One of the key components to fantasy football success is making the correct lineup decisions. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions will only get more difficult from here on out, so let’s take a look at our Week 6 start/sit plays for the RB position.
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Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. NYG)
Fantasy managers are undoubtedly disappointed in James Cook’s performance across the pond last week. The Buffalo Bills came out flat, and their running game just couldn’t get going. After four straight weeks of hitting double-digit fantasy points, Cook posted 5.1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While Cook will never possess an elite ceiling due to the involvement of Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, he should be a strong RB2 most of the time.
MORE: Week 6 Start/Sit Options — QB | WR | TE
This is a great bounce-back spot for the talented lead runner against a New York Giants defense allowing 26.6 PPG to running backs, the sixth-most in the league. The Giants are allowing 5.3 YPC and 1.4 touchdowns per game to RBs.
With the Bills being heavy home favorites, the running game is unlikely to get game-scripted out. Cook should remain plenty involved and return to being a high RB2 in Week 6.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (vs. CAR)
The Carolina Panthers have become another run defense we like to pick on. They’re allowing 30.5 PPG to running backs, which would be the most in the league if not for the Broncos lapping the field at 42.3. Opposing running backs are averaging 5.2 YPC against them.
Not only is the matchup great, but Mostert is about to be thrust right back into the lead role. De’Von Achane suffered a knee injury last week and is expected to miss multiple weeks. While we don’t know for sure how long he will be out, we do know he won’t be playing against the Panthers.
Jeff Wilson Jr. may be set to return, but given the five-week layoff, this is going to be Mostert’s backfield. He is set to smash with the Miami Dolphins as heavy home favorites against what may be the worst team in football.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (vs. NO)
It’s been a rough start to the season for Dameon Pierce. The Houston Texans RB is undoubtedly talented, but his offensive line and lack of passing work are severely capping his upside.
I’ve seen several fantasy analysts out there call Pierce a buy. I understand why. The usage is there. The role is there. But I don’t see things getting better, particularly for reasons exactly like those leading to him being a sit this week.
Pierce is averaging 9.6 PPG. He’s averaging 2.9 YPC and has scored just one rushing touchdown. Is that really a guy you want to start against a New Orleans Saints defense allowing 14.1 PPG to running backs, the fifth-fewest in the league?
Just like last week, when I had Rhamondre Stevenson as a sit ’em against this team, the next rushing touchdown the Saints allow to a running back will be the first. Sit Pierce if you can.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DET)
I will preface this by saying Rachaad White isn’t a total fade. His volume will always keep him from being a complete disaster. But even coming off the bye, White is not someone you should be excited about starting.
White is not a particularly special player. He’s not terrible (for fantasy), but his performance will be heavily dictated by the caliber of the opposing defense. This week, it’s a rough one.
MORE: Week 6 Fantasy Cheat Sheet
The Lions are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs at 12.6. Only the Seattle Seahawks hold running backs to a lower YPC than the Lions’ 3.1.
White will still see volume by virtue of there being no one else competent in this backfield. It will just likely be empty volume, just like two weeks ago against another elite run defense, the Saints. In that game, White carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards while adding three receptions for 22 yards. That’s about what fantasy managers should expect this week.
Trending Searches for RB Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, which we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!
Should You Start James Cook or Alexander Mattison?
James Cook is coming off his worst game of the season. He carried the ball five times for a whopping negative four yards! Of course, that doesn’t mean to completely abandon him. As you read above, I like him to bounce back this week.
For all the criticisms levied at Alexander Mattison, he’s hit double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this season. Cam Akers’ arrival hasn’t destroyed Mattison’s fantasy value. Akers has played exactly 29% of the snaps in both of his games with the Vikings. He’s a backup.
Mattison has a fantastic matchup this week against the Bears. With Justin Jefferson out, the Vikings could lean on their run game more than usual, and this is the week to do it.
At the same time, Cook’s matchup at home against the Giants is also great. You can’t really go wrong with either of these guys. In this case, I will defer to the Start/Sit Optimizer, which has decided this in favor of Cook.
Should You Start Dameon Pierce or Jonathan Taylor?
Sometime in the not-too-distant future, this will not be a real decision fantasy managers have to make. It’s going to be Jonathan Taylor, and it’s not going to be close. However, JT played just 10 snaps last week in his first game back from the PUP list. We know his usage will increase this week, but that could mean 25-30% of the snaps or greater than 50%.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
The focus here has to be on Dameon Pierce and whether his bankable volume is enough to supersede Taylor’s volatile upside. The Start/Sit Optimizer believes it is. I think there’s more nuance than a computer program can provide.
Pierce is going to touch the ball 20 times. If the Texans get near the goal line, Pierce will take those carries. He may not do much. In fact, he likely won’t. But he should safely get to 10 fantasy points.
Taylor may not get to five fantasy points. He also could score over 20.
The answer to who you should start depends on what you think you need in your matchup.