Week 6 of the NFL season is here, and with it comes the first wave of the dreaded bye weeks. Finding fillers for your fantasy football team are more important than ever. To keep you covered week in and week out, The League Winners are here to help you with any start or sit questions you have. Spending the week agonizing over who to start in your flex? Put your mind to rest and rely on us week in, and week out. If you missed last week’s picks, you can see them here.
Start
Jakobi Meyers, WR – New England Patriots (Thomas Christopher)
There are few WRs that are ‘QB Proof’, and Jakobi Meyers might be one of them. Last week working with Bailey Zappe, Meyers put up 7 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Meyers is one of only a handful of WRs north of a 30 percent target share. This week he gets the Cleveland Browns. Even if the Patriots offense struggles, I think the defense will provide them plenty of opportunities in the game. I’m starting Meyers in my fantasy football lineups this week.
Christian Kirk, WR – Jacksonville Jaguars (Harry Prskalo)
Kirk started off the season hot. The last two weeks he has cooled off, but now he gets to go against the Indianapolis Colts zone-heavy defense. The Colts have been giving up at least 17 points in five out of the last six games, and we know how the Jaguars play against the Colts. Kirk had his best game of the year against them in Week 2 and now he gets to play them again. There should not be a reason why Kirk is not in your starting lineup this week. I’m expecting this to be a big bounce-back game for the Jaguars WR.
Geno Smith, QB – Seattle Seahawks (Aaron St. Denis)
Geno Smith has been a pleasant surprise this season. I don’t think anyone could have seen him start the year the way he has. This week, Geno and the Seahawks get the 25th ranked Cardinals defense this week. The Cardinals couldn’t stop a high school football team from putting up 300 yards. I’m expecting Geno to feast this week.
Zach Ertz, TE – Arizona Cardinals (Jeremy Shulman)
This one’s not too complicated this week. Ertz is the TE4 in fantasy football, averaging 13 PPR points per game. He’s been incredibly consistent, with no fewer than 7.5 points in any contest. Excluding Week 1, where he was nursing an early injury, he’s averaging 9.25 targets, 6.5 catches, and 53.75 yards per week. Although the TDs haven’t come fast and furious, Ertz does have two on the year. Now, Ertz and the Cardinals head to Seattle to take a defense that gives up the most points the TE position in 2022 – and it’s not even close. With DeAndre Hopkins still out and rookie Tariq Woolen on the other side who has played lights out guarding the outside thus far, Ertz’s floor in this one is his season average. His ceiling could be Travis Kelce from last week; especially with James Conner on the shelf. It’s possible you have an elite TE and Ertz on your roster. If so, jam Ertz into the flex and expect him to smash.
Eno Benjamin, RB – Arizona Cardinals (Sheldon Hand)
Eno Benjamin is the man this week. Injuries to Conner, Williams and Ward will give Benjamin the start against the Seahawks. The Seahawks are allowing the most rush yards per game league wide. In the last three games they have allowed a running back to score 20+ points in Half-PPR scoring. He has rightly jumped up to the fantasy football RB21 on the week just recently. Start him with confidence over guys like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Melvin Gordon, and J.K. Dobbins who all have tougher matchups. Top 12 is the floor, I think he could push higher.
Sit
DJ Moore, WR – Carolina Panthers (Thomas Christopher)
I had DJ Moore on here last week, and I’m going to put him on here again. While Moore ‘somewhat’ proved me wrong last week scoring nearly 11 points in PPR leagues, I don’t think that happens again this week. Baker Mayfield is doubtful to play, and I’m expecting the Rams to have a bounce-back game after their sluggish start to the season. I’m shying away from Moore in my fantasy football lineups this weekend.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB – Kansas City Chiefs (Harry Prskalo)
Clyde finally underperformed last week, and he will again this week. He is going against the Buffalo Bills which have been shutting down opposing RBs. He is already losing his role, and it does not seem like this is a good time to start him. The only way he passes ten fantasy football points this week is if he gets in for a touchdown. If they shut down Derrick Henry, I imagine that this will not be a pretty week to start Clyde. Bench him in your leagues.
