Week 6 Fantasy Football: 5 Polarizing Players – Yahoo Sports

Each week, we highlight five Yahoo rankers, with this column focusing on the top buzzworthy players from the past week. I’m hunting for athletes where genuine debate exists, utilizing a tool referred to as the “coefficient of variation” to assist in this search. These rankings will be adjusted until kickoff, so be sure to return for our weekly rankings pages and Sunday morning sit/start broadcast for the most current information.

These insights also appear in The Blueprint, my weekly column dedicated to rankings and analysis. The running back edition publishes on Wednesdays, with the wide receiver edition and the quarterback/tight end/kicker/defense editions released on Thursdays leading up to Thursday Night Football.

Texans RB Woody Marks (at JAX)

Marks achieved season highs in nearly every statistical category last week after David Montgomery (groin) exited the game. He registered as the RB23 while being projected as the RB11 in expected half PPR points (16.9), participating in 56 out of 57 snaps with Montgomery sidelined. Should he play close to all the snaps in the meantime, Marks can showcase an RB2 profile. For reference, the Texans’ running backs have collectively averaged 17.9 expected half PPR points this season. Additionally, Marks’ game tape has outperformed that of Montgomery, with a notable difference in burst as well as Marks’ adeptness with checkdowns and screens.

This week, Marks faces the Jaguars, who currently rank third best in terms of half PPR points allowed (13.4 per game) to opposing backfields. They have permitted the least amount of points on runs against running backs but have given up 6.8 half PPR points via the air, highlighted by Chase Brown’s 11 receptions in Week 4. Marks will need this potential support, as it appears the offensive line is unprepared for the defensive line they will face. Houston is entering this away game with an implied team total of 19.75 points (22nd) as 3.0-point underdogs.

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Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd (vs. DAL)

Following a fumble by Kaleb Johnson in the late stages of Week 4 and Chris Brooks landing on IR, it has been largely Lloyd’s responsibility. The Packers incorporated Pierre Strong Jr. for protection, but Lloyd still managed to secure 10 carries in a high-flying Packers offensive strategy. He concluded with a powerful touchdown and an untouched touchdown in the red zone. With 13.1 and 10.0 expected half PPR points over the past two weeks, Lloyd can be considered a fringe fantasy RB2 while the Packers and the rest of the league await a verdict on Josh Jacobs. However, Lloyd remains quite erratic on film, which keeps him categorized as a high-risk, high-reward option.

The Packers face a Cowboys defense that ranks seventh in terms of half PPR points allowed to running backs this season, averaging 23.6 points per game. Dallas was just exposed by Bucky Irving, who registered 165 rushing yards and 30.5 half PPR points in Week 5, while Derrick Henry put up 21.4 points against them in Week 3. Green Bay enters this matchup as a 1.5-point home favorite, with an implied team total of 27 points (fourth overall). An RB on a team projected for that kind of scoring deserves a spot in lineups.

Eagles RB Dameon Pierce (vs. CAR)

We are waiting to see if Saquon Barkley will be back; however, if he isn’t, Pierce moves up as the next option. After Will Shipley’s foot injury, Pierce took charge of all the running back opportunities, with only a couple of less reliable options in RB/FB Carson Steele and LV-donning RB Jaydon Blue competing for touches. The running game could struggle due to three backup offensive linemen and among the weakest blocking for tight ends and wide receivers in the league, yet there’s hope until the kickoff arrives.

The Panthers boast genuine talent on their defensive line and among their linebackers when entirely fit. Therefore, the fact they have given up the third-most fantasy points to running backs this season based on the second-most rushing yards shouldn’t be misleading. They’ve at least managed to contain Jahmyr Gibbs (77 total yards) and Bijan Robinson (81 total yards with no scores) since their explosive match against the Bears. Philadelphia holds a team total of 21.5 points (18th overall).

Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka (vs. PIT)

Egbuka stands out as the Buccaneers’ top pass-catcher, as the offense frequently incorporates him into their key plays on film. He is often in motion and is expected to have more productive outings when the quarterback’s performance aligns. Although not the most electrifying player, he can serve a similar role to Jakobi Meyers at minimum, showcasing superior skills suited for a slot or flanker position rather than a deep-threat X receiver role. This season, he’s been playing more frequently inside while Ted Hurst covers the vertical aspects, but the demands on an undrafted rookie quarterback to execute these throws are significant. Egbuka has alternated between being the WR66 and WR7 in expected points with Jalon Daniels as the quarterback, reflecting the unpredictable circumstances. Egbuka stands as the WR32 on WR28 usage, bringing balance to the entire season.

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. (vs. BAL)

Fannin has yet to receive a single screen target this season, despite having been one of the most effective YAC players last year. The Browns are focusing on getting the ball to KC Concepcion, who was cleared to play for Week 6, within their scheme to create touches, while also opting for more downfield throws. He appeared somewhat compromised during several of his plays last week. Fannin is still rated as TE10 based on TE11 usage this month yet carries a reduced floor this year, even in the absence of David Njoku. His 0.92 yards per route this season are close to half of last year’s statistic, which was 1.64.