Week 6 of the NFL Season is here and with it comes bye weeks, adding new wrinkles to your weekly fantasy process. Such is life in the NFL. While we’re all blissfully rejoicing the return of the NFL, with it comes the specter of lineup decisions. Who should start? Who should sit? Let this weekly post be your guide as I go on a journey with you these next 18 weeks.
The criteria are simple: I pick one sit and one start from each position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end). This is based on my rankings for each week, which you can find in full at www.campus2canton.com. The standard is Top 12 for quarterbacks and tight ends, and Top 24 for wide receivers and running backs. Each week I’ll begin with a review of how I did the previous week because accountability is a part of this process.
Before we look forward, let’s see how I did in Week 5.
Starts
QB: Jared Goff, QB29 Miss. Goff didn’t have it Sunday, nor did any Lions…
RB: Dameon Pierce, RB11 Hit. Pierce continues to carry the Texans’ offense.
WR: Tee Higgins, NA Miss. Higgins got hurt and wasn’t a part of the game.
TE: Tyler Higbee, TE8 Hit. Higbee is getting consistent targets.
Start Record: 2-2
Sits:
QB: Matthew Stafford, QB23 Hit. Stafford and the Rams’ offense continues to struggle.
RB: James Conner, RB40 Hit. Conner continues to be touchdown-dependent.
WR: D.J. Moore, WR39 Hit. Maybe with the end of Matt Rhule this will improve.
TE: Mike Gesicki, TE29 Hit. Gesicki isn’t a focal point in Miami.
Sit Record: 4-0
Now, on to Week 6!
Quarterbacks
Start: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
About: When the Seahawks said they were going with journeyman Smith as their starter, it was fair to be skeptical. It seemed like the team would be a ground-and-pound offense that would be playing for a high draft pick. While the Seahawks are only 2-3 on the season, Smith has been on point. He’s QB7 on the season. It’s been a rough quarterback landscape, but Smith has consistently delivered. I’m firing him up this week against the Cardinals.
Sit: Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
About: Winston got in limited practice and is still questionable but tracking to return this week. Even if he does, he’s not returning to my lineup. We wondered if we’d get the Jameis that was a Top 5 quarterback with the Buccaneers or the one that threw 30 interceptions and ended up out of a starting job. So far, it’s been more of the latter. Even in a Superflex League, he’s not a solid bet. I’m staying away.
Running Backs
Start: Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers
About: When the 49ers lost Elijah Mitchell to injury, it was a blow to the offense. Fortunately, they have Wilson, who has stepped in and looked good. Since Week 3, Wilson is RB13 in fantasy. At a position that’s been decimated by injuries—and now bye weeks—Wilson has been a boon, especially to zero RB drafters. Heading into Week 6 against a Falcons defense that has given up plenty of points, I like Wilson as a potential Top 12 play.
Sit: James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: I know you’re probably thinking, what gives? Robinson, returning from an Achilles injury, looked great to start the season. Robinson is RB16 on the season but over the past two games, he’s RB63, while fellow back Travis Etienne is getting touches and showing more signs of production. Could it be a blip on the radar? Sure, it could be. It could also be a sign of things to come, especially as Robinson’s early production was buoyed by a few big plays and touchdowns. For now, I’m looking elsewhere.
Wide Receivers
Start: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
About: Believe me, I get it. The Broncos’ offense hasn’t been great and it hasn’t been a lot of fun to watch, either. However, the most consistent piece has been Sutton. I’ve long believed Sutton was the Broncos’ best receiver. And he has looked like it in 2022, sitting as WR12 through five weeks despite how the Broncos’ offense has looked. And now the Broncos will be facing a Chargers team that can put up points on Monday night. I suspect Sutton will be a solid play once again.
Sit: Juju Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
About: The Chiefs have been solid this season. The team is 4-1 and looks like a playoff contender, if not a title contender. They also face the Buffalo Bills this week in a matchup that figures to be up-tempo. The problem is consistency isn’t a big part of the game with the Chiefs’ weapons. Sure, you’re starting Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce without a second thought. But what about the rest? That’s a no from me. Juju is probably the biggest name in the receiving group and seemed to be the safest option. In Week 1, he scored a respectable 11.9 points. Through Week 5, he has just 45.7 points and sits as WR50. You have better options.
Tight Ends
Start: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
About: My caveat here is going to be that outside of Kelce and Mark Andrews, there isn’t incredible reliability at tight end. So, you have to look for players in the position that seems to be a consistent part of the attack. That’s Njoku, who is regularly getting targets in the Browns’ offense. He is TE8 on the season and one of the more reliable options at the position. Despite the matchup, I’m rolling him out.
Sit: Irv Smith, Jr., Minnesota Vikings
About: When it comes to the Vikings, you’re starting Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and probably Kirk Cousins. The team also has additional weapons in receivers Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn, in addition to Smith at tight end. Smith has had some decent games, but like all receivers not named Jefferson, it’s hard to rely on volume and scoring opportunities. He’s TE18 on the season. If he gets a touchdown, you’re golden. But can you bank on that? I’m not taking the chance.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
