| 10 | Julio Jones (ATL)(WR6) | TB | 11.2 | 91.5 | WR 13 | $7,900 |
| 11 | TJ Yeldon (JAX)(RB5) | @DAL | 26.2 | 89.2 | RB 8 | $6,400 |
| 12 | Joe Mixon (CIN)(RB6) | PIT | 20.5 | 56.1 | RB 24 | $7,500 |
| 13 | Christian McCaffrey (CAR)(RB7) | @WAS | 20.3 | 83.1 | RB 9 | $8,300 |
| 14 | Mike Evans (TB)(WR7) | @ATL | BYE | 87.6 | WR 17 | $8,100 |
| 15 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)(WR8) | BUF | 22.1 | 107.7 | WR 3 | $7,700 |
| 16 | Stefon Diggs (MIN)(WR9) | ARI | 21.6 | 100.6 | WR 7 | $7,600 |
| 17 | Tyreek Hill (KC)(WR10) | @NE | 12.7 | 91.2 | WR 14 | $7,800 |
| 18 | Cooper Kupp (LAR)(WR11) | @DEN | 21 | 105.1 | WR 4 | $6,500 |
| 19 | Keenan Allen (LAC)(WR12) | @CLE | 17.5 | 73.7 | WR 25 | $7,500 |
| 20 | James White (NE)(RB8) | KC | 23.7 | 100 | RB 7 | $6,900 |
| 21 | Ezekiel Elliot (DAL)(RB9) | JAX | 15.4 | 101.5 | RB 6 | $7,000 |
| 22 | David Johnson (ARI)(RB10) | @MIN | 21.1 | 79.2 | RB 10 | $5,900 |
| 23 | Kareem Hunt (KC)(RB11) | @NE | 16.4 | 79.2 | RB 10 | $6,600 |
| 24 | Calvin Ridley (ATL)(WR13) | TB | 7.8 | 86.5 | WR 18 | $6,300 |
| 25 | Brandin Cooks (LAR)(WR14) | @DEN | 0 | 78.8 | WR 21 | $7,000 |
Thielen Staking His Claim
The top RBs are tough to compete against but Adam Thielen is doing just that.
Your weekly reminder that Adam Thielen is superman pic.twitter.com/5m3gs8sVwE
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 7, 2018
Thielen is the only receiver within the realm of the top backs in fantasy points. He has put up five consecutive 100-yard performances to start the season, averaging just under ten catches a game while scoring three times.
Not only is he pulling away from the crowd at WR, his numbers have him in the mix for early season fantasy MVP honors with only Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, and Melvin Gordon outscoring him thus far in PPR formats.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT)(WR15) | @CIN | 13.4 | 92 | WR 12 | $7,300 |
| 27 | Julian Edelman (NE)(WR16) | KC | 12.7 | 12.7 | WR 111 | $6,100 |
| 28 | Zach Ertz (PHI)(TE1) | @NYG | 27 | 90.7 | TE 1 | $6,800 |
| 29 | Travis Kelce (KC)(TE2) | @NE | 15 | 86.7 | TE 2 | $7,100 |
| 30 | Rob Gronkowski (NE)(TE3) | KC | 13.5 | 57.8 | TE 7 | $6,100 |
| 31 | Marshawn Lynch (OAK)(RB12) | SEA | 6.1 | 70.1 | RB 16 | $5,300 |
| 32 | Carlos Hyde (CLE)(RB13) | LAC | 9.7 | 73.7 | RB 13 | $4,900 |
| 33 | Tevin Coleman (ATL)(RB14) | TB | 5 | 56.4 | RB 23 | $5,400 |
| 34 | Tyler Boyd (CIN)(WR17) | PIT | 8.4 | 81.8 | WR 19 | $6,000 |
| 35 | Robert Woods (LAR)(WR18) | @DEN | 19.5 | 95.7 | WR 9 | $6,900 |
| 36 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)(WR19) | LAR | 16.2 | 88.9 | WR15 | $6,700 |
| 37 | John Brown (BAL)(WR20) | @TEN | 9.8 | 77 | WR 23 | $5,500 |
| 38 | Jarvis Landry (CLE)(WR21) | LAC | 11.9 | 75.1 | WR 24 | $6,600 |
| 39 | Doug Baldwin (SEA)(WR22) | @OAK | 1.1 | 10.2 | WR 123 | $5,300 |
| 40 | Dalvin Cook (MIN)(RB15) | ARI | INJ | 27.5 | RB 57 | $5,700 |
| 41 | Aaron Jones (GB)(RB16) | SF | 7.9 | 28.8 | RB 52 | $4,600 |
| 42 | Sony Michel (NE)(RB17) | KC | 18 | 46.2 | RB 35 | $5,800 |
| 43 | Chris Thompson (WAS)(RB18) | CAR | 12.2 | 62 | RB 19 | $6,100 |
| 44 | Will Fuller (HOU)(WR23) | BUF | 3.5 | 64.8 | WR 29 | $6,800 |
| 45 | Corey Davis (TEN)(WR24) | BAL | 8.9 | 68.1 | WR 28 | $5,800 |
| 46 | Geronimo Allison (GB)(WR25) | SF | INJ | 59.9 | WR 33 | $6,400 |
| 47 | Alshon Jeffery (PHI)(WR26) | NYG | 5.9 | 30.4 | WR 79 | $5,900 |
| 48 | Sammy Watkins (KC)(WR27) | @NE | 13.8 | 56.5 | WR 40 | $5,400 |
| 49 | Mohamed Sanu (ATL)(WR28) | TB | 17.3 | 59.3 | WR 34 | $4,800 |
| 50 | Chris Carson (SEA)(RB19) | @OAK | 13.7 | 45.4 | RB 36 | $4,400 |
Time For Gronk To Catch Up in Touchdowns
With 77 career TDs in 107 career games, Gronk is no stranger to the end zone.
But he only has 1 score through the first five weeks so far in 2018, so he’s due. With the Pats fielding more talent recently, with the return of Julian Edelman and addition of Josh Gordon, defenses won’t be able to key on Gronk.
When in doubt… FIND GRONK. ? #INDvsNE
?: @nflnetwork + @NFLonFOX
?+?: https://t.co/DJUityQHC9 pic.twitter.com/rl3UwJf73y— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2018
And he should be able to find a lot of room this week against a Chiefs team that ranks 31st against the pass.
It’s All About Volume: Hyde Is A Value
Through five games, Carlos Hyde is averaging a pedestrian 3.5 YPC, but he has ran the ball 100 times.
That’s an average of 20 times a game, which is enough volume to rival the top backs in the game. He has visited the end zone five times as well, and with things looking up for the Browns offense, Hyde is a steal in DFS at $4,900.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Alfred Morris (SF)(RB20) | @GB | 12.1 | 39.4 | RB 42 | $4,700 |
| 52 | LeSean McCoy (BUF)(RB21) | @HOU | 12.8 | 33.4 | RB 46 | $5,500 |
| 53 | Corey Clement (PHI)(RB22) | @NYG | INJ | 32.6 | RB 49 | $4,400 |
| 54 | Jordan Howard (CHI)(RB23) | @MIA | BYE | 44.1 | RB 37 | $6,500 |
| 55 | Lamar Miller (HOU)(RB24) | BUF | INJ | 39.9 | RB 40 | $4,700 |
| 56 | Jordy Nelson (OAK)(WR29) | SEA | 14.3 | 71.7 | WR 27 | $4,900 |
| 57 | Dede Westbrook (JAX)(WR30) | @DAL | 8.5 | 63.5 | WR 31 | $5,000 |
| 58 | Nelson Agholor (PHI)(WR31) | @NYG | 8.5 | 58.6 | WR 35 | $5,200 |
| 59 | Eric Ebron (IND)(TE4) | @NYJ | 31.5 | 81.5 | TE 3 | $5,400 |
| 60 | Tarik Cohen (CHI)(RB25) | @MIA | BYE | 50.8 | RB 30 | $4,600 |
| 61 | Buck Allen (BAL)(RB26) | @TEN | 11.8 | 65.7 | RB 18 | $4,800 |
| 62 | Isaiah Crowell (NYJ)(RB27) | IND | 30.1 | 78.6 | RB 12 | $5,000 |
| 63 | Amari Cooper (OAK)(WR32) | SEA | 2 | 56.9 | WR 39 | $5,200 |
| 64 | Mike Williams (LAC)(WR33) | @CLE | 7.8 | 58.2 | WR 36 | $4,300 |
| 65 | Allen Robinson (CHI)(WR34) | @MIA | BYE | 46.7 | WR 54 | $5,700 |
| 66 | Josh Gordon (NE)(WR35) | KC | 13 | 26.9 | WR 85 | $5,400 |
| 67 | Demaryius Thomas (DEN)(WR36) | LAR | 21.5 | 64.3 | WR 30 | $5,800 |
| 68 | George Kittle (SF)(TE5) | @GB | 13.3 | 70.9 | TE 5 | $5,700 |
| 69 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN)(TE6) | ARI | 9.1 | 57.9 | TE 6 | $4,400 |
| 70 | Wendell Smallwood (PHI)(RB28) | @NYG | 18.1 | 46.6 | RB 34 | $4,100 |
| 71 | Mike Davis (SEA)(RB29) | @OAK | 15.5 | 46.8 | RB 33 | $4,100 |
| 72 | Phillip Lindsay (DEN)(RB30) | LAR | 11.1 | 59.3 | RB 21 | $4,500 |
| 73 | Marlon Mack (IND)(RB31) | @NYJ | INJ | 4.6 | RB 88 | $3,800 |
| 74 | Quincy Enunwa (NYJ)(WR37) | IND | 0 | 54.8 | WR 45 | $5,600 |
| 75 | Kenny Stills (MIA)(WR38) | CHI | 3.7 | 56.1 | WR 42 | $4,700 |
Injuries Alter Backfields, Providing New Fantasy Options
With the season ending early for Jay Ajayi, and Matt Breida looking like he will be out for Week 6, a couple interesting options arise for a scarce position.
“You’ve got to take the challenge on.”@CoreyClement_6 is ready to handle a heavier workload: https://t.co/Olj6yR38l5 pic.twitter.com/ZwNB8rb0ZB
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 10, 2018
The Eagles backfield might be a three-headed monster in Week 6, but I expect the contributions to be led by Corey Clement and Wendall Smallwood.
The Eagle I’m most interested in for PPR formats is Clement. He has only managed to play in three games in 2018, but has solid averages of 4.1 yards per carry and 9.3 yards per reception. Plus, at 220 pounds, Clement has the size needed to take on a larger role.
Matt Breida injury video: left ankle gets caught, forcing it into excessive eversion. Could be eversion or a high ankle sprain with a possible fracture. Was able to walk off field putting weight on foot, so that’s a good sign that there isn’t a fracture pic.twitter.com/wouxOjNMCd
— #ReiffReport (@ReiffReport) October 7, 2018
It sounds like the 49ers will be short Matt Breida for Week 6. With limited options on the roster with actual running talent, the bulk of the workload should be left to Alfred Morris.
Morris has underwhelmed as a Niner thus far, but as we all know, volume plays an important part in fantasy.
| Rank | Player (Team)(Pos Rank) | Opponent | Last Weeks Points | Points YTD | Current 2018 Position Rank | DFS Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Alex Collins (BAL)(RB32) | @TEN | 7.6 | 52.4 | RB 28 | $4,600 |
| 77 | Ito Smith (ATL)(RB33) | TB | 8 | 34.7 | RB 45 | $3,100 |
| 78 | Alfred Blue (HOU)(RB34) | BUF | 19.9 | 38.9 | RB 43 | $4,400 |
| 79 | Adrian Peterson (WAS)(RB35) | CAR | 6.2 | 60.8 | RB 20 | $4,800 |
| 80 | Austin Ekeler (LAC)(RB36) | @CLE | 12.9 | 71 | RB 15 | $4,200 |
| 81 | Kenyan Drake (MIA)(RB37) | CHI | 24.5 | 56.7 | RB 22 | $4,600 |
| 82 | Dion Lewis (TEN)(RB38) | BAL | 5.8 | 55.7 | RB 25 | $4,700 |
| 83 | Tyler Lockett (SEA)(WR39) | @OAK | 19.4 | 79.8 | WR 20 | $5,100 |
| 84 | Keelan Cole (JAX)(WR40) | @DAL | 11 | 56.5 | WR 40 | $4,800 |
| 85 | Jordan Reed (WAS)(TE7) | CAR | 3.1 | 37.9 | TE 15 | $5,200 |
| 86 | Jared Cook (OAK)(TE8) | SEA | 6 | 81 | TE 4 | $5,000 |
| 87 | Jimmy Graham (GB)(TE9) | SF | 13.6 | 52.5 | TE 8 | $4,700 |
| 88 | Royce Freeman (DEN)(RB39) | LAR | 7.7 | 49.1 | RB 31 | $3,900 |
| 89 | Nyheim Hines (IND)(RB40) | @NYJ | 16 | 73.3 | RB 14 | $5,100 |
| 90 | Bilal Powell (NYJ)(RB41) | IND | 7.9 | 50.9 | RB 29 | $4,500 |
| 91 | DeSean Jackson (TB)(WR41) | @ATL | BYE | 77.4 | WR 22 | $5,900 |
| 92 | Sterling Shepard (NYG)(WR42) | PHI | 11.5 | 72.4 | WR 26 | $5,700 |
| 93 | Keke Coutee (HOU)(WR43) | BUF | 17.3 | 39 | WR 60 | $4,600 |
| 94 | Devin Funchess (CAR)(WR44) | @WAS | 9.3 | 47.8 | WR 52 | $4,900 |
| 95 | Chris Godwin (TB)(WR45) | @ATL | BYE | 50.9 | WR 49 | $4,400 |
| 96 | Vance MacDonald (PIT)(TE10) | @CIN | 1.6 | 37.6 | TE 16 | $3,400 |
| 97 | David Njoku (CLE)(TE11) | LAC | 12.9 | 39 | TE 13 | $3,800 |
| 98 | Trey Burton (CHI)(TE12) | @MIA | BYE | 40.8 | TE 11 | $4,500 |
| 99 | Duke Johnson (CLE)(RB42) | LAC | 5.2 | 30.6 | RB 51 | $3,700 |
| 100 | Ronald Jones (TB)(RB43) | @ATL | BYE | 3.8 | RB 95 | $3,900 |
Scanning the Week 6 Bargain Bin
Ito Smith is a prime candidate to provide some big bang for a bargain price.
With Devonta Freeman potentially out again this week, and maybe even longer than this week, and Tevin Coleman under-performing, Smith has a great chance to earn some play in a big-time offense.
Updated missed tackle percentage leaders per @PFF (Min. 20 atts):
1) Aaron Jones (38%)
2) Ito Smith (33%)
3t) Wendall Smallwood (28%)
3t) Dalvin Cook (28%)
5) Royce Freeman (27%)— Brad Evans (@YahooNoise) October 8, 2018
Smith is on the smallish side for an NFL back but what he lacks in size he makes up for with talent. In a limited role, Smith has found the end zone twice on only 21 carries, and has averaged 8.4 yards on his eight catches.
A bigger role is there for the taking in Week 6, but even if Smith only touches it five times this week, it might be all he needs against the Bucs’ poor excuse for a defense.
Keke, do you love me?
Keke Coutee’s first NFL touchdown has him in his feelings ?
?: NBC #DALvsHOU pic.twitter.com/XetllQW38B— ESPN (@espn) October 8, 2018
Keke Coutee has only played the last two weeks, but has already made a big impact.
Garnering 22 targets in his first two games as a pro, Coutee has turned those targets into 17 catches for 160 yards and one TD. Not bad for a rookie fourth round pick.
With the Bills defense having to pay so much attention to DeAndre Hopkins and big-play threat Will Fuller, Coutee could be in for another big day out of the slot.
*Coutee was limited on Wednesday. So check his status later in the week before you add him to your lineup.
Good luck in Week 6!
Nick Ferris is a seasoned fantasy football vet of over 20 years. He's an expert in everything from best ball to daily fantasy sports. Although arm chair quarterback is as close he ever got to the field - or are we counting 7v7 touch? - he has been fortunate enough to coach some youth football.
