Fantasy Football Start Em' Sit Em' Week 6

Story by Yinzer Crazy Fantasy Football Expert Luke Ranalli

There are a lot of disruptions coming in the first bye week of the season. I may just have some answers for you for that much needed flex position in this weeks start 'em sit 'em

Start 'em

QB

Geno Smith - I may be a day late on this but if Geno Smith isn't taken yet in your league, or if you have him riding the pine, this is the week to trust that gut instinct telling you to put Geno in your starting lineup. Geno is coming off three straight career high games with over 250 passing yards in each campaign and 2 or more touchdowns. This week the Seahawks are playing Arizona who have let up 20+ points to every opponent so far this season aside from the Panthers who have been having struggles of their own. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have both been seeing an uptick in production with Geno's success and this team turned from a fantasy nightmare into a lot of potential. Geno has a lot to prove and could be the starter for a couple years if he keeps this up. For now, I think it's pretty safe to ride this wave until Smith proves why he's been a backup for all these years.

RB

Melvin Gordon III - When Javonte Williams went down I thought Melvin Gordon was going to eat. While it's only been one week and Gordon did see an uptick in production, so did Mike Boone, and Boone was able to make more out of less.On 7 carries and 3 receptions Boone was able to pick up 89 yards, Gordon was able to pick up just about 20 more on 15 carries and 3 receptions. This can be concerning with the aging RB in the position he is in at the moment, if Boone can keep up that production he may be taking over for RB1 until Williams comes back. For now though, Gordon is still considered to be RB1 and is going into a matchup against the Chargers who just let up 28 points to the Browns, and let Nick Chubb see the end zone twice. Regardless if Boon keeps cutting into Melvin's production, it won't be enough to make it noticeable this week, and with so many RB1s on a bye or out this week Gordon warrants at least a flex spot, if not an RB2 for those who are in need.

WR

George Pickens - This may have a lot to do with watching him take most of Kenny Picketts attention last week against the Bills, but Pickens has a real opportunity to emerge as WR1 with Pickett at the helm in an offense that desperately needs to produce. Not only is there a connection between Pickett and Pickens, but there is going to be a trust issue with Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson dropping some critical passes in the abysmal loss to the Bills. I am not set on this offense yet and I don't think there is much here in terms of reliability, even when it comes to Najee Harris unfortunately. However, if you are in a PPR league, Pickens should produce enough on catches and yards alone to make you happy. Non PPR may need a touchdown for solid production but if you're in need of a solid flex this week, Pickens should be enough to satisfy.

TE

Zach Ertz - Ertz has been lackluster since getting to Arizona which I found to be odd. I thought he was going to be one of Kyler Murray's favorite targets but aside from a few splash weeks, there was never consistent production. This year Ertz is getting more looks but the production isn't exactly there when he isn't making it to the end zone. This week Ertz is looking to face off against a Seattle defense that is really favorable to opposing tight ends. With T.J. Hockenson and Darren Waller on a bye week the position is not exactly ripe with talent. Ertz may be sitting on the waiver in some leagues or on your bench, this week has some real boom potential for a tight end who used to hover around 1k yard seasons in Philly.

Sit 'Em

QB

Matthew Stafford - I still don't get how Cooper Kupp can still be producing top tier numbers and Stafford is putting up mediocre at best. I had a feeling this was going to be a rough year for Stafford when they were talking about the off season surgery he had but I was not expecting anything like this. Stafford is struggling to throw a mere touchdown a game, and he hasn't gotten any with his feet. I would say weather this storm if there was potential here but I just am not seeing any. Stafford has broken 300 yards once this season and it was just barely over, couple that with the consistent interceptions and you have a recipe for disaster. Stafford is having a fall from grace after finally getting a super bowl under his belt, and man is it a far fall. I still don't think Stafford will just fizzle out, but this is not the week for a comeback for Stafford. Allowing the 11th fewest yards per drop back, the Panthers will most likely take advantage of an already sub par situation for LA.

RB

Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Helaire had a couple decent outings this year, but he is slowly falling out as Patrick Mahomes is finding his receivers. Coming off a weak performance against the Raiders, this week won't be much kinder to Helaire. Not only are the Bills holding RBs to some mediocre outings, they are forcing teams to hit the air early and often with their early scoring. Helaire was shakey last season and didn't produce much week to week, this year looked like a hot start for Clyde with Mahomes feeling out his new receiving core, but now it's been an uphill battle. If Helaire can't find the end zone his production could be slim to none against this difficult Bills defense. Look for some comeback games after the Chiefs bye week, but Clyde could be struggling for the next two games against the Bills and the 49ers.

WR

A.J. Brown - I didn't have much faith in this entire Eagles offense starting this season, but Jalen Hurts is making a statement. Brown has been one of Hurts favorite receivers when the season started out but he is starting to decline in targets. DeVonte Smith is becoming Hurts' go to guy , outpacing Brown with 11 targets last week compared to Browns 7. This offense is still a bit concerning when it comes to production considering Hurts likes to take the ball into the end zone himself, but losing targets and going up against a good pass defense in the Cowboys, I would think Brown isn't going to have a breakout game. If Trevon Diggs is tasked with covering the seasoned veteran it may be a tough day for Brown.

TE - 

George Kittle - I don't like repeating players only a couple weeks after putting them on my sit list but Kittle is not him this year. Kittle sat out the first two games this season and there was a lot of hype around him getting back on the field. I think if Trey Lance didn't get hurt this may be a different situation, but with Jimmy G back at the helm it's hard to justify Kittle getting the start in any league. It's not that I think Jimmy G isn't capable of hitting Kittle, but this offense seems pretty set on using Kittle to block and not gaining yards. Kittle is a top tier TE and has the potential for a comeback, but right now it just doesn't feel like a safe bet. The Falcons have some poor coverage when it comes to tight ends so this could be the comeback game Kittle is looking for, and I hope it is, but he hasn't proven he can put up enough points to justify a roster spot at the moment.