Week 5 left us realizing the 49ers are the real deal, Christian McCaffery is not human, and have everyone thinking “Is Baker Mayfield a bust?”. There is a lot to discuss ahead of week 6 regarding who to start, sit, and pick up so let’s jump right in. Point totals are done in the basic ESPN PPR point format.

Who To Start:

Kyler Murray- Quarterback- Arizona Cardinals: Murray has been great so far this year as he is quietly a top 10 fantasy QB. Coming off a 25.4 point performance against the Bengals, Murray has another super quarterback friendly matchup against the Falcons this week. The Falcons have allowed the fourth most FPPG to opposing QBs and the past four opposing quarterbacks to face off against Atlanta have scored at least 20 fantasy points. Murray has the potential to go north of 25, if not 30, points this week in a super friendly matchup.

Chris Thompson- Running Back- Washington Redskins: Nearly a top 20 fantasy RB at the moment, no one has had an answer for Thompson yet. Against the Patriots, who have allowed the lowest amount of FPPG to opposing RBs, he was successfully able to still have nine points. Even though that is not flashy, keep in mind they were losing practically the entire time. Thompson faces a Miami Dolphins team that has allowed nine TDs to RBs in just four games this season. That is just embarrassing. Thompson is a must start.

DJ Moore- Wide Receiver- Carolina Panthers: Moore faces off against a Buccaneer team that is allowing a league leading 45.1 FPPG to wideouts. They are only one of three teams that also are allowing over 200 yards per game to opposing WRs. Moore, who is averaging 13.3 FPPG, had nearly 18 fantasy points (17.9) last time they played the bucs as well. The writing is on the wall for Moore to have a major day.

Do Not Start:

LeSean McCoy- Running Back- Kansas City Chiefs: The Texans are not a super tough matchup for opposing RBs (which is great for Damien Wiliiams owners) but McCoy has been held in check when Williams is in. McCoy is currently a top 25 fantasy RB, but when Williams is in he is held to just 5.6 fantasy points per week. As long as Williams is healthy and active, McCoy is a no go for me.

Todd Gurley II- Running Back- Los Angeles Rams: Not playing Gurley may be a little bit of a stretch in deep leagues, but if you have a viable replacement definitely bench Gurley. He has shown he is very TD dependent as he has not gone north of 65 rushing yards since week one, and draws a super unfavorable match up against the 49ers this week. The niners have allowed the second fewest FPPG to opposing RBs (13.7) and are yet to allow a TD to an opposing RB all year. Gurley will really need to find another source of points this week that is not TDs and I see him having a hard time doing that.

Alshon Jeffery- Wide Receiver- Philadelphia Eagles: Jeffery is having an average year when he has been healthy. He is averaging around 11 FPPG but this week comes up against a top tier defense in Minnesota. Jeffery has never really been able to get it going in his career against the Vikings as he has recorded three catches for 49 yards in his past two meetings against them.

Waiver Wire Pickups:

Gardner Minshew II- Quarterback- Jacksonville Jaguars: One of the biggest names in the NFL right now is Minshew’s and now he finds himself in the waiver wire add column. He is currently the 11th ranked fantasy QB, he is averaging 18 FPPG, and adds extra points with his legs. He is a great replacement for a struggling QB like Baker Mayfield or even if you have a QB in a bye week. He is only owned in 40% of ESPN leagues.

Chris Herndon- Tight End- New York Jets: The TE position does not have much depth at all. That means when you hear about the chance at finding a TE1 on the market, you pick him up. Herndon is just returning from a four game suspension this week and will hopefully return to the Cowboys game as early as this week (questionable at the moment). Herndon in his time with Darnold last year put up fantastic numbers and was a definite TE1 at the end of the season. He is only owned in 27% of ESPN leagues.

Chase Edmunds- Running Back- Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson is out with a back injury which could lead to Edmunds seeing some time as a feature back in Arizona. He is currently averaging an outstanding 6.7 YPC and is a great stash or flyer this week. Back injuries can be things that are on and off so in any given week Edmunds could see time. He is only owned in 13% of ESPN leagues.