Finding the right players to start in place for them, or managers working around the impact of injuries on the fantasy football landscape at the one-third mark of the 2025 season can be challenging.
Luckily for those pondering tough start-sit decisions for Week 6, the USA Today Sports staff has you covered.
The first round of byes in Week 5 is out of the way, which means some of the top running backs (Bijan Robinson and Josh Jacobs), wide receivers (Drake London, Rome Odunze and D.K. Metcalf) and even tight ends (Kyle Pitts, Tucker Kraft) return to action this week.
The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles treated us to an exciting ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup that featured a fair amount of fantasy football points from some unexpected stars.
If you’re still debating how best to set your lineup, we’re here to help. USA TODAY Sports has your guide to sorting out your fantasy lineup at every position for Week 6. Here are our staff start and sit recommendations for the rest of this week:
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 6 QB
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at Baltimore Ravens)
The Ravens are ravaged by injuries at all levels of their defense. Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton all missed action against the Texans in Week 5, and it isn’t clear if any of the latter three will return to action in the Ravens’ final game before their Week 7 bye.
All that spells a good opportunity to back Stafford, who has thrown for 375 yards and three touchdowns in back-to-back games. The Ravens have allowed a league-high 35.4 points per game, so Stafford could put up massive numbers just like Stroud did against Baltimore last week (244 passing yards, four touchdowns).
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at Miami Dolphins)
Herbert has posted three consecutive games with just one total touchdown, so fantasy managers may be inclined to sit him. However, the Dolphins are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season, buoyed by a league-high four rushing touchdowns to the position.
Herbert just scrambled for 60 yards against the Commanders, so he could have a higher floor than usual in this juicy matchup. He may also be required to throw more than usual, as the Chargers are set to be without their top two running backs, Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris, for an extended period.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
The Bengals have allowed 31.2 points per game this season, good for the third-most in the NFL. Cincinnati’s stop unit has also allowed 1,347 passing yards and 11 passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, which are also the third-most in the NFL.
That should position Love, who has posted multiple touchdowns in three of his four starts this season, for success.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Look, Young isn’t a guy you want to start in fantasy football often, but the Cowboys have surrendered the most FPPG to quarterbacks this season. Dallas is also one of four NFL teams averaging more than 30 points per game, so Young may have to throw often to keep the Panthers in the game. That could be enough to make him a solid streamer in Week 6.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 6 QBs
Justin Fields, New York Jets (vs. Denver Broncos)
The Broncos have allowed the third-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season. Only the Vikings and Texans have been better than them, and each is on bye in Week 6.
One of the reasons Denver has been so good against opposing quarterbacks: it has limited them to a league-low 15 rushing yards through five weeks. That’s despite facing the hyper-mobile Jalen Hurts, who had just three yards on two carries against the Broncos.
That spells trouble for Fields, whose legs are his biggest fantasy asset. With a lower floor, it’s hard to recommend streaming him in Week 6.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Tagovailoa has posted multiple touchdowns in four consecutive games, but the Chargers haven’t allowed more than a single passing touchdown in any of their five games. Something has to give here, and it feels more likely that Tagovailoa will be limited against a Chargers defense that has been stronger against the pass than the run.
Expect Sunday’s game script to benefit Dolphins running back De’Von Achane while Tagovailoa remains in the ranks of low-end streamers.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at Kansas City Chiefs)
The Lions have a stellar offense, which should allow Goff to be a quality fantasy starter most weeks. However, the Chiefs have allowed just five passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season, so Goff’s ceiling is lower than usual in the matchup.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 6 RBs
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at Baltimore Ravens)
Williams had his best performance of the year so far against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. ‘Thursday Night Football’ ended up as a loss for the Rams but featured two receiving touchdowns for Williams in a standout day.
There are few better teams to face as a follow-up to that than the Baltimore Ravens. This is a banged-up defense missing key players at every level; they allowed the Houston Texans running backs to excel on the ground with 27 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown as a group.
What the Texans couldn’t exploit as well against Baltimore was utilizing backs in the passing game. None of their running backs is anywhere near the receiving threat that Williams is for the Rams. Before the Texans game, Baltimore allowed an average of seven catches and 50 yards per game to running back groups and two total touchdowns. Williams could be in for another top-tier performance.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (vs. Chicago Bears)
As stated earlier, we’re no longer doubting Bill, especially this week. He had 150 total yards and two touchdowns on 16 touches against what’s been one of the best run defenses in the league in 2025 in Los Angeles. Now he gets one of the worst in primetime.
Chicago returns from their bye this week, and before it was one of the worst defenses when it comes to stopping running backs. In their first four games, the Bears allowed 171 total yards per game to opposing running back groups at over six yards per touch. Chicago’s last game featured rookie Ashton Jeanty going off for 155 total yards and three touchdowns.
Croskey-Merritt may not reach those heights because Chicago has the benefit of an extra week to prepare, but he should still be a starter in Week 6.
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Speaking of Jeanty, the Raiders’ top rookie followed his breakout game with a solid effort in a blowout loss to the Colts. He and the Las Vegas offense as a whole failed to find the end zone but he still racked up 109 total yards on 19 touches. That made for his second-best week in fantasy football this year.
He could be in for another good game this week at home. Las Vegas’ next opponent from the AFC South isn’t nearly as stingy a run defense. Tennessee is allowing the third-most points to running backs through the first five weeks of the season, per FantasyPros. Even in a wacky comeback win over the Cardinals, Tennessee still allowed a season-high 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Tennessee has given up nine total touchdowns to running backs through five games this season. With Brock Bowers’ status week-to-week with a knee injury, Jeanty will get a healthy helping of touches in Week 6.
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Chuba Hubbard missed Week 5 against the Dolphins and Dowdle certainly made the most of it. He was the top-scoring running back in all formats in Week 5 and could be in for another good game this week if Hubbard is still hobbled by a calf strain.
The Cowboys just allowed the New York Jets running backs to average 8.25 yards per touch in Week 5. That group racked up 189 total yards and a touchdown. Dallas has struggled to stop running backs in the last two weeks: 248 rushing yards, 180 receiving yards and three touchdowns allowed is one of the worst marks in the league.
Dowdle is a near must-start with this matchup if Hubbard is out. If Hubbard plays, consider Dowdle for a FLEX spot.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 6 RBs
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Pittsburgh enjoyed the week off as one of the early byes in 2025, but is rewarded with a home game against one of the toughest run defenses in the league. Cleveland ranks best in the NFL in expected points added (EPA) per rush, according to SumerSports. Even with a potential hangover from traveling back from Europe this week, they should still be a tough out for the Steelers’ backs.
Warren is also returning from a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for the Steelers’ Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Cleveland’s far from the easiest opponent to make a return against. Warren should be viewed as a FLEX option at best this week.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at Green Bay Packers)
The biggest news out of Cincinnati this week is the arrival of quarterback Joe Flacco as the new starter with Joe Burrow out for the coming months. That may pay off for Brown later down the line but it could be tough in Week 6.
Green Bay’s defense is allowing the fourth-fewest points to opposing running backs in 2025 through five games. Even with the shootout against the Cowboys on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 4, the Packers have yet to allow 100 yards rushing to any opposing running back group. An extra week of rest and playing at home could also make a difference. Brown’s stock is up with Flacco’s arrival but it’ll probably pay off more in Weeks 7 and 8.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Jacksonville capped off Week 5 with a comeback win at home against the Kansas City Chiefs, yet Etienne didn’t contribute much. His 58 total yards on 15 touches were his second-lowest total of the season as he failed to break 10 points in PPR leagues for the first time this year.
Things may not get much easier against the Seahawks this week. Seattle is tied for the second-best run defense in the league by EPA/rush. Yes, Rachaad White scored two touchdowns against them last week but that came by running behind one of the best offensive tackles in the league in Tristan Wirfs. Outside of those scores, Seattle allowed just 70 total yards on 24 touches to Buccaneers’ backs.
Wirfs is multiple tiers better than any offensive lineman the Jaguars have. Etienne’s backfield mate Bhayshul Tuten may have better luck thanks to his receiving skills out of the backfield but still won’t likely find much room against this Seahawks defense.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Detroit Lions)
Pacheco had another underwhelming performance in Week 5 with 56 total yards on 10 touches. That was surprisingly his second-best fantasy showing of the year with 8.6 points in PPR leagues. Things won’t get much easier in Week 6.
Detroit is tied with Seattle for second-best league-wide in EPA/rush allowed. In fantasy context, the Lions are allowing the sixth-fewest points per game to running back groups. Detroit’s yet to allow 100 yards rushing to a team this season and they’ve faced better rushing attacks than Kansas City’s current unit.
Pacheco’s weekly performances and the Chiefs’ general struggles to run the ball effectively have him in consideration for an indefinite sit. Rookie running back Brashard Smith is getting more involved in the passing game and could become a better option among Chiefs running backs in fantasy football.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 6 WRs
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
The Titans play the Raiders in Week 6, a team that has tied for the second-most receptions (70) allowed to receivers this season and has given up the fourth-most average fantasy points (39.66) to receivers through five weeks.
Ridley finally reaped the benefits of the chemistry he’s been building with rookie quarterback Cam Ward in Week 5. Against a Cardinals defense that also ranks among the highest in receptions allowed to wideouts, Ridley caught five of his 10 targets for 131 yards. He has a shot at another big day in Las Vegas for Week 6.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
For a third straight week and the fourth time in five games, Pittman scored a touchdown for the Colts in Week 5. He has another good matchup against the Cardinals’ defense, which has allowed the fourth-most receptions and seventh-most yards to receivers.
Arizona just allowed five catches for 131 yards to Ridley, the Titans’ top receiver, last week. Pittman and quarterback Daniel Jones will get a crack at a big day of their own at home, especially given the Cardinals’ defensive success against opponents’ rushing attacks but shortcomings against the pass.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 6 WRs
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
The Jets may be 0-5, but Wilson has had plenty of fantasy football success as the team’s lead wide receiver. Quarterback Justin Fields excels in getting the ball to his top wideout, particularly in garbage time, which often keeps Wilson in fantasy managers’ good graces.
This week may be different. New York is set to face off with a Broncos defense that is the best in the league at limiting opponents’ dropback success rate. The aforementioned Surtain followed Brown, the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver, on 91% of snaps and limited him to four catches for 40 yards last week. Given the Jets’ lack of strong receiver depth elsewhere, Surtain will be sure to track down Wilson all day and keep him from having a big outing.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins hasn’t tallied more than three receptions in a game yet and has only had one outing with more than 50 yards this year. This week, he and the Bengals face a Packers defense that will look to feast on the Bengals’ mediocre offensive line.
That sets up for an especially troublesome day for Bengals Week 6 starter Joe Flacco, who just arrived via trade and will still need to catch up on a new offensive scheme.
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 6 TEs
Tucker Kraft, Packers vs. Bengals
The Packers return from their Week 5 bye to host the struggling Bengals this Sunday. Green Bay is a two-touchdown favorite in this matchup and owns the highest implied team total of the entire week at 29 points. Scoring opportunities should be abundant for the Packers, and Kraft will likely be a big part of it.
Cincinnati allowed the most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2024 and ranked in the bottom three in touchdowns and yards allowed. They are on pace to do the same in 2025, already allowing the fourth-most yards, second-most receptions, and are tied with the most scores allowed to the position. Sam LaPorta just caught five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown against this Bengals defense. We can expect a strong showing from Kraft this week.
Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers at Dolphins
This is a deep league streaming option, so hopefully those in 10-team leagues aren’t searching for tight end help this far down the rankings. A rookie tight end is always difficult to trust, but Gadsden’s route share has increased each week, going from 28% in Week 3 to 50% in Week 4 and then 61% in Week 5. He’s trending up in an offense that will be without its two top running backs for the foreseeable future. The Chargers have a multitude of weapons at wide receiver but Gadsden could prove to be valuable in an offense that is expected to continue to air it out.
The Chargers are on the road against the host Dolphins, a team that has struggled to defend tight ends. Gadsden could easily find double-digit fantasy points for someone looking for a sneaky streamer this Sunday.
Zach Ertz, Commanders vs. Bears (‘Monday Night Football’)
Our final start of the week is a player who is a decade older than the last recommended start. Still, Zach Ertz is set up for a bounce-back showing in Week 6 after posting a goose egg against the Chargers. He had his worst showing in over a decade but an exciting matchup on Monday night at home against the Bears could be just what the doctor ordered for this grizzled vet.
Chicago returns from its Week 5 bye and will have fresh legs, but its defense has been questionable through the first month. The Bears are bottom-five in yards allowed per game thus far. There should be plenty of fantasy goodness on both sides of this matchup that has the second-highest projected total of the week behind the Lions-Chiefs matchup.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 6 TEs
Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Bills (‘Monday Night Football’)
Pitts has enjoyed an early-season resurrection after sky-high expectations as a former No. 4 overall pick. Unfortunately, the Falcons are coming off a bye and host the Bills on Monday night, and Buffalo has been terrific at defending tight ends so far in 2025. The Bills have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and the fewest receptions per game to the position overall (2.2).
Pitts was nearly entering must-start status but the matchup in Week 6 causes hesitation. Michael Penix Jr. is leading this up-and-coming offense, but a matchup in prime time is challenging for the 25-year-old quarterback. Make arrangements to keep Pitts out of lineups this week.
