Who To Start for Fantasy Football?
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Brock Bowers or George Kittle or Isaiah Likely or Mark Andrews: Who Should I Start for Week 6?
Summary
Strength of Schedule
Stats and Projections
News
Projections - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
19.5
TAR/GM
0.0
REC
7
REC/GM
7.3
YDS / REC
11.9
RUSH ATT
-
YDS / ATT
0.0
TOTAL YDS
87
TD
1
2026 Season - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
82.2
PTS / GM
20.6
P-RANK
3
GP
4
TAR
44
REC
28
CTCH%
63.6%
TAR/GM
11
YDS / REC
13.6
RUSH ATT
0
ATT/GM
0
FUM
1
YDS / ATT
0
TOTAL YDS
382
TD
3
Recent News
by Chelena Goldman
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers returned to full practice on Thursday and should have a dominant Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. The former first-round pick missed the first two games of the season as he recovered from knee surgery and has been limited in practices, but he has been dominant during games since returning in Week 3. He leads Vegas with 24 catches on 34 targets for 312 yards and three touchdowns, catching eight of 10 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown in a 45-17 Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots. The Bills are allowing the second-most passing yards per game this season (280.4) and 13 touchdowns, so Kirk Cousins should target Bowers early and often. Bowers is a high-end TE1 against a struggling Buffalo defense in Week 6.
29MIA
8@LAC
24@NO
30KC
13@NE
15BUF
1LAR
5@NYJ
2@SF
8SEA
21@DEN
19@CLE
BYE
8LAC
21DEN
11TEN
28@ARI
30@KC
Ranking
Rank
32
P-Rank
3
ADP
89
Projections - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
15.2
TAR/GM
0.0
REC
5
REC/GM
5.4
YDS / REC
12.5
RUSH ATT
-
YDS / ATT
0.0
TOTAL YDS
67
TD
1
2026 Season - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
71.8
PTS / GM
14.4
P-RANK
5
GP
5
TAR
28
REC
21
CTCH%
75%
TAR/GM
5.6
YDS / REC
12.8
RUSH ATT
0
ATT/GM
0
FUM
0
YDS / ATT
0
TOTAL YDS
268
TD
4
Recent News
by Dan Stephens
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle's production took a big step back in Week 5, when he caught five of his six targets for a mere 24 receiving yards. It was a disappointment after a three-week stretch where he averaged 77.3 receiving yards and scored at least one touchdown in each game. Kittle could be in for a major rebound in Week 6. For starters, the 49ers will face the Washington Commanders, who have rank in the bottom five in fantasy points, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns allowed to opposing tight ends. Secondly, given the spate of injuries in San Francisco's wide receiver room, Kittle is in line to see more time as Brock Purdy's first read. As usual, Kittle is among the top options at tight end this week and should be a lock for fantasy lineups.
1@LAR
29MIA
28ARI
21DEN
8@SEA
31WAS
19@ATL
BYE
27LV
18@DAL
4MIN
8SEA
16@NYG
1LAR
8@LAC
30@KC
6PHI
28@ARI
Ranking
Rank
48
P-Rank
6
ADP
113
Projections - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
14.5
TAR/GM
0.0
REC
6
REC/GM
5.9
YDS / REC
9.6
RUSH ATT
-
YDS / ATT
0.0
TOTAL YDS
57
TD
-
2026 Season - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
109.3
PTS / GM
18.2
P-RANK
1
GP
6
TAR
59
REC
39
CTCH%
66.1%
TAR/GM
9.8
YDS / REC
9.8
RUSH ATT
0
ATT/GM
0
FUM
1
YDS / ATT
0
TOTAL YDS
383
TD
5
Recent News
by Keith Hernandez
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely is certainly enjoying his first season in the Big Apple in 2026. Likely was a big contributor once again in Sunday's Week 6 loss to the visiting New Orleans Saints, catching six of his 11 targets for 99 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old's 11 targets were second to receiver Malik Nabers' 15, and his 99 yards trailed only Nabers as well. The big game came in a contest in which veteran quarterback Jameis Winston was benched in favor of J.J. McCarthy. Likely's production did not slow after the switch under center, and his touchdown catch came on a 24-yard hookup with McCarthy in the fourth quarter as the Giants tried to make things interesting in an eventual 34-27 loss. He has been the clear No. 2 target behind Nabers in what has been a pass-happy offense under head coach John Harbaugh. Likely is coming through on his breakout potential in New York, as he is currently the No. 1 overall in half-PPR scoring with 39 catches, 383 yards, and five touchdowns in his first six games played. He should be locked into all starting fantasy lineups for his Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans.
18DAL
1@LAR
11TEN
28ARI
31@WAS
24NO
6@HOU
BYE
6@PHI
31WAS
11JAX
23@IND
2SF
8@SEA
19CLE
32@DET
18@DAL
6PHI
Ranking
Rank
80
P-Rank
14
ADP
137
Projections - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
9
TAR/GM
0.0
REC
4
REC/GM
3.7
YDS / REC
9.4
RUSH ATT
-
YDS / ATT
0.0
TOTAL YDS
35
TD
-
2026 Season - Receiving and Rushing
PTS
45.1
PTS / GM
7.5
P-RANK
22
GP
6
TAR
33
REC
23
CTCH%
69.7%
TAR/GM
5.5
YDS / REC
7.9
RUSH ATT
0
ATT/GM
0
FUM
1
YDS / ATT
0
TOTAL YDS
181
TD
1
Recent News
by Will Brady
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews had a quiet game in his team's 13-10 Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, recording just one catch for four yards on three targets. It was Andrews' first game this season with fewer than five targets. However, the veteran tight end's production has been underwhelming in 2026. Across six games, Andrews has now recorded 23 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown on 33 targets. The 31-year-old has not recorded 30 receiving yards in a game since Week 2. Andrews may see his usage continue to decline going forward, as Ravens rookie tight end Josh Cuevas hauled in four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown on five targets against Cleveland. Baltimore also got rookie wideout Ja'Kobi Lane back from Injured Reserve, which pushes Andrews further down the team's pecking order for targets. Based on the downward trends in his recent production, Andrews is becoming tougher and tougher for fantasy managers to trust.
23@IND
24NO
18@DAL
11TEN
19@ATL
19@CLE
24CIN
15@BUF
11JAX
8LAC
26@CAR
6@HOU
BYE
22TB
16@PIT
19CLE
24@CIN
16PIT
Our pick: start Brock Bowers (TE1) over George Kittle (TE3), Isaiah Likely (TE6) and Mark Andrews (TE14), based on RotoBaller's Week 6 PPR rankings.
Similar Matchups
Brock Bowers or Trey McBride · Brock Bowers or Travis Kelce · Brock Bowers or Tucker Kraft · George Kittle or Trey McBride · George Kittle or Travis Kelce · George Kittle or Tucker Kraft · Isaiah Likely or Tucker Kraft · Isaiah Likely or Dalton Kincaid · Isaiah Likely or Travis Kelce · Mark Andrews or Brenton Strange · Mark Andrews or Tyler Higbee · Mark Andrews or Pat FreiermuthRotoBaller’s fantasy football summary
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Who Should I Start? Fantasy Football Start/Sit Tool
Who should I start for fantasy football? This is a common question we all ask ourselves each week during the fantasy football season when setting lineups. RotoBaller provides this great free start/sit tool for comparing players, which can help you make your tough lineup decisions every week. Whether you're comparing quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends vs. wide receivers, or any other combination - we give you our player projection for that week based on a variety of factors including the team's opponent. This start/sit tool is updated regularly, starting on Wednesday each week, based on injury reports and staff ranks.Recent Improvements For Who Should I Start?
You may have noticed, our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul this year. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with team logos and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick interface. We hope you enjoy!How To Use Who Should I Start?
Tough lineup decisions to make? Can't decide between a few players? Not sure who to start? Compare up to four NFL players and see which player is recommended for your fantasy football lineups based on projections and rankings. Whether you're comparing quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends vs. wide receivers, or any other combination of fantasy football players - our Who Should I Start? tool gives you advice on who to start or sit.Selecting Players In Who Should I Start?
You can select NFL players to compare by using the search boxes, or selecting player names from the top rankings lists. You can also click on popular searches that other readers make in the start/sit tool.Fantasy Football Lineups Advice and Start/Sit Recommendations
Once you compare NFL players, the start/sit tool provides you with our fantasy football recommendation on who you should start or sit. When comparing the players, we show you our rankings, projections, recent news and strength of schedule side-by-side for you to compare each player.How Many Players Can I Compare?
You can select up to four NFL players at once, and compare them to see who you should start for fantasy football. It's 100% free! Other websites require paid memberships to compare more than two players at once, but at RotoBaller it's all free. Win big with RotoBaller.Who To Start for Quarterbacks
When deciding between two quarterbacks with similar outlooks, analyzing the potential game script is key. Quarterbacks who are likely to face negative game scripts will traditionally attempt more passes in an effort to come from behind. On the flip side, a quarterback on a team that is a heavy favorite could be relegated to handing the ball off and killing the clock in the second half of games.Quarterbacks with limited rushing upside on teams with elite defenses are likely to be low-volume passers, and the lack of rushing production makes it difficult to put together consistent fantasy-friendly outings. A quarterback on a team with a bad defense, facing a team with a good offense, will have to pass all game to keep up.
Other factors to consider:
- Weather
- Health of pass-catchers
- Health of offensive line
- Projected game total
Who To Start for Running Backs
To decide between two running backs with similar outlooks and rankings, the format of your league is key. Some running backs are primarily early-down grinders, while others are great pass-catchers but do not get many short-yardage or goal-line opportunities.Third-down backs benefit from negative game scripts, and early-down grinders benefit from positive game scripts. Pure runners are better in standard leagues, and pass-catching running backs can be cheat codes in PPR setups.
Not all touches are created equal, and a committee running back on a great offense with a plus matchup often outscores a high-touch workhorse on a bad offense that is unlikely to move the chains often and score touchdowns.
Other factors to consider:
- Recent usage
- Health of offensive line
- Matchup (pass-funnel vs run-funnel defense)
Who To Start for Wide Receivers
Like quarterbacks, wide receivers reach ceiling outcomes when passing volume is high, meaning you want to choose a wide receiver who is expected to be in a high-scoring game or face a negative game script.Some wide receivers are valuable in PPR leagues if they catch short passes in high volume, even on a struggling offense. This type of wide receiver production is not as valuable in standard and half-PPR formats, as yards and touchdowns carry a higher premium in those leagues.
Other factors to consider:
- Cornerback matchup
- Health of offensive line
- Health/caliber of quarterback
Who To Start for Tight Ends
The tight end position is always the thinnest in fantasy football, meaning they present the trickiest start-or-sit decisions. If you do not have a must-start stud, identifying a tight end in an above-average offense with a red zone role is key.If you don’t have the ability to start a highly-targeted tight end, identifying a player who has a strong chance to score a touchdown is the next best option.
Other factors to consider:
- Caliber of opposing safeties/linebackers
- Quarterback health
- Missing wide receiver teammates
- Defense red zone stats
Who To Start for FLEX
As mentioned with QB, RB, WR, and TE, finding a Flex option on a strong offense is the first step. In general, when comparing RBs and WRs with similar rankings and projections, choose an RB in standard and half-PPR formats, and choose a WR in PPR formats.Who To Start for Defense (D/ST)
To identify high-upside defenses, determine which streamer-level units have plus matchups each week. Target defenses that are facing offenses with high turnover rates, high sack rates, low scoring numbers, and injuries (especially at quarterback)Avoid bottom-dweller defenses even in plus matchups, as offense often trumps defense when both units are bottom-tier.
Who To Start for Kickers
Kickers attached to strong offenses present the most fantasy upside, and kickers with consistent accuracy and 50-yard-plus range are the safest fantasy football options. Consider targeting kickers set to play indoors, or at least avoid kickers slated to play in poor weather conditions, such as high wind, rain, or snow.It’s also worth noting that many kickers are denied opportunities if the weather is a factor or if a head coach is more aggressive than most on fourth downs.
Making Tough Start/Sit Decisions Between Players - Tiebreakers
- Matchup strength: look up fantasy points allowed by position
- Recent target/touch trend: determine positive or negative opportunity trend
- Red zone/goal-line role: analyze the number of high-value touches
- Injury risk: pre-game game designation and recent practice reports
- Quarterback health and quality: target strong quarterback play
- Snap share and route participation: determine positive or negative opportunity trend
- Weather: analyze game conditions
- Indoors vs outdoors: favor the player indoors as a tie-breaker
- Game script: predict whether a player will likely be trailing or leading
- Floor vs. Ceiling: lean toward boom-or-bust player if you’re a heavy underdog, consider floor player as favorite
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