What's up RotoBallers. Week 5 is complete and we hope you managed to secure the win! To celebrate, today we are bringing you our Week 6 fantasy football rankings to help prepare you for your Week 6 matchups.
Below you will find both PPR rankings and standard league rankings for Week 6, brought to you by Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Edward Gorelik (@EdwardGorelik).
Lead fantasy football columnist Edward Gorelik also highlights some rankings analysis for Week 6, broken out by position, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 6. You can also check out our 2015 fantasy football ranking dashboard, for more in depth rankings analysis on all positions including rookies and dynasty leagues.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Rankings - All Positions
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Week 6 Quarterback (QB) Rankings Analysis
By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)
Russell Wilson and Cam Newton go head-to-head in what will be a heated defensive battle. It's hard to imagine either QB managing more than one passing touchdown apiece (if they are not shutdown altogether) especially with all the weaknesses both teams currently have on offense. Add to that the shaky offensive lines both QBs play with and the fierce pass defenses they're both up against, and you've suddenly got a great recipe for multiple turnovers. I'd consider others options this week if you have them.
On the flip side, Brian Hoyer and Blake Bortles (assuming he's healthy) are both ranked in the middle of the pack but offer QB1 potential this week. These two QBs are in the exact opposite boat as Cam and Wilson--they've got great supporting casts but lack the skills required to take advantage of them. Still, both teams trot out weak passing defenses every week (Jacksonville and Houston rank 28th and 27th in passing DVOA) and don't create many interceptions (both are in the bottom eight for INTs) meaning they're facing little resistance. That's going to bode well for their chances of having an ugly, high-scoring game.
Week 6 Running Back (RB) Rankings Analysis
By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)
This is another one of those weeks where Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount both look like startable running backs. Let's set the stage: the Patriots have beaten the Pagano-led Colts in every single one of their matchups. None of the games have been particularly close either, as they've beaten them by at least 20 points every single time, and sometimes by 30 points. Belichick has had Pagano's number in all of their matchups over the last four seasons and there's no reason to assume that now, against the worst Colts team since Luck's rookie year, anything changes. The Patriots will get far ahead early on and then eventually start switching between Blount and Lewis as they run down the clock starting from mid-way in the third quarter. Don't be surprised if both RBs finish with over 15 points.
Another duo with the potential to perform is Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Although Hill's been losing snaps to Bernard this year, the Bengals haven't been afraid to use him whenever they've gotten ahead in games in order to pound down the clock, not unlike how the Patriots use Blount. Bernard has seen a resurgence thanks to the prolific nature of a suddenly fully-healthy Bengals offense. Against the Bills, both backs should see plenty of work since all signs are pointing towards EJ Manuel suiting up at QB for the other side. It would be surprising if the Bengals didn't get ahead early on and run down the clock all game long.
Week 6 Wide Receiver (WR) Rankings Analysis
By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)
I don't need to tell you to play DeAndre Hopkins, but I want to tell you this: he's on pace for 134 catches on 237 targets for 1830 yards and 10 touchdowns.
There's a good chance that Allen Robinson falls in my rankings as news of the severity of Blake Bortles injury comes out, but if he is completely healthy, the Houston secondary offers little in the way of stopping Robinson. Robinson has been able to get open on deep routes at will since the start of the season and Houston is just below average in DVOA at stopping deep passes.
Atlanta's been giving up over 100 yards per game to opposing #1 WRs this season. I'd say that bodes really well for Brandin Cooks, but I don't think Brees considers him the #1 option on the team. Enter Willie Snead, who is currently leading the Saints in receiving yards. Desmond Trufant is among the league's best right now at corner back, but like many of the other top corners he sticks to a single side, meaning you can place your best wide receiver away from him and take advantage of all the other weak corners the Falcons have. Expect Snead to be the one to see those weaker corners and put up another 100-yard game.
Week 6 Tight End (TE) Rankings Analysis
By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)
The Panthers have the #1 DVOA against tight ends, allowing 27.2 yards per game to them. They haven't faced any good tight ends this season, and while Jimmy Graham is supremely talented he isn't being used often/well enough to be considered a "good" tight end. There's still a chance that the Seahawks realize they need to change what they're doing (since they're currently 2-3) and begin targeting Graham, but the Panthers aren't going to make that easy.
Get ready for Jacob Tamme this week. Leonard Hankerson and Julio Jones are currently battling through injuries and play on Thursday night, giving them little time to heal. In last week's game, when Hankerson left for parts of the first half it was Jacob Tamme who filled in, catching eight passes for 94 yards. If either of these two WRs are taken off the field to preserve their health, it should be expected that Tamme again becomes the next man up against what is currently the 31st-ranked defense in DVOA against TEs, allowing an average of 84 yards per game.
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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.