By Ryan Bologna
As we enter week six of the NFL season, fantasy managers will have to accommodate for players on bye weeks for the first time this season. With the Lions, Texans, Raiders and Titans off this week, it leaves some interesting decisions to be made. Here is who some of the top outlets recommend starting this week.
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith was the most popular quarterback on the waiver wire this week, and he’s popular in this week’s edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em. Smith has only had one truly bad game, which was against the 49ers in week two. He will face the Cardinals at home this week. Experts see Smith as one of the best streaming options.
Given the season Russell Wilson has had so far, it shouldn’t be a surprise that he is in the Sit ‘Em category for all five outlets this week. He’ll face the Chargers on the road on Monday Night. Experts also aren’t high on Matthew Stafford. Whether his elbow is playing into it or not, the Rams offense hasn’t looked great. Granted, they have faced the 49ers and Cowboys in the last two weeks, but it still hasn’t been pretty. It should be a bit easier for Stafford against Carolina this week, but experts don’t expect anything incredible.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Daniel Jones | Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Trevor Lawrence, Marcus Mariota |
| ESPN | Tom Brady, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers | Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Marcus Mariota |
| CBS | Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Carson Wentz, Matthew Stafford | Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Matt Ryan, Trevor Lawrence |
| Yahoo | Tom Brady, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers | Russell Wilson, Daniel Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo, Justin Fields, Matt Ryan |
| Sporting News | Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins | Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson, Zach Wilson, Matthew Stafford, Daniel Jones |
Running Backs
With the injury to Rashad Penny, Kenneth Walker III is one of the most popular running backs this week. As with his teammate Geno Smith, he was the most popular waiver wire target in his position group this week. Experts see Walker producing plenty against the Cardinals this week.
The Cowboys have leaned on their running game with the loss of Dak Prescott. But they will face the Eagles in week six, the best opponent they have faced so far. As most people know, Elliott shares the work load with Tony Pollard. Outlets don’t see a big game for Elliott this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Walker III, Melvin Gordon, Devin Singletary | Najee Harris, Ezekiel Elliott, AJ Dillon, Antonio Gibson |
| ESPN | Breece Hall, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jeff Wilson Jr., Miles Sanders, Raheem Mostert | Najee Harris, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, JK Dobbins, Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott |
| CBS | Rhamondre Stevenson, Jeff Wilson Jr., David Montgomery, Kenneth Walker III, Eno Benjamin | Najee Harris, Ezekiel Elliott, James Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Clyde Edwards-Helaire |
| Yahoo | Rhamondre Stevenson, Breece Hall, Jeff Wilson Jr., Kenneth Walker III, JK Dobbins | Najee Harris, Ezekiel Elliott, AJ Dillon, Rachaad White, Khalil Herbert |
| Sporting News | JK Dobbins, Kenneth Walker III, Kareem Hunt, AJ Dillon, Raheem Mostert | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Najee Harris, Devin Singletary, Ezekiel Elliott |
Wide Receivers
Two of the popular receivers this week are Chris Godwin and Jakobi Myers. Godwin is well-liked for the second straight week, as he faces the Steelers and should see plenty of work. Myers was another popular waiver wire target this week and has seen his role increase in the Patriots offense the last couple of weeks.
Garrett Wilson got a lot of hype early in the season, and it was warranted because he looked good. Maybe it’s because Joe Flacco is more comfortable throwing to Wilson than Zach Wilson, but if it’s not Wilson’s role has decreased over the last couple of weeks. The emergence of Breece Hall doesn’t help either.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Chris Godwin, Gabe Davis, Tyler Lockett, George Pickens | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Drake London, Garrett Wilson, D.J. Moore |
| ESPN | Chris Godwin, Gabe Davis, Jakobi Myers, Drake London, Rondale Moore | DeVonta Smith, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Terry Mclaurin, Allen Lazard, D.J. Moore |
| CBS | Christian Kirk, Chris Godwin, DeVonta Smith, Jakobi Myers, Alec Pierce | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Garrett Wilson, Jerry Jeudy, Diontae Johnson |
| Yahoo | Christian Kirk, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, Jakobi Myers, Allen Lazard | Jerry Jeudy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Garrett Wilson, DJ Moore, George Pickens |
| Sporting News | DeVonta Smith, Drake London, Allen Lazard, Adam Thielen, Curtis Samuel | Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jerry Jeudy, Romeo Doubs |
Tight Ends
David Njoku has been in both categories so far this season, but this week the outlets like him. He will face the Patriots defense. After a quiet first two weeks of the season, he has had at least decent production, with his best coming in week three against the Steelers. Experts see him continuing to produce as the season goes along.
Outlets clearly don’t like the Cowboys this week. They didn’t like Elliott earlier, and they don’t like Dalton Schultz this week. He has dealt with injuries so far this season and is facing a very tough Eagles defense. This might be a week to look elsewhere at the tight end spot.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | David Njoku, Taysom Hill, Evan Engram, Noah Fant | Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin, Hunter Henry, Mo Alie-Cox |
| ESPN | Tyler Higbee, George Kittle, David Njoku, Pat Freiermuth, Gerald Everett | Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin, Evan Engram, Will Dissly, Noah Fant |
| CBS | George Kittle, David Njoku, Taysom Hill | Tyler Conklin, Robert Tonyan, Mike Gesicki |
| Yahoo | Gerald Everett, Tayson Hill, Evan Engram, Irv Smith, Pat Freiermuth | Kyle Pitts, Will Dissly, Dalton Schultz, Mo Alie-Cox, Mike Gesicki |
| Sporting News | Taysom Hill, Evan Engram, Dawson Knox, Robert Tonyan, Irv Smith | David Njoku, Gerald Everett, Hayden Hurst, Dalton Schultz, Tyler Conklin |
