X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 6 Fantasy Football Risers, Fallers and Trade Candidates

It was comeback weekend in the NFL as the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers all overcame late game deficits to win important games. Whether it was the flurry of scoring in the final minutes of the 1:00 games or the gutsy Le'Veon Bell touchdown from late Monday night, your fantasy matchups were swayed one way or the other by these huge swings.

Many of you are now facing an early season hole and are looking for a savior off of the scrap heap. On the other hand, there are plenty of owners sitting pretty looking for that final piece to solidify their bench and pay dividends late.

Hopefully, we can help you all with the second edition of Week 6 Risers and Fallers.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 6 Fantasy Football Risers

Shane Vereen (RB, NYG)

The New York Giants face a bit of a dilemma this week, and it will leave plenty of fantasy football managers pacing in front of their screens. Odell Beckham, Jr. and Rueben Randle are both nursing hamstring injuries and the team plays on Monday Night. If your flex position sits empty all week, Shane Vereen may be your answer.

After disappearing from the passing game in the last two weeks, Vereen hauled in eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown and added 24 rushing yards in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. 54 of those yards came after Beckham and Randle left the game, and Vereen will likely be lined up as a wide receiver this week to supplement his role in the backfield. Vereen's play has been up-and-down, but he has a high ceiling week-to-week and will be a valuable asset down the stretch.

Luke McCown (QB, CLE)

The 'Manziel' chants have quieted just a bit in Cleveland. Josh McCown has shown promise in the Browns offense with three consecutive 300-yard games, including a career-best 457 passing yards in an overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens.

While Gary Barnidge, Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson and Travis Benjamin owners were left smiling, especially in PPR leagues, McCown managed to fly under the radar yet again. McCown has thrown six touchdowns and just one interception, all coming in just three games (McCown left the game in Week 1 after a strong start and missed all of their Week 2 matchup).

Christine Michael (RB, DAL)

It may seem odd to list a player that had just one carry in Week 5 as a riser, but the previously speculated notion that Christine Michael might take over the Dallas Cowboys starting job has gained steam.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Michael will “definitely” be used more after the Cowboys' bye week, and the running back will be in consideration to be the team's main back in Week 7. Coming into the season, the Cowboys RB1 position was thought of as a gold mine thanks to their menacing offensive line, but Joseph Randle has been mediocre, Lance Dunbar is done for the season and Darren McFadden is a part-time player at this point. If Michael takes hold of the job, he's a fantasy game-changer for the rest of the year.

 

Week 6 Fantasy Football Fallers

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)

During the draft, the Detroit Lions offense looked like a buffet. They had three capable backs, two high-ceiling receivers and a quarterback that loves to throw the ball around the yard. The situation has quickly turned into a graveyard, and Matthew Stafford has been the biggest casualty.

Stafford was so bad in Week 5 that he was pulled from the game against the Arizona Cardinals in favor of Dan Orlovsky, who has started just 12 NFL games in his eight-year career. Stafford is still the starting quarterback according to head coach Jim Caldwell, but at the moment he leads the league in interceptions with eight and is 15th in the league in passing yards.

He could only survive on throwing the ball up to Megatron for so long, and that time appears to have passed.

Alfred Morris (RB, WAS)

Alfred Morris has been the best back in Washington over the last three years, but he's getting plenty of pressure from the young backs behind him on the depth chart. The Washington Redskins rushed for just 51 yards against the Atlanta Falcons and Morris earned less than a third of those yards. For a back that has excelled under a heavy workload, the situation is shaky for Morris.

Washington has suffered from several injuries to their wide receivers, which has led to additional snaps for Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. Nobody should be rallying behind DeSean Jackson more than Morris. If the Redskins can find a way to spread the field, it will open up the run game significantly. If opposing defenses continue to make Kirk Cousins beat them--which they will--Morris will be forced to slug through the middle of the line and eat up yards in small chunks.

Anthony Dixon (RB, BUF)

With LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams out in Week 5, Boobie Dixon seemed like the logical pick to step in and shoulder the load for the Buffalo Bills. But Dixon was hampered by a calf injury and was supplanted by Daniel 'Boom' Herron, who just signed with the Bills last week.

With three backs now ahead of him, Dixon will be hard-pressed to get another opportunity to shine. The big back has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry in his career to go with 24 receptions in 85 games. Dixon was already off the fantasy radar, and he's now been buried for good.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt Probable For Saturday
Jake Walman

to Remain Out Thursday
Dmitry Kulikov

to Miss Five Months Following Surgery
Darcy Kuemper

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Anze Kopitar

Listed as Day-to-Day
Jacob Markstrom

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Kevon Looney

Slated to be Sidelined With Knee Injury
Nick Foligno

Out on Wednesday
Lucas Raymond

Misses Wednesday's Game
Malcolm Brogdon

Calling it a Career After Nine NBA Seasons
Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook Inks Deal With Kings
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Open 21-Day Practice Window for Khalik Mack
Quentin Johnston

Will Practice Wednesday
Travis Hunter

Jaguars Plan to Expand Travis Hunter's Role on Offense
Anthony Volpe

Undergoes Left-Shoulder Surgery
Deshaun Watson

"a Good Month Away" From Practicing
CFB

Jayden Gibson No Longer with Oklahoma Program
David Njoku

Not Practicing Wednesday
Rashee Rice

Chiefs "Allocating a Heavy Workload" for Rashee Rice Right Away
Puka Nacua

a "Long Shot" to Play in Week 7
Emeka Egbuka

is Expected to Miss Week 7
Jalen Suggs

Participates in Contact Drills
Mark Williams

Progresses to Five-on-Five Work
Gary Harris

to Miss 1-2 Weeks
De'Andre Hunter

Sustains Knee Contusion Tuesday
Karlo Matković

Karlo Matkovic Hurts Elbow in Loss to Houston
Jalen Duren

Returns to Action Against Cavaliers
Stuart Skinner

Records Eighth Career Shutout
Matthew Knies

Dishes Out Three Assists in Tuesday's Win
Maxwell Crozier

Likely Out on Friday
Brett Howden

Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Adin Hill

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Flames
Matt Duchene

Injured in Tuesday's Win
Emmanuel Clase

to be Banished for Life After Gambling Allegations?
Alex Bregman

Plans to Opt Out of Contract With Red Sox
Jalen Green

Reinjures Hamstring, Will be Reevaluated in 10 Days
Trey Murphy III

Set to Suit Up Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Could Play in Friday's Preseason Finale
Alexey Toropchenko

to Remain Out Wednesday
Jake Walman

Targeting Season Debut for Thursday
Zach Benson

Expected to Make Season Debut Wednesday
Paul George

Participates in Team Activities During Practice on Tuesday
Steven Lorentz

Misses Tuesday's Action
Jaccob Slavin

Unavailable Versus Sharks
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Out on Tuesday
Kris Letang

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Brady Tkachuk

Expected to Miss at Least One Month
CeeDee Lamb

"Looking Good" for Week 7
Kevin Huerter

Could Be an Option Thursday
Tre Jones

Nursing a Foot Problem
Marcus Smart

Set for Lakers Debut Tuesday
Jimmy Butler III

Sits Out Tuesday's Preseason Game
Lauri Markkanen

Logs 18 Minutes in Preseason Debut
Bam Adebayo

Exits Preseason Game With Knee Contusion
D'Andre Swift

Breaks Out for 175 Total Yards and Touchdown in Win
Drake London

Explodes for 158 Yards and Touchdown in Win Over Bills
Bijan Robinson

Erupts for 238 Total Yards and Touchdown Against Bills
Christopher Bell

Sits Third in Points After Quiet Third-Place Finish
Chase Briscoe

Passes Denny Hamlin at the Start, but Hamlin Gets Him in the End
Joey Logano

Falling Out of Playoff Picture Despite Other Contenders' Crashes
Ryan Blaney

Stage 1 Crash Puts Ryan Blaney in Severe Playoff Trouble
Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
Stephon Castle

Set to Suit Up for Monday's Preseason Matchup With Indiana
Garrett Wilson

Expected to Miss "a Couple of Weeks" With Hyperextended Knee
Dalton Kincaid

Ruled Out for Monday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Set to Make Preseason Debut on Tuesday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Brock Bowers

Could Sit for the "Long Haul"
CeeDee Lamb

has a Chance to Play in Week 7
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Tennessee Titans

Titans Fire Head Coach Brian Callahan
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Chris Godwin

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Bucky Irving

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Puka Nacua

Rams Think Puka Nacua has Avoided a Long-Term Injury
Kaan Ofli

Scores Comeback Win
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
CFB

UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
CFB

Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
CFB

Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster
Max Scherzer

Added to ALCS Roster
Bryan Woo

Makes ALCS Roster
Bo Bichette

Won't Make ALCS Roster
Christopher Bell

the Favorite to Win at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

on the Pole at Las Vegas
Joey Logano

Can Joey Logano Get Lucky in Las Vegas Again?
William Byron

has the Fastest Car in Practice at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

Speed of Ty Gibbs a Good Sign for Toyota at Las Vegas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Should Contend at Las Vegas
Ross Chastain

Scrapes Wall in Practice But Qualifies 15th at Las Vegas
Chris Buescher

Looking for Improvement at Las Vegas
Austin Cindric

It Has Been Hit or Miss for Austin Cindric at Las Vegas
Chase Elliott

Should Run Well at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

Conservatism May Keep him from Replicating Previous Las Vegas Drive
Josh Berry

After Josh Berry's Las Vegas Win, Ryan Blaney Should be a Top Contender
Chase Briscoe

has Definitely Improved on Intermediate Tracks
Gleyber Torres

Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
Bryan Woo

Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
CFB

CJ Baxter to Miss Saturday's Game Against No. 6 Oklahoma
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
Cody Bellinger

Plans to Opt Out of Contract
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Will be Posted This Winter
Nathan Eovaldi

has Hernia Surgery, Should be Ready for Spring Training
Mateusz Gamrot

Set For UFC Rio Main Event
Charles Oliveira

Returns At UFC Rio
Montel Jackson

Set For UFC Rio Co-Main Event
Deiveson Figueiredo

Returns At UFC Rio
Joel Álvarez

Joel Alvarez Set for his Welterweight Debut
Vicente Luque

A Huge Underdog
Mario Pinto

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Jhonata Diniz

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kaan Ofli

Looks To Secure His First Octagon Win
Ricardo Ramos

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Michael Aswell

Looks For His First UFC Win
CFB

North Carolina's Caleb Hood Retiring from College Football
CFB

Jeff Sims Likely to Start Against Utah
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Remainder of 2025 Season With Torn Achilles
CFB

Sam Leavitt Not Expected to Play for Arizona State on Saturday

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP