Week 6 Fantasy Football Player Rankings

Week 6 Rankings               Teams on Bye Weeks: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins

QB’s:

1.       Peyton Manning ( Jac)

2.       Drew Brees (@NE)

3.       Aaron Rodgers (@ Bal)

4.       Robert Griffen III (@Dal)

5.       Cam Newton (@Min)

6.       Tom Brady (NO)

7.       Colin Kaepernick (Ari)

8.       Philip Rivers (Ind)

9.       Tony Romo (Wsh)

10.   Andrew Luck (@SD)

11.   Matt Stafford (@Cle)

12.   Nick Foles (@TB)

13.   Joe Flacco (GB)

14.   Russell Wilson (Ten)

15.   Jay Culter (NYG)

16.   Eli Manning (@Chi)

17.   Geno Smith (Pit)

18.   Alex Smith (Oak)

19.   Terrell Pryor (@KC)

20.   Andy Dalton (@Buf)

21.   Sam Bradford (@Hou)

22.   Ben Roethlisberger (@NYJ)

23.   Mike Glennon (Phi)

24.   Brandon Weeden (Det)

25.   Matt Schaub (STL)

26.   Carson Palmer (@SF)

27.   Chad Henne (@Den)

28.   Matt Cassel (Car)

Week 5 threw some surprises our way. Tony Romo threw for more yards than he had in the previous two weeks combined and added 5 touchdown passes to his total of 14 for the season. Geno Smith looked outstanding Monday night as the Jets beat the Falcon and Nick Foles stepped in for Michael Vick to secure a win for the Eagles.

Peyton Manning is playing the best football of his life and that is why he remains the number one quarterback. Drew Brees keeps pace with the record books and will deliver a performance to remember against the Patriots. That being said, for the Patroits to stay in this game they will need to deliver offensively. Look for Tom Brady will respond with big numbers this week after a poor performance last week. Gronk will only help his stats in the red zone. Aaron Rodger and the Packers are back to their winning ways, look for him to score often against the Ravens as the Pack Attack will look to help out their banged up defense by scoring lots of points. I think that Cam Newton, RG3, and Kaepernick turn the corner this week. Look for them to run early to set up the play action and passing later in the game.

Sleepers: Nick Foles and Geno Smith

The Bucs will test Nick Foles early and he will have to pass to set up McCoy and the run. I think that Foles steps up and passes well this week look for him to throw over 250 yards and 2 touchdowns. I don’t think that Geno Smith will play as well as he did on Monday but look for him to open up the field with his running ability. I think that he is a good waiver wire stash for bye weeks.

Struggles: Tony Romo and Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub is not much of a deviation with how he has played this season, but I think he struggles and T.J. Yates starts the second half only to do just as bad. If you had Tony Romo sitting on your bench last week you will certainly question yourself but don’t. You obviously have a better option and while Romo can post great stats sometimes he falls apart under pressure. The Cowboys don’t run the ball often which means it is up to Romo pass often. Tony is a boom or bust fantasy player so when he gets protection and can find his wide-out he is a top QB, but when he gets under duress such as with his pick late in the game he tends to make mistakes. Coming off the bye, I think the Redskins get the best of him this week.  

RB’s:

1.       Adrian Peterson (@Car)

2.       Matt Forte (NYG)

3.       Marshawn Lynch (Ten)

4.       Doug Martin (Phi)

5.       Jamaal Charles (Oak)

6.       Ray Rice (GB)

7.       Alfred Morris (@Dal)

8.       Arian Foster (StL)

9.       Frank Gore (Ari)

10.   Knowshon Moreno (Jac)

11.   Le’Veon Bell (@NYJ)

12.   Fred Jackson (Cin)

13.   LeSean McCoy (@TB)

14.   Trent Richardson (@SD)

15.   Willis McGahee (Det)

16.   DeMarco Murrary (Wsh)

17.   Reggie Bush (@Cle)

18.   Eddie Lacy (@ Bal)

19.   C.J. Spiller (Cin)

20.   Danny Woodhead (Ind)

21.   Giovani Bernard (@Buf)

22.   DeAngelo Williams (@Min)

23.   Chris Johnson (@Sea)

24.   Zac Stacy (@Hou)

25.   Maurice Jones-Drew (@Den)

26.   Stevan Ridley (NO)

27.   Marcel Reece (@KC)

28.   Brandon Jacobs (@Chi)

29.   Pierre Thomas (@NE)

30.   Darren Sproles (@NE)

31.   BenJarvus Green-Ellis (@Buf)

32.   Billal Powell (Pit)

33.   Andre Ellington (@SF)

34.   Rahard Mendenhall (@SF)

35.   Joique Bell (@Cle)

36.   Da’Rel Scott (@Chi)

37.   Ronnie Hillman (Jac)

38.   Donald Brown (@SD)

39.   Ben Tate (StL)

40.   Rashard Jennings (@KC)

Adrian Peterson is still the number 1 rb, look for him to bust some holes against a good Carolina defense. I think Doug Martin breaks out for a big game this weekend. The Eagles have struggled to contain the run all season and the Muscle Hamster is coming their way this weekend. I don’t understand the low projections of Alfred Morris this week. He comes to Dallas to play a team which he ran for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns against last season. Yes, the Dallas D has done well against the run this season, but look at who they have played recently St. Louis and Denver are not the best running teams. Look for Morris to come back to fantasy relevancy this week as the Redskins will find themselves in the playoff picture with a win a Dallas.

Sleepers: Danny Woodhead and Willis McGahee

Woodhead is jelling well with Philip Rivers and Mike McCoy said that he feels comfortable giving Woodhead 20 touches. Last week he got the very important goal line touches and gets looks from Rivers in the red zone. Look for Woodhead to become instrumental in this high potent offense and post career high numbers. Old Man McGahee still has some left in the tank. He plays on the Browns so his value is curbed there but he will get the majority of the touches and goal line carries. If he is available in your league and you need help at RB he is worth the risk.

Struggles: Reggie Bush and DeMarco Murray

Without Calvin Johnson last week, Reggie Bush was not the same threat he was earlier in the season. Johnson looks doubtful to play and even if he does, he will not be at 100%. If you have Reggie, look elsewhere this week. I like Murray and I think he is a good runner but the Cowboys don’t run the ball. His major value has been  in getting carries around the end zone, but if the Cowboys get behind early this week look for them to continue on their passing ways. 

WR’s:

1.       Dez Bryant (Wsh)

2.       Wes Welker(Jac)

3.        Brandon Marshall (NYG)

4.       Demarius Thomas (Jac)

5.       Victor Cruz (@Chi)

6.       Randall Cobb (@Bal)

7.       Calvin Johnson (@Cle) * If he plays

8.       Eric Decker (Jac)

9.       DeSean Jackson (@TB)

10.   Reggie Wayne (@SD)

11.   Jordy Nelson (@Bal)

12.   Anquan Boldin (Ari)

13.   Pierre Garcon (@Dal)

14.   A.J. Green (@Buf)

15.   Marques Colston (@NE)

16.   Torrey Smith (GB)

17.   Antonio Brown (@NYJ)

18.   Vincent Jackson (Phi)

19.   Danny Amendola (NO)

20.   Andre Johnson (StL)

21.   Josh Gordon (Det)

22.   James Jones (@Bal)

23.   Alshon Jeffery (NYG)

24.   Mike Williams (Phi)

25.   Julian Edleman (NO)

26.   Denarius Moore (@KC)

27.   Cecil Shorts (@Den)

28.   DeAndre Hopkins (StL)

29.   Steve Smith (@Min)

30.   Larry Fitzgerald (@SF)

31.   Dwayne Bowe (Oak)

32.   Vincent Brown (Ind)

33.   Jeremy Kerley (Pit)

34.   Hakeem Nicks (Chi)

35.   Justin Blackmon (@Den)

36.   Greg Jennings (Car)

37.   Steve Johnson (Cin)

38.   T.Y. Hilton (@SD)

39.   Keenan Allen (Ind)

40.   Kenbrell Thompkins (NO)

41.   Golden Tate (Ind)

42.   Austin Pettis (@Hou)

43.   Terrance Williams (Wsh)

44.   Emanuel Sanders (@NYJ)

45.   Nate Washington (@Sea)

46.   Kendal Wright (@Sea)

47.   Marlon Brown (GB)

48.   Santana Moss (@Dal)

49.   Eddie Royal (Ind)

50.   Reuben Randle (@Chi)

Dez Bryant will be the remain the top target of Tony Romo for years to come look for him to get big catches early on Sunday. I think Kaepernick gets Boldin back involved this week against his old team. Look for Boldin to see lots of targets including in the end zone. Randall Cobb will be a key part of the Packers offense against the Ravens, look for him to break some big catches and boost the YAC.

Sleepers: Vincent Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and Jermey Kerley

The Chargers are getting Vincent Brown more looks every week. Look for Rivers to stretch the field with Brown and for him to become the plug and play yardage wide receiver you need during bye weeks. With Owen Daniels now out for most of the season; look for DeAndre Hopkins to see more targets. The Texans like their young wide out and he should be poised for a strong second half of the season…and it will not matter what quarter back is throwing his way. If Geno Smith plays near what he did on Monday Jermey Kerley will benefit. If you need to pick up a wide receiver look his way.

Struggles: Terrance Williams, Kendal Wright, A.J. Green

Remember how everyone wanted Kevin Ogletree last season after week 1. Terrance Williams is better than Ogletree, but look for him to continue to regress on the season. Ryan Fitzpatrick shakes things up in Tennessee, but with a tough matchup against the Seahawks and a new quarterback don’t expect much out of Kendal Wright and this combo. I like A.J. Green; I just don’t like his quarter back. Until Andy Dalton figures out how to pass the ball against good NFL defenses look for Green to remain an elite wide out with a subpar quarterback. 

TE’s:

1.       Jimmy Graham (@NE)

2.       Rob Gronkowski (NO)

3.       Antonio Gates (Ind)

4.       Vernon Davis (Ari)

5.       Jason Witten (Wsh)

6.       Greg Olsen (@Min)

7.       Brandon Pettigrew (@Cle)

8.       Julius Thomas (Jac)

9.       Jordan Cameron (Det)

10.   Coby Fleener (@SD)

11.   Martellus Bennett (NYG)

12.   Jared Cook (@Hou)

13.   Brent Celek (@TB)

14.   Jermichael Finley (@Bal)

15.   Jermaine Gresham (@Buf)

16.   Jordan Reed (@Dal)

17.   Heath Miller (@NYJ)

18.   Garrett Graham (StL)

19.   Kellen Winslow (Pit)

20.   Kyle Rudolph (Car)

21.   Brandon Myers (@Chi)

22.   Sean McGrath (Oak)

23.   Tyler Eifert (@Buf)

24.   Delanie Walker (@Sea)

25.   Dallas Clark (GB)

26.   Scott Chandler (Cin)

Jimmy Graham is off to a record breaking season; look for him to continue that against the Pats and post up big numbers. Antonio Gates is back and better than ever look for Philip Rivers to continue to get him the ball and make sure you are starting him this week. I see Gronk making an immediate impact in the redzone, be prepared to see the passing game come back to New England. If Cam Newton plays well, Greg Olsen will be a top 10 tight end. Look for both of them to be on top of their game versus the Vikings.

Sleepers: Jordan Reed, Brent Celek

The Redskins are coming off a bye week. Look for their offense to come back to their last season form and post big numbers again. Jordan Reed and RG3 have connected well the first few weeks look for that connection to continue and improve this week and over the course of the season. Brent Celek has a new quarter back this week. The will Bucs blitz often and crowd the box, then Celek should be able to pick up chunks of yards on dump passes. I see him being a relevant tight end this week but with the QB situation in the air, his potential is limited.

Struggles: Garrett Graham, Julius Thomas

The Quarterback situation is clouded at best in Houston. Now that Daniels is out, expect Garrett Graham to see more coverage. While I like his upside I view Graham as a player with too much risk this week…wait it out till Houston finds their offense. “Orange Julius” Julius Thomas is a great talent and I had him on my team for a while till I realized that his potential will always be capped by the number of mouths Peyton has to feed every week. While I like his high upside…I do not see Thomas having a big week against the Jags. 

Kickers:

1.       Matt Prater (Jac)

2.       Mason Crosby (@Bal)

3.       Garrett Hartley (@NE)

4.       Steven Hauschka (Ten)

5.       Steven Gostkowski (NO)

6.       David Akers (@Cle)

7.       Blair Walsh (Car)

8.       Justin Tucker (GB)

9.       Robbie Gould (NYG)

10.   Nick Folk (Pit)

11.   Dan Bailey (Wsh)

12.   Phil Dawson (Ari)

13.   Alex Henry (@TB)

14.   Nick Novak (Ind)

15.   Ryan Succop (Oak)

16.   Greg Zuerlein (@Hou)

17.   Adam Vinateri (@SD)

18.   Kai Forbath (@Dal)

19.   Randy Bullock (Stl)

20.   Graham Gano (@Min)

21.   Sebastian Janikowski (@KC)

22.   Mike Nugent (@Buf)

23.   Dan Carpenter (Cin)

24.   Josh Brown (@Chi)

25.   Rob Bironas (@Sea)

Kickers can make or break your team every week. Matt Prater is the number one because he plays on the highest scoring offense in the NFL. I think that Mason Crosby will continue to post top numbers on one of the nest offenses in football...pick him up now before someone else does. I think that David Akers has a big week, if the Lions play without Johnson they will struggle to convert in the redzone if they don't then expect him to kick alot of extra points. 

Defense/Special Teams:

1.       San Francisco 49ers (Ari)

2.       Seattle Seahawks (Ten)

3.       Chicago Bears (NYG)

4.       Kansas City Chiefs (Oak)

5.       Cincinnati Bengals (@Buf)

6.       Carolina Panthers (@Min)

7.       Detroit Lions (@Cle)

8.       New York Jets (Pit)

9.       Denver Broncos (Jac)

10.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Phi)

11.   Houston Texans (Stl)

12.   Tennessee Titans (@Sea)

13.   Green Bay Packers (@Bal)

14.   Indianapolis Colts (@SD)

15.   Cleveland Browns (Det)

16.   Arizona Cardinals (@SF)

17.   Pittsburgh Steelers (@NYJ)

18.   Baltimore Ravens (GB)

19.   Washington Redskins (@Dal)

20.   Buffalo Bills (Cin)

21.   New York Giants (@Chi)

22.   New England Patriots (NO)

23.   Minnesota Vikings (Car)

24.   Oakland Raiders (@KC)

25.   St. Louis Rams (@Hou)

26.   New Orleans Saints (@NE)

27.   San Diego Chargers (Ind)

28.   Dallas Cowboys (Wsh)

29.   Philadelphia Eagles (@TB)

30.   Jacksonville Jaguars (@Den)

Defense comes down to matchups. A top defense will perform week in and week out and the best defenses of the week are the ones who can pick the ball. Look for the Lions defense to create turnovers and help the offense out this week. I also like the Jets defense. They may not be creating turnovers but that will come in due time. They play hard and have good young players at defensive back. Look for them to turn the corner this week.