Fantasy Football Week 6 Expert Picks: Which Fringe Players Belong in Your Lineup?
The experts at FantasySP answer five questions in advance of Sunday in Week 6.
This is the best time of the sports year. The NFL is in full swing, MLB playoffs are rolling, the NHL started their season a few weeks ago, and the NBA begins next week. Football rules above all based on viewership and money, but it's easy for sports fans to feel their attention pulled in every direction.
That can cause fantasy football focus to falter, especially for those who are involved in fantasy and/or betting in other sports. Luckily, the experts here at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five questions pertaining to fantasy football as we head into the weekend of Week 6 of the NFL season.
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Which quarterback are you avoiding in Week 6 because of a tough matchup?
Morgan: Dak Prescott is one to skip in his tough Week 6 clash against the Packers. I trust Prescott and the Cowboys' offense more than what the Bears trotted out there last week, but the Packers have slowed fantasy QBs so far, and I'd be tempering my expectations for Prescott this week.
Daniel: Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye both have very rough matchups against the 49ers and Jets, respectively, but many fantasy owners will keep these guys in their lineups because of where they were drafted; it's worth considering keeping them out if you can, though. I'll highlight Justin Herbert as a must-bench player, both because he hasn't been very good and because he has a bad matchup against the Chiefs, who have allowed the sixth-fewest yards per pass attempt and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
How about a flex-level running back who should be in lineups this week?
Morgan: I like Tony Pollard to deliver pretty well in a very favorable matchup against the Colts. The Titans have been awful so far, but they should be able to keep the game close enough to see Pollard get a bunch of touches, and I think he turns that into a notable fantasy outing in Week 6.
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Daniel: Injuries in Philadelphia have decimated the backfield, leaving fourth-string option Dameon Pierce in line to possibly start this week. Saquon Barkley could be back, and if he is, then Pierce is a non-option in fantasy. Barkley hasn't practiced this week, though, and could very well be out again. If Barkley sits out, Pierce is in line for a good day against the Panthers, who have allowed the most yards per rush attempt and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Jalen Hurts is out, which could complicate things, but I'm still OK with Pierce in the flex if you need a guy and Barkley is out.
Do you have a wide receiver who has a good matchup and is primed for a big game?
Morgan: Mike Evans is a wideout I really like in Week 6. Not only is Deebo Samuel Sr. banged up and unavailable, but Evans also has a stellar matchup against the Commanders. I think the veteran wideout delivers big for fantasy owners, so get him in those starting lineups!
Daniel: Christian Watson is likely to be started in about every league, but his teammate Matthew Golden should receive the same treatment this week against the Cowboys, who have allowed the third-most yards per pass attempt and the 10th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Green Bay had a huge passing game last week against the Bears, and that's likely to continue this week against Dallas.
Give us a tight end who should stay on the bench this week.
Morgan: There aren't any high-end fantasy TEs that I'd shy away from just because of the lack of talent at the position. As for some potential starting options though, Atlanta's Kyle Pitts Sr. and New England's Hunter Henry have tough matchups on paper and are ones I'd shy away from in standard leagues, at least.
Daniel: Jake Ferguson set career highs in receptions and touchdowns last season in Dallas, but he has been off to a slow start in 2026. In a great matchup against Washington in Week 2, Ferguson had four catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Outside of that, he has averaged fewer than three receptions and 15 yards with one total touchdown in four games. He now has a tough matchup against the Packers, who have given up the eighth-fewest yards per pass attempt and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 6?
Morgan: Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are stellar options at wide receiver in their favorable matchup against the Cardinals. Both are already must-start wideouts, and they could both deliver monster numbers in this matchup, especially if Arizona can keep it somewhat close for most of the contest.
Daniel: I like where Morgan's head is at, but I'll highlight their quarterback instead. Matthew Stafford is on a streak of four straight games with over 300 passing yards, throwing nine touchdowns in that time (with five interceptions). The Cardinals might have the worst pass defense in football, and a Rams team with a losing record might look to come out and make a statement at home. Stafford should be in a lineup in essentially every league this week.
