If there was a theme for Week 6 in the NFL it would surely be opportunities thanks to a number of injuries. There are a number of teams that need to replace starters with big roles. As a result there are plenty of low cost options at running back and wide receiver that have the potential for big weeks. The trick is going to be to identify who will see a big uptick in volume. It’s definitely going to be a week where you can fit in multiple of the top players and not feel like you have to compromise too much elsewhere.

This week the Sunday Redzone competitions covers both the 1pm and 4pm kick-offs and entries start from £2. There is the standard 9-man line-up to fill consisting of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex and 1 D/ST with full PPR scoring and no yardage bonuses. The budget has been bumped up slightly to 120M, so 13.3M per player on average.

Quarterbacks

• Baker Mayfield (17.8M) – There’s not a lot of value in the lower cost QBs, it’s probably a week to pay up at the position. If you are set on saving cap space at QB, Baker Mayfield is the best of the cheaper choices. Mayfield has been really solid Tampa Bay so far this season. They have been running the ball a lot, but Mayfield has been making plays when he needs to, particularly off of play action. Through 4 games, Mayfield has thrown 7 touchdowns to 2 interceptions and this week faces the Lions who have been pretty kind to opposing QBs. Outside of Desmond Ridder they have given up at least 19.6 points to the position each week.

Running Backs

• Emari Demercado (6.6M) – Demercado is the low hanging fruit this week, he’s massively underpriced and as a result will probably be really highly owned. After James Conner went down with a knee injury, Demercado played every second half snap for Arizona last week. The picture is complicated a little with Keaontay Ingram set to return from a neck injury. But, Ingram hasn’t shown much in his career to date so I don’t see him dominating the backfield. Demercado as definitely earned some opportunities and considering the bargain basement price he’s worth the play despite being highly owned.
• D’Onta Foreman (7.5M) – After being the clear third option in Chicago the last few week, Foreman looks to be the clear starter this week. Khalil Herbert is out with a high ankle sprain, whilst Roschon Johnson suffered a concussion last weekend. After Tua’s high profile concussions last season the NFL seems to be very cautious clearing players this year. So far the season no player has been cleared to play the week after suffering a concussion so we can be fairly confident Johnson will miss week 6. Foreman hasn’t had a chance to show anything this year, but he was really solid for Carolina last year. Based on volume alone he should be a good value this week.

Wide Receivers

• KJ Osborn (9.6M) – There are a lot of targets up for grabs in Minnesota now Justin Jefferson has been placed on IR. TJ Hockenson is sure to see plenty of work, but rookie receiver Jordan Addison is working through an ankle injury. He’s been limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so he should play but he may still be limited. Osborn is familiar in the offence and should step into Jeffersons X-role. He has also shown some big game potential over the last two season. With Minnesota having a very underwhelming run game there should be plenty of opportunities for Osborn in the passing game.
• Jakobi Meyers (12.3M) – Jakobi Meyers has had a surprisingly large role in the Raiders offence, through 4 starts he’s had 10+ targets in 3. He has even out-targeted Davante Adams in two of those games. This week Meyers has a revenge game against his former team, the Patriots, alongside his head coach and QB. The Patriots defence has looked very suspect the last few weeks and they can definitely be taken advantage off. With Davante Adams likely to draw the attention of the only decent CB in JC Jackson, I like Meyers to see a lot of targets again this week.

Tight Ends

• Tyler Conklin (7.6M) – Tyler Conklin has been easily biggest beneficiary of Zach Wilson returning to the starting line-up in New York. Conklin has had 5+ targets in all 4 of Wilsons starts and has topped 50 yards in 3 of 4. He hasn’t made it into the end-zone yet, but if Wilson can continue to play solid football, Conklin will get opportunities over the next few weeks. This week the Jets face the Eagles this weekend who have a solid defence, but are certainly weak at defending tight ends. The targets should be there for Conklin again this week and he’s 5M cheaper than the top options!

Defence/Special Teams

Finally, the Philadelphia Eagles (7.7M) low price is a reflection of how much better Zach Wilson has looked as well as the Eagles struggling to create turnovers. However, the Eagles have been getting good pressure on the quarterback, despite having no turnovers in the last two games they have managed 9 sacks. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Wilson return to his old ways against a savvy veteran defence, at the price there’s no better option for me.

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