What You Need to Know From Week 6

Sigmund Bloom Published 10/17/2023

Denver @ Kansas City

The Chiefs shut down Russell Wilson and the Broncos pass offense without breaking a sweat. With one or both of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton on the way out, this passing game is a sinking ship.
Marvin Mims should still be rostered with the promise of greater future opportunity, but there's an unwillingness to expand his role present with the roster in its current state.
Javonte Williams was back, and Samaje Perine has moved down to #3 back behind Jaleel McLaughlin. This is likely to remain a three-headed monster that won't yield a consistent option, but Williams and McLaughlin have shown enough to be rosterable on the hope of injury opportunity or less than desperate bye/injury depth.
Patrick Mahomes II and the Chiefs pass offense were coasting through this game, trying out trick plays and not really playing with much urgency. He has been underperforming a bit for fantasy, but this week's Chargers matchup should get him going.
Isiah Pacheco has established himself as one of the rudders of the Chiefs offense, including in the passing game. He is a solid RB2 play and still has room to grow if more touchdown opportunities come.
Justin Watson went down with an elbow injury that will cost him a few weeks. Rashee Rice had another promising performance and shouldn't be on any waiver wires. The rookie's role could grow by necessity or by a deserved promotion via first-year development.

Lamar Jackson underachieved for fantasy in part because the Ravens led by 15 at halftime, and the offense didn't need to press in the second half. He'll face a suddenly good Detroit defense this week.
Zay Flowers scored his first NFL touchdown. He has arrived as the #1 wide receiver option and should be seen as an every-week WR3/Flex.
Ryan Tannehill went down with a high ankle sprain. Malik Willis looked overwhelmed behind a sieve-like offensive line. The team could look to second-round pick Will Levis after the bye while Tannehill heals. DeAndre Hopkins should probably be on your bench until Tannehill is back.
Derrick Henry was held in check most of the game, and the game script did not favor his usage. But he still broke a huge run as a wildcat quarterback when the defense honored the handcuff, for some reason, and then scored following a turnover to post a strong game anyway. Don't overthink Henry when it's time to set your lineup.

Bryce Young and the Panthers jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Dolphins still won going away. Young continued to lean on Adam Thielen, who has emerged as a top-five fantasy option in an offense that is in garbage time mode more often than most.
Chuba Hubbard scored one of the early touchdowns and ran strong with Miles Sanders sidelined. Hubbard is making a good case for something closer to a 50-50 RBBC when Sanders is healthy enough to play after the bye.
The Dolphins offense posted a typically outstanding fantasy performance against a non-AFC East team. Tua Tagovailoa was a QB1, Tyreek Hill was an elite WR1, Jaylen Waddle was a solid WR2, and Raheem Mostert was a week-winner. Mostert might be the most valuable running back in fantasy football, with Christian McCaffrey a little banged up.
Chris Brooks went down with an ankle injury and Jeff Wilson was not deemed healthy enough to play, so Salvon Ahmed was the RB2 and garbage-time touchdown scorer. Both he and Wilson are worth rostering.

Derek Carr threw for over 300 yards but was generally uneven, and the Saints offense doesn't appear to have improved very much from the 2022 version. Chris Olave remains a solid WR2, Michael Thomas a low-ceiling WR3/Flex, and Rashid Shaheed a what-the-heck flex who did hit this week with a long score.
Alvin Kamara is dominating backfield touches and remains a solid RB2, even if this offense isn't going to create many ceiling weeks.
Taysom Hill had a career high in catches and might be relevant again in fantasy leagues yet again; monitor his usage on Thursday against Jacksonville.
C.J. Stroud has a good connection with Dalton Schultz, and Schultz should be rostered in most, if not all, leagues now. Tank Dell's absence is temporary, but the chemistry between Stroud and Schultz should persist when Dell returns after the bye.
Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce had a 50-50 touch split. Singletary was on the field more, was more productive, and got more chances in the red zone. Singletary could be the more valuable back after the bye.