Ten Things We Learned In Week 6 (Fantasy Football)
Here we are with another week of fantasy football wrapping up. Week 6 has ended, and we were left with some big-time performances by players we didn’t see coming. We also saw the Bills face off against the Chiefs, which always seems to be a fantastic game. Fantasy managers love these matchups with high-scoring offenses like that, and they are typically fantasy gold mines. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the biggest storylines from the games and what we learned in Week 6.
1. Kenneth Walker Is Going To Be A Stud
Last week in this article, we discussed how Kenneth Walker would be getting an opportunity due to Rashaad Penny‘s season-ending injury. Walker made the most of his opportunity and looked fantastic. He rushed 21 times for 97 yards and a touchdown and caught 2-of-3 targets for 13 yards. Walker looks like he could be a top-12 running back in 2022 with how he played in Week 6. The Seattle Seahawks‘ offense is much better than anticipated, and Walker is living up to the hype, which is a beautiful combination for fantasy purposes.
2. The Packers’ Running Back Duo Are Busts
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon had a ton of hype coming into the season. Everyone thought that with Davante Adams‘ departure, Jones and Dillon would dominate targets, but that just has not been the case. Dillon only scored double-digit fantasy points one time which was in Week 1. Jones blew up in Week 2 but has struggled to produce double-digit fantasy points, as he has only done so in 2-of-6 games. Jones had the higher draft capital, but Dillon was going relatively high too, so it’s safe to say both are busts this year. Jones is the safer play as we advance through the year, but until he gets more active in the passing game, he will likely disappoint fantasy managers.
3. Cam Akers Is Likely Done With The Rams
A report has emerged that Cam Akers likely will not play another down for the Rams, and they are actively trying to trade him. That leaves Darrell Henderson as the primary back, but an old favorite Rams’ running back has returned to vulture more fantasy points. Malcolm Brown has returned, and both running backs may still be hard to trust in fantasy lineups. Henderson is likely a low-end RB2, and he had 12 carries to Brown’s seven in Week 6. As for Akers, if he is traded, he likely won’t be a great fantasy asset. He couldn’t get it done with the Rams, one of the best offenses in the league. I don’t expect him to do well and would try to move him if he is traded and his perceived value goes up.
4. J.K. Dobbins Cannot Be Trusted In Lineups
Just a few weeks ago, I wrote in this article series that J.K. Dobbins could once again be trusted in fantasy lineups. Week 6 was a different story, as Dobbins may have had some issues with his surgically repaired knee, causing him to sit for the entire second half. Kenyan Drake was heavily utilized and produced 119 rushing yards with a touchdown and added a reception for eight yards. Drake is also not someone you would want in your lineup, but he may be more trusted than Dobbins until proven otherwise.
5. It’s Time To Move On From JuJu If Possible
Week 6 was finally the week that JuJu Smith-Schuster had a good game. He caught 5-of-5 targets for 113 yards with a touchdown and is currently the WR7 on the week. Now may be the time to sell if possible, as he still isn’t seeing the volume to sustain great fantasy play. The ball will still be spread around in Kansas City with Travis Kelce as the first option, so it will be impossible to predict when JuJu’s good games will happen. Try to get rid of him if you can.
6. Chris Godwin Is Dominating Targets
In Week 6, Chris Godwin caught 6-of-12 targets for 95 yards, dominating with a 32.4% target share. When healthy, Godwin is typically a target hog, and he seems to be trending that way after dealing with some injuries early in the year. He may be a buy-low candidate if you can get him. The offense is still going to throw a lot, and he is a favorite target of Tom Brady. Godwin is likely a high-end WR2 but can easily finish as a top-12 WR in points per game at the season’s end.
7. The Jaguars Running Back Rotation Will Cause Headaches
The Jaguars have two talented running backs, as Travis Etienne and James Robinson have positively impacted the team. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, they are capping one another’s ceiling. Etienne has looked explosive but has yet to score a touchdown or remain consistently involved in the passing game. Robinson started the year off hot but scored six or fewer fantasy points in three straight weeks. You add in the fact that Trevor Lawrence vultured two rushing touchdowns, and that Jamycal Hasty also broke a long touchdown run, and fantasy managers are left disappointed. Etienne has looked like the best back on the team, but it’s still hard to trust him in your lineup. Etienne and Robinson are likely RB2s at this point but still carry upside.
8. Miles Sanders Was Wrong About Miles Sanders
During the off-season, Miles Sanders told fantasy managers not to draft him. After scoring zero touchdowns last season, most fantasy managers agreed it would be best to avoid him in drafts. We were all wrong about Sanders; he has been an excellent value. Sanders has at least 15 rushing attempts in all but one game this season. He is also producing with the opportunities and, most importantly, is scoring touchdowns. The fear was that Jalen Hurts would steal opportunities again, but Sanders has been getting more work at the goal line and has capitalized. Due to an almost non-existent role in the passing game, his ceiling is limited, but he is an excellent play in fantasy lineups as an RB2.
9. The Jets’ Wide Receivers Are Hard To Trust
The New York Jets only attempted 18 passes in Week 6. Garrett Wilson led the wide receiving core with five targets and Corey Davis had four. Elijah Moore was not targeted in the game. Davis has been the most consistent producer for fantasy, while Wilson offers the most upside. Elijah Moore can likely be dropped if needed. After an incredible rookie year last season, he has yet to break double-digit fantasy points in 2022. The Jets have a tough schedule for wide receivers in the upcoming weeks, and none of these receivers can be played confidently in fantasy lineups.
10. Deon Jackson Is A Great Handcuff
With Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines both out due to injuries, the Colts called upon Deon Jackson to be the lead back, and he delivered. Jackson is currently the RB1 on the week. He had 12 carries for 42 yards with a touchdown and caught 10-of-10 targets for 79 yards. Jackson injured his quad in this game and could miss some time. If healthy, he looks well worth a roster spot if you can afford it. He may be one of the handcuffs that need to be rostered as we progress through the season and is an auto-start if Taylor misses a game.