Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)

by Optimus Staff

Published On: October 10th, 2025

The fantasy season is heating up, and our writers are taking sides. Some are ready to double down on their breakout darlings, while others are warning you to pull the plug before it’s too late. Week 6 is the perfect time to separate hope from hype and decide who’s actually worth a starting spot. Across the board, our staff has a few spicy takes on players they’re higher or lower on heading into the weekend.

So before you lock in your lineup, take a look at who our writers are backing and who they are bailing on in Week 6.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 6

Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!

Players We Are Higher On:

Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Consensus Rank: QB30

Evan’s Ranking: QB24

‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️

The Bengals are trading for Joe Flacco.

Per, @rapsheet.bsky.social

— Optimus FF News (@optimusfantasynews.bsky.social) October 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM

As weird as it looks to me to put a new team next to Flacco’s name, I’d still rather start him over Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, and Aaron Rodgers. Playing for a different NFL team in Ohio, Flacco will still be playing behind an atrocious offensive line that won’t give him much time to get rid of the football. Yet when you have elite weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they significantly help Flacco’s value against a Packers defense that gave up 40 points to the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. It’s not hard to see how much better his top two wide receivers are now compared to Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. In 2QB/SuperFlex leagues, if not having C.J. Stroud or Carson Wentz this week as your second quarterback hurts, you can take a shot on Joe Flacco and hope he beats the Packers for the second time this season.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Consensus Rank: WR27

Nate’s Rank: WR21

Embed from Getty Images

There isn’t much to be excited about when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders, but when a matchup calls, you have to listen. Week 6 brings the Sin City franchise a gift in the form of a very weak, disjointed Tennessee Titans team.

Las Vegas’ offense has had significant issues, especially in the passing game this season, and WR Jakobi Meyers has suffered. The veteran pass-catcher had high hopes heading into the season, but is averaging a paltry 8.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG) through five weeks. However, TE Brock Bowers is likely out again this weekend, and the Titans are average, at best, against the WR Position.

Yes, in a bad offense, Meyers has been a backend FLEX option at best this season. However, the stars are aligning this weekend, and Meyers should creep into the fold as a WR2 against a defense giving up 28.9 FPPG to the position.  

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB14

Lou’s Rank: RB9

I think we can probably put Judkins on my “Higher” list pretty permanently at this point. Quite simply, Judkins is That Dude. If you watched the Optimus Dynasty Show this week, you’ll see I rank Judkins as my dynasty RB4. This is an offense that runs through him and will lean on him as they figure out what they’re doing at QB. It’s somewhere between possible and likely that my ranking is too low for him this week.

Pittsburgh is only middling against opposing RBs, just like Minnesota is, which was Judkins’ opponent in Week 5. For those who don’t remember, Judkins put up 110 yards rushing in Week 5 and had a 56-yard TD run called back on two needless holding calls. Since he became the full-time RB in Week 3, Judkins hasn’t finished with fewer than 80 yards rushing in any of the three games since. This is a locked-in RB1 every week, without exception. Hang on, I need to go move him up in my rankings….

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Consensus Rank: QB7

Bryan’s Rank: QB1

Alright, I know what you’re thinking, but just stay with me. 

Baker Mayfield is the QB4 through five weeks this season. He’s currently 5th in points per game with 21.6. He’s facing off against a San Francisco defense that is ravaged by injuries and looking very vulnerable to a competent passing attack. Matthew Stafford and company amassed just shy of 400 yards of offense through the air last week. I’m confident that Baker can, and will, produce something similar to Stafford’s performance. The main difference is Baker’s ability to scramble and get points on the ground. 

Maybe this is an overreaction to an excellent game from Mayfield against a normally good Seahawks defense, but I do think there’s a world where Tampa Bay’s signal caller gets it done. 

Players We Are Lower On:

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Consensus Rank: WR22

Evan’s Ranking: WR29

Embed from Getty Images

Set to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Metcalf is having a decent start to his season as Arthur Smith’s top pass catcher. The Browns trading away Greg Newsome in exchange for Tyson Campbell is not enough to change my mind about Metcalf’s Week 6 ranking. The Browns’ defense has done a good job defending the pass this year, yet they have also given up 10 touchdown passes. If Metcalf can find the end zone, then he’ll easily have a WR2 fantasy value. If not, then you’d better hope he has more than 32 receiving yards to reach double-digit points. If you have other similarly valued options at wide receiver or FLEX, then consider starting them over Metcalf this week.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Consensus Rank: QB17

Nate’s Rank: QB24

It seems that Jacksonville’s unlikely win over Kansas City, coupled with QB Trevor Lawrence’s clumsy heroics (see below), has some people with blinders on heading into Week 6. Don’t be fooled, friends: Lawrence’s QB5 performance in Week 5 was an anomaly.

Don’t forget Lawrence almost cost the Jaguars a chance to win twice on that final drive: once with an ill-timed, clock-eating scramble, and then again with a boneheaded delay of game penalty with under 50 seconds remaining. That, dear readers, is who Trevor Lawrence is.

This week, the Jaguars face off against Seattle, which has been a middle-of-the-road unit against QBs. However, it’s impossible to have faith in Lawrence, who couldn’t muster double-digit fantasy points against Houston (8.8) and barely got there against Carolina (11.3). Even in 2QB and Superflex formats, the former first-overall pick seems too risky to start in Week 6. 

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: QB2

Lou’s Rank: QB10

Embed from Getty Images

Did you hear that balloon-deflating sound coming out of the Washington, DC area? It’s OK if you didn’t; it’s been pretty quiet. Come to think of it, so has the Washington passing offense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s performed OK. But it hasn’t been the electrifying offense we saw in 2024, either. In fairness, Jayden Daniels did get banged up and missed a couple of games, so we’re still working with overly small sample sizes with him.

Did you know, Jayden Daniels hasn’t finished as a QB1 in any game he’s played? I know, it doesn’t seem right to me, either. Now I don’t think we’re seeing a C.J. Stroud-esque sophomore slump with Daniels, just to be clear. And we do see Kliff Kingsbury-led offenses struggle in Year 2 pretty consistently, which is where they are right now.

I know it’s the Downy-soft Chicago pass defense, but this is also a Bears team coming off a bye, with a new coaching staff, and a team that still remembers the Hail Mary from last year. If ever there was a scenario where Chicago would limit a passing offense, it’s this week.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Consensus Rank: WR33

Bryan’s Rank:  WR37

This is less of a critique of Romeo Doubs and more of uncertainty around this game as a whole. Yes, the Packers are going to thump the Bengals. I don’t think there’s any doubt there. How the Packers get it done, however, is not as easy to predict. It will start with a focus on the run game and Josh Jacobs, which we can rest easy knowing is the truth. In this passing attack, anyone could be the lucky recipient of the couple of touchdowns Jordan Love is bound to throw. Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks – all of these guys are in play for a touchdown this week. Four spots isn’t that big of a difference, just know you are still taking a gamble throwing in Doubs this week. 

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

The fantasy season is heating up, and our writers are taking sides. Some are ready to double down on their breakout darlings, while others are warning you to pull the plug before it’s too late. Week 6 is the perfect time to separate hope from hype and decide who’s actually worth a starting spot. Across the board, our staff has a few spicy takes on players they’re higher or lower on heading into the weekend.

So before you lock in your lineup, take a look at who our writers are backing and who they are bailing on in Week 6.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 6

Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!

Players We Are Higher On:

Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Consensus Rank: QB30

Evan’s Ranking: QB24

‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️

The Bengals are trading for Joe Flacco.

Per, @rapsheet.bsky.social

— Optimus FF News (@optimusfantasynews.bsky.social) October 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM

As weird as it looks to me to put a new team next to Flacco’s name, I’d still rather start him over Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, and Aaron Rodgers. Playing for a different NFL team in Ohio, Flacco will still be playing behind an atrocious offensive line that won’t give him much time to get rid of the football. Yet when you have elite weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they significantly help Flacco’s value against a Packers defense that gave up 40 points to the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. It’s not hard to see how much better his top two wide receivers are now compared to Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. In 2QB/SuperFlex leagues, if not having C.J. Stroud or Carson Wentz this week as your second quarterback hurts, you can take a shot on Joe Flacco and hope he beats the Packers for the second time this season.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Consensus Rank: WR27

Nate’s Rank: WR21

Embed from Getty Images

There isn’t much to be excited about when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders, but when a matchup calls, you have to listen. Week 6 brings the Sin City franchise a gift in the form of a very weak, disjointed Tennessee Titans team.

Las Vegas’ offense has had significant issues, especially in the passing game this season, and WR Jakobi Meyers has suffered. The veteran pass-catcher had high hopes heading into the season, but is averaging a paltry 8.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG) through five weeks. However, TE Brock Bowers is likely out again this weekend, and the Titans are average, at best, against the WR Position.

Yes, in a bad offense, Meyers has been a backend FLEX option at best this season. However, the stars are aligning this weekend, and Meyers should creep into the fold as a WR2 against a defense giving up 28.9 FPPG to the position.  

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB14

Lou’s Rank: RB9

I think we can probably put Judkins on my “Higher” list pretty permanently at this point. Quite simply, Judkins is That Dude. If you watched the Optimus Dynasty Show this week, you’ll see I rank Judkins as my dynasty RB4. This is an offense that runs through him and will lean on him as they figure out what they’re doing at QB. It’s somewhere between possible and likely that my ranking is too low for him this week.

Pittsburgh is only middling against opposing RBs, just like Minnesota is, which was Judkins’ opponent in Week 5. For those who don’t remember, Judkins put up 110 yards rushing in Week 5 and had a 56-yard TD run called back on two needless holding calls. Since he became the full-time RB in Week 3, Judkins hasn’t finished with fewer than 80 yards rushing in any of the three games since. This is a locked-in RB1 every week, without exception. Hang on, I need to go move him up in my rankings….

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Consensus Rank: QB7

Bryan’s Rank: QB1

Alright, I know what you’re thinking, but just stay with me. 

Baker Mayfield is the QB4 through five weeks this season. He’s currently 5th in points per game with 21.6. He’s facing off against a San Francisco defense that is ravaged by injuries and looking very vulnerable to a competent passing attack. Matthew Stafford and company amassed just shy of 400 yards of offense through the air last week. I’m confident that Baker can, and will, produce something similar to Stafford’s performance. The main difference is Baker’s ability to scramble and get points on the ground. 

Maybe this is an overreaction to an excellent game from Mayfield against a normally good Seahawks defense, but I do think there’s a world where Tampa Bay’s signal caller gets it done. 

Players We Are Lower On:

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Consensus Rank: WR22

Evan’s Ranking: WR29

Embed from Getty Images

Set to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Metcalf is having a decent start to his season as Arthur Smith’s top pass catcher. The Browns trading away Greg Newsome in exchange for Tyson Campbell is not enough to change my mind about Metcalf’s Week 6 ranking. The Browns’ defense has done a good job defending the pass this year, yet they have also given up 10 touchdown passes. If Metcalf can find the end zone, then he’ll easily have a WR2 fantasy value. If not, then you’d better hope he has more than 32 receiving yards to reach double-digit points. If you have other similarly valued options at wide receiver or FLEX, then consider starting them over Metcalf this week.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Consensus Rank: QB17

Nate’s Rank: QB24

It seems that Jacksonville’s unlikely win over Kansas City, coupled with QB Trevor Lawrence’s clumsy heroics (see below), has some people with blinders on heading into Week 6. Don’t be fooled, friends: Lawrence’s QB5 performance in Week 5 was an anomaly.

Don’t forget Lawrence almost cost the Jaguars a chance to win twice on that final drive: once with an ill-timed, clock-eating scramble, and then again with a boneheaded delay of game penalty with under 50 seconds remaining. That, dear readers, is who Trevor Lawrence is.

This week, the Jaguars face off against Seattle, which has been a middle-of-the-road unit against QBs. However, it’s impossible to have faith in Lawrence, who couldn’t muster double-digit fantasy points against Houston (8.8) and barely got there against Carolina (11.3). Even in 2QB and Superflex formats, the former first-overall pick seems too risky to start in Week 6. 

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: QB2

Lou’s Rank: QB10

Embed from Getty Images

Did you hear that balloon-deflating sound coming out of the Washington, DC area? It’s OK if you didn’t; it’s been pretty quiet. Come to think of it, so has the Washington passing offense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s performed OK. But it hasn’t been the electrifying offense we saw in 2024, either. In fairness, Jayden Daniels did get banged up and missed a couple of games, so we’re still working with overly small sample sizes with him.

Did you know, Jayden Daniels hasn’t finished as a QB1 in any game he’s played? I know, it doesn’t seem right to me, either. Now I don’t think we’re seeing a C.J. Stroud-esque sophomore slump with Daniels, just to be clear. And we do see Kliff Kingsbury-led offenses struggle in Year 2 pretty consistently, which is where they are right now.

I know it’s the Downy-soft Chicago pass defense, but this is also a Bears team coming off a bye, with a new coaching staff, and a team that still remembers the Hail Mary from last year. If ever there was a scenario where Chicago would limit a passing offense, it’s this week.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Consensus Rank: WR33

Bryan’s Rank:  WR37

This is less of a critique of Romeo Doubs and more of uncertainty around this game as a whole. Yes, the Packers are going to thump the Bengals. I don’t think there’s any doubt there. How the Packers get it done, however, is not as easy to predict. It will start with a focus on the run game and Josh Jacobs, which we can rest easy knowing is the truth. In this passing attack, anyone could be the lucky recipient of the couple of touchdowns Jordan Love is bound to throw. Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks – all of these guys are in play for a touchdown this week. Four spots isn’t that big of a difference, just know you are still taking a gamble throwing in Doubs this week. 

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

The fantasy season is heating up, and our writers are taking sides. Some are ready to double down on their breakout darlings, while others are warning you to pull the plug before it’s too late. Week 6 is the perfect time to separate hope from hype and decide who’s actually worth a starting spot. Across the board, our staff has a few spicy takes on players they’re higher or lower on heading into the weekend.

So before you lock in your lineup, take a look at who our writers are backing and who they are bailing on in Week 6.

Higher or Lower? Fantasy Football Players We’re Backing or Fading in Week 6

Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!

Players We Are Higher On:

Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Consensus Rank: QB30

Evan’s Ranking: QB24

‼️‼️‼️ BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️

The Bengals are trading for Joe Flacco.

Per, @rapsheet.bsky.social

— Optimus FF News (@optimusfantasynews.bsky.social) October 7, 2025 at 12:11 PM

As weird as it looks to me to put a new team next to Flacco’s name, I’d still rather start him over Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, and Aaron Rodgers. Playing for a different NFL team in Ohio, Flacco will still be playing behind an atrocious offensive line that won’t give him much time to get rid of the football. Yet when you have elite weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they significantly help Flacco’s value against a Packers defense that gave up 40 points to the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago. It’s not hard to see how much better his top two wide receivers are now compared to Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. In 2QB/SuperFlex leagues, if not having C.J. Stroud or Carson Wentz this week as your second quarterback hurts, you can take a shot on Joe Flacco and hope he beats the Packers for the second time this season.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Consensus Rank: WR27

Nate’s Rank: WR21

Embed from Getty Images

There isn’t much to be excited about when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders, but when a matchup calls, you have to listen. Week 6 brings the Sin City franchise a gift in the form of a very weak, disjointed Tennessee Titans team.

Las Vegas’ offense has had significant issues, especially in the passing game this season, and WR Jakobi Meyers has suffered. The veteran pass-catcher had high hopes heading into the season, but is averaging a paltry 8.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG) through five weeks. However, TE Brock Bowers is likely out again this weekend, and the Titans are average, at best, against the WR Position.

Yes, in a bad offense, Meyers has been a backend FLEX option at best this season. However, the stars are aligning this weekend, and Meyers should creep into the fold as a WR2 against a defense giving up 28.9 FPPG to the position.  

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Consensus Rank: RB14

Lou’s Rank: RB9

I think we can probably put Judkins on my “Higher” list pretty permanently at this point. Quite simply, Judkins is That Dude. If you watched the Optimus Dynasty Show this week, you’ll see I rank Judkins as my dynasty RB4. This is an offense that runs through him and will lean on him as they figure out what they’re doing at QB. It’s somewhere between possible and likely that my ranking is too low for him this week.

Pittsburgh is only middling against opposing RBs, just like Minnesota is, which was Judkins’ opponent in Week 5. For those who don’t remember, Judkins put up 110 yards rushing in Week 5 and had a 56-yard TD run called back on two needless holding calls. Since he became the full-time RB in Week 3, Judkins hasn’t finished with fewer than 80 yards rushing in any of the three games since. This is a locked-in RB1 every week, without exception. Hang on, I need to go move him up in my rankings….

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Consensus Rank: QB7

Bryan’s Rank: QB1

Alright, I know what you’re thinking, but just stay with me. 

Baker Mayfield is the QB4 through five weeks this season. He’s currently 5th in points per game with 21.6. He’s facing off against a San Francisco defense that is ravaged by injuries and looking very vulnerable to a competent passing attack. Matthew Stafford and company amassed just shy of 400 yards of offense through the air last week. I’m confident that Baker can, and will, produce something similar to Stafford’s performance. The main difference is Baker’s ability to scramble and get points on the ground. 

Maybe this is an overreaction to an excellent game from Mayfield against a normally good Seahawks defense, but I do think there’s a world where Tampa Bay’s signal caller gets it done. 

Players We Are Lower On:

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Consensus Rank: WR22

Evan’s Ranking: WR29

Embed from Getty Images

Set to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Metcalf is having a decent start to his season as Arthur Smith’s top pass catcher. The Browns trading away Greg Newsome in exchange for Tyson Campbell is not enough to change my mind about Metcalf’s Week 6 ranking. The Browns’ defense has done a good job defending the pass this year, yet they have also given up 10 touchdown passes. If Metcalf can find the end zone, then he’ll easily have a WR2 fantasy value. If not, then you’d better hope he has more than 32 receiving yards to reach double-digit points. If you have other similarly valued options at wide receiver or FLEX, then consider starting them over Metcalf this week.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Consensus Rank: QB17

Nate’s Rank: QB24

It seems that Jacksonville’s unlikely win over Kansas City, coupled with QB Trevor Lawrence’s clumsy heroics (see below), has some people with blinders on heading into Week 6. Don’t be fooled, friends: Lawrence’s QB5 performance in Week 5 was an anomaly.

Don’t forget Lawrence almost cost the Jaguars a chance to win twice on that final drive: once with an ill-timed, clock-eating scramble, and then again with a boneheaded delay of game penalty with under 50 seconds remaining. That, dear readers, is who Trevor Lawrence is.

This week, the Jaguars face off against Seattle, which has been a middle-of-the-road unit against QBs. However, it’s impossible to have faith in Lawrence, who couldn’t muster double-digit fantasy points against Houston (8.8) and barely got there against Carolina (11.3). Even in 2QB and Superflex formats, the former first-overall pick seems too risky to start in Week 6. 

Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Consensus Rank: QB2

Lou’s Rank: QB10

Embed from Getty Images

Did you hear that balloon-deflating sound coming out of the Washington, DC area? It’s OK if you didn’t; it’s been pretty quiet. Come to think of it, so has the Washington passing offense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s performed OK. But it hasn’t been the electrifying offense we saw in 2024, either. In fairness, Jayden Daniels did get banged up and missed a couple of games, so we’re still working with overly small sample sizes with him.

Did you know, Jayden Daniels hasn’t finished as a QB1 in any game he’s played? I know, it doesn’t seem right to me, either. Now I don’t think we’re seeing a C.J. Stroud-esque sophomore slump with Daniels, just to be clear. And we do see Kliff Kingsbury-led offenses struggle in Year 2 pretty consistently, which is where they are right now.

I know it’s the Downy-soft Chicago pass defense, but this is also a Bears team coming off a bye, with a new coaching staff, and a team that still remembers the Hail Mary from last year. If ever there was a scenario where Chicago would limit a passing offense, it’s this week.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Consensus Rank: WR33

Bryan’s Rank:  WR37

This is less of a critique of Romeo Doubs and more of uncertainty around this game as a whole. Yes, the Packers are going to thump the Bengals. I don’t think there’s any doubt there. How the Packers get it done, however, is not as easy to predict. It will start with a focus on the run game and Josh Jacobs, which we can rest easy knowing is the truth. In this passing attack, anyone could be the lucky recipient of the couple of touchdowns Jordan Love is bound to throw. Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks – all of these guys are in play for a touchdown this week. Four spots isn’t that big of a difference, just know you are still taking a gamble throwing in Doubs this week. 

For more advice, head over to our Discord channel and ask our analysts! For breaking news and injury updates, follow Optimus Fantasy News on Bluesky!

By Published On: October 10th, 2025

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