If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen some young wide receivers perform surprisingly well, earning them breakout labels. This week though, comes a major test for three specific receivers that I would consider sitting this week, pending other options.

Brian Thomas, JAX

Let’s start with the toughest sit. In fact, Thomas may have already reached the lofty status of elite wide receiver, which fantasy players just don’t bench. I understand that, but we should at least lower our expectations this week as Thomas and the Jaguars are set to face the Bears’ defense. The Bears are allowing just 25.8 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, seventh-fewest in the league, and have only allowed one top-24 fantasy performance from a receiver. The Bears have kept Michael Pittman, Calvin Ridley, Diontae Johnson, and Tank Dell outside of the top 50 weekly scorers at the position. It can be fairly argued that Thomas is better than each of these veterans, so he still gets the starting nod. At the very least, I expect the two-week streak of finishing as a WR1 to end for the phenomenal rookie.

Josh Downs, IND

After missing the first two games of the season, Colts receiver Josh Downs has enjoyed a pair of monster performances over the past two weeks. Downs notched fantasy finishes of WR8 and WR17, totaling a whopping 17 receptions along the way. Things could be very different in Week Six though, as Indy matches up with the Titans. Despite their offensive woes and disappointing record, the Titans’ defense has been playing lights out this season. The only team in the league yet to allow a top-24 game to a wideout, Tennessee has already shut down DJ Moore, Garrett Wilson, Jayden Reed, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, among others. In fact, Wilson’s WR33 rank is the top performance against the Titans this year and no wideout has scored more than 11 fantasy points against them. Add in the fact that the poor-passing Anthony Richardson could be back in the lineup and Downs belongs on the pine this week.

Quentin Johnston, LAC

Maybe the term breakout is a little too strong in the case of Quentin Johnston, whose Chargers are coming off a bye week to face the Broncos’ defense. The former first-round rookie did enjoy a huge Week Two game as he finished as the WR11 for the week. This gave fantasy managers hope, although the rest of Johnston’s play this season has mirrored what we saw as a rookie. Regardless, this is not the week to expect continued improvement from Johnston. The Broncos’ defense has been tough, giving up a pair of top-24 performances and allowing just 22 fantasy points per game to the position, second-lowest in the league. It probably goes without saying, but bench QJ this week.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 5 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Jaguars continued their “perfect” record last week as they once against allowed a QB1 performance. That’s big news for Caleb Williams, the Bears rookie who is coming off his first-ever QB1 game and is ready to notch another one. It’s no surprise that Jacksonville is also giving up the most fantasy points to the position, getting hit for 26.5 per contest. It’s a big week for Williams.

The Buccaneers offer a soft on-paper matchup, having allowed four QB1 games, but there is uncertainty as to which young quarterback the Saints will roll out following the Derek Carr injury and it is difficult to start either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler. Other quarterbacks with positive matchups this week include Will Levis (vs. IND), Jayden Daniels (vs. BAL), and Daniel Jones (vs. CIN.)

Six teams have yet to allow a QB1 game this season. I would expect that streak to break for at least one of them this week. They are the: Bears (vs. Trevor Lawrence), Chargers (vs. Bo Nix), Saints (vs. Baker Mayfield), Jets (vs. Josh Allen), and Steelers (vs. Gardner Minshew?), along with the bye-week Dolphins.

Running Backs

Week 5 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1/RB2 Games Allowed

Through five weeks, the Bills and Panthers have already allowed seven top-24 performances to running backs. This week, that means potential big bounce-backs for two of the most talented backs in the league. Don’t give up on Breece Hall (vs. NYJ) and Bijan Robinson (vs. CAR) just yet.

Several other backs have nice matchups worth chasing in Week Six. These include Josh Jacobs (vs. ARI), Najee Harris (vs. LV), and D’Andre Swift (vs. JAX.)

The Vikings have surrendered just one top-24 game on the season and are on bye this week. A handful of teams are giving up less than 18 fantasy points per game, including the Steelers (vs. Alexander Mattison), Ravens (vs. Brian Robinson), and Lions (vs. Rico Dowdle.)

Wide Receivers

Week 5 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

Considering they are struggling to stop opposing quarterbacks, it would make sense that the Jags are also giving it up to receivers. They’ve allowed a league-high eight top-24 games through five weeks. That should continue this week with DJ Moore feasting and Rome Odunze and maybe even Keenan Allen taking advantage too. The Packers are next, giving up seven WR1/2 games and now face rookie phenom Marvin Harrison, Jr.

Other players with nice matchups in Week Six include Diontae Johnson (vs. ATL), Drake London (vs. CAR), Malik Nabers (vs. CIN), Calvin Ridley (vs. IND), CeeDee Lamb (vs. DET), Terry McLaurin (vs. BAL) and Amari Cooper (vs. PHI.)
We’ve already discussed the poor matchups for Downs, Thomas, and Johnston, but that also goes for Michael Pittman (vs. TEN), Christian Kirk (vs. CHI), Ladd McConkey (vs. DEN), Courtland Sutton (vs. LAC), Stefon Diggs (vs. NE) and Garrett Wilson (vs. BUF.)

Tight Ends

Week 5 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

The Rams are up to four TE1 games through four weeks but get their bye this week. That leaves fantasy managers to chase the teams allowing the most fantasy points in a crowded group. The Chargers (vs. Greg Dulcich), Ravens (vs. Zach Ertz), and Colts (vs. Evan Engram?) are each among the five worst teams against tight ends this season.

Meanwhile, three squads have yet to give up a TE1 performance, including the Falcons (vs. Ja’Tavion Sanders), Texans (vs. Hunter Henry), and Titans (vs. Mo Alie-Cox et al.) You weren’t starting any of these guys anyway. Unfortunately, Dalton Kincaid (vs. NYJ), David Njoku (vs. PHI), and Dallas Goedert (vs. CLE) also have difficult matchups in Week Six.

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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