Fantasy Football: Week 6 sleepers, daily advice, mailbag

Alex Smith, Derrick Henry and Michael Thomas headline some of Jamey Eisenberg's favorite sleepers for Week 6.

Week 6 Rankings: Standard | PPR

In our sleepers column last week, we gave you the No. 1 receiver in Sammie Coates and the No. 1 tight end in Martellus Bennett. We also had several other strong performers in Chris Hogan, Randall Cobb, Jesse James, Jay Ajayi, Bobby Rainey, Bilal Powell and Zach Miller.

This week, the goal is finding more options -- with even more success.

Some of my favorite sleepers in Week 6 are Alex Smith (at OAK), Derrick Henry (vs. CLE) and Michael Thomas (vs. CAR), but all of these recommendations have the chance to play well. And when these players come through it's the best feeling because, in some cases, you took a chance on a guy you normally wouldn't start, but he might end as the difference maker for your team.

For all of your must-start options go here for the Week 6 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em.

Editor's Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg.

Quarterbacks

The Redskins have done a nice job of limiting the Fantasy points for opposing quarterbacks since facing Ben Roethlisberger scored 28 in Week 1. Dak Prescott has the next best score with 17 Fantasy points in a standard league, and Eli Manning and Joe Flacco were held to 16 points or less against this defense. It could be that those quarterbacks just aren't any good or weren't playing well when they faced Washington. Or the Redskins are just going to be tough against opposing quarterbacks. We think it's more of the former, and Wentz should have the chance for another solid outing this week. He has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in a standard league in three of four starts, and he's worth using as a low-end No. 1 option in this matchup.

This could be a letdown game for Hoyer after three consecutive solid outings with at least 300 passing yards and two touchdowns, and he's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in a standard league in all three starts. He also has no interceptions, and the Jaguars have limited opposing quarterbacks to 217 passing yards a game in matchups with Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Flacco and Andrew Luck. But the nice thing for Hoyer is those quarterbacks have averaged two touchdowns a game against Jacksonville, and Flacco is the only one with less than 21 Fantasy points. Hoyer should be a better Fantasy quarterback this week than Manning and Matt Ryan, and I consider him a low-end No. 1 option this week.

There are two things working in Smith's favor this week. The first is that the Raiders have been terrible in pass defense for most of the season, with four quarterbacks scoring at least 23 Fantasy points in a standard league and three scoring at least 33 points. Drew Brees, Ryan and Rivers each had at least 350 passing yards and three touchdowns against Oakland, and Smith also has a great history against the Raiders the past two years. In four meetings over that span, Smith is averaging 23.3 Fantasy points against Oakland, and he has 14 total touchdowns and just two interceptions against the Raiders in five previous matchups with the Raiders. Smith is a great streaming option this week and potential top 10 quarterback in all leagues.

Running backs

Henry is more of a desperation play than a must-start option, even as a flex, but this game sets up as a Titans win, maybe with ease. And if the Titans are killing the clock against the Browns, we could see Henry given an extended workload, and he just averaged 7.7 yards-per-carry against the Dolphins in Week 5. He's not going to be Fantasy relevant as a starter as long as DeMarco Murray is healthy, but this could be the week where he scores his first NFL touchdown at home. The Browns have also allowed a running back to score in four of five games, including three in a row, and they have surrendered six total touchdowns to running backs.

Coming off their bye in Week 5, we would expect the Jaguars to stick with the same usage in their backfield that they had in Week 4 against the Colts. Yeldon had 14 carries for 71 yards and four catches for 46 yards, while Chris Ivory had only eight catches for 29 yards. Ivory could benefit from the bye to get back to full strength after missing the first two games with an illness, but the Jaguars would be smart to keep Yeldon in the lead role. And if this game turns into a shootout, you know Yeldon will have a bigger role because of his receiving prowess. Five running backs have already had either 75 total yards or a touchdown against the Bears, and Yeldon's floor is about seven points in this matchup. Yeldon is worth using as a flex option this week.

White is starting to deliver on the expectations we had for him as a potential flex option in PPR leagues with his performance the past two weeks against Buffalo and Cleveland. And he should only continue to improve now that Tom Brady is back. He had four carries for 12 yards and five catches for 50 yards in Week 4 against the Bills, and then with Brady against the Browns he had five carries for 26 yards and four catches for 63 yards, which is 12 points in PPR. The Bengals have allowed three running backs to catch at least three passes for 37 yards this season, and White should once again be useful as at least a flex option in PPR leagues.

We'll see what happens with Rainey now that Rashad Jennings (hand) is expected to play against the Ravens, but we expect Rainey's role to remain the same. He's replaced Shane Vereen (triceps), and the Giants are leaning on him in the passing game, which makes him viable as at least a flex option in PPR leagues. He has nine carries for 44 yards and 13 catches for 95 yards on 15 targets in his past two games against the Vikings and Packers. In PPR leagues, he would have scored 13 points in both games. Jennings likely won't play on passing downs because of his hand injury, and the Ravens have already allowed three running backs to catch at least four passes this year.

It's hard to trust players coming off extended absences (see Jamaal Charles, Rob Gronkowski and Zach Ertz, among others), but Stewart's matchup this week against the Saints makes him worth the risk as a low-end No. 2 running back. New Orleans has allowed nine total touchdowns to running backs this year, and five rushers have scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. Stewart scored in his last game at New Orleans in 2015 with 21 carries for 82 and three catches for 31 yards and a fumble. We don't expect 15 Fantasy points in a standard league, but double digits in points is realistic given the matchup, including his time off from his recent hamstring injury.

Wide receivers

You'll have to keep an eye on Fuller's hamstring before Sunday's game, but as long as he plays as expected, you should be excited for his outlook this week. In three home games this year, Fuller has three games with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league, with two touchdowns in those outings. Those were favorable matchups against Chicago, Kansas City and Tennessee, and hopefully he'll have the same success against the Colts. Indianapolis has only allowed three touchdowns to opposing receivers this year, but seven have either scored or gained at least 75 receiving yards. Fuller should score at least seven Fantasy points this week in a standard league, and he's worth using as a low-end No. 2 receiver or flex option.

Adams is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week with his matchup against the Cowboys. He's back in his natural role as the No. 3 receiver for the Packers after being the No. 2 option last year when Jordy Nelson was out with a torn ACL. It was a disaster, but this year playing behind Nelson and Randall Cobb has allowed him to play without unrealistic expectations. He has scored in three of four games, including Week 5 against the Giants with his best outing of the year of five catches for 85 yards. He's had at least seven targets in three games, and secondary receivers have hurt the Cowboys more than No. 1 options. You're still starting Nelson in the majority of leagues, but Cobb and Adams are worth using since Dallas has allowed Sterling Shepard, Victor Cruz, Jamison Crowder and Brandon LaFell to score touchdowns this year.

Beasley's been an excellent Fantasy option for PPR owners for most of the season with at least 12 Fantasy points in four of five games. He finally scored his first touchdown this year in Week 5 against the Bengals, and the Cowboys may be forced to throw this week at Green Bay. The Packers lead the NFL in run defense and could make things tough on Ezekiel Elliott, although no one is benching him. And if Green Bay is ahead, Dak Prescott could be leading a comeback effort that would clearly involve Beasley. His targets have been down the past two games against San Francisco and Cincinnati with only four in each game, but this could be a matchup where he has at least seven, which happened twice in the first three outings of the year. That volume could make him a must-start option in PPR leagues and a No. 3 receiver in standard formats.

I don't think what Hogan did in Week 5 at Cleveland was a fluke when he had four catches for 114 yards on just four targets. And he could have had a bigger day if he didn't get banged up during the game and left for several moments. This New England pass attack is going to be nasty every week, which should mean plenty of big games for Brady and his weapons. Now, someone will get left out, which happened to Julian Edelman last week (Rob Gronkowski and Hogan were each over 100 receiving yards and Bennett scored three times), but Hogan is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week in Brady's first home game following his four-game suspension.

Like Hogan, I don't think what happened with Meredith in Week 5 at the Colts was a fluke when he had nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. Meredith tends to line up on the right side, which is where Hoyer is favoring most of his pass attempts. It's why Kevin White had 14 targets from Hoyer in Week 3 at Dallas, nine targets in Week 9 against Detroit before getting hurt and then Meredith's game last week. Over that same span, Alshon Jeffery had seven targets against the Cowboys, five targets against the Lions and six targets against the Colts. We hope Hoyer and Jeffery get going, but it's clear where Hoyer likes to look, which benefits Meredith. He's a solid No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues this week if his volume of targets expects to be this high.

Thomas had an excellent two-game stretch prior the bye in Week 5 with seven catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets against the Falcons and four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown on nine targets at San Diego. We hope he stays hot this week against the Panthers, who have allowed three receivers to score at least 10 Fantasy points in the past two games against Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Thomas will again have to contend with a crowded receiving corps with Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Coby Fleener, and Snead said his injured toe is close to 95 percent, which could mean more production for him. Still, given the matchup and recent level of play for Thomas, he's worth trusting as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week.

Tight ends

Miller has been productive for Fantasy owners for three games in a row, but we don't like the way his point total is heading over that span. He had 19 Fantasy points in a standard league in Week 3 at Dallas, nine points in Week 4 against Detroit and seven points in Week 5 at Indianapolis. The nice thing is he has scored three touchdowns in those three games, and in two of those outings he had at least eight targets, seven catches and 73 yards. We expect him to remain heavily involved against his former team (revenge game?), although the Jaguars have only allowed one touchdown to a tight end this year, which was Antonio Gates in Week 2. But Dennis Pitta is the lone tight end with more than five targets against Jacksonville this year, and he had six catches for 42 yards. If Miller continues to get at least eight targets, he should deliver another quality stat line this week.

James' window as a relevant Fantasy option could be closing soon if Ladarius Green (ankle) comes off the PUP list as early as Week 7, so hopefully he'll make the most of his extended playing time. He just had his best game of the season in Week 5 against the Jets with six catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and he has scored a touchdown in three of his past four outings. The Dolphins could be without standout safety Reshad Jones (groin), which would be a huge boost for James. And the Dolphins have already allowed Bennett and Delanie Walker to score at least 12 Fantasy points in a standard league in their past four games. James is worth using as a streaming option for at least another week.

The last time we saw Fleener at home was Week 3 against the Falcons when he had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. He put up a dud after that with three catches for 19 yards on five targets at San Diego, but we expect his stats to be somewhere between those two games this week against the Panthers. Carolina has been terrible against tight ends this year with four touchdowns allowed to the position, including Vance McDonald, Kyle Rudolph and Austin Hooper scoring double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. It's risky to trust Fleener since he has three games with two Fantasy points or less and just one game with double digits in points, but better times are ahead. And this matchup suggests Fleener could deliver as a low-end starting option in all leagues.

DFS Advice for Week 6

Here's my FanDuel lineup for Week 6

• QB: Drew Brees ($8,500) vs. CAR
• RB: Lamar Miller ($7,900) vs. IND
• RB: Ryan Mathews ($6,500) at WAS
• WR: Antonio Brown ($9,700) at MIA
• WR: Brandin Cooks ($7,500) vs. CAR
• WR: Michael Thomas ($5,400) vs. CAR
• TE: Zach Ertz ($5,400) at WAS
• K: Nick Novak ($4,500) vs. IND
• DST: Eagles ($4,500) at WAS

Here's my DraftKings lineup for Week 6

• QB: Marcus Mariota ($6,100) vs. CLE
• RB: LeSean McCoy ($6,900) vs. SF
• RB: Todd Gurley ($6,700) at DET
• WR: Marvin Jones ($7,200) vs. LAR
• WR: Jeremy Maclin ($6,300) at OAK
• WR: Cameron Meredith ($4,100) vs. JAC
• TE: Delanie Walker ($5,500) vs. CLE
• FLEX: Martellus Bennett ($4,500) vs. CIN
• DST: Bears ($2,300) vs. JAC

I like the Saints at home whenever possible, especially this week against the Panthers, who just played on Monday night and now have to travel. So Brees, Cooks and Thomas all have the chance for a big game this week in my FanDuel lineup. Miller is our Start of the Week, and I like his situation against the Colts. The same goes for Mathews against the Redskins, who have allowed seven touchdowns to running backs this year. Brown is worth the money this week against the Dolphins, and I expect a big game from Ertz now that he has shaken off the rust from his two-game absence with a rib injury.

On DraftKings, I spent big money at running back because I wanted McCoy against the 49ers, and Gurley should be able to run on the Lions, just like he did last year with 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. I did a mini-stack with Mariota and Walker, and I love the matchup for both against the Browns. Jones gets to face a depleted secondary for the Rams, and Maclin had three touchdowns in two games against the Raiders last year. I'll gamble on the Hoyer-Meredith connection again this week, and Bennett is worth using again since Brady should be great at home.

#fantasymail

@JameyEisenberg#fantasymail Who's a good player to stash now... D Moncrief, C Coleman, D Lewis, ???

— fflsage (@fflsage) October 14, 2016

All three guys listed here out of Donte Moncrief, Corey Coleman and Dion Lewis have the ability to help Fantasy owners down the stretch, but Moncrief is my favorite by far. I loved his outlook coming into the season, and he should have the chance to be a vital piece of the Colts offense and a favorite target for Andrew Luck. Coleman could be good for the Browns, but the quarterback situation is still a mess. And Lewis might not return until Week 10, and he will also contend with White still being a part of the New England backfield.

@JameyEisenberg who wins trade: OBJ and Devante Parker for Sammie Coates and DeMaryius? #fantasymail

— Nick Johnson (@bigplaycoachj) October 14, 2016

I like the Odell Beckham side better because he should be better than DeMaryius Thomas, and Parker and Coates could be a wash. Beckham's best production is still in front of him, and he should be an elite Fantasy receiver moving forward. Thomas isn't a slouch, but his quarterback situation could still hold him down. I hope Parker and Coates are both excellent Fantasy options, but Coates is the hot name right now. That might not be the case in a few weeks, so there's not a huge edge in those two players.

@JameyEisenberg#fantasymail how should we value Thomas Rawls?

— Doomed (@doomedbydesign) October 14, 2016

If you have an empty roster spot then I would consider stashing him, but he should return to the lineup as a backup to Christine Michael based on how well Michael has played so far. That said, the Seahawks will use whoever they think can help them win, and they have little commitment to either guy from a long-term standpoint. It's not a bad idea if you own Michael to trade for Rawls and consider him a handcuff while he's out.

@JameyEisenberg rest of season: Michael Floyd or Tyler Lockett?#fantasymail

— Ian Doig (@doigger19) October 14, 2016

These are two of the biggest disappointments this year based on preseason expectations, and hopefully both will come around and start producing at a high level. If I had to pick one, I would take Floyd because of the offense he plays in and his role. The Seahawks will try to use Lockett more, but their offense doesn't lend itself to multiple targets for a third receiver on a consistent basis. That's not the case in Arizona, and Bruce Arians will go back to Floyd with volume targets sooner rather than later. I'd keep Floyd if I had to make a choice between the two.

@JameyEisenberg should I continue to hold onto Eifert? #fantasymail

— J Lo (@Juiceman_210) October 14, 2016

If you've kept him thus far, I would hold onto him, but his latest back injury will keep him out in Week 6 at New England. We hope he's back before the Bengals bye in Week 9, but clearly if you need to make a move, drop him. Someone could grab him off waivers, but it will take him at least a week to shake off the rust from the long layoff. This has been frustrating season for Eifert and his Fantasy owners to say the least.