Hungry for More: The Fantasy Footballers’ Predictions for Week 6
For fantasy managers fighting through the numerous bye weeks and injuries that are affecting rosters across their league, finding a player who can take a step forward can be the difference in keeping a team in the playoff race or suffering another loss to give anyone a belly ache. Luckily, the Fantasy Footballers are cracking open their menus to do the hard work and find fantasy managers a player who can help fill the empty void in your fantasy roster better than late night take out in this week’s Hungry for More presented by Uber Eats!
Each week Andy, Mike, and Jason are putting their seven herbs and spices into a pot to find players that have been marinating for a few weeks already and are ready to take a big step forward for fantasy relevance!
WR – Jalen Tolbert (DAL)
| Week 5 | ||
| Receptions | Receiving Yards | TDs |
| 7 | 87 | 1 |
Making the most of an increase in opportunity with Brandin Cooks headed to IR, Jalen Tolbert has Andy asking for seconds after his performance in Week 5. Tolbert set single-game career-highs in targets, receptions, and yards en route to a WR14 finish against the Steelers last week. With no Cooks in the lineup, Tolbert was an essential part of the Cowboys’ offense, playing 89% of snaps with 68% of them coming lined up out wide. What’s more impressive is that Tolbert has been highly involved in the Dallas offense all season, sitting in the top 20 WRs in routes run in the league, finally seeing targets and making the most of it.
This week marks another strong matchup for Tolbert to continue establishing himself as a real WR option for fantasy managers against Detroit. The Lions’ defense has allowed at least 30 fantasy points to opposing teams’ WRs in every game this season. Looking ahead though, Tolbert will have even more chances to contribute to fantasy lineups with all but two of Dallas’ remaining games coming against teams ranked in the bottom half of the league when it comes to fantasy points allowed to WRs. If Tolbert continues to produce, he may be able to be a fantasy option even after Cooks returns from injury for fantasy managers.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. Detroit, bye, at San Francisco, at Atlanta
WR – Ja’Lynn Polk (NE)
| Week 5 | ||
| Receptions | Receiving Yards | TDs |
| 1 | 13 | 0 |
It may feel like we’re taking the cookies out of the oven a little early, but Mike is looking for an increase in production from Patriots rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk. Polk hasn’t been overly productive this season, with his highest finish in a single week coming in Week 2 as the WR32. However, the change in QB in New England to rookie Drake Maye could spark new life in the Patriots’ offense, and Polk has established himself as the top receiving option in that offense. Don’t let the low numbers be all we’re seeing though. In Week 5, Polk had the game-winning TD called back so he could still be flying under the radar in most leagues.
The path forward for Polk may be a little rocky with Maye growing into an NFL starter, but Polk has seen 68% of his targets on the season over the last two weeks, so he’s clearly growing more comfortable in the offense and could be one of the top options to make things move forward. Looking ahead, the next two weeks for the Patriots present favorable matchups for passing attacks against Houston and especially Jacksonville. If Maye is the QB who was worthy of a top-three pick in the NFL draft, Polk could move into potential flex range for fantasy managers down the stretch of the season.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. Houston, at Jacksonville, vs. NY Jets, at Tennessee
TE – Kyle Pitts (ATL)
| Week 5 | ||
| Receptions | Receiving Yards | TDs |
| 7 | 88 | 0 |
Since Jason is out on churro duty, I’ll throw something into the pot this week with Kyle Pitts. Pitts has been teasing fantasy managers for years now, but it feels like he could be getting more worked into the Falcons’ offense as Kirk Cousins continues to get acquainted in Atlanta. Fantasy managers won’t be quick to forget the complete goosing from Pitts in Week 4, but that goose was sandwiched between two productive weeks from the TE where he saw a combined 13 targets that turned into 147 yards and TE9 and TE6 finishes. Atlanta’s offense has thrown the ball the fifth most in the league so far this season, so there should continue to be plenty of opportunity for Pitts to emerge in fantasy lineups.
If Pitts is going to continue his fantasy-relevant weeks, he’s got several matchups coming up that should give him the opportunity to do so. Pitts’ next two matchups come against defenses in Carolina and Seattle that rank in the bottom third of the league against opposing TEs for fantasy scoring. The biggest key for Pitts getting into true must-start territory will be getting more involved in the red zone where he’s only seen three targets this season.
Upcoming Schedule: at Carolina, vs. Seattle, at Tampa Bay, vs. Dallas