Every week, I share some of my favored choices and players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the 2022 fantasy football season.
We feature players that you should lean to in tough calls, and guys who may exceed expectations this week are also highlighted, so you can feel even more confident about starting them.
Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings. When considering each player for your lineup, check my rankings to see exactly where they are positioned when compared to your other possible lineup choices.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 6
Darrell Henderson
With Cam Akers ruled out for Week 6, Henderson becomes the lead RB for the Rams in a game they should dominate on their way to chalking up a much-needed win. Henderson has only 138 rushing yards this season and 68 receiving yards. But he will obviously not have to work in a timeshare with Akers this week, so he should at least post respectable fantasy yardage totals and get into the end zone, even if Malcolm Brown notches a TD too.
Carolina has allowed the 26th-most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs, and the Panthers' defense will likely spend a lot of time on the field this week. Henderson should be started as an RB2 or get the call in most tight decisions as a flex option. His anticipated heavier amount of touches will give him an edge over other uncertain starting choices. Henderson will supply a decent statistical floor this week and he has a bit of upside based on dual-threat potential.
Kenneth Walker III
The Seahawks’ second-round rookie rushed for 88 yards and raced 69 yards for his first career NFL TD in Week 6. This is the week where his breakout stretch begins. Walker has provided some other glimpses of his considerable upside, including a 21-yard run in Week 3 in which he made some nifty lateral moves to make defenders miss.
Electric 21 yard run by Kenneth Walker! #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/Jt0QXZhm59
— Pro Football Culture (@proftblculture) September 25, 2022
Arizona ranks sixth in rushing yards allowed to running backs, but Walker can flourish with more regular work. Once he gets into a rhythm as a runner, he will prove to be dynamic. Walker can hit a hole quickly and evade defenders in short space, and he can also take off for a big gain as he did last week. He will be the primary rushing TD finisher for an offense that has exceeded all expectations.
DeeJay Dallas is the main fantasy insurance policy for Walker right now, but once Travis Homer (ribs) returns there may be no clear fantasy backup to Walker. Dallas and Homer might split work if Walker misses any time later this season.
Travis Etienne
The exciting rookie is starting to show signs that he may soon emerge as a more useful fantasy option on a consistent basis. Etienne led the Jaguars with a career-high 114 scrimmage yards (71 rushing) last week. He has 75+ scrimmage yards in two of his past three games. This week, he gets a matchup to exploit against Indianapolis.
The Colts have allowed the second-most receiving yards to running backs (269) and are dealing with some key injuries to their front seven. Trevor Lawrence should be able to move the Jacksonville offense more effectively this week, and the Jaguars need to involve Etienne to add a needed spark to the attack. He is a quality flex option for Week 6.
Devin Singletary
In last season’s AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the Chiefs, Singletary rushed for a TD. As the Bills look for payback for the dramatic postseason defeat, Singletary should find himself in the offensive mix for Buffalo. He has 90+ scrimmage yards in his last two road games.
The Kansas City defense is vulnerable to pass-catching running backs. Rookie James Cook is not quite ready to significantly contribute to the Buffalo offense, and Singletary did have a nine-reception game in Week 3. The Chiefs have allowed the most receiving yards by far to RBs (350) and the most receptions (57) to the position. Singletary can be plugged into a flex spot in Week 6 if you don’t have another surefire choice.
Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 6
Jaylen Waddle
It’s hard to be optimistic about Waddle with Skylar Thompson at quarterback for Miami this week, but it’s also difficult to bench him because he does have a lot of upside no matter who is throwing the ball to him. Waddle will certainly deliver his best fantasy totals when Tua Tagovailoa is active. The two have a great on-field rapport.
Waddle has averaged 6.8 yards after reception this season, which ranks seventh among WRs. He can still take a Thompson pass and turn it into a quality gainer after the catch, so he should still be at least started as a fantasy WR3 this week. Waddle has 65+ receiving yards in each of two home games this season. He has a TD catch in two of his past three home games.
Chris Godwin
You may still be getting trade offers for Godwin. Unless the offer is definitely and clearly in your favor, consider keeping him instead. This could be the week where we see the best version of Godwin re-emerge. He is no longer on Tampa Bay’s injury report, and the Buccaneers’ WRs have a great matchup to take advantage of in Week 6.
There is positive momentum building for Godwin heading into this week, as he had six receptions in Week 5 and seven in Week 4. He has six-plus receptions in five of his last six games played. The Steelers have allowed the most FFPG and TD receptions (nine) to WRs and they are dealing with major injury issues in their secondary. You may see Godwin provide fantasy WR1 production in Week 6.
Devin Duvernay
With Rashod Bateman (foot) out again this week, Duvernay may see a good amount of quality touches. He is a potential upside performer and the Ravens’ staff appears to be devising more ways to get the ball into his hands. He had five receptions on seven targets and three rushing attempts last week.
Devin Duvernay has *5* receptions 20+ yards downfield this season.
Only Tyreek Hill and Chris Olave have more 😱 pic.twitter.com/IQMJSoGu7D
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) October 12, 2022
Duvernay has 50+ receiving yards in each of his last two games. He had a TD reception in each of his first two road games this season. In every game this year so far, Duvernay has a reception of 21-plus yards. The Giants’ defense ranks fourth in receiving yards allowed to WRs (670), but Duvernay can function as the No. 1 WR option for Baltimore this week and he may be able to overcome the challenge that the matchup seems to present.
Duvernay is capable of scoring or coming through with a big play from anywhere on the field, so he is worthy of streaming consideration.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Chiefs are still searching for one of their wide receivers to step forward as their true No. 1 playmaker at the position. JuJu Smith-Schuster has been a mediocre addition, and it is apparent that Mecole Hardman will never take advantage of an opportunity to be a larger contributor. Valdes-Scantling, however, is indicating that he might be able to move past the others as a preferred target for Patrick Mahomes.
“MVS” set season highs in catches (six) and yards (90) in Week 5. He has 60-plus receiving yards in each of his last two games. If he can produce respectable totals against the AFC’s second-ranked pass defense, then I may start to ease my skeptical approach toward Valdes-Scantling, who has never been consistent or dependable in the past. I would keep him reserved for another week and monitor the results.
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends
Trevor Lawrence
He will be up and down this season, but Lawrence should be an adequate streamer in Week 6. He had a season-high 286 passing yards last week. Lawrence is aiming for his third game in a row vs. the Colts. with 2+ TD passes and 0 INTs. He has 2+ TD passes in three of his past four starts overall and 0 INTs in three of his past four divisional starts. Lawrence is not an upside play for Week 6, but he can complement the rest of your lineup well enough.
Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk are on it again!!! The Jaguars are blowing out the Colts in Jacksonville!!! 🔵⚪️ 🐆#INDvsJAX#ForTheShoe #DUUUVALpic.twitter.com/hvy3t6o6ml
— Sportskeeda Pro Football (@SKProFootball) September 18, 2022
Daniel Jones
If you are digging deeper for a one-week play at QB, consider starting Jones against Baltimore, which is ranked 32nd in pass defense. He has rushed for 65-plus yards in two of his past three games and Jones had two rushing scores in Week 5. The Giants are thin at WR, but Jones may be able to post decent passing totals this week while adding to his fantasy line with quality rushing totals. The Ravens have allowed three rushing TDs to opposing QBs, tied for the most in the NFL.
Hayden Hurst
Hurst set season highs in receptions (six) and yards (53) and had a TD catch last week. He has TD receptions in each of the last two games. We have been disappointed by Hurst in previous seasons, but he seems to be emerging as a respectable fantasy producer with the Bengals. The Saints are sixth-best in allowing FFPG to TEs, but their defense may spend a lot of time on the field this week and Hurst can supply satisfactory fantasy returns.
Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.
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