Week 6 has come and gone, and we’re on to Week 7, which for many figures to be the worst bye week of the season. Perhaps some of the breakout players from Week 6 can help fill your roster holes? The Heat Index will provide some context.
The players who stood out to us the most during Week 6 are listed below along with their prospects moving forward ranked on a scale of 🔥-to-🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Note: the positional ranks below are based on half-point PPR scoring through Sunday’s games.
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Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN)
Stat-line: 33-48 passing for 373 yards and 3 TDs, 16 yards rushing
QB Rank: 1
Analysis: Cousins had his best week of the season Sunday and has been pretty solid all year. As he’s heading into his bye this week, you may be able to capture him off waivers if you have the roster space for a stash and need a QB as we advance. Beware that his schedule the rest of the way isn’t great, though, so you may want to consider alternating him with another QB should he end up on your roster.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥
Wide Receivers
Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – CLE)
Stat-line: 4 catches on five targets for 101 yards and 2 TDs
WR Rank: 4
Analysis: Peoples-Jones had a monster game Sunday, thanks in large part to a 57-yard Hail Mary TD just before halftime. He only had four catches and 5 targets on the day, however. With Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE) slated to return in the next week or two and Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – CLE) healthy, Peoples-Jones snap counts could take a hit. Once this happens, it’s unlikely he’ll be a very consistent fantasy.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
Stat-line: 10 catches on 13 targets for 70 yards and 2 TDs
WR Rank: 5
Analysis: Waddle broke through with the best game of his young career against the Jaguars in London Sunday. With Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA) back under center, Waddle was targeted often, but most of his catches were near the line of scrimmage, and he averaged only 7 yards per reception. This is kind of ironic considering he averaged 21.1 yards per catch his last season at Alabama and is considered one of the fastest receivers in the NFL. In any case, he should continue to see a fair amount of volume moving forward and should be regarded as a Flex option in PPR leagues for now. With the struggles of the Dolphins offense this season, however, his upside may be limited.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥
Note: Shout out to former Heat Index mentions K.J. Osborn (WR – MIN), Christian Kirk (WR – ARI), Henry Ruggs III (WR – LV), who all produced in Week 6. Kirk’s had some duds but has been better than the one 🔥 we gave him after Week 1. Osborn and Ruggs are pretty much who we thought they were – sometimes booming and sometimes busting.
Running Backs
Darrel Williams (RB – KC)
Stat-line: 62 yards rushing on 21 attempts and 2 TDs, three catches on four targets for 27 yards
RB Rank: 5
Analysis: Williams’s performance wasn’t a huge surprise given the injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – KC) and the putrid defense of The Washington Football Team. It’s worth noting that it was better than any fantasy week Edwards-Helaire has produced this season. This isn’t a knock-on Edwards-Helaire, though, as Williams played more snaps and had more touches than he had all season as well. The lesson here is that one RB playing most of the snaps is better than a committee almost every time.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 while Edwards-Helaire is out, 🔥🔥 once he returns
Kenyan Drake (RB – LV)
Stat-line: 34 yards rushing on four attempts and a TD, two catches on two targets for 39 yards and a TD
RB Rank: 8
Analysis: Those who drafted and have held onto Drake this long were finally rewarded with a good fantasy day – although it’s unlikely he was in many starting lineups. A closer look, however, reveals he only had six touches and played only 12 snaps. His two TDs mask what would’ve been another mediocre performance, and his usage suggests new HC Rich Bisaccia intends to use him much the same way Jon Gruden did.
Heat Index: 🔥
Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)
Stat-line: 97 yards rushing on 19 attempts and a TD, two catches on 3 targets for 15 yards
RB Rank: 10
Analysis: With David Montgomery (RB – CHI) on IR and Damien Williams (RB – CHI) on the Reserve-Covid-19 list, Herbert got the start against the Packers Sunday. He played nearly all the snaps and looked good in the process. Even if Williams returns this week, Herbert should see his share of snaps until Montgomery returns. Unfortunately, the Bears schedule over the next few weeks is tough with matchups against the Bucs, Niners, and Steelers on tap.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥
Tight Ends
O.J. Howard (TE – TB)
Stat-line: 6 catches on seven targets for 49 yards and a TD
TE Rank: 4
Analysis: After being targeted only six times from Weeks 1 – 5, Howard was targeted seven times last Thursday night and was the Buc’s second-best pass-catcher of the game behind Antonio Brown (WR – TB). However, Rob Gronkowski (TE – TB) could be back next Sunday, which would undoubtedly cut into Howard’s usage. Even if Gronk doesn’t return this week, Howard would be a risky start, given how many weapons Tom Brady (QB – MIA) has at his disposal.
Heat Index: 🔥
Ricky Seals-Jones (TE – WAS)
Stat-line: 4 catches on six targets for 58 yards and a TD
TE Rank: 6
Analysis: Since Logan Thomas (TE – WAS) went on IR, Seals-Jones has played nearly every snap and has received his fair share of targets. Thomas will be out at least one more week, and Seals-Jones has a great matchup this week against the Packers. So if you need to stream a Tight End this week and he’s still available, he’s a great option.
Heat Index: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 until Thomas returns
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Scott Youngson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Scott, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyMutant.
