Phinsider Week 6 Fantasy Football Rankings

Another week, another dismal performance by Miami’s offensive playmakers. Jay Ajayi, Jay Cutler, and Julius Thomas have all severely disappointed both fans of the Miami Dolphins and fantasy football players who expected more from an Adam Gase run unit. DeVante Parker, one of the few players who was putting up decent production in the Dolphins’ offense, now appears to be dealing with a minor ankle injury, which aids the outlook of the only other Dolphin who has been playing up to standards, Jarvis Landry. Where do the rest of the NFL’s most talented athletes rank this week in the fantasy football world?

Each week, I’ll be giving an updated look at where the top players at each fantasy position stand, with matchups and injury concerns taken into account. For the sake of continuity, I’ll only be using standard scoring when constructing the rankings, so be sure to consider that when setting your lineups.

Quarterback

1. Tom Brady - @ NYJ
2. Aaron Rodgers - @ Min
3. Drew Brees - vs Det
4. Matt Ryan - vs Mia
5. Alex Smith - vs Pit
6. Carson Palmer - vs TB
7. Carson Wentz - @ Car
8. Philip Rivers - @ Oak
9. Deshaun Watson - vs Cle
10. Matthew Stafford - @ NO
11. Derek Carr - @ LAC
12. Kirk Cousins - vs SF
13. Cam Newton - vs Phi
14. Jameis Winston - @ Ari
15. Trevor Siemian - vs NYG
16. Josh McCown - vs NE
17. Jared Goff - @ Jax
18. Ben Roethlisberger - @ KC
19. Brian Hoyer - @ Was
20. Jay Cutler - @ Atl

Matthew Stafford (hamstring, ankle) and Derek Carr (back) are two quarterbacks to keep a close eye on. Both have favorable matchups, yet are question marks due to injury. They appear on track to play, but could be limited if their respective ailments get in the way. Josh McCown is a good streaming option for those with quarterbacks on byes.

Running Back

1. Kareem Hunt - vs Pit
2. Todd Gurley - @ Jax
3. Leonard Fournette - vs LAR
4. Le’Veon Bell - @ KC
5. Melvin Gordon - @ Oak
6. Devonta Freeman - vs Mia
7. Lamar Miller - vs Cle
8. Carlos Hyde - @ Was
9. Jordan Howard - @ Bal
10. Jay Ajayi - @ Atl
11. Ty Montgomery - @ Min
12. Andre Ellington - vs TB
13. Christian McCaffrey - vs Phi
14. DeMarco Murray - vs Ind
15. Doug Martin - @ Ari
16. C.J. Anderson - vs NYG
17. James White - @ NYJ
18. Mark Ingram - vs Det
19. Jerick McKinnon - vs GB
20. Chris Thompson - vs SF

Injuries have played a key part in rearranging the backfields of many teams, a situation that surfaces each year in the NFL. This week, two key names to take note of are Andre Ellington and Jerick McKinnon. With unfortunate injuries derailing the seasons of the two superstars that previously buttressed Arizona and Minnesota’s offenses, Ellington and McKinnon will be asked to carry a significant load moving forward. Despite the presence of Adrian Peterson in the desert and Latavius Murray in Vikings country, Ellington and McKinnon are good bets to post a high level of production, especially in the passing game.

Side note: Jay Ajayi will absolutely be expected to play a key role in keeping Miami competitive in a game where few are expecting them to be, so I find it difficult to move him too far down. However, game script could hurt his changes at serious production if Atlanta takes off to an early lead.

Wide Receiver

1. Antonio Brown - @ KC
2. DeAndre Hopkins - vs Cle
3. Julio Jones - vs Mia
4. Michael Thomas - vs Det
5. Jordy Nelson - @ Min
6. Stefon Diggs - vs GB
7. Keenan Allen - @ Oak
8. Brandin Cooks - @ NYJ
9. Mike Evans - @ Ari
10. Chris Hogan - @ NYJ
11. Michael Crabtree - vs LAC
12. Larry Fitzgerald - vs TB
13. Tyreek Hill - vs Pit
14. T.Y. Hilton - @ Ten
15. Kelvin Benjamin - vs Phi
16. Adam Thielen - vs GB
17. Davante Adams - @ Min
18. Jarvis Landry - @ Atl
19. Golden Tate - @ NO
20. Devin Funchess - vs Phi

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ineptitude on offense, Antonio Brown continues to perform. The stalwart wideout is always Big Ben’s weapon of choice, no matter the down or distance, a fact emphasized by Brown’s 19 targets last week.

If you’re looking for matchups to exploit this week, look no further than Carolina’s duo of 6’5” receivers. Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess will be squaring up with a vulnerable Eagles secondary in what should be one of the better games of week 6. If Cam Newton can avoid sporadic play, Benjamin and Funchess could be in for a big game.

Tight End

1. Rob Gronkowski - @ NYJ
2. Travis Kelce - vs Pit
3. Zach Ertz - @ Car
4. Jordan Reed - vs SF
5. Delanie Walker - vs Ind
6. Cameron Brate - @ Ari
7. Kyle Rudolph - vs GB
8. Martellus Bennett - @ Min
9. Austin Hooper - vs Mia
10. Hunter Henry - @ Oak
11. Evan Engram - @ Den
12. Austin Seferian-Jenkins - vs NE
13. Vernon Davis - vs SF
14. Ed Dickson - vs Phi
15. Jared Cook - vs LAC
16. Jesse James - @ KC
17. Eric Ebron - @ NO
18. David Njoku - @ Hou
19. Coby Fleener - vs Det
20. Benjamin Watson - vs Chi

Boy, is the tight end position barren or what? Like I’ve mentioned in recent weeks, any team without a player in the top 5 at this position is struggling mightily to find consistency and is constantly surveying the waiver wire for a better option, with none to be found.

Health will be a key factor for two of the top fantasy options this week. Owners of Travis Kelce (concussion) and Jordan Reed (chest) need to have a plan B in place should their stars not be able to suit up. This week, I’d keep an eye out for Ed Dickson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. While some may accuse me of chasing last week’s points, both players are going into favorable matchups and could be in line for repeat success.

Defense/Special Teams

1. Denver - vs NYG
2. Houston - vs Cle
3. Jacksonville - vs LAR
4. Kansas City - vs Pit
5. Los Angeles - @ Jax
6. Baltimore - vs Chi
7. Philadelphia - @ Car
8. Carolina - vs Phi
9. Arizona - vs TB
10. Atlanta - vs Mia
11. Washington - vs SF
12. New England - @ NYJ
13. Chicago - @ Bal
14. Green Bay - @ Min
15. Minnesota - vs GB
16. Los Angeles (Chargers) - @ Oak
17. Tennesse - vs Ind
18. Detroit - @ NO
19. Pittsburgh - @ KC
20. Indianapolis - @ Ten

With Eli Manning and company missing their top three receivers this week, Denver is far and away the top defensive play, especially given that these two teams will be facing off in Mile High Stadium. New England and Washington are quality streaming options given their favorable matchups. Detroit and Pittsburgh, who’ve previously been safe starts, are units that I’d avoid this week given their respective opponents.

Kicker

1. Stephen Gostkowski - @ NYJ
2. Will Lutz - vs Det
3. Matt Prater - @ NO
4. Matt Bryant - vs Mia
5. Greg Zuerlein - @ Jax
6. Harrison Butker - vs Pit
7. Jake Elliot - @ Car
8. Ka'imi Fairbairn - vs Cle
9. Dustin Hopkins - vs SF
10. Brandon McManus - vs NYG
11. Robbie Gould - @ Was
12. Giorgio Tavecchio - vs LAC
13. Ryan Succop - vs Ind
14. Adam Vinatieri - @ Ten
15. Graham Gano - vs Pit
16. Justin Tucker - vs Chi
17. Mason Crosby - @ Min
18. Chandler Catanzaro - vs NE
19. Jason Myers - @ LAR
20. Chris Boswell - @ KC

It’s been tough sledding for a few of the league’s most established kickers. Justin Tucker has posted sub par production over the first few games of the season, but more due to a lack of opportunities than a drop in skill level. Mason Crosby has also disappointed owners, but his dearth of points can be more attributed to the fact that Aaron Rodgers keeps scoring touchdowns, meaning the team is foregoing the chance to kick field goals. If either of these players are starting for you and you’re looking for a change, I’d target Harrison Butker. The Chiefs have been an unstoppable offensive force thus far this season, meaning Butker’s leg has been busy.