Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 6: Alexander Mattison, Christian Kirk, Chris Olave

Week 6 is almost upon us and the further we get into the season, the more important start/sit decisions become. Your choices from here on out can make or break your chances of winning your fantasy league.

Today's three players all have different stories this season. Alexander Mattison was billed to be the lead back in Minnesota. He's done that, but not at a level that fantasy managers were hoping for. Christian Kirk began the year with a dud but has since been one of the most consistent receivers in football. Chris Olave, on the other hand, has done the opposite. He was living up to his star potential at the start of the season but has floundered following the shoulder injury to Derek Carr.

Should you start Alexander Mattison, Christian Kirk, or Chris Olave in Week 6? Let's discuss.

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Should I Start Alexander Mattison In Week 6?

Kirk Cousins is throwing more than any other quarterback in the NFL, which has kept the opportunities for Alexander Mattison low. But the offense will need adjusting with the absence of Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and the Bears are one of the worst defenses against opposing running backs. They've allowed the most receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns to runners so far this season.

In his first season as a lead running back, Mattison hasn't been terrible. He's scored double-digit PPR points in four out of five games and is sitting as the RB19 heading into the new week. It's passable but not exactly a high-upside RB2. His breakaway run percentage (3.1%) ranks 34th among qualified running backs and two drops (both in the red zone) have also lowered his ceiling.

The optimism for Mattison lies in the passing game. Both of his scores on the season have come through the air (including a designed screen inside the 10-yard line in Week 5) and his targets rank 8th at the position. There are 10.5 targets per game left vacated with Jefferson on the sideline. Logically, at least one or two may go in Mattison's direction as the Vikings rely on their proven playmakers. As stated above, that's where the Bears' defense is most vulnerable.

Mattison has been steadily losing snaps in the last two weeks, coinciding with the arrival of Cam Akers. That number dropped all the way to 51% in Week 5. It's concerning but not enough to panic bench Mattison in a favorable matchup.

Mattison is the RB18 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Christian Kirk In Week 6?

It's rare that this early in the season we get a rematch. The Jaguars played at Indianapolis in Week 1 and they'll flip-flop this week. Coincidentally, that's the only game this season in which Christian Kirk did not score at least 14 PPR fantasy points. Before managers sit him this week, Zay Jones (knee) was fully healthy for that game. He's now reaggravated his injury and will miss Week 6.

Since his Week 1 disappointment, Kirk is the WR13 in PPR formats. Trevor Lawrence has looked his way more often in that timeframe (4o targets to Calvin Ridley's 25) and the results have been encouraging.

The Colts, with slot cornerback Kenny Moore, are one the stronger defenses against slot wide receivers this season. It's not enough to shy away from the sixth-year wideout out of Texas A&M.

Kirk is the WR20 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Chris Olave In Week 6?

There are fair reasons to be concerned about Chris Olave. Since Derek Carr injured his shoulder, and running back Alvin Kamara returned, wide receiver scoring in New Orleans has tumbled. It's tough to earn a healthy share of the pie when Carr hasn't topped 185 yards in either game since his injury. His yards per attempt (6.3) ranks 28th in the league this season and it's his lowest number since his rookie year. As a result, Olave's yards before catch per reception is down 3.6 yards from his rookie season.

It's not just Olave's advanced stats that are declining. His actual numbers are like stat lines that you'd see on the waiver wire. The second-year wideout has caught three passes for 16 yards combined in the last two weeks. His Week 5 performance was salvaged by a touchdown and his target numbers have nearly been sliced in half. Olave's also dealing with a toe injury (although he has no injury designation this week). Couple that with a Houston secondary that is allowing the third-fewest points to opposing wide receivers and Olave is viewed more as a WR2 this week.

Olave is the WR16 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

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