Welcome to Week 6 Start/Sit for the 2024 NFL fantasy football season. I will be publishing this article every week throughout the season to help you make your start/sit decisions.
Scroll through my top starts and sits at each position. I do my best to avoid picking elite players for “Start ‘Em” to make it more actionable.
Don’t forget to use this and our terrific fantasy football rankings to help you set your lineups this week.
Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB Start ‘Em
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)
Kirk Cousins came alive against the Buccaneers in Week 5, throwing for 509 yards and four touchdowns. The veteran quarterback will get another strong matchup in Week 6 against a Panthers defense that just got shredded by Caleb Williams. The Falcons have a 26.5-point implied total, which is tied for third-most on the slate, so there should be plenty of scoring opportunities. Start Cousins over Jared Goff this week.
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Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs JAX)
Caleb Williams is coming off his best game as a pro, where he threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, adding 34 yards on the ground. The talented rookie gets another exploitable matchup vs the Jaguars this week. Jacksonville ranks 32nd in fantasy PPG allowed to quarterbacks this season. Look for another spike week from Williams. I’d start Caleb over Justin Fields in this spot.
QB Sit ‘Em
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at NE)
It’s time to bench C.J. Stroud. Not only is the Year 2 quarterback averaging only 17.0 fantasy PPG (QB14), but now he’ll be without his top target in Nico Collins. Tank Dell hasn’t looked the same coming off injury, so this is a huge loss for Houston. Week 6 looks like a low-scoring game against the Patriots, which makes me want to bench Stroud for the likes of Caleb Williams or Kirk Cousins.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NO)
Baker Mayfield has been terrific this season, averaging 22.3 fantasy points per game (QB3). However, this is a tough spot vs the Saints, who rank 5th in fantasy PPG allowed to quarterbacks. Add in the fact that rookie Spencer Rattler is starting for New Orleans, and you have an unfavorable game environment. This has the look of a low-scoring divisional game. I’d sit Mayfield for Daniel Jones.
Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
RB Start ‘Em
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at NYG)
Chase Brown has scored 14.9 and 22.2 fantasy points in the last two games. Zack Moss is dealing with an ankle injury, putting his status in question for Week 6. Even if Moss is able to play, you have to think that the Bengals will lean on Brown more. This is a great spot against the Giants, who are allowing 4.99 YPC to running backs. I’d play Brown over Travis Etienne this week.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (at CHI)
Tank Bigsby suddenly looks like one of the most explosive runners in the NFL, coming off a spike week against the Colts where he rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 28-yard reception as well. While the Jaguars continue to say that Travis Etienne is their guy, the fact remains that Bigsby has been much better this season. We could see the Year 2 back get more work. I’d play Bigsby over Jerome Ford.
RB Sit ‘Em
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at PHI)
It’s hard to trust Jerome Ford given the state of the Browns offense. Deshaun Watson has been quite literally the worst starting quarterback in the NFL (now that Bryce Young is one the sidelines). Until Watson gets benched, it’s a good idea to avoid Jerome Ford, especially since Cleveland is using a committee.
Cam Akers, Houston Texans (at NE)
It looks like Joe Mixon is going to miss another week, but that doesn’t mean that you should start Cam Akers. The former Ram is using touches to Dare Ogunbowale, plus Dameon Pierce is likely back in action this week. Leave Akers on your bench this week — play a wide receiver like Rome Odunze for more upside.
Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
WR Start ‘Em
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs IND)
Calvin Ridley has combined for only 14 yards in his last two games, but the Titans have publicly stated that they need to get him the ball more. This is the ideal spot to do so against the Colts, who have a depleted defense that is getting shredded right now, most recently by the Jaguars. We just saw what Brian Thomas Jr. did to this defense, so we could see the same with Ridley. I’d play him over Keenan Allen.
Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys (vs DET)
Jalen Tolbert stepped up in Brandin Cooks’ absence against the Steelers, hauling in 7-of-10 targets for 87 yards, including the game-winning touchdown. Tolbert has a great matchup coming up against the Lions, who rank 29th in fantasy PPG vs wide receivers. Don’t be surprised if Tolbert cracks the top 24 for Week 6 once again. Fire him up over Jakobi Meyers.
WR Sit ‘Em
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at PHI)
Like Jerome Ford mentioned above, it’s hard to rely on Browns’ skill players with Deshaun Watson under center. Jerry Jeudy is coming off a dud in a good spot against the Commanders. Now, the Browns are heavy road underdogs against the Eagles coming off the bye. This has blowout written all over it, so leave Jeudy on your bench. I’d start Michael Wilson over Jeudy this week.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (at NYJ)
Keon Coleman is caught a 49-yard touchdown against the Texans, but that’s all he did for the game, as the Bills struggled to move the ball through the air. It’s hard to trust Coleman against a tough pass defense like the Jets this week. I’d fire up Tre Tucker over the Bills’ rookie this week.
Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
TE Start ‘Em
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NO)
With Marshon Lattimore likely causing issues for Mike Evans on the perimeter, look for the Bucs to target Cade Otton over the middle. It also helps that the Saints rank 22nd in fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. I’d play Otton over Mark Andrews this week.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (at BAL)
Zach Ertz only has 32 yards in his last two games, but this is a good spot against the Ravens, who rank 27th in fantasy PPG allowed to tight ends. It also helps that we’ve got a projected shootout in this game with the total at 51.5 points. I’d play Ertz over Cole Kmet this week.
TE Sit ‘Em
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs WAS)
It’s time to leave Mark Andrews on your bench. Not only has the production been minimal, but the Ravens are now even using a third tight end in Charlie Kolar. We simply cannot trust Andrews right now — it might be a good idea to just cut your losses and drop him. I’d play Zach Ertz over Andrews this week.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs JAX)
I’m projecting the Bears to have success with their wide receivers this week, since the Jaguars rank 32nd in fantasy PPG allowed to that position. That means less production for Cole Kmet, especially since Jacksonville is better vs tight ends (T-15th). Fire up Cade Otton over Kmet this week.
How to Make Start’Em, Sit’ Em Decisions For NFL Week 6
Use Matchup Stats
Check the team defensive stats of a player’s opponent. For example, if deciding between quarterbacks, check how many passing yards and passing touchdowns each opponent allows per game.
Check Injury Reports
Is one opponent dealing with many injuries, particularly to a position group?
For example, in 2022, the Eagles led the NFL with 70 sacks. If the Eagles faced an offensive line with multiple injuries, that could be a bad recipe for the opposing quarterback.
It’s also possible that an offense is beset with injuries, which can lead to more opportunities presented to another player.
For example, San Francisco RB Elijah Mitchell was injured from Weeks 2 to 8 and again from Weeks 13 to 17. Jeff Wilson Jr. was the primary beneficiary over the first span, while Christian McCaffrey took over after Week 7.
Check the Snap Counts
After every week, the NFL releases how many snaps (or plays) each player participated in. Sometimes, you notice a backup getting more and more playing time over time.
Watch the Games
Build up your eye for the game by simply watching with an attention to detail. Highlights don’t tell the full story.
Good players pop off the screen. They give the extra effort; they turn a 5-yard gain into a 10-yard gain; they make a defender miss; they make that spectacular throw, catch, run, tackle, etc.
Learn More About the Xs and Os
Who is on the field in a 12 personnel? What is Cover 0? What is the 3 technique? What is a route tree? What is outside leverage? If you don’t know the answer to these questions—it’s okay—but there may be some blind spots in your football knowledge.
Embrace these challenges and branch out by learning how the pros play the game.
