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Drafting a dominant fantasy team is a great first step, but champions aren't determined at the draft. Teams that win in fantasy football often look much different than they did at the start of the season. Making the right transactions is important, and perhaps even more crucial is determining which players to start and which to sit each week.
Fantasy managers everywhere are wondering what to do with Bucky Irving, Josh Downs, and Darius Slayton. All three have flashed the potential to be mainstays in starting lineups, but can they turn this potential into consistent fantasy production?
Let's dive in and find out if Irving, Downs, or Slayton should be started in Week 6.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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Should I Start Bucky Irving for Fantasy Football?
Bucky Irving's career is off to a promising start. The rookie is averaging 5.6 yards per carry while sharing Tampa Bay's running back duties with Rachaad White. White, 2023's RB7, has been the only thing in the way of Irving becoming a fantasy starter. This week, Irving will get the opportunity to show us what he can do with the backfield to himself.
Rachaad White (foot) officially listed doubtful for Week 6.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 11, 2024
Unfortunately, Irving will have his work cut out for himself against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, who are surrendering the 11th-fewest fantasy points per contest to opposing running backs. On a more positive note, however, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be making his first NFL start for New Orleans on Sunday. Despite being on the road, Tampa Bay is favored by 3.5 points over the Saints.
If the Buccaneers get out to an early lead, they could choose to lean on the running game, even in a difficult matchup. Second-year pro Sean Tucker could handle a few touches but we can anticipate a busy day for Irving. Tucker has done very little on offense to this point in his career, whereas Irving has already proven to be a talented runner and capable pass-catcher.
While the Saints aren't an ideal opponent for Irving's fantasy outlook, his potential to be a workhorse back this week is incredibly enticing. He can be confidently started as an RB2 and comes in as the RB17 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Josh Downs for Fantasy Football?
The Indianapolis Colts' wide receiver corps has been an interesting one this season. Michael Pittman Jr. has had two solid fantasy performances but has finished with fewer than 40 receiving yards in all but one game. Alec Pierce has operated almost exclusively as a deep threat, making him a boom-or-bust fantasy option. Over the past two weeks, Indianapolis' most consistent weapon has been Josh Downs.
Downs, a third-round NFL Draft pick in 2023, has earned 21 targets and scored as the WR11 since Week 4. He has been reliable for a Colts offense led by quarterback Joe Flacco. Anthony Richardson was injured early in Week 4, and although he was tracking to play on Sunday, Flacco will be getting the nod once more.
Sources: Joe Flacco will start for the #Colts today at Tennessee.
Anthony Richardson (oblique) practiced all week and will serve as the emergency No. 3 QB. He could play if needed. But they want to give him another week. So, Flacco gets the ball again. pic.twitter.com/BxlRboHdLh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 13, 2024
With Flacco at the helm, fantasy managers can have much more confidence in Indianapolis' passing attack. The 39-year-old is completing 70% of his passes this season with Richardson completing a league-worst 50.6% in his four appearances.
The Colts are a bit banged up offensively, with star running back Jonathan Taylor, Pittman, and Downs nursing injuries. While Taylor is inactive, the two wideouts will suit up on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been the single most difficult matchup for opposing receivers so far this season.
With Tennessee's defense playing so well, it's difficult to view any Colts pass-catchers as must-starts. Downs should be viewed as the preferred one to play, though, as the WR31 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start Darius Slayton for Fantasy Football?
Throughout his six-year career, Darius Slayton has been an explosive yet inconsistent wide receiver. His best fantasy finish came in 2019 when he scored as the WR35 as a rookie.
Slayton is currently second on the Giants in receiving yards, trailing only Malik Nabers despite seeing far fewer opportunities than Wan'Dale Robinson. With Nabers inactive in Week 5, Slayton had himself a day with eight receptions, 122 yards, and a touchdown. Nabers is set to miss a second consecutive contest on Sunday, clearing the path for Slayton to go off yet again.
Darius Slayton week 5 (data found @MBFantasyLife and @FantasyPtsData)
28% TPRR
10.91 ADOT
73% air yard share
100% end zone targets
3.49 YPRR
2.75 YAC/R
37% 1st read rateHe assumed the Malik Nabers role and should be on 0% of benches this week. https://t.co/XLMbonxwkP
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 12, 2024
New York will take on the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been struggling defensively. Cincinatti surrenders the seventh-most offensive yards and second-most points per game. The 1-4 Bengals are favored on the road but this should be a competitive battle with a healthy amount of points scored.
With Slayton seemingly filling in for Nabers, it can be argued that he is the better fantasy play over the aforementioned Robinson, who catches most of his looks near the line of scrimmage. We have Robinson ranked slightly higher than Slayton due to the sheer volume of targets he is getting, but Slayton offers a higher ceiling as the WR27 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
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