Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Can Dak Prescott rebound in Week 6?

It is solely Week 6, and already we have seen a number of the league’s largest names succumb to accidents, with Justin Jefferson, the primary general choose in most drafts, turning into the most recent star to land on injured reserve.

At a time when many is perhaps compelled to stream waiver wire pick-ups, it is all the time essential to play your studs, however here is what to do about some gamers who you is perhaps on the fence about beginning this week: 

Quarterbacks

Begin: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys at Chargers / 8:15 p.m. ET Monday

Sure, that Dak Prescott. Regardless of coming off his worst outing of the season, the place he threw for 153 yards, one landing and three interceptions, Prescott can shortly flip issues round in a good, high-scoring matchup.

Los Angeles permits 20.9 fantasy factors per sport to opposing quarterbacks, the fifth-most amongst defenses. Las Vegas’ Aidan O’Connell, who was making his first profession begin, was the one signal-caller to not publish a minimum of 21 factors towards the Chargers this season. Because the QB21 on the 12 months, Prescott might be obtainable on waivers and is a viable plug-and-play possibility this week.  

Different begins: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars; Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Sit: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans 

Saints at Texans / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

The second general choose from April’s draft has had no hassle transitioning to the NFL, most not too long ago setting the report for many consecutive passes with out an interception to begin his profession (186). Stroud appears to be like the a part of a franchise quarterback, but it surely’ll be difficult to maintain his historic streak rolling into Houston’s Week 7 bye. New Orleans’ seven interceptions are the third-most within the league, and it’s permitting solely 12.5 fantasy factors per sport to quarterbacks, the sixth fewest. 

Different sits: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks; Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals 

Operating backs

Begin: James Cook dinner, Buffalo Payments

Giants at Payments / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

Buffalo discovered itself trailing early in final week’s loss to Jacksonville, which resulted in Cook dinner recording 21 complete yards on eight touches, each season lows. Dealing with an underperforming Giants workforce that the Payments ought to comfortably beat, Cook dinner ought to obtain a workload just like the 16.6 touches he averaged throughout his first 4 video games this season. New York has made life simple for working backs this season, permitting the fourth-most fantasy factors to the place (117) and the third-most dashing touchdowns (seven).

Different begins: Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings; Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Sit: Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Panthers at Dolphins / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

The 26-year-old entered the season with a groin challenge, and now a shoulder harm has saved him out of this week’s observe classes. Even so, no matter his availability, Sanders ought to be left on the bench. Carolina, listed as a 13.5-point underdog, will seemingly be compelled to desert the working sport.

Blowouts sometimes result in working backs incomes a considerable quantity of receiving work, however Sanders is not getting that from quarterback Bryce Younger, contemplating he has simply 10 receptions in 4 video games with the rookie. Even when Sanders performs Sunday, Chuba Hubbard is perhaps the Panthers tailback to begin. 

Different sits: Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns; Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans

Broad receivers

Begin: Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Lions at Buccaneers / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday

On condition that his Bucs teammate Mike Evans is dealing with a hamstring injury, Godwin is poised to construct on his eight-catch, 114-yard efficiency from Week 4. Not solely does Detroit boast an explosive offense, however it’s the second-worst matchup for working backs, suggesting Baker Mayfield might want to throw usually for Tampa Bay to stay aggressive.

Though Godwin hasn’t discovered the tip zone but, his seven targets contained in the 15-yard line are tied for the second most amongst wideouts, so he is getting sufficient quantity to belief his first landing is on the best way.

Different begins: Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts; DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

Sit: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns 

49ers at Browns / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Cooper struggled with out quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 4, catching certainly one of his six targets from Dorian Thompson-Robinson for 16 yards, and it seems his troubles will proceed. Based on CBS Sports activities’ Josina Anderson, Watson will miss Sunday’s assembly with the 49ers because of his lingering shoulder harm. As an alternative of beginning Thompson-Robinson, Cleveland will flip to veteran PJ Walker, which doesn’t bode nicely for Cooper’s fantasy outlook.

Whereas Walker is an improve over Thompson-Robinson, it is unlikely he’ll have a lot success towards San Francisco’s formidable protection, particularly since he averaged solely seven fantasy factors per sport with Carolina final season. 

Different sits: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers; Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Tight ends

Begin: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders

Commanders at Falcons / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Quarterback Sam Howell has helped flip Washington into an efficient fantasy offense, which has led to Thomas producing like a top-12 tight finish when wholesome. On a per-game foundation, Thomas’ 6.3 targets rank eighth on the place, whereas his 45.8 receiving yards are the ninth most. With Atlanta’s protection surrendering the fourth-most fantasy factors per sport to tight ends (9.9) and the sixth-fewest factors to wideouts (85.1), Thomas may emerge as Washington’s main receiver in Week 6.

Different begins: Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers; Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears 

Sit: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Cardinals at Rams / 4:25 ET Sunday

Whereas the Rams common the second-most passing makes an attempt per sport (40.6), it would not appear as if there are sufficient targets obtainable to maintain Higbee fantasy related in gentle of Cooper Kupp’s return and Puka Nacua’s rise to stardom. Final week, Higbee earned three targets, hauling in two of them for simply 20 yards. Arizona has quietly excelled at defending tight ends, giving up the third-fewest fantasy factors per sport (3.9), and with out receiving a excessive quantity of targets, Higbee is simply too dangerous to depend on. 

Different sits: Darren Waller, New York Giants; Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans