Sneaky Starts, Pivot Plays, and Post-Waiver Pickups for Week 6 - Jalen Tolbert, Braelon Allen, Alec Pierce and More!

October 12, 2024

Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 6 of 2024. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.

The injuries continue to pile up. Another week, more big receivers missing time. It is very frustrating, but as I said earlier in the season, you just have to stay afloat. You do not need to have the best record or the most points. 

If you are able to stay around .500 until your team gets healthy, that is a win. Every year the final playoff spot in most leagues will be around .500. So that is your goal. 

I have a number of teams like that that are just starting to get healthy. That is when you can go on a run. Remember, all you have to do is get in. If your team is healthy in the playoffs, you have just as much a shot as anyone else to win it all! This article will help you stay afloat. 

Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options

If you need a QB… 

Caleb Williams had his best game as a pro last week when he threw for 304 yards and two scores, and ran for 34 yards, finishing with 23.6 fantasy points. He did so while also having a rushing TD called back due to a penalty. Now he gets a fantastic matchup against the Jaguars who have allowed the most fantasy PPG to QBs. They’ve allowed the second-most passing yards and third-most passing touchdowns. Caleb is a great pivot option this week. 

#Bears DJ Moore talking about Caleb Williams’ attention to detail, and the growing chemistry between the two:

“He’s been bossy lately. Telling us that we need to be on the details… If we don’t hit something in practice, he’s going to tell us how we need to run it, this, this… pic.twitter.com/5TkqGmKNV3

— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) October 9, 2024

Kirk Cousins is coming off his second-best fantasy game in his career. He threw 58 times for over 500 yards and four scores. He will not do that weekly, but he looked by far the most comfortable he has as a Falcon. Plus, it is a good matchup as the Panthers have allowed the sixth most fantasy PPG to QBs this season. You can do a lot worse than Cousins this week. 

Justin Fields threw two touchdowns last week in a rain-soaked game. He can get going again this week against a Raiders team that ranks middle of the pack against the pass but has really struggled against the run. We know Fields can run with the best of them and that should only help get the passing game going. 

I like Russell Wilson a lot less than Fields as he simply does not run like him. But Wilson would become a deeper league pivot option. Those in two QB leagues should nab him while you can. If he is still out there that is. 

Daniel Jones shredded the Seahawks' secondary last week for 257 yards and two scores and ran for 38 yards. And the best part? He did all of that without Malik Nabers. He can build off of that this week in a great matchup against the Bengals who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy PPG to QBs. 

Will Levis is for those of you in a pinch in deep leagues. We know Levis can run a bit. We know he will air it out at times. But this is solely about the matchup. The Colts have allowed the third most fantasy PPG to QBs. They also get torched by outside receivers and the Titans have two that could take advantage of this matchup. More on that later.

If you need an RB… 

Rico Dowdle has really taken over that Cowboys backfield. He scored nearly 20 fantasy points last week on 22 opportunities in a rain-soaked field against the Steelers. He has the toughest matchup an RB can have, so I do not advise starting him unless you have to. But he is tied to a good offense and getting volume. That is more than many RBs can offer. 

#Cowboys Rico Dowdle Week 5 stats among NFL running backs:

• 20 attempts (T-4th)
• 87 rushing yards (8th)
• 6 missed tackles forced (T-4th)
• 3 runs over 10 yards (T-2nd)
• 6 first down runs (T-2nd)

“Rico Suave” is finding his groove 🎶

(stats via @PFF) pic.twitter.com/zqA9CWGANC

— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) October 9, 2024

Tank Bigsby has been awesome. He has run for 90-plus yards in two straight games. He has now topped 70 in three of five games. He can break out a long one at any moment. But understand that his floor is low. He doesn’t get pass game usage so he needs a long run or touchdown. But if you need a pivot start, he brings upside. 

Braelon Allen is a sleeper I like this week. The Bills have allowed the most fantasy PPG, yards per carry, targets, catches, receiving yards, and receiving TDs to RBs this season. Yeah, safe to say they really struggle. Expect the Jets to try and feature their backs heavy in this one to keep Josh Allen and Co. on the sidelines. 

Tyrone Tracy Jr. showed out last week. He turned 18 carries and two targets into 130 yards. He finished with 14 fantasy points. Devin Singletary has returned to practice so he has a shot to play this week. But even if he does, Tracy played well enough last week that he should continue to have a role. He is a low-floor, high-upside kind of play.

Trey Sermon came through last week. It was not necessarily pretty or efficient but catches and a touchdown salvaged his day. I do not love his matchup this week as the Titans have been very tough on backs. I also like him a lot more if it is Joe Flacco starting. But, if you are in a pinch, he provides volume if Jonathan Taylor is out. 

If you need a WR… 

Darnell Mooney should not have to be in articles like this! He has averaged 18 fantasy PPG in the last month. Last week he went off for 105 yards and two touchdowns, scoring over 30 PPR points. He is the No. 2 target for Cousins behind only Drake London. He is just a start right now, let alone a pivot option. 

Jalen Tolbert is a player I like a lot this week and moving forward! In his last four games he has twice had nine or more targets, twice topped 80 yards, and twice scored a touchdown. He was already starting to overtake Brandin Cooks and with Cooks on the IR, he is the clear-cut WR2 for Dak Prescott. The matchup is fantastic as the Lions have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to WRs. Get Tolbert in this week. 

Dak said during training camp that the WR he spends the most time with over summer historically has a great season. This year, Jalen Tolbert was that guy pic.twitter.com/ViWwF2DGV3

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) October 7, 2024

Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins may be on rosters, but they certainly are not in a lot of starting lineups. This is a week to get them in if you need to because of the matchup. The Colts have allowed the second most yards to receivers lined up out wide. They also really struggle with deep passes to those players. They are boom-or-bust options, but the upside is there this week. 

Wan'Dale Robinson has at least eight targets in four of five games. That opportunity is excellent if you need a bye week or injury replacement. He has at least six catches in all of those games. He has topped 60 yards twice in his last three games and scored in two of his last four. He brings a safe floor but there is upside as the Giants could be chasing points and would have to throw more.

Allen Lazard has 18 targets in his last two games. He has four touchdowns in five games. He has one monster fantasy game with 27 fantasy points in Week 1. But he has reached double-digits in three straight games. He is the apple of Aaron Rodgers' eye and that has him in play for fantasy purposes. 

Alec Pierce is a favorite of mine. He has led the Colts in receiving yards in four of five games. You saw last week that he can be held in check all game and then explode. The floor is low with all of the Colts' receivers, so why not go for the one with the upside to alter your week? Pierce is my favorite of this bunch when Anthony Richardson plays. But with Michael Pittman Jr. out, he is in play even if it is Joe Flacco.

Alec Pierce today:

3 targets
3 receptions
134 yards
1 TDpic.twitter.com/39Y5xPI3w9

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 6, 2024

If you need a TE… 

Tucker Kraft has 14 targets in the last two weeks and is second among all tight ends with 141 yards in that span. His three touchdowns lead the position. He has shown a very high ceiling which is enough to make him a must-start at the tight end position. Plus, the Cardinals just allowed a huge game to George Kittle. Ride the hot hand. 

Tyler Conklin has been more and more involved for the Jets. He has six, eight, and nine targets in their last three games. That sort of involvement is enough to trust at the tight end position. But I especially like him because the Bills have struggled against tight ends and are best at limiting receivers. It should be another big target game for Conklin. 

Tyler Conklin has the most routes run among all tight ends this year.
(Per @FantasyDataNFL)#FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/MqoINHdkZI

— Aaron Schill (@aaron_schill) October 9, 2024

Cade Otton has at least seven fantasy points in three straight games. He’s been in double figures in two of them. In those two games, he had at least eight targets. The upside is not super high but a safe floor is all you can ask for at tight end.

Zach Ertz is coming off a season-high eight targets. This is a game where the Commanders could have to throw a bunch to keep up with Lamar Jackson and that powerful Ravens offense. Ertz does not bring much upside, but the volume and the offense he is tied to make him a deep league option. 

Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.

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