Fantasy Football Redraft

Print

Week 6 Free Agent Focus

Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

He’s available in about three quarters of ESPN leagues after his slow start. Cousins came to life in Sunday's plus matchup against the Giants, racking up 306 yards and 2 scores.

That’ll make him easier to trust in another nice spot next week at home for the Eagles. Philly hit Sunday allowing the league's 4th most points per game to QBs and can score enough to pressure the Vikings into more passing volume.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-8%

Minshew racked up 374 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. The rookie has now tossed 2 scores in 4 of 5 games.

Now Minshew gets a trio of plus matchups: vs. New Orleans, at Cincinnati and vs. the Jets. The Saints and Jets hit Sunday ranked among the 11 worst defenses in points allowed to QBs. The Bengals have allowed the league's 10th-highest passing-TD rate so far, which doesn't even account for Kyler Murray's rushing score in Week 5.

Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-20%

Westbrook caught 7 balls for 82 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, giving him 5+ catches in 4 of 5 games. That's enough to put Westbrook in the WR3 mix for at least the next 3 weeks with games against the Saints, Bengals and Jets.

Chris Herndon, TE, Jets

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%

Herndon returns from his 4-game suspension for next Sunday’s home date with Dallas. He should also bring QB Sam Darnold with him. The Jets were so confident that Darnold would be ready for Week 5 that they gave him all of the starter reps in practice over Luke Falk.

As long as Darnold’s spleen cooperates, we should get the tandem back to face a Cowboys defense that has been friendly to TEs in coverage and looked weak overall against the Packers on Sunday.

Gerald Everett, TE, Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

We didn’t put a ton of stock in Everett’s 5-44-1 line in Week 4 because it came in a game when QB Jared Goff chucked it 68 times. But Everett followed that up with 7 catches for 136 yards in Thursday night’s loss to the Seahawks. His 11 targets were 22.4% of the team total.

The 2017 2nd-rounder could continue to play a big role in this passing game, especially if WR Brandin Cooks misses time with his concussion.

Ravens D/ST

Blind-bid recommendation: 1-2%

Baltimore's defense isn't playing especially well so far, but it gets a nice home date with the Bengals in Week 6. Cincinnati has scored the 4th-fewest points in the league, logged the 5th-most turnovers and averaged the 4th-fewest yards per play. Andy Dalton is also averaging 4 sacks per game through 5 weeks.

Deep League Options:

Keke Coutee, WR, Texans

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

With Kenny Stills sidelined, Coutee filled in with 3 catches for 72 yards in the win over the Falcons. Coutee’s highlight was a deep ball over the middle that showed his speed. If Stills remains out for Week 5, Coutee will garner spot-start appeal for a trip to Kansas City.

Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Johnson mustered only 27 yards on 5 catches against Baltimore. But his 8 targets actually led the team.

Mason Rudolph departed with a concussion, putting rookie UDFA Devlin Hodges in the lineup. He looked competent with 68 yards on 7-of-9 passing, but the sample is clearly small.

James Washington also left Sunday’s loss with a shoulder injury and was seen in the locker room with a sling. If he misses time, Johnson would garner some deep-league appeal for a Week 6 date against the Chargers. Beyond that, Pittsburgh goes on a Week 7 bye before a sweet matchup vs. Miami.

Byron Pringle, WR, Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Pringle played the 2nd most snaps (78%) among Chiefs WRs in Sunday night's loss to the Colts -- trailing only DeMarcus Robinson and ahead of Mecole Hardman. Sammy Watkins' hamstring injury obviously played a big part in that. But Pringle was also targeted on 3 of the Chiefs' first 9 offensive snaps -- so it seems like he was part of the game plan. He finished with a big 6-103-1 line on 9 targets.

We'll see if Watkins is able to return for Week 6. And Tyreek Hill seems to be nearing a return. But Pringle might have earned himself a real role going forward. And we know anyone catching passes from QB Patrick Mahomes is worth owning in fantasy football.

Josh Reynolds, WR, Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 2-3%

Reynolds would move into the #3 WR spot if Brandin Cooks can't play next week with his concussion. In 8 games in that role last season, Reynolds averaged 5.9 targets, 3.3 catches, 46 yards and 0.6 TDs.

Alex Korff, Product Manager

Alex is an engineer by trade and focuses a lot on the game theory and the “value” of players. He spends most of his time in spreadsheets and building new fantasy football tools.