Studs and Duds: Week 6

Mon Oct 13 9:42am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Mahomes scores four times


The scoring was pretty big in Week 6, seeing seven players top 30 fantasy points. The running back position had four of those players that topped 30 fantasy points. It is good to see that position putting up some game-changing performances. If you had one of those backs in your lineup for Week 6, you likely won your game. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of some of these big fantasy performances this week.

Giants 34, Eagles 17

Fantasy Stud: Cam Skattebo. Skattebo had a monster game, finding the end zone three times. He ran 19 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two catches for 12 yards, giving him 110 total yards in the game. Skattebo scored 31 fantasy points in the game. He has at least 13 fantasy points five straight games

Fantasy Dud: Saquon Barkley. Barkley had another disappointing performance. He ran 12 times for 58 yards and caught two passes for nine yards. This was his worst fantasy game of the season, scoring just 8.7 fantasy points. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two of four games. Barkley is yet to have more than 20 fantasy points in a game and has 60 or fewer rushing yards all but a game. He is not having near the season he had last year.

Game Notes: A.J. Brown was much more involved in the offense, catching six passes for 80 yards. This was his second-highest yardage total of the season.

Jaxson Dart had a solid showing, throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran 13 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Dart scored a season-high 25.55 fantasy points.

Broncos 13, Jets 11

Fantasy Stud: Broncos defense. This game was not a good one for fantasy production. There was just one touchdown between both teams. But if you had either defense, you got some fantasy points. Denver was really impressive, holding the Jets to just 92 total yards of offense. Yes, you read that right. New York had fewer than 100 yards of offense. Denver also had nine sacks in the game. It was quite an impressive performance from the Broncos defense. They dominated the game

Fantasy Dud: Justin Fields. Fields has been an elite fantasy quarterback to start the season but that wasn’t the case in this game. Fields was 9-of-17 for just 45 yards and ran for 31 yards. Fields scored just 5.35 fantasy points. It was the first game he started and finished that he didn’t have at least 28 fantasy points. This was an alarming game for his fantasy owners.

Game Notes: Evan Engram led the Broncos in receiving, finishing with five receptions for 42 yards. Engram has a least four receptions three straight games.

Garrett Wilson had three receptions for 13 yards. Both were season-low totals for Wilson. He had at least 50 yards every game before this one.

Rams 17, Ravens 3

Fantasy Stud: Derrick Henry. There were few bright spots offensively in this one, but Henry had his best game since Week 1. He ran 24 times for 122 yards. Henry also caught a pass for eight yards. This was his second 100-yard game of the season. He scored 14 fantasy points

Fantasy Dud: Puka Nacua. Nacua did hurt his foot in this game and missed some time, but was able to return to the field. He had his worst showing of the season, though, catching two passes for just 28 yards. Nacua scored just 4.8 fantasy points. He had at least 22 fantasy points every game before this one.

Game Notes: Cooper Rush was pulled from the game. He was 11-of-19 for 72 yards and an interception. He also lost a fumble. Tyler Huntley replaced him and was 10-of-15 for 68 yards. Huntley ran three times for 39 yards.

Tyler Higbee had four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. This was his first touchdown of the season.

Chargers 29, Dolphins 27

Fantasy Stud: Devon Achane. Achane ran 16 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. He had four receptions for 22 yards. Achane scored 31 fantasy points, topping 30 points for the first time this year. He has at least 16 fantasy points every game and been one of the best fantasy backs all season long

Fantasy Dud: Keenan Allen. Allen had a surprisingly quiet performance, especially since Quentin Johnston was out of the lineup for the Chargers. Despite that, Allen had four receptions for 27 yards. He scored a season-low 6.7 fantasy points. Allen has fewer than double-digit fantasy points two of three games.

Game Notes: Kimani Vidal was the lead back most of the game for the Chargers and had a great showing in that role, rushing 18 times for 124 yards. Hassan Haskins ran six times for just 14 yards.

Ladd McConkey had seven receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. He has touchdowns two straight games.

Panthers 30, Cowboys 27

Fantasy Stud: Rico Dowdle. Dowdle got another start and had another huge game. He ran 30 times for 183 yards. He also caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Dowdle led the Panthers in rushing and receiving. He has more than 200-plus total yards two straight games. The Panthers are going to have a hard time keeping him out of the lineup - even when Chuba Hubbard is healthy. Dowdle is on some kind of role

Fantasy Dud: Javonte Williams. Williams got his touches but was held in check for once. He ran 13 times for just 29 yards and caught five passes for five yards. He had 18 total touches but just 8.4 fantasy points. It was his first game all season with fewer than 13 fantasy points.

Game Notes: Bryce Young had his second three-touchdown game of the season. He was 17-of-25 for 199 yards and three touchdowns with an interception.

George Pickens had nine receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown. He has touchdowns five straight games and 100-yard showings two of three.

Colts 31, Cardinals 27

Fantasy Stud: Trey McBride. McBride had another great game, catching eight passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. He had more than 20 fantasy points for the first time this season, scoring 21.2 fantasy points. McBride has double-digit targets two of three games. He has at least five receptions every game this year

Fantasy Dud: Michael Pittman. This looked like a good matchup for Pittman, but he wasn’t able to exploit it. He had two receptions for 20 yards. Pittman had touchdowns three straight games coming into this one. He had a season-low three targets. 

Game Notes: Marvin Harrison was knocked from this game with a possible concussion. He had two receptions for 32 yards before getting hurt.

Zonovan Knight started at running back for the Cardinals and led the team in rushing, running 11 times for 35 yards and a touchdown. Michael Carter had nine carries for 34 yards in a backup role. 

Seahawks 20, Jaguars 12

Fantasy Stud: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba continued his huge season, catching eight passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. He has 100-yard games four of six games. He also has at least 13 fantasy points every game. Smith-Njigba has clearly emerged as an elite fantasy receiver. The numbers don’t lie

Fantasy Dud: Travis Etienne. Etienne had his worst rushing game of the season, rushing 12 times for just 27 yards. He had just 9.5 fantasy points, failing to hit double-digit fantasy points two straight games. Etienne has cooled a little in recent weeks but still has a pretty firm grip on the starter’s job in Jacksonville right now.

Game Notes: Brian Thomas is getting on the same page with Trevor Lawrence. Thomas had eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Thomas has three straight games with double-digit fantasy points.

Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet continue to split the work at running back for the Seahawks. Walker ran 10 times for 34 yards while Charbonnet had 12 carries for 24 yards.

Patriots 25, Saints 19

Fantasy Stud: Kayshon Boutte. Boutte led the way at receiver for the Patriots this week, finishing with five receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first game with more than 50 yards since the opener. Boutte had four straight with fewer than double-digit fantasy points until this 26.3 fantasy point performance

Fantasy Dud: Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson had an awful game, running 13 times for just 18 yards. He did not catch a pass in the game. The only positive for Stevenson is he did not fumble in the game. Stevenson had just 1.8 fantasy points and fewer than seven fantasy points three of four games. He is a very hard fantasy player to trust.

Game Notes: Drake Maye had his third three-touchdown performance. He was 18-of-26 for 261 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover.

Taysom Hill had just a touch in the game but it was a one-yard touchdown run. Hill made the most of his only opportunity.

Steelers 23, Browns 9

Fantasy Stud: DK Metcalf. Metcalf had four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers might not throw much but when they do, Metcalf is heavily involved. He has touchdowns four straight games and at least 11 fantasy points every game. His consistency is a welcome sight for his fantasy owners

Fantasy Dud: Quinshon Judkins. The Steelers did a great job of limiting Judkins. He ran 12 times for 36 yards and didn’t catch a single pass. It was a really disappointing showing, especially since Judkins had two straight games with 100-plus total yards. He had just 3.6 fantasy points, breaking a streak of four straight with double-digit points.

Game Notes: Harold Fannin had seven receptions for 81 yards. Both totals were season highs for the rookie tight end.

Jaylen Warren returned from his knee injury and ran 11 times for 52 yards. He also caught two passes for 11 yards. It was his first game this year failing to reach double-digit fantasy points.

Raiders 20, Titans 10

Fantasy Stud: Michael Mayer. Mayer had a big game, getting a chance to start with Brock Bowers out of the lineup. Mayer had five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. Mayer had just six receptions all season before this showing As long as Bowers is sidelined, Mayer has value to fantasy teams as a starter in this offense

Fantasy Dud: Calvin Ridley. Just when you think you can start to trust Ridley once again, he has another disappointing performance. He had just a catch for 18 yards and left the game early with a hamstring injury. This comes after a game he finished with five receptions for 131 yards on 10 targets. He went the opposite direction, getting just one target in Week 6.

Game Notes: Ashton Jeanty scored a touchdown, giving him scores two of three games. Jeanty ran 23 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for 11 yards, giving him 15-plus fantasy points three straight games.

Tre Tucker led the Raiders in receiving, finishing with five receptions for 70 yards. Tucker has 11-plus fantasy points four of six games this year.

Packers 27, Bengals 18

Fantasy Stud: Josh Jacobs. Jacobs had his second straight game with 30-plus fantasy points. He ran 18 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs also had five receptions for 57 yards. He has touchdowns four of five games and at least 12 fantasy points every game. Jacobs is having another big season as the lead back for the Packers

Fantasy Dud: Chase Brown. Brown averaged 4.7 yards per carry but still didn’t help fantasy teams. He ran nine times for 42 yards and caught two passes for seven yards. Brown scored just 8.9 fantasy points. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points three of five games. Brown is one of the biggest busts in fantasy right now.

Game Notes: Joe Flacco gave the Bengals passing game a spark in his first start with the team. He was 29-of-45 for 219 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.

Ja’Marr Chase reached double-digit receptions for the second time this year. He had 10 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets.

Bucs 30, 49ers 19

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey was held in check running the ball but that didn’t matter for his fantasy production. He found the end zone and racked up seven receptions. He ran 17 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey also had seven receptions for 57 yards on eight targets. He scored 24.1 fantasy points, giving him 22-plus fantasy points all six games this season

Fantasy Dud: Emeka Egbuka. The Bucs won and threw for some yards, but Egbuka was not a factor. He had just two receptions for 24 yards and had to leave the game early because of a hamstring injury. It was the worst fantasy game of his young career and the injury is a concern going forward. Egbuka failed to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time, scoring just 4.4 points.

Game Notes: Kendrick Bourne had five receptions for 142 yards. He has two straight games with 142 yards.

Mac Jones was able to play with his injuries but had some struggles. He was 27-of-39 for 347 yards with two interceptions. He hit the 300-yard mark but didn’t score a touchdown for the first time this year.

Chiefs 30, Lions 17

Fantasy Stud: Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is absolutely rolling right now. He had four total touchdowns. He was 22-of-30 for 257 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran seven times for 34 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes scored 34.15 fantasy points, giving him three straight games with 30-plus fantasy points. And Mahomes gets his No. 1 receiver back from suspension next week. Watch out

Fantasy Dud: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs had 17 carries for 65 yards and caught just a pass for no gain. It was not the type of game you expect from Gibbs. The Chiefs did a good job of preventing the big play from Gibbs and limiting his work in the passing game. It was a rare down game from the superstar back.

Game Notes: Marquise Brown had four receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first multiple-touchdown game of the season. He has scores two of his last three games.

Jameson Williams got it going after three straight poor games. He had six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 7

Player Notes
Josh Palmer Oct 14 4:50pm CT
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday that wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) is "week-to-week" after he suffered an ankle injury in the Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons and was unable to return, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Palmer injured his ankle in the first half of Monday night's contest when he was tackled awkwardly, and he was unable to return to the game. He finished with two catches for 60 yards. Buffalo's bye in Week 7 is coming at a good time for Palmer, but his week-to-week designation means he won't be a lock to be ready when the Bills return to action on Oct. 26 in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. The 26-year-old has failed to stand out in his first year in Buffalo in an offense that continues to spread the ball around. Palmer has only 14 catches on 20 targets for 234 yards and no scores in six games. He'll be a popular drop candidate by fantasy managers with the Bills on bye in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks Oct 14 4:50pm CT
Treylon Burks

After visiting with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, former Tennessee Titans first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks will take a visit with the Washington Commanders on Wednesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Despite not being able to avoid injuries early in his career with the Titans, Burks is one of the top free agents on the market in the middle of the 2025 season and should be scooped up sooner rather than later. The Commanders have a more immediate need for receiving depth right now, given injuries to Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin, knee). Veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) also didn't look 100% in the Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears. The fact that Burks is taking visits with interested teams means that he should be healed from the broken collarbone that he suffered in July.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Kincaid Oct 14 4:40pm CT
Dalton Kincaid

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday that tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique), who did not play in the Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, is "day-to-day," according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Additionally, veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel (neck, ribs) is also considered day-to-day. Kincaid's injury isn't very serious, which is great news, especially with the Bills on their bye in Week 7. It means that both Kincaid and Samuel should be ready to go when the team returns to action in Week 8 to face the Carolina Panthers on the road on Oct. 26. Buffalo's offense struggled on Monday night against an improved Atlanta defense without Kincaid in the mix. Backup Dawson Knox found the end zone for the first time this year on Monday with Kincaid out, but it was his only catch of the game on just two targets. Fantasy managers looking for TE reinforcements going forward should probably avoid Knox.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Oct 14 4:30pm CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (groin) was taken to a hospital in Washington, D.C. on Monday night for precautionary reasons following the team's one-point win over the Commanders. Moore stayed in the hospital overnight, but head coach Ben Johnson said that he is now back in Chicago, according to Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network. The Bears will continue to monitor Moore's status going into their Week 7 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The 28-year-old was seen going into the medical tent on Monday night, but he eventually returned to the field and caught three of his five targets for 42 yards while also carrying the ball twice for 10 yards. It's unclear at this time if Moore is in danger of missing Week 7, but we should know more later in the week once the Bears resume practicing on Wednesday. If Moore cannot play this Sunday, rookie Luther Burden III would become flex-worthy in fantasy as the No. 2 behind Rome Odunze.

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Calvin Austin III Oct 14 4:20pm CT
Calvin Austin III

For the second straight day this week, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) was a non-participant in practice on Tuesday, according to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. Austin injured his shoulder in the Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. He had the bye in Week 5 to heal up, but it wasn't enough time, as he was inactive on Sunday in the Week 6 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With a quick week upcoming -- the Steelers play the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night in Week 7 -- it's looking like Austin will miss a second straight game. He will certainly have to practice in some fashion on Wednesday to have a shot at being active on Thursday evening. Fantasy managers should leave Austin on their benches for another week. With Austin out in Week 6, DK Metcalf led the receiving corps, with Darnell Washington coming in second with three catches on five targets for 62 yards.

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Sam Darnold Oct 14 4:10pm CT
Sam Darnold

Fantasy managers were understandably skeptical as to whether quarterback Sam Darnold could follow up his outstanding 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings this year after heading to the NFC West to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Through six weeks with his new team, it's clear that the former third overall pick out of USC is picking up where he left off. The 28-year-old continued to play well in Week 6 against a ball-hawking Jacksonville Jaguars defense and finished just shy of 300 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Darnold has latched onto star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his go-to target, and it's working. Since a mediocre 150-yard, no-touchdown performance in Week 1, Darnold has thrown for multiple touchdowns in five games and has gone 98-for-138 for 1,391 yards, 11 TDs, and three picks. He continues to be aggressive downfield and should at least be rostered in every fantasy league as a high-end QB2 going forward. He'll really be tested in Week 7 against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs through five games.

From RotoBaller

Hunter Long Oct 14 4:10pm CT
Hunter Long

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Hunter Long played a season-high 80% of the offensive snaps in the Week 6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the first game with Brenton Strange (hip) on Injured Reserve. Although Long was used more with Strange sidelined, it didn't amount to much production, as he caught only two of his three targets for 19 yards. Meanwhile, fellow TE Johnny Mundt played 39% of the snaps and caught one of two targets in the passing game for a 14-yard gain. The 27-year-old Long will continue to see more time on the field in Jacksonville's offense for as long as Strange remains out. However, for fantasy purposes, he's not going to be much more than a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 streamer with Mundt also contributing. Through six games so far in his first year with the Jags, Long has nine receptions on 11 targets for 63 yards and the first two touchdowns of his career in his fifth season.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Heyward Oct 14 3:13pm CT
Cameron Heyward

Pittsburgh Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey (rest), WR Calvin Austin III (shoulder), S DeShon Elliott (rest), S Miles Killebrew (knee), LB T.J. Watt (rest), and DL Cameron Heyward (rest) did not practice on Tuesday, Oct. 14. CB Darius Slay (rest) and LB Malik Harrison (knee) were limited in practice. WR DK Metcalf (rest) and QB Aaron Rodgers (rest) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Aaron Rodgers Oct 14 3:13pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (rest) practiced in full on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Fantasy Spin: Rodgers has played well for the Steelers in 2025, showing that, despite his age, his arm still has some juice in it. However, he should only be used in two-quarterback leagues right now, but he offers upside in those leagues.

From TheHuddle

Alohi Gilman Oct 14 3:00pm CT
Alohi Gilman

The Baltimore Ravens released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday after his agent, Kevin Conner, and Ravens officials came to "an amicable mutual decision," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "After the Ravens traded for a safety, we were looking for a clearer path to play," Conner added. After signing Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad last week, they acquired Alohi Gilman in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers to bolster depth at the safety position. The 27-year-old Gardner-Johnson wanted out and will now get another opportunity to latch on with a team in need of safety help. He will be searching for his third team of the season after the Houston Texans released him after just three games into the year. Gardner-Johnson recorded six interceptions with the Philadelphia Eagles last year on his way to earning a Super Bowl ring.

From RotoBaller

Terrion Arnold Oct 14 2:50pm CT
Terrion Arnold

Detroit Lions defensive backs Terrion Arnold (shoulder) and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) will both likely return following the team's bye in Week 8, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Arnold aggravated a shoulder injury in Week 5 and was forced to sit out of the Sunday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. The 22-year-old is also going to miss a Monday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7, but he should be ready to go in Week 9 in a divisional battle versus the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit is also currently without defensive back D.J. Reed (hamstring), who is on Injured Reserve, so they've been forced to rely more on Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson in their secondary at cornerback. The Lions' depleted secondary will be noteworthy this upcoming Monday night, but it remains to be seen if the Buccaneers can take advantage of it with their banged-up receiving corps.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Watkins Oct 14 2:40pm CT
Jordan Watkins

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) is expected to resume practicing this week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Watkins, a fourth-round selection back in April's NFL draft, has yet to make his NFL debut in 2025 due to a calf injury. It's been a major theme for the Niners so far this year as they continue to struggle with injuries, mainly to their offense. Watkins has been unable to take advantage of opportunities created by injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring). It remains to be seen how much of a role the 23-year-old will have once he gets past his calf injury, but by then, the team's other primary pass-catchers might also be fully healthy. For now, Watkins is only a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Oct 14 2:30pm CT
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to returning to practice following his ACL and MCL tears in his right knee in Week 7 of last year. While the Niners aren't giving any specific date for a potential return to the practice field for Aiyuk, Shanahan mentioned Week 10 as a rough estimate, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Despite the Niners also dealing with injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), Aiyuk isn't going to be rushed back. And even if Aiyuk does return to practice ahead of the team's Week 10 game against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, it doesn't mean the former first-rounder would be active for his season debut that week. Once Aiyuk's practice window is open, the 49ers will have 21 days to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Fantasy managers who are stashing Aiyuk must remain patient.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Oct 14 2:10pm CT
Evan Engram

In Sunday's London game, which few would consider an instant classic, Denver tight end Evan Engram led all Broncos pass catchers with five receptions for 42 yards. Both marks also represented season highs for the veteran tight end, who has now seen at least five targets and four receptions in three straight games. While none of these numbers justify the brief offseason hype stemming from head coach Sean Payton's talk of using him in the Joker role, Engram has provided a reliable floor at a position where that's hard to come by. If he can mix in the occasional touchdown, as he did in Week 5, he should continue to be in play in most formats as injuries and bye weeks mount.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Gainwell Oct 14 2:00pm CT
Kenneth Gainwell

In Week 4, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was a late inactive with a knee injury, and backup Kenneth Gainwell took full advantage of an expanded role, turning his 25 opportunities into 134 yards and two touchdowns. Following a Week 5 bye, Jaylen Warren was back in the lineup for the Steelers' Week 6 win over the Browns, pushing Gainwell back into a supporting role. Warren saw 31 snaps to Gainwell's 20, and out-touched him 13-12. The silver lining for Gainwell is that he caught all six of his targets, but turned that into only 14 yards. In a game that the Steelers led from start to finish and ran only 58 plays to the Browns' 74, it's entirely possible that Warren could have seen more work if not for it being his first game back. Warren is still the Steelers' starting back, but even if the team employs both players in a closer split, Gainwell lacks the explosiveness to turn his limited touches into anything that can be reliably trusted for fantasy.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Oct 14 1:20pm CT
George Pickens

Through six weeks, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens leads the NFL with six touchdown receptions, while his 525 yards trail only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua. Asked on Tuesday about a potential contract extension, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones touched upon Pickens' fit within the locker room before saying the team would need to think about "having some room available if [they] are gonna pay a second receiver at that level." The Cowboys acquired Pickens in an offseason trade, and as he plays out the final season of his rookie contract, he currently represents the gem of the 2026 free agency class at the position. It remains to be seen if he can keep up his torrid pace when CeeDee Lamb (ankle) returns from injury, but wherever he ends up next season, he'll likely see a deal in excess of $30 million per year. He should be viewed as a fringe WR1 in both redraft and dynasty formats.

From RotoBaller

Hassan Haskins Oct 14 12:30pm CT
Hassan Haskins

Just before the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 6 contest against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, it was announced that running back Hassan Haskins would start for the Bolts in the first game without rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton (ankle), who is on Injured Reserve. Haskins got the start, but he quickly gave way to Kimani Vidal, who dominated backfield work with 18 carries for 124 rushing yards while playing 67% of the offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Haskins only played 31% of the snaps and saw six carries for 14 yards while catching his only target for a gain of nine yards. The Chargers could use more of a split backfield going into a Week 7 meeting against the Indianapolis Colts. Still, Vidal definitely was the more explosive back in the first game without Hampton. The 25-year-old still deserves to be rostered in deep leagues for RB depth with Hampton out, but he won't be a recommended flex play against Indy.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Oct 14 12:10pm CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has seen a more consistent role in the Colts' passing attack over the last few weeks and even managed to find the end zone for the first time this year in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Downs hauled in six of his seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. It was nice to see Downs score for the first time in 2025, and it came with fellow wideout Alec Pierce making his return from a two-game absence due to a concussion. The 24-year-old has caught six passes in back-to-back weeks now, and he has been targeted 15 times in that span. He has seen at least five targets in each of the last three weeks. Pierce's return will surely make it harder for Downs to maintain that consistency, but it's clear he's a big part of a passing attack in Indy that also includes Michael Pittman Jr. and impressive rookie tight end Tyler Warren. Downs is only rostered in 50% of Yahoo leagues currently. That number should be higher.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Oct 14 12:00pm CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has seen more involvement in the offense over the last two weeks, with the team's receiving corps extremely banged up. Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) were unavailable in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers, and rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) also suffered an injury that is expected to cost him time. Otton caught five of a season-high six targets for 51 yards in Week 6 and now has nine grabs on 11 targets for 132 yards in the last two games. The 26-year-old's five catches led the team against San Fran. Even if Evans can make it back for the Monday night game in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, Otton should be in line for an elevated role once again with both Egbuka and Godwin sidelined. He deserves attention on the waiver wire this week and is rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues. Otton will be a TE2 streamer in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Wan'Dale Robinson Oct 14 11:50am CT
Wan'Dale Robinson

In the absence of wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee), who is done for the year with a torn ACL, New York Giants wideout Wan'Dale Robinson has become the team's clear No. 1 pass-catcher. Robinson paced the Giants' pass-catchers in their upset victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last Thursday night, catching six of his seven targets for 84 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Most of the 24-year-old's damage came on a 35-yard touchdown hookup with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. In two games without Nabers, Dart has targeted Robinson 14 times, making it clear that he's going to be a primary target for the young signal-caller moving forward. The upcoming matchup on the road against a stingy Denver Broncos defense isn't ideal, but Robinson's increased volume at least makes him a waiver-wire target if he's still available in your league. Robinson is currently rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller