RADIO
The sixth Sunday of the 2023 NFL season has come and gone. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your matchup went. However, this week's slate of games was certainly stress-inducing for many fantasy football managers.
Part of that stress was caused by a group of players who drastically underachieved in Week 6. These players simply did not meet fantasy expectations, and it cost their managers in a big way.
Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 6, as well as whether or not we can still have some trust in these players moving forward. All point totals are based on the PPR scoring system.
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Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts
Kirk Cousins, 8.74 FPTS
In his first game of the season sans Justin Jefferson, Cousins threw for just 181 yards and one touchdown while fumbling twice. Minnesota's offense looked shaky at best as its defense led the way in Sunday's win over Chicago. Playing football without Jefferson is going to result in growing pains for the Vikings' offense, dropping Cousins to the high-end QB2 range for Week 7 versus San Francisco.
Russell Wilson, 6.9 FPTS
Despite the Broncos' woes, Wilson's fantasy results through the first five weeks were quite impressive. This past Thursday, though, he struggled, throwing for just 95 yards while getting picked off twice. The veteran's fantasy value could continue to decrease if Denver ships away any of its playmakers at the trade deadline. He'll be a low-end fantasy QB1 versus Green Bay in Week 7 but doesn't exude much confidence.
Brock Purdy, 7.7 FPTS
Purdy threw his first interception of the 2023 campaign, and Sunday marked the first time he lost a game that he both started and finished. This underwhelming performance says less about Purdy and more about the legitimacy of Cleveland's defense. The 23-year-old will return to the QB2 tier in Week 7.
Fantasy Football Running Back Busts
Dameon Pierce, 3.4 FPTS
The Texans had a solid win on Sunday, but Pierce was not a key factor. He was relatively inefficient with just 2.6 yards per carry and was out-produced by Devin Singletary. He'll have a chance to bounce back in Week 8 versus the Panthers, ranking as a fantasy RB3.
Emari Demercado, 2.7 FPTS
Speculation that Demercado would lead the Cardinals' backfield was quite misguided. Not only was he out-produced by Keaontay Ingram, but he also operated behind practice squad call-up Damien Williams. Demercado mustered just 17 scrimmage yards on Sunday and can't be trusted in fantasy football for Week 7.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts
Davante Adams, 4.9 FPTS
Adams caught just two passes for 29 yards on Sunday. Not only did he struggle when Brian Hoyer replaced Jimmy Garoppolo (back), but he was also out-produced by Jakobi Meyers for the second consecutive week. He'll look to get back on track against the Bears next Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins, 3.0 FPTS
Hopkins had his quietest game of the season, catching just one of five targets for 20 yards versus the Ravens. A combination of overseas travel and tumultuous quarterback play were factors that contributed to Hopkins' poor showing. The Titans head into their Week 7 bye with plenty of questions at the quarterback position, which could impact Hopkins' fantasy value when Tennessee returns to the field in two weeks.
Calvin Ridley, 6.6 FPTS
Ridley broke out for 24.1 fantasy points against the Colts back in Week 1 but couldn't replicate that performance this Sunday. One might think that the Jaguars simply jumped out to an early lead and had no need to pass the ball, but that argument is trumped by Christian Kirk and Evan Engram combining for 10 catches, 90 yards, and one touchdown. Ridley plays the Saints on Thursday night, ranking as a fantasy WR2.
Puka Nacua, 6.6 FPTS
Nacua was vastly overshadowed by Cooper Kupp's 148 yards and one touchdown. Nevertheless, the rookie commanded one-third of the Rams' targets, suggesting that his quiet performance was a product of misfortune rather than poor play. He'll still rank as a fantasy WR2 against the Steelers next week.
Tee Higgins, 4.0 FPTS
Higgins' role was the subject of conversation heading into Week 6 amidst speculation that he might play a decoy role in his return from a rib injury. He was ultimately targeted just four times, catching two passes for 20 yards. While that stat line makes it sound like he did operate as a decoy, it should be noted that Higgins has exceeded two receptions just once this season. It's quite possible that Sunday's outing was merely another quiet performance from the 24-year-old. He'll be a low-end fantasy WR2 coming out of the Bengals' Week 7 bye.
Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
George Kittle, 1.1 FPTS
One week after totaling 67 yards and three touchdowns, Kittle was held to just one catch for one yard. The Browns' defense stood strong, shutting down Kittle even when Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey (oblique, ribs) were ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game. Regardless of whether these two playmakers suit up in Week 7, Kittle's talent keeps him in the mid-range TE1 tier.
Zach Ertz, 4.2 FPTS
Ertz's role in the Arizona offense dwindled again on Sunday as he caught just two passes for 20 yards. His five targets suggest that he is still one of Joshua Dobbs' favorite weapons, but the two simply haven't clicked as well as they did through the first four weeks of the season. Ertz is a high-end fantasy TE2 in Week 7 against the Seahawks.
Cole Kmet, 2.9 FPTS
Fresh off a two-week stretch in which he produced 12 catches, 127 yards, and three touchdowns, Kmet delivered a dud this Sunday. He struggled when Justin Fields was on the field and continued to disappoint when the Bears' quarterback exited with a right hand injury. Kmet is a high-end TE2 whose value could decline if Fields misses extended time.
Logan Thomas, 1.2 FPTS
Thomas exceeded expectations through his first four games of the season, totaling 18 catches, 183 yards, and two touchdowns. This week, though, he was essentially an afterthought, turning his lone target into a two-yard reception. He'll drop to the TE2 tier versus the Giants in Week 7.
Hunter Henry, 1.7 FPTS
It might be time to cut bait on Henry, who peaked as the TE2 overall through the first two weeks and has seen his production decline ever since. He was held without a catch in Week 5 and mustered just one reception for seven yards this Sunday against the Raiders. He has been out-produced by Mike Gesicki over the Patriots' last two games and lacks fantasy appeal ahead of Week 7.
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