Has Ryan Mathews finally broken out? Does Rashard Mendenhall’s impressive debut make him a must use option? What should we make of struggling backs like DeMarco Murray and Chris Johnson? Let’s answer these questions and all the rest as we look at our Week 6 rankings:
- Arian Foster – Houston Texans – vs. Green Bay
- Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Dallas
- Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs – at Tampa Bay
- Trent Richardson – Cleveland Browns – vs. Cincinnati
- Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – at Washington
- Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers – vs. Denver
- LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Detroit
- Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks – vs. New England
- Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – vs. St. Louis
- Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders – at Atlanta
- Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Oakland
- Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – vs. New York Giants
- Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Tennessee
- Alfred Morris – Washington Redskins – vs. Minnesota
- DeMarco Murray – Dallas Cowboys – at Baltimore
- Donald Brown – Indianapolis Colts – at New York Jets
- Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Kansas City
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Cincinnati Bengals – at Cleveland
- Mikel Leshoure – Detroit Lions – at Philadelphia
- Stevan Ridley – New England Patriots – at Seattle
- C.J. Spiller – Buffalo Bills – at Arizona
- Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – at San Francisco
- Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – at Miami
- Willis McGahee – Denver Broncos – at San Diego
- Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans – vs. Pittsburgh
- Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills – at Arizona
- Shonn Greene – New York Jets – vs. Indianapolis
- Brandon Bolden – New England Patriots – at Seattle
- William Powell – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Buffalo
- Ben Tate – Houston Texans – vs. Green Bay
- Jackie Battle – San Diego Chargers – vs. Denver
- James Starks – Green Bay Packers – at Houston
- Kendall Hunter – San Francisco 49ers – vs. New York Giants
- Shonn Greene – New York Jets – vs. Indianapolis
- Daniel Thomas – Miami Dolphins – vs. St. Louis
- Bilal Powell – New York Jets – vs. Indianapolis
- LaRod Stephens-Howling – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Buffalo
- Alex Green – Green Bay Packers – at Houston
- Jacquizz Rodgers – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Oakland
- David Wilson – New York Giants – at San Francisco
Thoughts:
- Trent Richardson is quickly entrenching himself among the best running backs in the league. While his 303 rushing yards don’t jump out at you, he has added 20 receptions for 169 yards and has scored a total of 5 touchdowns. Taking on a Bengals defense that has allowed 7 rushing TD, he’s an easy Top 5 option.
- It has been a disappointing season for Darren McFadden, with just 201 yards and 1 TD over his first four games. In fact, he had one big game in Week 3 (113 yards and 1 TD) otherwise he hasn’t surpassed 34 yards in a game. The Atlanta Falcons are allowing 142.8 rushing yards per game, so you have to think that this could be a breakout performance. I would still go into the week considering him a RB1.
- Ryan Mathews had a breakout performance (albeit it one against a poor rushing defense), rushing for 80 yards and 1 TD and adding 6 receptions for 59 yards. It should be the start of a much needed greater role in the offense and, with another favorable matchup, he’s worth considering a RB1 this week.
- We just keep waiting for the Eagles to lean on LeSean McCoy, don’t we? He hasn’t been bad (437 yards, 1 TD), but it is hard to say that he has been tremendous either. That said, he has as much, if not more, upside then anyone in the league. Despite the disappointment, keep that in mind.
- Did anyone think Donald Brown would be a borderline RB1 at any point during the NFL season? While the overall numbers aren’t great, he’s taking on a Jets defense that almost appears to have mailed it in. At this point it is easy to consider him a must use option for the coming week.
- You have to think that this could be the week that both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson right the ship… Maybe… It would be nice if the Bills would give an indication of who the lead back would be. I prefer Spiller, since he is the more explosive of the two, but they will likely just share carries, limiting the upside of both of them.
- It didn’t take long for Rashard Mendenhall to emerge as a good play, did it? He picked up 81 yards and 1 TD in his return to the lineup and now takes on a Titans defense that is allowing 144.2 rushing yards per game, as well as 6 TD. Unless you are loaded with other options he is a must use option this week.
- Ahmad Bradshaw is coming off a monster game and has seemingly entrenched himself once again as the lead back. Unfortunately he faces one of the best rushing defenses in the league, which is going to limit his potential, and could lose a few touches to David Wilson. Consider him a low-end RB2/FLEX option.
- Chris Johnson?!?! Ugh! Poor performance + tough matchup equals an option that’s hard to trust.
- With Cedric Benson hurt, I would expect the Packers to use more of a rotation in the backfield. While James Starks is the one I would prefer to own, none of the options are very intriguing.
- The Arizona Cardinals lost Ryan Williams for the season, leaving LaRod Stephens-Howling & William Powell to share carries. However, there’s a good chance that neither get enough touches to make us pay attention. They are more of a FLEX option at this point, and that’s because they have an extremely favorable matchup.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 6 rankings:
Need some advice.. standard league, 2RB/2WR/1FLEX.
RBs: Gore, Spiller, MJD (BYE)
WRs: Cruz, Roddy White, Bowe, Andre Roberts, Lance Moore (BYE)
Not thrilled to have to play Spiller against Arizona defense.. would you pick up someone new to cover? Not much available.. basically William Powell or LaRod. My RB coverage is weak.
Bowe is usually a no brainer at Flex but with Cassel out would you take a risk on Andre Roberts vs. the Bills?
Also thinking about dropping Lance Moore.. Saints just have too many targets for him to be consistent. Available include: Denarius Moore, Heyward-Bey, Manningham, Andrew Hawkins, Kenny Britt.
Thanks!
Let’s take this one at a time:
RB – I’d roll with Spiller. I know it’s frustrating, but his upside is still higher than the FA options.
FLEX – I like Roberts, but I am still going with Bowe. Regardless of the QB, I expect him to make plays.
Pickup – Britt, Britt, Britt. He may not breakout this week, but next week….
Thanks! Will try for Britt when he’s off waivers.
One last question- if I were to also grab another RB for extra bye week coverage would you go with William Powell, LaRod, or James Starks? Andre Brown is also an option assuming he can play by the time I need him..
I’d probably go Powell
In my 10-team league, someone dropped Chris Johnson during the waiver process, whereas I picked up Jahvid Best as a speculative pick. I have Demarco Murray, Richardson, Doug Martin, and Fred Jackson as well…and am not inclined to pick up Chris J. Should I be?
Also, I just read that Donald Brown is out 2-3 weeks due to a knee scope. Where would you rank Vick Ballard?
Thanks!
News of Donald Brown being out for a few weeks. Where do you rank Vick Ballard for this week?
Randy – Ballard is a low-end RB2/FLEX option for this week thanks to a great matchup. As for Johnson, I would be all over picking him up if I could.
gmoney – As I said, I would put Ballard as a low-end RB2/FLEX option. He isn’t going to play on passing downs, but should get ample opportunities to run against a very weak defense.
Didn’t see Randy’s post. Thanks!
Need some advice on who to star.
2 RB and 1 Flex
RB: Doug Martin, Alfred Morris, Fred Jackson, Mikel Leshoure
Available WR: Jeremy Maclin, Pierre Garçon, Randall Cobb.
Thanks a lot. Just to let you know my starting WR are AJ Green and Julio Jones.
Also got Ballard at RB.
Martin and Morris are locks for me. Since I don’t trust any of the WR excessively, I am also rolling with Leshoure at the FLEX
WHat up. Wanna drop J Stewin’ on my bench for K hunter.Pull the trigger? also avail: B. Powell, hillis, starks, a green, blount. Thanx.
Davil Wilson and Andre Brown are also avail
Henrandez playing this week? id like to drop Rudolph for K Hunter
marc – Is that Jonathan Stewart? He has more upside then any of the other guys you are looking at. As for Rudolph, it looks like Hernandez is going to play. How deep of a league, though? Rudolph is at the point that you may be able to get something for him.
In a flex position this week (12 team non ppr) Jacquizz, Stephens-Howling, Bolden, Powell, Ballard, Hunter or Miles Austin?
Hey, can you help me a bti with my lineup this week? Its a standard yahoo league with 1 qb 3 wr 2 rb 1 te 1 k and 1 defence
QB: My options this week are Tony Romo or Kevin Kolb, with Christian Ponder being on the waiver wire so I can always pick him up. Romo threw five interceptions last game…. I still don’t know what to think of that, I have him starting, but its shakey at this point.
WR:I have Demaryius thomas, wes welker, and larry fitzgerald starting. My only other option would be to start denarius moore, but I think I seem pretty strong at WR at this point.
RB: This is the trickier part. I can start two out of Lesean Mccoy, Fred Jackson, Mikel leshoure, or Jackie Battle. First off, Battle is completely out of my mind at this point, having played him last week and him having an abysimal score. I’m starting mikel leshoure and lesean mccoy, but I could give f-jax the start and see where that goes. Your help is really appreciated on this call.
TE: I’m starting Owen Daniels over Brandon Pettigrew. This seems like a good call as Owens on fire recently.
K: Jason Hanson
K:Having the Giants defence I picked up Seattle, but playing Brady, I’m not sure about them. I could pick up Miami right now, but I dont know who to drop at this point. This is where I really need your advice.
Thanks in advance.
Someone snapped up the Miami defence while I was deciding, so now the next highest option would be the chargers. Seattle at home vs Brady or San Diego vs Denver. My other option would be giants vs San Francisco which doesn’t seem like a great matchup to me. Thanks
Ted – Since I don’t fully trust any of the RB, I would go Miles Austin. If you were determined to use a RB, though, it would be Ballard against a very weak Jets defense.
Sean – Let’s take this one at a time:
QB – Who would’ve thought this would be close?!?! I’d stick with Romo, as he still has the higher upside, but Kolb would be my second choice
WR – Yep, stay the course here
RB – For me it’s McCoy & Leshoure, I just don’t trust Fred Jackson enough at this point. I could easily see Spiller getting more opportunities.
TE – Agreed
Def – I don’t love ant of them, so flip a coin unfortunately
For week 6 I am not sure who to start for RB and WR position. I can either start 3 WR 1 RB or 2 WR and 2 RB. This is my roster. Cruz and Murray playing tough opponent so I am really confused. All i know is I am staring Demaryius Thomas. Thanks for the help
WR:
Cruz
Dez Bryant
Demaryius Thomas
James Jones (Green Bay)
RB
Ray Rice
Demarco Murray
I have 4 RB and need to choose two: DeMarco Murray, Willis McGahee, Mikel Leshoure, and Vick Ballard. Any suggestions on who to start? Ballard and Murray may have the best matchups, but would they be the wise plays?
Thanks
vish – I’d go with Thomas & Cruz, then the two RB. While Murray has struggled, he has a higher ceiling then theo ther two.
Ddschmidt – I’d go Murray & Leshoure. Balalrd has a good matchup, but he’s a complete unknown. I’d rather go “safer”, but if you are a risky fellow then swap Ballard with Leshoure.
Need Help sorting this out.
Shonn Greene against IND or Jeremy Maclin against DET for Flex
I wouldn’t trust Grene as far as I could throw him. Not that Maclin is a lock, but I think I would go with him. Won’t be surprised t see Bilal Powell play an even larger role this week.
It’s close enough that I would understand using Greene, just have no faith in him
Need some advice at Flex(rb,wr,te)..
12-team PPR..
1 point for every 2 Rush Atts, Plus a 2 point bonus @ 100+ RuYd. Reciever’s get a 3 point bonus @ 100+ ReYd..
I have mjd on bye and amendola is out unfortunatly,so i’m left with Josh Gordon, Alex Green, and Jacob Tamme. Who do you suggest Doc?
I just don’t know that I trust Green enough to slide him in there.
Tamme is tough to trust, also, given the other options that Denver has, but is the “safest” play.
Given the injuries and the matchups, I would say Gordon has the highest upside but is a huge risk.
I need to start 2 RB’s. Who should I start out of the 3
This week?
Demarco Murray, Darren McFadden, or Vick Ballard?
Its a PPR league. I’m leaning toward McFadden and Ballard. Any suggestions?
Do I pull the trigger on a Mendenhall for Chris Johnson trade? (I’d get Johnson) Buy low right??
Sam2Go – I would still go McFadden & Murray. I know the Jets are terrible, and I like Ballard, but more as a FLEX option. There’s upside, but he is a complete unknown. (That said, Ballard is a high risk, high reward option so if your gut is telling you to use him, he is a viable option.)
Nemo – I would do it. Johnson is definitely a better long-term option, especially for the next two weeks.
Shonn Greene or Vick Ballard as a bye week replacement?
I don’t trust Greene at all. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I’d go Ballard.