Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em — Week 6 (2023)

Welcome to another edition of our weekly fantasy football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em. In this series, we’re here to help you set your lineups and put yourself in a position to win your fantasy football matchups each week. With three weeks in the books, it’s time to take a look at Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season.

These players will be those “less-obvious” players that you’re on the fence about starting as your WR3 or Flex type of options. Nobody needs to tell you to start Justin Jefferson or Christian McCaffrey.

Stay tuned for updates and more reasoning throughout the week.

Start ‘Em

Kirk Cousins (QB) Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears

With the Justin Jefferson injury, the Minnesota offense has a few giant question marks. However, Kirk Cousins has a few awesome weapons still at his disposal with Jordan Addison, Alexander Mattison, and T.J. Hockenson. Cousins is also facing a Chicago defense giving up the highest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in over 22 points. Also, other than the stinker against Carolina, Cousins has been a solid start all season. Despite what many managers might be thinking, this is a juicy start for Cousins this week.

Sam Howell (QB) Washington Commanders @ Atlanta Falcons

A solid streaming option in multiple weeks this season, Sam Howell is looking more comfortable with his role each week. Throwing for 388 yards this past weekend marked the third time in four games that the sophomore signal-caller has tallied at least 290 passing yards. Additionally, the 6.2 yards per rush in away games this season and he gives you a nice cushion to build upon.

With Atlanta next up, the biggest problem is the pace of play. With such a strong emphasis on running the ball, opposing teams don’t get as many chances to move the ball against the Falcons. That said, in their previous two home games, they have allowed four passing scores and 8.3 YPC to quarterbacks. I’m not saying you’ll get a league-winning performance from Howell, but you will get another start-worthy day from him.

Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers @ Miami Dolphins

We’re getting deep and dirty with this pick. Chuba Hubbard has been the more efficient back for Carolina. He is averaging 4.4 YPC as opposed to Miles Sanders’ 3.1. Hubbard is also an effective pass catcher, bringing in 12 of 14 targets this season. Additionally, Hubbard (25) has more carries than Sanders (20) in the last two contests.

A matchup with Miami is sure to have more than its fair share of passing. Miami’s highly potent offense forces teams to lean on the passing game. With that, they have allowed opposing running backs to average 10.1 YPC in 2023. So, if you have some injury or bye week problems, Hubbard could be a lucrative addition to get you through this week.

Kyren Williams (RB) Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals

After a monster showing two weeks ago against the Colts, Kyren Williams had a tough time last week against the Eagles. As a result, you might be quick to bench him. However, the Eagles’ defense has been tough all year against the run. Williams is the clear-cut number one back in LA, after a Week 1 snap percentage of 65%, his snap percentage has not dropped below 70% since.

Furthermore, he is actively involved in the running game (average of 17 touches per game), and in the passing game (average of 5 targets per game), Williams is a must-start. Finally, the Rams are also facing the Cardinals who are giving up nearly 30 fantasy points per game to running backs.

Josh Reynolds (WR) Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One more deep play for all you huge league competitors. Josh Reynolds has been involved in more games with Jared Goff than any other receiver on the team, having spent time together with the Rams. That probably explains why Reynolds has seen 24 targets in his four appearances this season. He has cleared 65 receiving yards in each of those games and scored three times.

Furthermore, on the defense, the Buccaneers have surrendered 14.4 yards per reception to wide receivers in their first four games. Tampa Bay also has the second most appealing D-PAC Score in the league of 14.79. Three different wide receivers have surpassed 130 receiving yards against the Buccaneers in 2023.

In the event that Amon-Ra St. Brown misses another game, you can smash-start Reynolds this week.

Zay Flowers (WR) Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans

I can feel the fantasy football world starting to sour on Zay Flowers. Not to mention, just about every pass catcher not named Mark Andrews in this Baltimore Offense. However, don’t completely dismiss Flowers yet. He has a great target share with a floor of four targets and an average of 8. I believe the biggest gripe any owner can have on Flowers is his drops and lack of touchdowns. While I cannot say if the drops will stop, I know the touchdowns will be coming.

This week, the Ravens face the Titans this week who are giving up nearly 41 points per game to opposing wide receivers. If Flowers is going to pop, this is his week to pop.

Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams

In four of five games this season, Zach Ertz has either caught six passes or scored a touchdown – a fine streaming day for a fantasy tight end. He’s seen eight or more targets in three of those games, as well, while earning the sixth best Consistency Score at the position. He’s second among the Cardinals in targets (34) and receptions (22), proving to be a choice option for Joshua Dobbs.

A faceoff with the Rams might be just what Ertz needs to put out a great display in Week 6. In their past two games, the Rams have allowed three touchdowns and 228 yards to opposing tight ends. There really isn’t much more to say. Just watch Ertz work and enjoy. Overall, he’s a fantastic waiver wire steaming TE option this week.

Logan Thomas (TE) Washington Commanders @ Atlanta Falcons

Logan Thomas had a massive showing last week, hauling in nine receptions on 11 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, since coming back from a pretty nasty concussion, his usage has been gradually increasing over the last few weeks. Enter the Atlanta Falcons who are weak against tight ends and allowing nearly 17 points per game to tight ends. I look for another strong game for Thomas this week. All things considered, he’s a solid streaming option off the waiver wire this week.

Sit ‘Em

Dak Prescott (QB) Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers

Let’s face it, Dak Prescott ain’t getting it done for fantasy. He’s thrown just five touchdowns and averages 212.2 passing yards per game. Notably, that’s less than Jordan Love (216.6) and Desmond Ridder (214.6). He’s got no rushing upside with just one “attempt” in three of five games. Not to mention the Cowboys prefer to run the ball and control the clock.

Even a matchup with the Chargers, who are giving up 299.75 passing yards per game doesn’t get me excited with how the offense is working. The Chargers even have a strong D-PAC Score of 4.53, basically in the middle of the league (13th). I’ve been out on Prescott for a while now and you should be too.

Ryan Tannehill (QB) Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Other than a strong week two showing against the Chargers, Ryan Tannehill and this Titans offense have simply not been good. Tannehill’s 26th-ranked Consistency Score of 2.54 reflects his poor level of performance, and have also heard many references of “noodled armed” in reference to how he looks so far. The Baltimore Ravens have been a tough out against opposing quarterbacks, only allowing 10.5 points per game. Unless you’re in a Superflex league and do not have a ton of bye week options, I would try to keep Tannehill on your roster as a “break glass in case of emergency” situation.

Dameon Pierce (RB) Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints

It has not been a nice campaign for Dameon Pierce thus far. His best fantasy day came in Week 3 with a touchdown and just 31 rushing yards. He’s averaged just 2.97 YPC and five total receptions in his last three games. Furthermore, Houston is relying on the passing game to stay competitive and Pierce is being disregarded in that facet. With the Saints coming to town, things don’t look to be getting better. New Orleans holds the fourth toughest D-PAC Score against running backs with a score of 4.22 while holding them to 3.02 YPC since Week 1.

As the only viable running back on the team, there is the chance he gets enough volume to not be awful for fantasy. I’m not taking that chance and I suggest you don’t either. There are plenty of better options this week.

Rachaad White (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions

This one might be a bit crazy, as Rachaad White is coming off of a bye and was seeing great usage in the Bucs’ offense before the bye. Averaging about 15 touches and 5 targets per game, any running back seeing that kind of usage is almost a non-negotiable starter. However, the Lions have been crazy good against the run so far this season. With a league-low D-PAC Score of 2 and only allowing 12 fantasy points per game, I have a hard time starting any running back against the Lions right now.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR) Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens

DeAndre Hopkins has been one of the most exciting and talented NFL receivers over the last decade. His Week 5 performance of eight receptions for 140 yards was what fantasy managers had been clamoring for all year. However, those expectations should be held back this week.

Furthermore, Baltimore always provides a tough challenge for their opponents, year after year. So far, they’re giving up just 9.9 yards per catch and 15.8 crutches per game to wide receivers with just three touchdowns this year. On top of that, the Ravens have the fifth-strongest D-PAC Score (7.47) against the position this year. In four career games, Hopkins has never scored against Baltimore. Most weeks, you start your superstars. If you have another good option, you should look elsewhere.

Chris Olave (WR) New Orleans Saints @ Houston Texans

Last week, a touchdown saved Chris Olave from having back-to-back lackluster performances. Against the Patriots, he was only targetted five times and made two receptions for 12 yards. Additionally, the Patriots’ defense is really bad against wide receivers, so you would expect a much more solid performance for Olave.

Moving forward, this week he faces the Texans’ defense which is much better against wide receivers. They’re currently only allowing 25.6 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. All in all, I would be really hesitant to start Olave this week.

Dalton Schultz (TE) Houston Texans vs. New Orleans Saints

Dalton Schultz is coming off a strong showing with seven receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown against an Atlanta team giving up nearly 17 points per game to opposing tight ends. That performance, and the 10 targets, can make Schultz a very appetizing start this week. However, the Saints are much stronger against tight ends, only allowing a league-low 5.98 points per game to tight ends. The tight end position is a highly volatile match-up-based fantasy position, and this is not a good match-up.

Cole Kmet (TE) Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings

Those of us who stuck with Cole Kmet the last two weeks were happily rewarded with some fine tight end production as he caught 12 balls for 127 yards and three scores. It was a grind, though, as he has only surpassed 44 receiving yards once and he needed seven catches to do it. In fact, it was just the fifth time he crossed that yardage threshold in his last 22 games.

Now, going up against a familiar foe in the Vikings, Kmet could be returning to his mundane ways. In a game where passing numbers could be large for both sides, the former Notre Dame standout could be left wanting. Of the seven tight ends to record a catch against Minnesota, only two achieved more than seven yards per catch. That list includes Dallas Goedert (3.7) and Travis Kelce (6.7). Tight ends are struggling against this defense and Kmet will too.

Don’t forget to hit us up on Twitter with any of your lineup questions. You can find Benjamin @FFRabbitDad and Brendan @OBryanBren. If you have a question, we will give you some guidance. After all, we want you to win!

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