Preemptive Strike Week 6

With the bye weeks in full swing fantasy managers will be searching and scrambling for answers every week until the bye week gauntlet ends in Week 14. This week’s Preemptive Strike player list will focus on giving you some players to add or stash depending on your league size and needs. So like always open up a cold adult beverage relax and let's see what players you can add this week before your league mates try to add them next week.

Quarterbacks

Check to see if these quarterbacks are available to add first: Dak Prescott 78% Rostered, Geno Smith, 75% Rostered, Trevor Lawrence 66% Rostered, and Jared Goff 56% Rostered.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB 49ers 36% Rostered

So far this season Jimmy Garoppolo has been fairly quiet in fantasy but has been steady in real-life football. Garoppolo has guided the 49ers to a 3-1 mark on the season since he has taken over as starting quarterback. If you are looking for a streamer for next week and your starter is on a bye Garoppolo should strongly be considered a top add before next week’s waiver wire run. Garoppolo and the 49ers will battle the Chiefs next week and will more than likely be called upon to attack this defense that is allowing the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

Kenny Pickett, QB Steelers 15% Rostered

If you’re in two-quarterback or super-flex leagues things get tough sometimes but when byes kick in it really gets dicey. An option in these leagues that fantasy managers can turn to is rookie Kenny Pickett. Last week versus the stout Bills defense Pickett threw for 327 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. This week the Steelers face the Buccaneers' defense, so the rookie may not have a productive game. What makes him an appealing add is Pickett’s opponent in Week 7. The Steelers will face the Dolphins who are allowing the seventh most fantasy points to quarterbacks and when you are in a bind at quarterback in those deep leagues you need to get an advantage where ever you can. 

Sam Darnold, QB Panthers 1% Rostered

Let’s face it Baker Mayfield really is not getting it done for the Panthers and if you are looking to stash a quarterback on your IR spot in deeper two-quarterback/super-flex leagues look to add Sam Darnold to see how things play out when he returns.

Running Backs

Check to see if these running backs are available to add first: Darrell Henderson 74% Rostered, Eno Benjamin 65% Rostered, Alexander Mattison 61% Rostered, and Tyler Allgeier 50% Rostered.

Deon Jackson, RB Colts 19% Rostered

Stopped reading this and go pick up Deon Jackson now. Both Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines are out for this week, and Jackson should get the majority of the touches. Jackson had 13.10 PPR fantasy points last week when he came in after Hines got concussed. So grab him while you can and he should provide solid flex options for fantasy managers.

Mike Boone, RB Broncos 36% Rostered

With the news of Javonte Williams being ruled out for the year after tearing his ACL, the door has opened for Melvin Gordon to take over the majority share of the touches in this backfield. Gordon himself has had his share of minor nicks and bruises and appears that he will be sharing touches with Mike Boone. If the first game after the Williams injury is any indication of how things will go moving forward, Boone is a definitely must-add. Boone was involved in both the running game and passing game and totaled 11.50 PPR fantasy points. Should Gordon get injured, Boone will boom for fantasy managers

Rachaad White, RB Buccaneers 34% Rostered

Although Leonard Fournette is the bell cow for the Buccaneers, Rachaad White continues to be involved in the offense. White is not a player you would start in most leagues but if you are in a deeper 12 to 14-team league he could be a flex play. One thing is for certain White is the number two in this backfield and if Fournette should go down with an injury lookout. 

Joshua Kelly, RB Chargers 15% Rostered

Another running back who shows if he gets the touches he can be a viable option for fantasy managers is Joshua Kelly. Kelly rushed 10 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. He is the definite number two running back in this backfield, and in Week 7 the Chargers will face the Seahawks who are allowing the sixth most fantasy points to running backs. 

D’Onta Foreman, RB Panthers 5% Rostered

If Cristian McCaffrey gets traded, it officially becomes D’Onta Foreman season!

Running back lottery tickets to stash in deeper leagues: Isiah Pacheco 23% Rostered, James Cook 28% Rostered, Gus Edwards 15% Rostered, Jaylen Warren 12% Rostered, Jerick Mckinnon 12% Rostered, Dontrell Hilliard 12% Rostered, Caleb Huntley 8% Rostered, Samaje Perine 7% Rostered, Tyrion Davis-Price 3% Rostered, and Pierre Strong 1% Rostered.

Wide Receivers

Check to see if these wide receivers are available to add first: Romeo Doubs 63% Rostered, George Pickens 60% Rostered, Isaiah McKenzie 52% Rostered, and Michael Gallup 50% Rostered.

Alec Pierce, WR Colts 37% Rostered

Ever since Alec Pierce returned from his Week 1 concussion, he has been a straight-up baller. Pierce has seen his target share steadily increase as the season has progressed. With most of the opposing defenses focusing on stopping Michael Pittman Jr., Pierce has racked up 20 targets and produced 15 receptions for 222 yards over his last three games. Pierce is a must-add in all league formats.

Jameson Williams, WR 32% Rostered

As has been reported recently Jameson Williams has been ramping up his rehab and could be making his rookie debut sooner rather than later. With the Lions on a bye this week, Williams could be lining up on offense in Week 7 not only for the Lions but for your fantasy teams as well.

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR 7% Rostered

Prior to the season, Wan’Dale Robinson was getting some serious hype, but unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in Week 1. Now after weeks of recuperating and getting some limited practice in, it looks like Robinson is ready to get unleashed on the NFL. The Giants have already lost Sterling Shepard for the season, and Kadarious Toney and Kenny Golladay have already been ruled out for Week 6. So the table is set for Robinson to make an impact.

Wide Receivers to stash in deeper leagues: Treylon Burks 22% Rostered, Kadarius Toney 19% Rostered, Skyy Moore 10% Rostered, and Van Jefferson 5% Rostered

Tight Ends

Check to see if these tight ends are available to add first: Hayden Hurst 63% Rostered, and Irv Smith Jr. 40% Rostered. 

Evan Engram, TE Jaguars 33% Rostered

Last week Evan Engram was targeted 10 times by Trevor Lawrence. Engram turned that into six receptions for 69 yards. Lawrence has shown in the past that he likes to throw to tight ends, and that should continue for the rest of the season. 

Cade Otton, TE Buccaneers 7% Rostered

In deeper tight end premium leagues, a name to know is Cade Otton. Who is this you ask? Well, that is the rookie tight end that Tom Brady targeted seven times in Week 5. This illustrates that the GOAT can depend on Otton. Hopefully, this performance leads to more opportunities in the weeks to come.

Daniel Bellinger, TE Giants 2% Rostered

One tight end that I have added in a couple of deeper leagues this week has been Daniel Bellinger. Tight end has been hit or miss this season but in three of his last four games, Bellinger has scored over eight PPR fantasy points. So if you are in a tight end premium league or deeper 12 to 14-team leagues you try to find some fantasy points where ever you can. Bellinger was even involved in a double-reverse play last week that ended up with him rushing for a touchdown. With Bellinger being involved in various ways by the coaching staff means they are trying to get the rookie tight end the ball any way they can.  

Defense to Stream for Week 7

New England Patriots Defense 61% Rostered goes up against the Bears.

Cincinnati Bengals Defense 34% Rostered host the Falcons at home.

What players are you looking to add before this week's games? If you would like to discuss this further or have any fantasy questions you can reach me on Twitter at @smooth1074.