Oct 17, 2026, 6:07 AM ET

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader is on an absolute tear this season as the No. 1 overall kicker in fantasy football. He averages a ridiculous 17 fantasy points per game over his last four contests, which is production you'd be happy with from a high-end running back or wideout rather than a placekicker. Still, Indy's offense has done a good job of moving the ball down the field but chronically fails at getting it into the end zone, especially not through the air. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is struggling, and hasn't pushed the ball into the end zone many times this season, leaving Shrader to help the team rack up points slowly. He's made all 16 of his field goal attempts this season and missed just one extra point, and currently ranks as the No. 35 overall player in fantasy football if you exclude Week 1, as he's scored an average of 17.0 fantasy points through those games.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:58 AM ET

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is just a shadow of his former self for fantasy football this season. In Week 5, he scored just 5.0 fantasy points by kicking just one field goal and one extra point, though he made both of his attempt. Dallas' offense was putrid without WR CeeDee Lamb (quad) on the field. He's back, but the Packers have one of the NFL's toughest defenses against the pass. Aubrey saw so few opportunities in Week 5 that it was tough for him to succeed, though. In Week 6, with Lamb back and healthy, the Cowboys should have a much easier time moving the ball down the field and getting into kicking range. Cowboys running back Javonte Williams does a good job punching the ball in for short-yardage touchdowns, which is not necessarily good for Aubrey's value, but Dallas should get in scoring range enough that Aubrey can manage better output than he did last week.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:54 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is set to return to action in Week 6 after a quad injury kept him out of two consecutive contests. In the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, he should be started in fantasy football leagues as a WR2 with upside for more. He dominated production of Panthers wideouts in Week 1, though he cooled off a bit in Week 2 and got hurt in Week 3. It would be foolish to ignore a 33.8 PPR fantasy point outing from Coker, though, even if the general assumption is that he's the clear WR2 for his team, behind wideout Tetairoa McMillan. Coker has flashed major talent as a separator and at making tough contested catches, and should have a prominent role in one of the league's better passing offenses. Coker should be locked into starting lineups for his massive single-game upside at the position, even if he doesn't repeat his Week 1 exploits against one of the weakest pass defenses in the league.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:51 AM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan isn't likely to see the insane volume from last week again in Week 6. In Week 5, he caught 14 of his 16 targets for 192 yards and two touchdowns against the floundering Detroit Lions pass defense. He played that game without WR Jalen Coker, who actually out-targeted and outproduced him in Week 1. Coker suffered a quad injury in Week 3 after tying McMillan in targets and easily pacing him in catches, yards, and touchdowns in the first two weeks. McMillan hasn't been very consistent this season, evidenced by his mere 3.7 PPR fantasy points in Week 3. Still, he shouldn't be left out of starting lineups after his detonation in Week 4. His upside may not be that of a top-5 wideout when Coker is on the field, but he should sit in around WR2 range for the matchup with the Eagles in Week 6.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:46 AM ET

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is looking like a steal in fantasy football yet again. He's the RB6 in PPR fantasy points per game, with 19.8, and doesn't have to worry about RB Jonathon Brooks (core) siphoning away his touches, as he's out for an extended period with a core injury. Hubbard could see a huge workload against the Eagles, who will be without their starting quarterback for the game. Carolina should be able to build a lead and focus on hanging on to the ball and grinding the clock down late in the game, as the Eagles will be without their starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts (calf). Philly's offense hasn't even been great with Hurts on the field, and they'll also be missing their lead running back, Saquon Barkley (hamstring). Expect another contest with 20 or more touches for Hubbard and another top-10 finish as a result.--John Johnson
Source: ESPN

Oct 17, 2026, 5:45 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (shoulder) was on the injury report ahead of the team's Week 6 tilt against the Browns in Cleveland, but logged a full practice on Friday and is now clear of an injury designation. Bateman's production improved slightly as backup quarterback Tyler Huntley filled in for injured Lamar Jackson (ankle), who is out again this week. The team's WR2 hauled in five of his six targets for 62 yards, and his 41.2% air-yards share was his highest of the 2026 season. Bateman is also averaging 12.2 air yards per target, which places him in the top quarter of qualified receivers in the league. Although his week-to-week fantasy output is inconsistent, Bateman is routinely involved in the Ravens' passing attack, averaging 19% target share and an 87% route-running rate through five games. This week, Bateman emerged as a potential trade candidate, according to ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who noted teams have shown interest in him in the past and that he has a tradeable contract. Deep league managers with Bateman on the end of their bench may want to hold him through the early November NFL trade deadline, as a change of scenery could bump him up to fringe WR3/Flex territory as we saw in 2024. However, in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, with a relatively low over/under and a potentially slow AFC North battle, Bateman remains a low-end WR4/Flex option in deep leagues.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

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