Jake Ferguson A Risky Fantasy Option Amid Poor Production 45mLink copied!

Oct 17, 2026, 5:14 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell's 14 targets combined in his last two games are hard to ignore for fantasy football, though they haven't translated into production that's made him a startable fantasy WR yet. With that much volume, he may seem like a good starting option, but his actual catches resulted in just 9.2 and 5.4 PPR fantasy points in those two contests. A matchup with the Tennessee Titans may seem solid on paper, but it could just as easily lead to a low passing volume day from the Colts. Treadwell's path to success runs through quarterback Daniel Jones, who's still recovering from an Achilles tendon tear from late 2025. The Colts may not have to produce a ton of offense to beat the Titans in Week 6, so Treadwell is a very risky start, especially since he's caught just half the passes thrown his way in Week 5 and Week 6 combined.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:10 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jalen Brooks seemed to be the biggest beneficiary of Marvin Harrison Jr. sitting out Week 5 in anticipation of his eventual trade to the Texans. Brooks saw seven targets in the game, though he converted just two of them for receptions for 16 receiving yards. Perhaps more notable was how the Cardinals utilized Brooks in MHJ's absence. Brooks took over for Harrison in 2-WR sets while Kendrick Bourne was used exclusively in 3-WR packages, and Brooks' 57.4% route participation rate was just behind Kendrick Bourne's 59.3%. Brooks may be on the ascent, but on Sunday he will be challenged by Trent McDuffie or Jaylen Watson on the outside. Brooks makes for a sneaky stash, but he should not be in fantasy lineups against the Rams in Week 6.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com

Oct 17, 2026, 5:04 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen scored 18.3 and 9.5 PPR fantasy points in his last two outings, and would likely have had double-digit points a second time in Week 5 were his game not cut short by an injury. He's back to full health and will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Allen is 34 years old but still shows sufficient separation ability, and is big enough to play outside receiver and block when he's asked to. The Colts have made it a point to get the ball to their outside receivers and top tight end, with the slot receivers having had disappointing production so far. Allen will have a starting role and play opposite WR Laquon Treadwell, who bounced around teams before being called into regular season action due to the injury to Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel). Allen checks in as a WR3/flex in deeper leagues and a start if you're bold enough.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:01 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs just hasn't been a huge part of his team's game plan this season. Even after injuries to WRs Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen, Downs failed to have any big games this season, and has seen just 10 targets in his last two games combined. He wasn't able to eclipse double-digit PPR fantasy points in either. Despite separating well on film and being a reliable short-to-intermediate option in the passing game, Downs has been quiet for fantasy football this year. Frustratingly, he often takes a back seat to WRs like Laquon Treadwell, which can be infuriating for fantasy managers. The underlying efficiency metrics are encouraging, but they don't mean much when Indy just doesn't look the way of its slot receiver enough. Downs is a risky start due to his low volume this year, and there are better options if you're looking for a good WR3/flex for Week 6.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:56 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor should enjoy a fantastic fantasy football performance against the hopeless Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Tennessee has one of the NFL's weakest offenses, and their inability to move the ball downfield should help the Colts dominate time of possession. This game should feature a heavy dose of Taylor carries, at least a few rushing touchdowns, and could finish with 20+ PPR fantasy points. The Titans look surprisingly good against running backs on paper. However, their ineffective offense gives opposing offenses plenty of flexibility to grind the clock down after building a lead and still come away with a win. Taylor is good enough to overcome such perceived difficulties, and he'll be instrumental in keeping the clock churning. Treat him as an elite RB1 in fantasy football for Week 6.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:54 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler 'Snoop' Huntley will start again in Week 6 in Cleveland against the Browns, while quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) remains on the mend. Snoop was lights-out in the final minutes of regulation and overtime against the Falcons, going 11-for-11 for 80 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and a rushing touchdown. According to Next Gen Stats, Huntley's 11 completions without a miss over the final 2:30 of regulation and overtime are the most by any player in such a situation since at least 2000. The Browns' pass rush, which has the NFL's fifth-highest quarterback pressure rate (41.3%) and sack rate (8.2%), could give Huntley more trouble than the Falcons did on Sunday night. However, the veteran backup completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns despite being pressured on 37.8% of his dropbacks and taking three sacks. This gives managers seeking relief some hope that Huntley will protect the ball and still produce in this AFC North slugfest. For superflex managers looking to replace a quarterback on bye this week, Huntley has averaged 18.4 points per game in his three starts since the start of 2025 and, much like for the Ravens, he probably is a serviceable substitute.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:53 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is set up nicely to have his first big game of the 2026 NFL season against the Tennessee Titans. The 0-5 team has little hope for a strong beginning, middle, or end to their season, as they're completely ineffective on both sides of the ball. They've allowed 7.5 yards per pass attempt to opposing QBs this season. The only reason they haven't allowed a ton of fantasy points is that opposing teams haven't had to throw the ball much against them. Indianapolis has a lot to prove this season -- head coach Shane Steichen is likely on the hot seat, and he should use this as an opportunity to get a blowout victory against a hapless squad. Such a game plan would help Jones put up solid numbers, as he really hasn't this season since recovering from an Achilles tendon tear late last year. Jones is a stash candidate in deeper leagues to help with bye weeks and wait it out until he's fully healthy again.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:49 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams has the pleasure of facing the extreme run-funnel Green Bay Packers defense in Week 6. They've allowed the sixth-fewest yards per pass attempt this season but are the third-worst team in the NFL at slowing down opposing running backs in fantasy football. Williams now has the benefit of having his elite run-blocking offensive guard, Tyler Smith, back in the lineup and healthy after he missed the first four games of the season with a thumb injury. Smith is a Pro Bowler and a Second-Team All Pro thanks to his exploits as a run blocker, where he moves defenders out of the way effectively and bulldozes paths for Williams to run through. It seems that his dip in rushing efficiency was due to Smith's absence, and we should see the former Broncos RB return to 2024 form in short time. Start him in all leagues as an RB1 with high-end touchdown upside and enough volume for a very safe floor.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:41 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy has shown enough upside to be startable as a WR3/flex in fantasy football leagues in games in which either of his team's top-2 WRs are injured. Unfortunately for fantasy managers who have him, both WRs CeeDee Lamb (quadriceps) and George Pickens practiced in full on Friday and are set to play in Week 6 without restrictions. Flournoy's standalone value is minimal when both Lamb and Pickens are healthy. The third-year pro will continue to serve as third fiddle at WR in an offense that also looks to get tight end Jake Ferguson and running back Javonte Williams involved in the passing game. This leaves little room for No. 19 to go off on a weekly basis. He should remain on benches in deep leagues and in the minds of fantasy managers as a waiver wire priority if either Lamb or Pickens suffers a serious injury moving forward.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:36 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens faces a tough test in a battle to put up WR1 numbers against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. Pickens has been one of the more disappointing picks in fantasy football this season -- he had a huge game in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that was after Cowboys WR1 CeeDee Lamb (quadriceps) exited with injury. Aside from that game, Pickens has been the clear WR2 for the Cowboys and has been dominated in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns by his counterpart. Lamb could be playing hurt in Week 6, which would help Pickens measurably, but we don't know how hampered No. 88 will be. Still, Pickens is a must-start this week, as the Cowboys still have one of the NFL's best offenses for fantasy football and No. 3 showed elite talent as the team's WR1 last season. Treat Pickens as a mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside for his upcoming game against the team he scored 33.4 PPR fantasy points against in Week 4 of last season.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:35 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (hand) popped up on the injury report after a disappointing four receptions for 28 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5. Still, he practiced in full all week and has no injury designation heading into Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. Andrews' dropped potential touchdown reception and fumble almost certainly frustrated managers who started the veteran tight end for his floor last week. However, after the game, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said he never considered reducing Andrews' targets, and Doyle praised the tight end for his resiliency, accountability, and leadership, according to Baltimore Ravens Staff Writer Clifton Brown. These sentiments strongly suggest he will continue to have a dedicated niche in the Ravens' offense, but such praise doesn't always translate to fantasy points. That said, the veteran does rank second on the team in targets (30), routes (111), and receptions (22) through five games. Looking ahead to Week 6, the Browns are a middle-of-the-road matchup for Andrews, allowing three touchdowns to tight ends in five games and giving up around 15 PPR points per game to the position. This potential vulnerability may benefit Andrews this weekend, who has seen two red zone opportunities in each of the last two games. Andrews will likely get his usual five or six targets and profiles as a touchdown-dependent fringe TE1 in Week 6.--Matt McCauley
Source: Clifton Brown – Baltimore Ravens

Oct 17, 2026, 4:33 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (quadriceps) is dealing with a thigh injury that ended up seeing him pulled from his game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5. The Cowboys shockingly went on to lose that game despite the opposing team missing their starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield (thumb). Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw two interceptions in the game -- it's clear that if Lamb had been healthy and active for the whole game, things could have been different. Dallas faces a tough test against the Green Bay Packers, who have been stingy against the pass this season. Their defense is middling against the run but excellent against the pass, though they rank just above average against wide receivers in fantasy football. The only thing that can hold back Lamb this season is his health, it seems, so as he practiced in full this week, expect him to have a shot at WR1 numbers.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:29 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop looks to continue his reliability as the Ravens travel to Cleveland in Week 6 to take on the Browns. Last week against the Atlanta Falcons, Loop made all three field goals, including two from 51 yards out. He also made one extra point in overtime. So far this season, Loop is perfect beyond 50 yards, making all five long-range attempts. This AFC North matchup has one of the week's lowest over/unders, and points probably will be hard to come by. Also, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will get the nod again this week after Lamar Jackson (ankle) was ruled out Friday afternoon. For these reasons, the Ravens may opt to rely on Loop's leg to put points on the board when they are within his range rather than going for it on fourth downs. Lastly, Cleveland weather looks sunny and clear at kickoff on Sunday with minimal wind, which should leave the kicking game mostly unaffected. Loop's consistency likely offers fantasy managers a safe floor in Week 6, and he is shaping up to be a set-it-and-forget-it kicker for the next several weeks.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:29 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will face the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 6 after a disappointing performance in Week 5. He failed to lift the Cowboys to a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sans their starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield (thumb). This week, he'll face one of the tougher defenses against quarterbacks in the NFL -- Green Bay has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs this season. It looks like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will return for Week 6 without restrictions, but he may still be slowed down by the thigh injury that affected him in Week 5. Prescott wasn't very effective with Lamb out of the lineup, and threw just one touchdown against two interceptions in the loss. Prescott is still productive enough to be a QB1, and depending on how healthy Lamb is, could bounce back, but don't expect a monster ceiling against the defense that's lockdown against the pass, allowing the sixth-fewest yards per pass attempt this year.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:27 AM ET

The Baltimore Ravens' DST will face their former offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, and his Cleveland Browns in Ohio in Week 6. The Ravens' defense survived a high-octane Falcons offense, logging three sacks and a walk-off interception to win in overtime. The unit got a much-needed boost last week with the long-awaited return of defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, and outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) is expected back after his two-game absence, which should give the DST another jolt. The three sacks against the Falcons are the team's most since Week 2, and their pass rush is key to the Ravens' game plan and fantasy managers. The Ravens' DST has a 36.5% quarterback-pressure rate and a 5.2% sack rate. Cleveland leads the league in sacks taken (19) and sack rate (11.3%) after five weeks, and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has faced a 40.22% pressure rate, which bodes well for the Ravens' front seven. This AFC North slugfest has one of the lowest over/unders on the Week 6 slate and is historically low-scoring, with the Browns scoring 20 points or fewer since October 2024. However, rookie wide receivers Denzel Boston, the frontrunner for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and KC Concepcion (concussion), who cleared protocol late Friday afternoon, represent the type of downfield threats that the Ravens' secondary has struggled to contain this season. Nonetheless, the Ravens DST is RotoBaller's fourth-ranked defense in Week 6 and is a solid streaming option before tougher matchups in Weeks 7 through 9.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:26 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens offense will once again look to backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to take the helm against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6 as Lamar Jackson (ankle) was ruled out Friday afternoon. Henry's role with Huntley at quarterback remained largely unchanged as he logged 24 rushing attempts in Week 5, in keeping with his 23-rush average this season. However, seven of those rushes came in overtime, and Henry carried the ball just five times in the second half. Admittedly, the Ravens had only nine minutes of possession in that half, which almost certainly limited Henry's opportunities. For the season, roughly 40% of the team's total targets and rushing attempts have gone through Henry, and that trend is unlikely to abate this weekend against a lackluster Cleveland run defense. While the Browns' pass rush will likely trouble the Ravens, they've given up the tenth-most rushing yards per play (4.5), eighth-most yards after contact (3.27), and fourth-highest rushing EPA per play (+0.02) through five games, according to Next Gen Stats. The Browns also just gave up 116 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries to Jets backup running back Braelon Allen last week. Cleveland may be without Mason Graham (knee, ankle) and Carson Schwesinger (ankle), both important defensive pieces, and both are questionable going into the weekend. Derrick Henry is a mid-to-high-end workhorse RB1 in this week's AFC North battle and should be started in every fantasy format.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 4:23 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught nine passes for 66 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets in Week 5. It was the fifth consecutive game that McBride reached double digits in targets, and he is just one behind Amon-Ra St. Brown's 57 for the most in the NFL. That volume should keep him in play in Week 6, despite a matchup against the Rams, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points, receptions, and receiving yards to tight ends so far this season. In a similarly difficult matchup against the 49ers in Week 3, McBride brought in nine catches for 75 yards on 11 targets, good enough to finish as the overall TE8 in PPR scoring. Los Angeles has allowed four end zone targeted touchdowns to slot receivers (where McBride lines up on 67.2% of routes), which may improve McBride's chances for another score this weekend. Despite the opponent, McBride still projects as a TE1 and is a must-start in Week 6.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com

Oct 17, 2026, 4:00 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne led the team with 70 receiving yards in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. Bourne caught five passes and was second in targets, with eight. As usual, Bourne was on the field in 11-personnel packages but saw no extra action with Marvin Harrison Jr. inactive ahead of his trade to the Texans. This utilization may be Bourne's salvation in Week 6 against a Rams defense that is allowing just 165.0 passing yards per game. Bourne has operated out of the slot on 68.5% of his routes, and Los Angeles is tied for the second-most red zone receptions allowed and the second-most end zone target conversions for scores. Rather than deal with the Rams' shutdown corners on the outside, Jacoby Brissett may opt to take advantage of Bourne's softer matchup. Bourne projects as a WR4 in Week 6 and is in play for fantasy teams in deep leagues.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com

Oct 17, 2026, 3:23 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson was surprisingly unproductive without Marvin Harrison Jr. in the lineup against the Lions last week. On the cusp of being traded, the outbound Harrison was inactive, but Wilson had just four catches for 30 yards on seven targets in the loss. In Week 6, he draws a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams and will likely see a lot of cornerback Trent McDuffie. Despite the challenge, there is room for optimism regarding Wilson's outlook. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett ranks fourth in pass attempts per game and will likely be throwing a lot again on Sunday in an effort to keep up with the Rams' production on offense. Also, Los Angeles has allowed the third-most touchdowns to wide receivers and has given up at least one score to the position in four of their first five games. Wilson projects as a WR2 and should be in starting lineups for Week 6.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com

Oct 17, 2026, 3:02 AM ET

Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight had just one carry for eight yards in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. Buried behind Jeremiyah Love (ankle) and Tyler Allgeier on the depth chart, it was Knight's third rushing attempt of the season. Love has been ruled out for Arizona's Week 6 meeting with the Los Angeles Rams, so Knight should see more work than usual, but he will still be operating behind Allgeier. Knight's opportunities may also be limited by the expected game script. The Cardinals are currently 12.5-point underdogs and will have to go pass-heavy to keep pace with the Rams. Aside from an aerial approach on offense detracting from rushing opportunities, Knight is not known for his pass-blocking ability, which may limit his chances to get on the field. Knight is projected as an RB5/6 and should only be considered as an option in deep leagues in Week 6.--Dan Stephens
Source: NFL.com