As the fantasy football season presses on, it becomes more difficult to field an optimal lineup. Knowing which under-the-radar players to start can be the difference between winning and losing a matchup.
Here are some sleepers to consider starting in Week 6 lineups.
Target These Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 6
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants (vs. CIN)
We need to give Daniel Jones his due. What he was able to accomplish against the Seattle Seahawks last week without Malik Nabers was quite impressive. Jones threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns. More importantly, he was more mobile than he’d been all season, carrying the ball 11 times for 38 yards.
Jones has quietly been very useful. He’s scored 18+ fantasy points in three of his last four starts.
Jones should get Nabers back this week for a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been awful defensively. They just allowed Lamar Jackson to throw for 348 yards and four touchdowns against him. Two weeks ago, Jayden Daniels threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 39 yards and a third score on the ground.
Jones is the exact type of QB they have the most trouble with. He’s a sneaky option for fantasy managers in need of a desperation start.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)
You certainly don’t want to need Tyler Allgeier. While he has seen an uptick in snap share the past two weeks, playing 38% and 36% of the snaps, he’s still firmly behind Bijan Robinson. But if there ever were a matchup to use him, it’s this one.
Last week, I had Roschon Johnson in this spot, and he delivered for desperate fantasy managers with two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers’ Charmin-soft run defense. Perhaps it is Allgeier’s turn.
The Panthers entered Week 4 allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs. They left Week 4 allowing the most.
D’Andre Swift and Johnson combined for 98 yards and three touchdowns against this defense. Even if Robinson has that elite RB1 game fantasy managers have been looking for, Allgeier could still see 8-10 touches and potentially a touchdown.
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens (vs. WAS)
There is no real floor when it comes to Justice Hill. Even in a track meet against the Bengals, he only scored 3.5 fantasy points. However, he did see seven opportunities. He’s seen at least six opportunities in every game. That may not seem like much, but we’re talking about players you wouldn’t normally start here.
In Week 1, Hill scored 11.5 fantasy points. In Week 4, he registered 21.6 fantasy points. There is an upside where he can excel as a receiver. That’s the thread connecting Weeks 1 and 4 — 52 and 78 receiving yards.
Justice Hill cooked this dude. 🔥pic.twitter.com/Ki84kaQOaK
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 3, 2024
The Washington Commanders have the worst pass defense in the NFL. When the Ravens pass, Hill is the receiving back. He’s a sneaky start in Week 6.
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots (vs. HOU)
We are digging really deep for this one. Ja’Lynn Polk has done absolutely nothing in his young career. He’s yet to reach double-digit fantasy points and hasn’t caught more than three passes in a game. But there have been encouraging signs recently.
Over the past two weeks, Polk has seen an uptick in playing time and targets. After seeing a total of six targets over the first three weeks, he’s seen six and seven over the past two. Against the Miami Dolphins, he was just barely out of bounds on a would-be touchdown reception.
Ja'Lynn Polk catches the TD for the #Patriots, but it is called an incomplete. pic.twitter.com/SfZ8NgOps4
— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) October 6, 2024
Polk is a talented player. A breakout might be coming. The New England Patriots should see a negative game script against the Houston Texans. With no clear WR1, Polk could be a viable WR3.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas Cowboys (vs. DET)
Is Jalen Tolbert still a sleeper after that performance on Sunday night? In the absence of Brandin Cooks, Tolbert operated as the clear WR2. He outplayed CeeDee Lamb, catching seven of 10 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown.
This week, things should be much more open in a home date against the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell’s team poses much more of an offensive threat, which will create a much better game environment. Dak Prescott can’t throw every pass to Lamb and Jake Ferguson. Tolbert has three games of 13+ fantasy points already.
The Lions entered Week 4 allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Expect Prescott and the entire Dallas Cowboys offense to perform much better. If Tolbert could be a WR1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he may very well be emerging into a viable weekly WR3.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders (at BAL)
For most of the season, Zach Ertz has been solid for fantasy managers. His first true dud came this past week with just two catches for 10 yards.
At his age, Ertz is far from exciting, and he carries no ceiling. But the floor should return against a Ravens defense that has struggled against the tight end.
Before Week 5, 29% of the Ravens’ total receiving yards allowed had gone to the tight end position. Then, they allowed Mike Gesicki and Erick All Jr. to combine for a respectable 41 yards.
Ertz did see eight targets last week and has been the TE1 for the Commanders. He’s a solid floor play in what should be a high-scoring game and a pass-heavy game plan for Washington.