Week 6 start 'em and sit 'em recommendations for the wide receiver position from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate weekly look at the NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Fantasy superstars such as Patrick Mahomes and Alvin Kamara will not be featured in this column. All player matchups are based on a PPR scoring system.
Be sure to check out my Week 6 PPR rankings (Thursday morning ETA) before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings. Members also get access to myself and our team of high-stakes winners all week long to answer your specific fantasy questions.
Week 6 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES
MORE: Week 6 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub
Week 6 Start 'Em: Wide Receivers
Byes: Chargers, Raiders, Saints, Seahawks
Start of the Week
Terry McLaurin at Giants
McLaurin had a real stinker in last week’s loss to the Rams, putting up just three catches for 26 yards. I’d keep the faith in the Ohio State product, though, as a far more attractive matchup against the Giants is next on the slate. New York’s defense has given up big receiving performances to wideouts like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Cooper Kupp, and CeeDee Lamb. Washington has used McLaurin as a slot receiver 40 times over the last three games. Stick with McLaurin this weekend.
Start ‘Em
Will Fuller at Titans
Fuller continues to produce for fantasy fans, scoring 15.8 points in a win over the Jaguars. He's now scored 15-plus points in all but one game. Fuller has also avoided the injuries that limited his statistical ceiling in the past. Fuller should remain in lineups in all leagues this week, as the Texans head to Tennessee to face the Titans. Their defense has allowed nearly 40 fantasy points per game to wide receivers overall, including over 21 points to receivers lined out wide. This should be a shootout, too.
DeVante Parker vs. Jets
Parker saw a mere three targets in last week’s win over the 49ers, but he scored a touchdown and produced 13 fantasy points. The veteran has now scored in double digits in four straight games, including two with 16-plus points. He’s in a good spot to continue this trend against the Jets, who have surrendered an average of 130.4 yards, three touchdowns, and the eighth-most points to receivers lined out wide. Consider Parker an attractive No. 2 wideout in this AFC East tilt.
Justin Jefferson vs. Falcons
Jefferson wasn’t able to “three-peat” in the stat sheets in Week 5, as his 5.3-point effort was a disappointment and ended a streak of two big games. I’d continue to roll with the rookie, though, as a matchup against the Falcons is a good one. Their defense has struggled to stop wide receivers, allowing an average of 215 yards and the eighth-most points to the position. Atlanta has also surrendered 32.2 points per game, and DK Sportsbook has the over/under at a lofty 56.
Julian Edelman vs. Broncos
In a game that's been moved to Week 6 due to COVID-19, Edelman looks to be in a good spot to rebound from a pair of recent stinkers. Edelman should be in the WR2/WR3 conversation in a positive matchup against the Broncos if Cam Newton can return. Their defense has allowed the fifth-most points per game to wide receivers, and slot men have averaged six catches and more than 70 yards against them. I'm out on Edelman if Newton is out, so monitor his status.
More Starts
- Kenny Golladay at Jaguars
- JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Browns
- Jamison Crowder at Dolphins
DFS Bargains
Note: DFS plays will be posted by Wednesday afternoon
This is proving to be a wild fantasy season and it's no time to panic. Michael Fabiano and our team of high-stakes winners are here to help answer your waiver, trade and starting lineup questions in our Premium Football Chat. It's time to join the club! Become a member of SI Fantasy+ for as low as 34 cents a day!
Week 6 Sit 'Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
Tyler Boyd at Colts
Boyd is coming off a fantasy stinker against the Ravens, catching four passes for 42 yards with no touchdowns. He has another tough matchup next on the slate, as the Bengals face a Colts defense that’s allowed just 179.6 new passing yards and 17.6 points per game. Indianapolis has also had 46 QB pressures, and the Bengals offensive line has allowed a league-high 22 sacks. With Joe Burrow likely to be under pressure, Boyd could be in for a rough afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
BETTOR'S DREAM: Up to $1,000 Sign Up Bonus at DraftKings Sportsbook
Sit ‘Em
Michael Gallup vs. Cardinals (MNF)
Gallup made some absolutely terrific catches late in last week’s win over the Giants, but he finished with just four targets as the Cowboys continued to push the ball to CeeDee Lamb. So while Gallup leads all Dallas receivers in snaps, he’s a distant third in targets behind Amari Cooper and Lamb. He also has a tough matchup against the Cardinals, who have surrendered just one touchdown and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers lined out wide (16.0 PPG) this season.
Darius Slayton vs. Football Team
Slayton was a start ‘em last week, and he rewarded fantasy fans with 129 yards and more than 20 points. An upcoming matchup against the Football Team isn’t nearly as favorable as the one he had against Dallas, though. Washington has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers lined out wide, and just two wideouts (DeAndre Hopkins, Robert Woods) have scored more than 12 points against them. If you have receiver depth, fading Slayton looks like a good move.
Travis Fulgham vs. Ravens
Fulgham went bananas a week ago, scoring 31.2 fantasy points in a loss to the Steelers. He's now seen 16 combined targets over the last two weeks and seems to have emerged as the top option in the passing game for Carson Wentz. Can he do it again? I doubt it, as the Ravens now have tape on Fulgham and will undoubtedly look to limit him. That's what Baltimore has done to receivers lined out wide, as their defense has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Jerry Jeudy at Patriots
Jeudy is coming off a solid one touchdown performance, resulting in a 14.1 fantasy line in a win over the Jets. He's also scored double-digit points in three straight games, and he’s now the top wideout in the Broncos passing attack. Still, Jeudy has to be seen as a risk with a roadie in New England next on the schedule. The Patriots still have one of the toughest pass defenses in the league, and Denver's quarterback situation between Drew Lock, Jeff Driskel, and Brett Rypien is muddled at best. I'd fade Jeudy this week.
More Sits
- D.J. Moore vs. Bears
- Brandin Cooks at Titans
- Tee Higgins at Colts
DFS Fades
Note: DFS plays will be posted by Wednesday afternoon
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for the latest news and analysis!
Join our all-new SI Fantasy+ Member Club!
Subscribe to SI Fantasy+ and you'll have our check-cashing, high-stakes experts on standby ready to answer all your questions! Head over to our Members-Only Football chat anytime, especially on Sunday morning, to submit those last-minute "who do I start" questions! Learn more about the SI Fantasy+ advantage.
