RADIO
Craig Rondinone looks at some fantasy football lineup sleepers and busts for Week 6 of the NFL season. Under-the-radar booms and busts for fantasy football.
The under-the-radar booms and busts do not let up just because there are fewer players to choose from!
With bye weeks and a mass of injuries ravaging rosters for fantasy football teams across the country, many lineup decisions are automatically made for fantasy owners because some of their players are not suiting up this weekend. But if you are still torn between two guys at a position and/or wondering about some of the lower-priced players in one-day contests, there are still plenty of sleepers and busts lurking.
Here are some under-the-radar booms and busts for the sixth week of NFL action to help you set a winning lineup!
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Week 6 Under-the-Radar Booms
DeSean Jackson (WR, TB) at ARI
While Arizona has continued to do an above-average job against opposing offenses’ No. 1 receivers and top tight ends, the Cards’ 21st-ranked pass defense has allowed some secondary receivers to go crazy against their secondary. Detroit’s Kenny Golladay (69 yards and two TD in Week 1), Dallas’ Brice Butler (90 yards and a TD in Week 3) and Philadelphia’s Torrey Smith (70 yards and a TD) and Nelson Agholor (93 yards and a TD) last week have all been able to exploit the Cardinals cornerbacks not named Patrick Peterson. Jackson is coming off a 106-yard game against New England and has had extra time to nurse his banged-up body thanks to being off a week-and-a-half. Do not be shocked to see him have another 100-yard game this weekend while Peterson and Mike Evans lock up on the other side of the field.
Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) at DEN
The Giants have run out of receivers like a department store runs out of snow shovels and salt when the Weather Channel announces a blizzard is coming. Just like New England has used running back James White to alleviate the loss of receiver Julian Edelman, the Giants will likely use Vereen’s receiving skills to compensate for the losses of Odell Beckham, Brandon Marshall and possibly Sterling Shepard. With Eli Manning and Co. destined to be passing a lot against a Denver defense that is No. 1 versus the run, expect Vereen to catch 7-10 passes and be a boom in PPR leagues.
Taylor Gabriel (WR, ATL) vs. MIA
Everything is lining up for the Atlanta speedster to have a couple 40-yard dashes this Sunday. No. 1 receiver Julio Jones is going to play but has a banged-up hip, Gabriel will sub for the injured Mohamed Sanu as the No. 2 WR and likely be targeted more often, and Gabriel will be running pass patterns against a Miami Dolphins defense that is ranked 4th against the run, so the Falcons will probably be airing it out more than usual. Expect Gabriel to break one or two long gainers on the 22nd-ranked pass defense in the NFL, especially at the fast track at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Week 6 Under-the-Radar Busts
Jerick McKinnon (RB, MIN) vs. GB
In last week’s column, I named Latavius Murray as a bust in part because I believed McKinnon would cut into Murray’s playing time and touches. Sure enough, McKinnon ran for 95 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and added six receptions for 51 yards. This week, I am turning the tables on McKinnon, because while he has shown flashes of brilliance during his career, there are reasons why he was third on Minnesota’s depth chart coming into the season. McKinnon was unable to outplay Matt Asiata last season when Adrian Peterson missed 13 games due to injury and has been maddeningly inconsistent when given playing time. It is hard to put too much trust in him this week, especially since he has only rushed for 145 yards in 39 career carries against Green Bay.
Sammy Watkins (WR, LAR) at JAC
Watkins has been as conspicuously absent as I was when my grandmother would make liver and onions for dinner. He has only been targeted twice over his last two games and has one catch for 17 yards. Third-string tight ends and backup fullbacks have done more for fantasy owners. But if you think the Rams will right this wrong and force feed Watkins plenty of passes this weekend, guess again. Jacksonville is ranked third in pass defense and is coming off a five-interception game against Ben Roethlisberger last week. The Rams will probably keep things close to the vest against the Jaguars’ opportunistic defense and that will keep Watkins chances to make plays to a minimum.
Rishard Matthews (WR, TEN) vs. IND
The miserable Monday night matchup this week at least has some significance for fantasy owners. Matthews has been Tennessee's best receiver, but he and Titans quarterbacks have only connected on 20 of 38 targets, so his decent numbers could be even better. With starting signal caller Marcus Mariota still gimpy from a hamstring injury and backup Matt Cassell throwing wimpy passes, no matter who is his QB this Monday it might be hard for him to muster much, even against Indy’s 30th-ranked pass D.
