Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 6 (2025)

Week 5 of the NFL season had its ups and downs. We saw some big plays on both sides of the ball, but the injury monster wreaked havoc across the league yet again. Week 6 is here, and Thursday Night Football was much more competitive than expected once again, with the New York Giants making it a game in the first quarter before pulling away in the second half due to some key defensive stops. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 6

Start em

Demetrius Knight Jr. (LB – CIN)
Knight was excellent in Week 5, reeling off four solos, four assists, and one tackle for loss. Demetrius has recorded four or more solos in three of his last five contests, inching him closer to the top-25 conversation. Knight can be counted as an LB3 with LB2 appeal during the byes. Treat him as such for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Evan Williams (S – GB)
Williams showed up in Week 4, racking up five solos and five assists. Williams is starting to show signs of the DB3 with DB2 upside we expected him to be, tallying four or more solos in two consecutive contests. Start him where needed for a plus Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Jordan Howden (S – NO)
Howden impressed in Week 5, racking up three solos, one assist, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Howden played 82 percent of the snaps with Justin Reid (concussion) leaving the game. There is a strong likelihood that Howden gets the Week 6 nod against New England, as Reid is not expected to emerge from the league’s concussion protocol in time for this weekend’s contest (he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday). If he gets the start as expected, tap Howden as a DB3 with DB2 upside for a plus matchup against the New England Patriots.

Joseph Ossai (DE – CIN)
Ossai is starting to heat up for the Bengals, most recently tallying one solo, three assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss on 61 percent of the snaps. Ossai has now recorded a sack in two of his last three games. The Bengals edge rusher has played over 60 percent of the snaps in four of his five contests, giving him a safe enough role to trust as a DL3/4 option where needed. Start him where needed as a DL3 for Week 6, thanks to a plus matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Alex Wright (DE – CLE)
Wright was excellent in Week 5, tallying one solo, three assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. Wright is starting to heat up, recording a sack in two of his last three. Wright played a season-high 51 percent of the snaps in Week 5, giving him deep league appeal as a bye week DL3/4. Start him where needed for a plus matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sit em

Jack Sanborn (LB – DAL)
Sanborn played just 20 percent of the snaps in Week 5, seemingly losing his job to rookie Shemar James. The rookie is better in coverage and has the speed and instincts to produce at a similar level for IDP purposes. Stash Sanborn where possible for now, but putting him in lineups for Week 6 is out of the question. The real question is, do you drop him if you are facing a bye week crunch?

Alex Anzalone (LB – DET)
Anzalone showed up in Week 5, racking up two solos, one assist, one tackle for loss, one interception, and three passes defended. Anzalone has now recorded back-to-back spike weeks, but his floor still makes him someone to keep on benches where at all possible. Anzalone has recorded more than two solos just twice this season. Look elsewhere for your Week 6 LB3.

Marcus Jones (CB – NE)
Marcus Jones was impressive in Week 5, racking up five solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, one interception, and two passes defended. Jones has put together two excellent weeks in a row, but has been buoyed by a touchdown in the return game and an interception. His strong play puts him in the mix for CB leagues, but those in DB leagues may want to look elsewhere for Week 6, despite the plus matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Sam Williams (DE – DAL)
Sam Williams showed up in Week 5, racking up two solos, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. Williams played 46 percent of the snaps, marking the second week in a row that he’s fallen under the 50 percent threshold. The first sack of his season is an encouraging sign, but amidst the falling snaps and strong play from other edge rotation members, Williams should remain benched for Week 6, despite a plus matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Look elsewhere for your Week 6 DL3.

Samson Ebukam (DE – IND)
Ebukam showed up in Week 5, racking up four solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. The sack was his first since back in Week 1 and came in a game where he saw his second-lowest snap count of the season at 44 percent. He is an option for those in 16+ team leagues, but those in 12 team leagues should look elsewhere for their Week 6 DL3/4.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.