Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 6 of the 2023 NFL Season

More premier players dropped like flies in Week 5. We’re here with the moves to make and the fades to take in Week 6. Here’s the fallout going forward…

 

Bears – 40 @ Commanders – 20

• With Chase Claypool moved on to Miami, the Bears passing game has pared it down to DJ Moore(8/230/3) and Cole Kmet(5/42/1) almost exclusively. I don’t know how long that will work as a game plan, but it looks like Chicago will milk it for all it’s worth. 

 

• Roschon Johnson left the game with a concussion in the 2nd quarter. Because it was a Thursday game, he’ll have 9 days to get right. Khari Blasingame had 8 carries for 26 yards as the backup to Khalil Herbert. 

 

• Curtis Samuel(6/65/1) continues to quietly produce for the Commanders. With back to back TDs in 2 weeks, he’s proving himself as a capable underneath target for Sam Howell. 

 

• TE Logan Thomas(9/77/1) led the Commanders in receiving on Thursday. A safety blanket for Howell, Thomas will look to continue his roll against a Falcons team that just gave up a big game to Houston’s TE Dalton Schultz.  

 

Jaguars – 25 @ Bills – 20

• Zay Jones(3/23/1) has had a tough go of it this season. His most recent setback came against Buffalo in London when he, once again, injured his knee. This could end up being a nagging injury for Jones, the kind that makes him an unreliable fantasy contributor. Already stymied by the addition of Calvin Ridley to the offense, Jones is becoming more trouble than he’s worth.

 

• The Bills couldn’t get anything going in the run game and had to rely on Stefon Diggs(8/121/1) and Gabe Davis(6/100/1) almost entirely to move the ball. Maybe it was the transatlantic travel. They’ll all have a much easier time against the Giants this week. 

 

Titans – 16 @ Colts – 23

• Tyjae Spears(11/69/1) continues to make inroads to more playing time, as he saw a season high in touches(11), contributing in both the run and passing games. Owned in only 25% of leagues, Spears’ arrow is pointing way up. 

 

• Chig Okonkwo(5/33) was 2nd in targets(9) behind DeAndre Hopkins(11), with Treylon Burks sidelined, but he did little with the extra looks. If Burks can’t make it back this week, he’s a fair streamer in PPR formats. 

 

• Rookie QB Anthony Richardson has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint and is expected to miss several games. He’s getting a second opinion from a specialist, but it may be a foregone conclusion. Gardner Minshew sufficed in his absence on Sunday, and he loves Josh Downs(6/97), so we’ll take it. 

 

• Zack Moss(25/195/2) went down swinging on Sunday, posting the best line of his career against the Titans, before Jonathan Taylor inevitably reclaims the backfield in Indy. The Colts would be remiss to bench Moss after this performance, especially with their star QB sidelined. I’d flex him this week against the Jags. 

 

Saints – 34 @ Patriots – 0 

• Kendre Miller(16/90) worked as the no2. Behind Alvin Kamara(25/97/1), with Jamaal Williams sidelined until at least WK7. Tony Jones Jr. has been waived, so the Saints obviously like what they have in the rookie. He’s worth flexing in PPR formats against Houston this week. 

 

• Mac Jones(12/110/0/2) has gotten progressively worse throughout the season, though his opponents these last 3 weeks have been formidable ones. Outside of Buffalo in WK7 though, his next 4 opponents are all weak defensively, so maybe there’s a little in the middle of the tunnel. 

 

• Zeke Elliott(12/38) out-touched Rhamondre Stevenson(8/24) in this one, but the Patriots were playing from behind all game. With Jones playing so poorly, I’d expect the Pats to reinvest in the run, meaning that both Elliott and Stevenson could see double-digit touches this week. All Pats pass-catchers should be benched for the time being. 

 

Ravens – 10 @ Steelers – 17

• Justice Hill(11/45/1) was one of the few bright spots for the Ravens offense on Sunday, operating in the passing game and surprisingly in the red-zone over Gus Edwards. With a stifling Titans run defense up next, Hill could continue to see more work as the versatile option in the Ravens backfield. 

 

• Najee Harris(15/40) had a few more touches than Jaylen Warren(12/79), but Warren outgained him on the ground and through the air. The Steelers have the week off, but look for Pittsburgh to get Warren more involved out of the bye. 

 

• George Pickens(7/146/1) had his best game of the season thus far on Sunday, but Diontae Johnson will likely return from IR in Week 7. I don’t know that Kenny Pickett has enough arm to dole out enough looks for both players to do damage. 

 

Texans – 19 @ Falcons – 21

• Tank Dell(3/57) was on his way to a productive outing before getting concussed in the first half of Sunday’s game. He’ll need to clear protocol before we can pen him in for this week’s tilt with the Saints. 

 

• Dalton Schultz(7/65/1) showed up for us in fantasy for the 2nd straight week, making the most of Tank Dell going down. Scoring a TD in each of the last 2 weeks, he’s an iffy streamer against New Orleans, but his chances improve if Dell can’t suit up. 

 

• Kyle Pitts(7/87) finally showed up for us in fantasy, but Jonnu Smith(6/67) was once again right there with him. Smith actually played 8 more snaps than Pitts on the day too. Neither is a recommended play against Washington this week, who has arguably been the toughest team versus TEs this season. 

 

Panthers – 24 @ Lions – 42

• Chuba Hubbard(10/35) out touched Miles Sanders(7/32) 10 – 7 on Sunday. I suppose you can blame it on the game script, as the Lions blew out the Panthers, but if we’re looking at this week, when the Panthers face the Dolphins, we could see similar usage. Hubbard is worth a look. 

 

• DJ Chark(3/42/1) outscored Jonathan Mingo(5/48) on Sunday, but Mingo had more targets and yards. Both are flex options behind Adam Thielen this week in what is sure to be a come from behind attempt against Miami.

 

• Craig Reynolds(7/52/1) had a decent line behind David Montgomery, with Jahmyr Gibbs sidelined, but the Lions were playing with a comfortable lead much of the game. Gibbs was a late add to the injury report Friday, and it’s unknown how long he’ll be out. If Gibbs can’t go, Reynolds isn’t an advisable streamer this week with less than double digit touches on Sunday and no work in the passing game.

 

• Jameson Williams(3/2) caught 2 of his 3 targets on Sunday, playing 28 of 60 snaps. It was a less than stellar reentry to game action, but Williams will soon be at least the no.3 WR in the pecking order. Look for his snaps and targets to go up week by week. 

 

Giants – 16 @ Dolphins – 31

• Eric Gray(13/26) led the Giants in touches, though this was likely an artifact of them playing at a deficit from the get-go. With Saquon Barkley likely to return this week, it’s probably a non-issue. 

 

• Little came of it, but Wan’Dale Robinson(6/19) was 2nd in targets(6) behind Darren Waller(11). The Giants offense stinks, and they’ll need all hands on deck to face Buffalo this week. Look for Robinson to get his fair share of opportunities then. 

 

• Both De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert have been listed as questionable with knee injuries after Sunday’s win. Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks are the next RBs up behind these two if neither can make it back this week. 

 

Bengals 34 @ Cardinals – 10

• WR Trenton Irwin got the 2nd most targets behind Ja’Maar Chase with Tee Higgins(ribs) out. If Higgins can’t make it back to play Seattle this week, Irwin stands to see double-digit targets again. 

 

• RB Emari Demarcado(11/57/1) led the Cardinals backfield in touches after James Conner went out with a knee injury. Knowing Conner’s injury history, Demarcado could be in for a start this week against the Rams. Go get him. 

 

• Rondale Moore(6/76) saw 3 carries in addition to 5 targets. If Conner misses time, he could also be in for more action as a runner and receiver. 

 

Eagles – 23 @ Rams – 14

• Dallas Goedert(8/117/1) reasserted himself as a top tier TE on Sunday, and with the Jets and Dolphins up next, both of whom are easy on TEs, he makes for strong starts these next 2 weeks. 

 

• It was Tyler Higbee(2/20), not Puka Nacua(7/71/1), who suffered from Cooper Kupp’s(8/118) return, as Nacua only had one fewer target than Kupp. Higbee on the other hand had only 3 targets on the day. Nakua owners can rest easy knowing he’s still a major part of the game plan. 

 

Jets – 31 @ Broncos – 21

• The Jets gave the ball over to Breece Hall(25/194/1) and came out with a win, so look for them to take the onus off of Zach Wilson again this week versus the Eagles top 5 run defense. 

 

• Tyler Conklin(4/67) has gone over 50 yards in 3 of his last 4 games, which isn’t bad for a streamer. As Wilson’s safety blanket, he’ll continue to get decent targets moving forward. 

 

• Jaleel McLaughlin(12/89/1) out-touched Samaje Perine(10/95) on Sunday with Javonte Williams sidelined. On a short week, Both of these guys would be fair plays against the Chiefs if Williams can’t suit up. 

 

Chiefs – 27 @ Vikings – 20

• Kadarius Toney(5/26) was 2nd in targets behind Travie Kelce(10/67/1), but it was my man Rashee Rice(4/33/1) who had the bigger fantasy day. Rice’s star is rising with a piss poor Broncos defense up next this week. 

 

• Justin Jefferson sustained a hamstring injury and is in danger of missing this week against Chicago. Look for Jordan Addison(6/64/1) to feast if he sits, while KJ Osborn(5/49) is well worth an add this week while we wait and see what happens with Jefferson. 

 

Cowboys – 10 @ 49ers – 42

• The entire Dallas offense came out flat on Sunday night, with KaVontae Turpin(1/26/1) serving as the lone bright spot in the offense, and it was only for one play – He also suffered an ankle sprain and is out for several weeks. The ‘Boys have a prime bounceback spot against the Chargers’ woeful secondary this week. 

 

• RB Jordan Mason(10/69/1) had a fine line against the Cowboys, but the 49ers were blowing them out by that point. He’s only worth rostering if you’re a McCaffrey owner, with a stout Cleveland D up next. 

 

• George Kittle(3/67/3) only caught 3 balls Sunday, they just all happened to be TDs. You kind of have to start him, but Kittle will continue to be inconsistent as long as he’s getting these few targets per week.