Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings: Week 6

Plenty of player movement with nearly a third of the season behind us.

These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Rankings key:
UP/DN is trending up or down from week’s ranking.
NR means the player wasn’t ranked last week.
UP/DN numbering shows where the player was ranked the prior week.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Josh Allen, BUF 7 UP3 the king is dead … long live the king
2 Kyler Murray, ARI 12
3 Patrick Mahomes, KC 12 DN1 there’s just something amiss in KC
4 Lamar Jackson, BAL 8
5 Justin Herbert, LAC 7 the rank stays the same, but Herbert moves up to tier 1
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Tom Brady, TB 9 225 passes to 103 rushes this season
7 Dak Prescott, DAL 7 strength of the running game, weakness of schedule make me   wonder about Prescott a bit
8 Jalen Hurts, PHI 14
9 Aaron Rodgers, GB 13
10 Matthew Stafford, LAR 11
11 Joe Burrow, CIN 10 UP15 hospitalized w/ a throat contusion; was a precautionary move and should be OK for Wk 6
12 Sam Darnold, CAR 13 ugly performance in Wk 5, but let’s see him w/ McCaffrey back
13 Matt Ryan, ATL 6 UP17
14 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7
15 Russell Wilson, SEA 9 DN7 injured his finger in Wk 5; underwent surgery and is set to miss 4-8 weeks
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
16 Derek Carr, LV 8 DN14 he’s erased a lot of goodwill in the past two games, though not as much as Jon Gruden
17 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 13
18 Daniel Jones, NYG 10 suffered a concussion in Wk 5; will start in Wk 6 if he can   clear league protocol
19 Taylor Heinicke, WAS 9 rough day at the office this past Sunday
20 Baker Mayfield, CLE 13
21 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 7 was that… balance I saw from PIT’s offense in Wk 5?
22 Teddy Bridgewater, DEN 11 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a concussion
23 Mac Jones, NE 14
24 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 7 back-to-back games w/ a rushing score is intriguing
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
25 Jameis Winston, TB 6 sorry, Jameis. fool me once, shame on you. fool me   twice…
26 Carson Wentz, IND 14
27 Trey Lance, SF 6 UP31 suffered a knee sprain in Wk 5; if/when he takes over QB1 his running could create value
28 Tyrod Taylor, HOU 10 eligible to return from IR (hamstring) in Wk 6; he should take   over as QB1
29 Jared Goff, DET 9
30 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 6 did not play in Wk 5 w/ a calf injury; could be back in Wk 7   when SF returns from bye
31 Justin Fields, CHI 10 even on limited pass attempts he’s taking a beating
32 Zach Wilson, NYJ 6
33 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 14 eligible to return from IR (ribs) in Wk 6
34 Geno Smith, SEA 9 NR set to make at least three starts in place of Wilson
35 Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS 9 on IR w/ hip injury; no lock to regain starting job when he   returns
36 Deshaun Watson, HOU 10
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Derrick Henry, TEN 13
2 Alvin Kamara, NO 6
3 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 7
4 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 DN2 missed second straight game w/ a hamstring injury in Wk 5; he could return in Wk 6
5 Nick Chubb, CLE 13
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Austin Ekeler, LAC 7
7 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7 DN5 did not play in Wk 5 w/ an ankle injury; has missed 2 of last 3 gms; are we sure he’s not breaking down?
8 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14
9 Aaron Jones, GB 13
10 James Robinson, JAC 7 UP15 it looks like Meyer realized Robinson might just be his best offensive weapon
11 Joe Mixon, CIN 10 played sparingly in Wk 5 after injuring his ankle the previous   week
12 D’Andre Swift, DET 9
13 Najee Harris, PIT 7 UP16 loved what I saw from Harris in Wk 5; if he builds on it, he’s moving up more
14 Antonio Gibson, WAS 9
15 Kareem Hunt, CLE 13 UP17
16 Saquon Barkley, NYG 10 DN10 carted off w/ an ankle injury in Wk 5; he’s week-to-week, but this feels like a significant setback
17 Chris Carson, SEA 9 did not play in Wk 5 w/ a neck injury; his status for Wk 6 is   unknown
18 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 12 DN12 suffered a sprained MCL in Wk 5; he’s expected to miss a few weeks
19 Darrell Henderson, LAR 11 UP21
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
20 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL 6 UP28 how did it take so long for someone to utilize Patterson like this?
21 David Montgomery, CHI 10 placed on IR w/ a knee injury; eligible to return in Wk 8 but   likely to be out beyond that
22 Josh Jacobs, LV 8 DN19 averaging 3.8 YPC since the team moved to Las Vegas
23 Miles Sanders, PHI 14
24 Leonard Fournette, TB 9 UP30 there’s some real distance between Fournette and RoJo this season
25 Chase Edmonds, ARI 12
26 Javonte Williams, DEN 11
27 James Conner, ARI 12
28 Damien Harris, NE 14 suffered a rib injury in Wk 5 and did not return; his status   for Wk 6 is TBD
29 Jamaal Williams, DET 9 UP31
30 Zack Moss, BUF 7 UP34
31 Devin Singletary, BUF 7 DN25
32 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 11
33 Elijah Mitchell, SF 6 returned in Wk 5 after missing two games w/ a shoulder injury;   had 9 of SF’s 11 RB carries
34 Mike Davis, ATL 6
35 Tony Pollard, DAL 7 still feels like a luxury item to me; I wanna see his usage in   some competitive games
36 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7 UP51 capable of being a top-15 fantasy back based on Cook’s status; but what’s his role when Cook is healthy?
37 Myles Gaskin, MIA 14
38 AJ Dillon, GB 13 UP43 176 yards of offense and a TD in the past two weeks
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
39 Nyheim Hines, IND 14 DN37
40 J.D. McKissic, WAS 9 DN36 on pace for 44 receptions in 17 gms after catching 80 in 16 last year
41 Damien Williams, CHI 10 UP45 played well in Wk 5 but split duties w/ Khalil Herbert
42 Sony Michel, LAR 11
43 Ty’Son Williams, BAL 8 DN40 at least he was active this week
44 Michael Carter, NYJ 6
45 Alex Collins, SEA 9 UP60 likely RB1 if Carson misses time; also expect more rushing from SEA while Wilson is out
46 Mark Ingram, HOU 10 UP49 getting most of the carries; Taylor’s return should help the offense
47 Latavius Murray, BAL 8
48 Darrel Williams, KC 12 UP53 should be the top back in KC for as long as CEH is out of action
49 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 14
50 Ronald Jones, TB 9
51 Devontae Booker, NYG 10 UP68 should fill in for Barkley while he’s out
52 Kenyan Drake, LV 8 why did Las Vegas hand him a $14.5M contract to never use him?
53 Trey Sermon, SF 6 DN39 had one carry in Wk 5 w/ Mitchell back in the lineup
54 Phillip Lindsay, HOU 10
55 Giovani Bernard, TB 9 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a knee injury
56 Khalil Herbert, CHI 10 NR ran for 75 yds in Wk 5; hard to say what his long-term value is once Montgomery/Cohen return
57 Malcolm Brown, MIA 14
58 Marlon Mack, IND 14 still waiting on that trade…
59 Carlos Hyde, JAC 7 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a shoulder   injury
60 David Johnson, HOU 10
61 Chuba Hubbard, CAR 13 topped 100 yds in Wk 5 but McCaffrey’s return is imminent
62 Samaje Perine, CIN 10 placed on COVID list; status for Wk 6 is TBD
63 Larry Rountree, LAC 7 as long as Ekeler is healthy it doesn’t matter who RB2 is, but   there’s zero clarity there right now
64 Darrynton Evans, TEN 13 designated to return from IR (knee) but has yet to be   activated
65 Justin Jackson, LAC 7
66 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 14 NR took over for Harris, who got hurt and also fumbled; had a TD wiped away by penalty
67 Le’Veon Bell, BAL 8 inactive in Wk 5; BAL’s RB situation is a mess
68 Peyton Barber, LV 8 DNP in Wk 5 w/ a turf toe injury; his status for Wk 6 is TBD
69 Tarik Cohen, CHI 10 on the PUP list w/ a knee injury; eligible to return in Wk 7
70 Ty Johnson, NYJ 6 NR
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Davante Adams, GB 13
2 Tyreek Hill, KC 12 sustained a minor knee injury in Wk 5; he’s not expected to   miss time
3 Cooper Kupp, LAR 11 UP5
4 DK Metcalf, SEA 9 he played well once Geno Smith took over, which is encouraging
5 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7 UP9 has distanced himself from Thielen
6 Terry McLaurin, WAS 9
7 Keenan Allen, LAC 7
8 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 12
9 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7 DN3 this whole “spreading the ball around” thing is not great for Diggs’ value
10 Mike Williams, LAC 7 UP14 currently on pace for a 105-1602-20 line
11 D.J. Moore, CAR 13
12 Mike Evans, TB 9 Evans slides into Tier 1
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Calvin Ridley, ATL 6 DN11 DNP in Wk 5 due to a personal matter; no reason to believe he won’t play in Wk 7 following bye
14 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 7
15 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10 UP24 it feels like he has already surpassed Higgins as WR1 in Cincy
16 Deebo Samuel, SF 6
17 Diontae Johnson, PIT 7 UP20 w/ Smith-Schuster done for the year, Johnson solidifies as a WR2
18 Brandin Cooks, HOU 10
19 Robert Woods, LAR 11 UP25
20 Tyler Lockett, SEA 9 DN15 I worry more about Lockett than Metcalf w/ Smith at QB
21 A.J. Brown, TEN 13 DN16 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a hamstring injury
22 Adam Thielen, MIN 7 DN18 50 yds receiving or less in four straight games
23 Chris Godwin, TB 9
24 Chase Claypool, PIT 7 UP31 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a hamstring injury
25 Amari Cooper, DAL 7 DN23
26 Julio Jones, TEN 13 missed second straight game w/ a hamstring injury in Wk 5; his   status for Wk 6 is TBD
27 Antonio Brown, TB 9 UP39 if any team can support three fantasy WRs per week it’s TB
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
28 Tee Higgins, CIN 10 DN21 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous two games w/ a shoulder injury
29 DeVonta Smith, PHI 14
30 Courtland Sutton, DEN 11 UP34
31 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14
32 Marquise Brown, BAL 8
33 Allen Robinson II, CHI 10 DN22 it’s painfully obvious the Bears do not want to throw the ball
34 Emmanuel Sanders, BUF 7 UP43 four TDs in his last two games; lot of competition for balls, though
35 Kenny Golladay, NYG 10 DN29 suffered a knee injury in Wk 5 and did not return; he’s unlikely to play in Wk 6
36 Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC 7
37 Michael Thomas, NO 6 on the PUP list w/ an ankle injury; eligible to return in Wk 7
38 Rondale Moore, ARI 12 UP45 his skill set is unique in ARI’s offense; as such, I like him better than Green or Kirk
39 Henry Ruggs III, LV 8
40 Marvin Jones, JAC 7 DN33 it was Check-down City in JAX on Sunday
41 Corey Davis, NYJ 6
42 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE 13 DN30 how is OBJ such an afterthought on that team, even when they pass?
43 Darnell Mooney, CHI 10
44 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 14 need to see him play w/ Tagovailoa
45 A.J. Green, ARI 12
46 Jakobi Meyers, NE 14
47 Jamison Crowder, NYJ 6 UP54
48 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 6
49 Curtis Samuel, WAS 9 DN41 suffered a groin injury in Wk 5 and is week-to-week; not great considering he just returned from a groin injury
50 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10 DN44 feels like an afterthought when Chase and Higgins are both healthy
51 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 11 on IR w/ a high ankle sprain; expected to return around Wk 8
52 Hunter Renfrow, LV 8 UP56
53 Jarvis Landry, CLE 13 on IR w/ a knee injury; eligible to return in Wk 6
54 Cole Beasley, BUF 7 DN51 totally hit or miss through five games
55 Sterling Shepard, NYG 10 missed second straight game w/ a hamstring injury in Wk 5; his   status for Wk 6 is TBD
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
56 Christian Kirk, ARI 12
57 Robby Anderson, CAR 13 DN52 12 receptions through five games
58 Mecole Hardman, KC 12 UP73 if KC actually embraces a short-passing attack, Hardman might deliver some value
59 DeVante Parker, MIA 14 DNP in Week 5 w/ a hamstring injury; his status for Wk 6 is   TBD
60 Russell Gage Jr., ATL 6 missed third straight game w/ an ankle injury in Wk 5; he   could return in Wk 7 following bye
61 Sammy Watkins, BAL 8 suffered a hamstring injury in Wk 5; the severity is unknown
62 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 9 NR he replaces Cephus, who broke his collarbone, in the rankings; 13 catches in his last two games
63 Marquez Callaway, NO 6 UP71 159 receiving yds and 2 TDs in the past two games; I’m still skeptical of NO’s passing game
64 Bryan Edwards, LV 8
65 Kadarius Toney, NYG 10 NR posted a 16-267-0 line over the past two games; tons of injuries w/ NYG WRs though
66 T.Y. Hilton, IND 14 yet to play in 2021 w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return
67 James Washington, PIT 7 NR with Smith-Schuster done for the year, Washington enters the rankings; he missed Wk 5 w/ a groin injury
68 Jalen Reagor, PHI 14
69 Michael Gallup, DAL 7 DN65 on IR w/ an ankle injury; eligible to be activated but has not returned to practice
70 Tim Patrick, DEN 11 producing, but w/ Jeudy potentially returning soon his   long-term outlook is not great
71 K.J. Osborn, MIN 7 DN64
72 Nelson Agholor, NE 14 DN66
73 Van Jefferson, LAR 11 hard to see him offering much unless Kupp or Woods get hurt
74 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB 13 on IR w/ a hamstring injury; eligible to return in Wk 7
75 Kalif Raymond, DET 9 DN72
76 Elijah Moore, NYJ 6 returned in Wk 5 after missing previous game w/ a concussion
77 Rashad Bateman, BAL 8 yet to play this season w/ groin injury; eligible to return
78 Josh Gordon, KC 12
79 Darius Slayton, NYG 10 DN74 missed second straight game w/ a hamstring injury in Wk 5; his status for Wk 6 is TBD
80 Will Fuller, MIA 14 DN76 placed on IR w/ a broken finger; eligible to return in Wk 8
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 12 suffered a stinger in Wk 5; his status for Wk 6 is TBD
2 Darren Waller, LV 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
3 Mark Andrews, BAL 8
4 T.J. Hockenson, DET 9 DN3 three straight weeks of nominal production
5 Kyle Pitts, ATL 6 a step in the right direction in Wk 5, albeit w/ ATL short on   WRs
6 George Kittle, SF 6 DN4 placed on IR w/ a calf injury; eligible to return in Wk 9
7 Rob Gronkowski, TB 9 missed second straight game w/ a rib injury in Wk 5; his   status for Wk 6 is TBD
8 Dallas Goedert, PHI 14
9 Hunter Henry, NE 14 UP11 two straight weeks w/ a TD
10 Dawson Knox, BUF 7 UP18 am I still skeptical? yes. can I ignore five TDs in four gms? no.
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
11 Dalton Schultz, DAL 7 UP14
12 Noah Fant, DEN 11
13 Mike Gesicki, MIA 14 posting solid numbers, but that’s been w/ Brissett at QB
14 Tyler Higbee, LAR 11
15 Evan Engram, NYG 10 UP19 so many injuries for the NYG WR corps
16 Robert Tonyan, GB 13
17 Jared Cook, LAC 7
18 Logan Thomas, WAS 9 DN12 placed on IR w/ a hamstring injury; eligible to return in Wk 8
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
19 Jonnu Smith, NE 14
20 Tyler Conklin, MIN 7 UP26
21 Austin Hooper, CLE 13
22 Dan Arnold, JAC 7 NR could be a popular check-down target for Lawrence
23 Gerald Everett, SEA 9
24 Zach Ertz, PHI 14
25 Cole Kmet, CHI 10
26 Mo Alie-Cox 14 NR 92 yds and 2 TDs in his last two games
27 C.J. Uzomah, CIN 10
28 Blake Jarwin, DAL 7 it’s all Schultz right now
29 Juwan Johnson, NO 6
30 Pat Freiermuth, PIT 7
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Bills, BUF 7 seeing what they did to KC on SNF solidified their hold on the   top spot
2 Rams, LAR 11
3 Buccaneers, TB 9
4 Browns, CLE 13 they had no answers for the Chargers in Wk 5
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 49ers, SF 6 UP9
6 Steelers, PIT 7 DN4
7 Ravens, BAL 8
8 Cardinals, ARI 12
9 Cowboys, DAL 7 UP11 two more INTs for DAL; the schedule gets tougher, so we’ll see how well they hold up
10 Bears, CHI 10 UP18 finding ways to get after the QB
11 Patriots, NE 14
12 Broncos, DEN 11 DN7
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Panthers, CAR 13
14 Saints, NO 6
15 Colts, IND 14
16 Packers, GB 13 UP20 generating pressure, forcing turnovers; they look much better since midway through Wk 2
17 Chargers, LAC 7
18 Vikings, MIN 7 UP19
19 Eagles, PHI 14 NR
20 Washington, WAS 9 I keep thinking it’s going to get better