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FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

Ex-No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell fired, accused of theft

Sat Jun 29 11:55am ET
Field Level Media

JaMarcus Russell, the first pick of the 2007 NFL Draft, has been fired from his volunteer high school assistant coaching job and accused in a lawsuit of stealing donations meant for the school, according to multiple reports.

The firing apparently came several months ago but was just confirmed by school officials in Mobile County, Ala.

"JaMarcus Russell was relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at Williamson High School during the fall of last year," Mobile County Public Schools said in a statement tod WKRG Sports on Friday.

The former Oakland Raiders quarterback also is facing a lawsuit accusing him of taking a $74,000 check intended as a donation to the school -- his alma mater -- and keeping the money for himself.

According to reports, local business owner Chris Knowles said Russell approached him to help fund new weight room equipment for the school's football team. Knowles alleged Russell deposited the money into a credit union, immediately withdrawing $55,000 for himself.

Russell, 38, has now been ordered to stay away from the campus.

"Earlier this week, it was reiterated to Mr. Russell that he is not permitted to be around the football program or on school campus," the school district said in a statement to WKRG, after Russell reportedly showed up to a school football team event.

Russell played three seasons at LSU, where he threw for 6,625 yards and 52 touchdowns before signing a six-year deal with the Raiders worth close to $68 million.

However, Russell flopped in the NFL and is considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. He appeared in 31 games (25 starts) over three seasons, finishing with a 52.1 percent completion rate, 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. His record was 7-18.

After he was released before the 2010 season, Russell and the Raiders spent the next several years in disputes over the contract, with the Raiders trying to recoup some of their losses. Ultimately the Raiders paid Russell $3 million in a 2013 settlement, making a total of approximately $40 million for Russell's three years of service.

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The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Wan'Dale Robinson Oct 12 4:20am ET
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson has been a reliable target this season, posting 32 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 47 targets. In Week 5's win against Seattle, Robinson had six catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, stepping up with Malik Nabers sidelined. Heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Robinson faces a defense that ranks 18th against the pass, allowing 214 passing yards per game and 10 receiving touchdowns. Given the injury to Nabers, Robinson's high target volume, and the Bengals' vulnerability to short-yardage receivers, Robinson is a solid PPR option, making him a strong flex play this week.

From RotoBaller

Blake Grupe Oct 12 4:10am ET
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe went without a field goal attempt for the first time this season in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Grupe went 1-for-2 on extra point attempts in the game, making it his second missed point through the first five weeks of the season. Grupe's sophomore season started with a bang as he hit four field goals (including two 50-yarders) in Week 1 and benefited from the Saints' early offensive explosion by knocking home 10 extra points over their first two games. However, Grupe has not reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 1, and there's no reason to believe he is due for a big turnout in Week 6. The expected point total for the NFC South matchup against the Buccaneers is a mere 42 points, which is among the lowest on Sunday's slate. Grupe is not a bad option, per se, but fantasy managers can probably find a more promising option elsewhere.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Oct 12 4:00am ET
Chris Olave

Expectations for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave will have to be tempered in Week 6 with Derek Carr (oblique) lost to injury. Carr's fill-in, rookie Spencer Rattler, offered some reassurance in comments to the media after being named the starter when he stated his intent to feed Olave the ball. That would be a welcome change from Week 5, when Olave was targeted four times, making two catches for a season-low 10 receiving yards, his worst game since his two-catch, 11-yard performance in Week 1. In the three weeks between, Olave gave fantasy managers more of what they were hoping for when they drafted him, catching 18 of his 22 targets in that span and racking up at least 81 yards in each game. There is no denying Olave's talent but his success is still contingent on how Rattler performs in his professional debut. Fantasy managers should also be aware that Tampa's heavy utilization of zone coverages favors Rashid Shaheed (hip) more than it does Olave. Olave rates as a risky WR3 in Week 6 given the situation in New Orleans.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Oct 12 4:00am ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson saw season highs in targets, receptions, and yards in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The fifth-year veteran caught all five balls thrown his way for 31 receiving yards, bringing his 2024 totals to nine receptions for 70 yards. Johnson may yet again see more involvement in the passing game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. Taysom Hill (ribs) has been ruled out and while he isn't utilized as a traditional tight end his absence does leave the door open for more opportunities for others. With Derek Carr (oblique) sidelined due to injury, Spencer Rattler might look for the big-bodied tight end as a safety valve as is often the case for rookie quarterbacks. Even with the allowances for optimism, the fact of the matter is that Johnson is not a priority in the Saints' offense. He rates as a low-end TE2 in Week 6 and should be avoided in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Oct 12 4:00am ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton is coming off his best performance of the season, posting 122 yards on eight receptions (15.3 yards per catch) in a Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Slayton has become a key target with 244 yards and one touchdown on the season, especially with injuries in the receiving corps (most notably, Malik Nabers). In Week 6, he faces a Cincinnati Bengals defense that ranks 18th against the pass, allowing 214 yards per game and 10 receiving touchdowns. Given Slayton's ability to stretch the field and his three end-zone targets this season, he's a solid flex play with the potential for a big day against a vulnerable secondary.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Oct 12 3:50am ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has shown flashes of potential this season, rushing for 158 yards on 5.3 yards per carry, but has yet to find the end zone either as a runner or receiver. In Week 5's 29-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, Tracy was efficient on limited touches, contributing 129 rushing yards on 18 carries in his first start. Facing the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6, Tracy can exploit a defense that's been vulnerable on the ground, as the Bengals have allowed 126 rushing yards per game in 2024. Tracy could start again in this game and see the majority of work if Devin Singletary sits out due to injury (he is officially questionable).

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Oct 12 3:30am ET
Daniel Jones

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has had a solid start to the 2024 season, with 1,138 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions through five games. Coming off a 29-20 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5, where he threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, Jones will look to build momentum against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6. The Bengals' pass defense ranks 18th in the NFL, allowing 214 passing yards per game and 19.63 fantasy points to quarterbacks (28th in the league), making this a favorable matchup. With Cincinnati giving up two passing touchdowns per game, Jones has a solid chance to post another multi-touchdown outing, making him a viable streaming option for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Cam Little Oct 12 1:30am ET
Cam Little

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little might have a tougher time against the Chicago Bears in London than he did in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars put up 37 points against the Colts, giving Little a 13-point performance. The rookie kicker now has two straight weeks of double-digit fantasy production. Little has been accurate so far this season, only missing one field back in Week 2. The Bears defense has been good overall so far, but that has meant decent fantasy outputs from opposing kickers. The Bears have given up 10 field goals on 12 attempts through five games, meaning if the Jaguars do manage to move the ball, they could be in for multiple field goal attempts. The Jaguars offense has looked better lately and could be returning two starting weapons in Gabe Davis and Evan Engram. Little serves as a mid-tier fantasy play in Week 6 in London.

From RotoBaller

Robert Woods Oct 12 1:20am ET
Robert Woods

Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (foot) won't suit up for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots. Nico Collins (hamstring) landed on the injured reserved list, so the Texans will be shorthanded on the receiving end. Of course, Stefon Diggs is expected to be the primary target for C.J. Stroud versus New England, with Tank Dell in line to see more attention. However, with Woods and Collins out of the equation, Xavier Hutchinson, who had two catches for 31 yards in Week 5, could benefit the most. There's also a chance Joe Mixon (ankle), who is questionable, gets more passes out of the backfield, which would improve his PPR stock.

From RotoBaller

Joe Flacco Oct 12 1:20am ET
Joe Flacco

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit is best left out of starting lineups in most leagues even with a decent London matchup with the Chicago Bears. The Jaguars defense just hasn't cut it both from an NFL and fantasy football standpoint. They are coming off allowing 34 points to Joe Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts, and only have forced two turnovers all season (a forced fumble in each of the last two games). The only thing the defense has going for them is sacks, which they couldn't even manage in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills, giving them a negative output for the week. As one of the worst defenses in the NFL, it is hard to trust them in fantasy against any opponent. Caleb Williams had some early rookie struggles, which could mean more turnovers forced than usual, but the Bears offense has looked better lately and should score plenty of points. Fantasy managers should avoid the Jaguars D/ST in Week 6 and beyond.

From RotoBaller

Dameon Pierce Oct 12 1:00am ET
Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Patriots. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since last appearing in Week 1 versus the Colts, when he finished with three carries for 16 yards. With Joe Mixon (ankle) potentially also returning for this one, Pierce's fantasy outlook isn't promising. However, even if Mixon misses another contest, Pierce will likely back up Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers, who have been handling things out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Henry Oct 12 12:50am ET
Hunter Henry

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry lacks much fantasy appeal heading into Week 6 against the Houston Texans, but he could see a slight boost in his value with Drake Maye installed as the team's new starting quarterback over Jacoby Brissett. Tight ends are typically productive when playing with backup or rookie quarterbacks because their height, physicality, and shorter routes make them a valuable security option for signal-callers who need some help in the short passing game. As a result, even though Henry has more than two catches in just one game this season, he should jump into the low-end TE2 tier as he supports Maye in his first NFL start.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Oct 12 12:50am ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (ankle) was limited in Friday's practice. He was also limited on Thursday because of a sprained ankle suffered during the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. However, barring a setback, the signal-caller should be good to go for Monday's divisional clash with the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers hasn't had the best 2024-25 campaign, throwing for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 61.0% of his throws. With the Jets looking for answers, the team resorted to firing Robert Saleh and naming Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach. But unless things change on the offensive side of the ball for New York moving ahead, Rodgers is a shaky fantasy option in any format.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Conklin Oct 12 12:50am ET
Tyler Conklin

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (hip) logged another limited practice on Friday. The 29-year-old picked up a hip injury during Sunday's loss to the Vikings in London. However, he is expected to suit up in the Monday night divisional clash with the Buffalo Bills, barring a setback. Conklin hasn't been a consistent fantasy tight end this season. Yet, he's had five or more catches in two of the Jets' five games this season. Although he's still a risky fantasy option in any format, especially if Aaron Rodgers (ankle) doesn't play, the upside is there for those in need of a streaming option in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Joey Slye Oct 12 12:50am ET
Joey Slye

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye finds himself off the fantasy radar heading into Week 6 against the Houston Texans. Slye had a promising start to the season, but now he's 9-for-11 on field goals, averaging fewer than two made three-point tries per game. He does have a powerful leg that can generate plenty of distance, which could be helpful this week if New England's Drake Maye-led offense can't get too far beyond midfield. On the other hand, the Texans are a powerful team and enter this weekend as heavy favorites, so scoring opportunities could be few and far between for New England. All in all, Slye has shown flashes of promise, but his field goal percentage and matchup make him tough to trust as a streamer heading into Sunday's contest.

From RotoBaller

Demario Douglas Oct 12 12:40am ET
Demario Douglas

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas has been peppered with targets lately, and that trend should continue when he faces the Houston Texans at home in Week 6. The 23-year-old receiver has nine targets in two of his last three games, and he's averaging seven targets per game over the last three weeks. His production has been solid while catching passes from Jacoby Brissett, and he figures to get a boost with Drake Maye taking over as the Patriots' starting quarterback this Sunday. While wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk has started to emerge as the top wide receiver in New England, Douglas remains a high-volume pass-catcher with significant appeal in PPR leagues. He remains a WR3/FLEX play in leagues with at least 14 teams.

From RotoBaller

Antonio Gibson Oct 12 12:30am ET
Antonio Gibson

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson will start against the Houston Texans in Week 6 with Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) already ruled out. Gibson is on track to make his second consecutive start, but this time, he won't have to worry about Stevenson overtaking him early in the game. The former Commanders running back has the top role in the backfield all to himself, and his versatility as a runner and pass-catcher make him an appealing option in all fantasy leagues, regardless of scoring format. Gibson is averaging 69 scrimmage yards per game over the last four weeks but is still looking for his first touchdown of the 2024 season. It should be noted that the Patriots made a quarterback change this week, replacing Jacoby Brissett with No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye. While Maye is less proven and could face some adversity behind a porous offensive line, he also has higher upside while leading New England's offense. Gibson ranks as a RB3/FLEX in fantasy football this week.

From RotoBaller

Christian Kirk Oct 12 12:30am ET
Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk is still a decent starting option in a Week 6 trip to London, but is a bit risky of a play against a tough Chicago Bears secondary. With the potential returns of wide receiver Gabe Davis and tight end Evan Engram, Kirk could suddenly have much more competition for targets. He still should serve as a good intermediate passing option for Trevor Lawrence, but he doesn't quite have the big play potential of Brian Thomas Jr., or the ability to be a mismatch like Engram. Kirk seems to have a decent floor after settling in over the past three weeks, but his upside should be limited. As long as Trevor Lawrence can move the ball somewhat, he should be fine fantasy-wise. Kirk fantasy managers should try to find higher upside options for their flex if they can, but they can do much worse than the veteran receiver in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Oct 12 12:30am ET
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (groin) will suit up for Sunday's matchup with the Commanders. The 24-year-old didn't practice on Wednesday and was limited in Thursday's session. Fortunately, he was back on Friday, clearing him for Week 6. Washington has struggled against opposing wideouts in 2024-25. Still, Bateman's fantasy success is contingent mainly on whether or not he'll find the end zone, considering he has three or fewer catches in four games this season. However, he at least garners flex consideration for the favorable matchup.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Lynn Polk Oct 12 12:30am ET
Ja'Lynn Polk

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk will look to capitalize on expanded opportunities while catching passes from Drake Maye, who was installed as the team's starting quarterback over Jacoby Brissett heading into Week 6. Polk got off to a slow start early in his rookie campaign but has come around strong lately, commanding 13 targets over his last two games. He played every single offensive snap last Sunday, caught his first career touchdown in Week 2, and almost had another score in Week 5 if not for his foot just barely stepping out of bounds. We don't know exactly what type of role Polk will have in his first game with Maye, but he's trending toward becoming the Patriots' No. 1 receiver. He's worth deploying as a WR3 in deep fantasy leagues, but managers must remember he has a low floor.

From RotoBaller