Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice: Safe & Risky Picks (Week 6)

Let’s take a look at some of the players with the largest standard deviation between high and low expert ranks in FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR). Which players are the safest starts, and who poses the biggest risk to your fantasy football lineup in Week 6?

Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Week 6 Risky Fantasy Football Starts

Hassan Haskins (RB – LAC) vs. Miami Dolphins

Highest Rank: 24
Lowest Rank: 52

Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC) vs. Miami Dolphins

Highest Rank: 32
Lowest Rank: 49

Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are the double whammy of high-risk starts. One week after Emari Demercado burned fantasy managers, we should approach the Chargers’ backfield with caution. Omarion Hampton was thriving as the lead back, with two top-10 performances in Weeks 3 and 4, before suffering his Week 5 injury.

However, we’d be remiss to ignore that the backfield was an ineffective committee in Weeks 1 and 2, when neither Hampton nor Najee Harris even reached double-digit fantasy points. The Chargers were very vocal this offseason, stating they wanted to use multiple backs. If this becomes a true committee, it might not be fantasy-relevant. However, with many fantasy managers reeling with injuries and a very advantageous matchup against the Dolphins, Haskins and Vidal sport similarly ranked low-end Flex options — they are risky plays but offer solid potential.

My Projected Finish (Haskins): RB34

My Projected Finish (Vidal): RB36

Tee Higgins (WR – CIN) vs. Green Bay Packers

Highest Rank: 28
Lowest Rank: 44

After two weeks of suffering led by Jake Browning, Tee Higgins finally cracked 10 fantasy points. While the production was welcome, it was still rather underwhelming. Higgins had three receptions — tied for his highest in any game this season — and one touchdown.

New Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to start this week, and while Flacco should have no problem stepping into a new offense this quickly, we should still be wary of Higgins. Browns receivers had terrible production all season with Flacco, and statistically, Flacco hasn’t been outperforming Browning.

The matchup against Green Bay is intriguing. The Packers looked stout in the early season but were torn apart by Dak Prescott before the Packers’ bye week. Fantasy managers should continue to view Higgins as a high-risk Flex option.

My Projected Finish: WR34

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Highest Rank: 29
Lowest Rank: 40

Wan’Dale Robinson got off to a fantastic start this year with 14 receptions on 18 targets, nearly 200 yards and a touchdown through the first two weeks. We’ve seen a new version of Robinson with varied usage and actual deep passes. Since that start, his production has dipped dramatically, and he’s failed to reach double-digit fantasy points.

Last week, we expected a bump in volume with the loss of Malik Nabers, but Robinson had just five receptions for 30 yards. This week, with Darius Slayton out, Robinson should see more volume, particularly in a matchup where the Giants should be playing from behind. Robinson is high-risk but could be in line for a boom game for fantasy managers looking for a risky upside play.

My Projected Finish: WR35

More Risky Starts

Week 6 Safe Fantasy Football Starts

Darren Waller (TE – MIA) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Highest Rank: 7
Lowest Rank: 14

That was quick. It took just one week for Darren Waller to go from a risky, former retiree to a locked-in TE1. We were cautious with Waller in Week 5 because his Week 4 success was on a very limited snap count, and the Dolphins were taking a conservative path with his debut.

However, with the injury to Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins aggressively increased his snap count, and Waller caught all five of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. As long as Waller stays healthy, his upside in this offense is massive. Mike McDaniel prefers an athletic, strong receiving tight end, and Waller fits the bill. Waller is averaging just over 18 fantasy points since his debut. He’s a trustworthy play this week.

My Projected Finish: TE7

Romeo Doubs (WR – GB) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Highest Rank: 31
Lowest Rank: 40

Should you fully trust Romeo Doubs rest of season? Absolutely not. However, we’re talking specifically about Week 6, and Doubs is a safe play with Jayden Reed still out and Christian Watson‘s debut still unclear. Doubs is the Packers’ no. 1 WR for the time being.

Matthew Golden’s volume continues to rise on a week-to-week basis, but Doubs remains the most reliable option on the offense, outside of Tucker Kraft. In an excellent matchup with Dallas in Week 4, Doubs had three touchdowns. While that’s unlikely to repeat, this week’s matchup against Cincinnati presents another great opportunity for fantasy managers to plug in Doubs as a high-upside Flex option.

My Projected Finish: WR31

Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO) vs. New England

Highest Rank: 37
Lowest Rank: 45

If you’re looking for a deeper safe play at Flex this week, Rashid Shaheed is a solid play. Shaheed has traditionally been the opposite of a safe play and suffered from extreme volatility. He could hit you with two or 20 fantasy points and often required a big touchdown play. This year, we’re seeing a far more stable version of Shaheed. The reason is very clear.

Shaheed’s average depth of target (aDOT) in 2024 was a whopping 18.1. In 2023, it was 14.6. This year, he’s at a very reasonable 11.2. Is that a function of Kellen Moore’s offense or the limitations of Spencer Rattler? Possibly both. Regardless of the reason, the result is a very stable floor of eight to nine fantasy points, even in matchups where Rattler has lower pass volume. Shaheed’s a reliable option with a high ceiling.

My Projected Finish: WR40