NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football IDP Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

As we head into Week 6, we have fewer decisions on which IDPs to start and which to sit because of bye weeks. Still, there are still plenty of players to avoid and just as many we shouldn’t turn our back on just yet. Matchups, playing time and talent matter than the most recent box score. 

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Here are some of the players IDP fantasy managers might be debating in Week 6 and thoughts on whether these players should be started or left on fantasy benches. 

DEFENSIVE LINE

START: DE SAM HUBBARD, CINCINNATI BENGALS VS. DETROIT LIONS

Week 5 turned out to be a disappointing game for one of the better tacklers at the defensive end position, as Hubbard managed just one assist the entire game despite playing 83% of the team’s defensive snaps. It was a rough game for Hubbard all around, having earned just a 35.2 overall grade and missing two tackles, which contributed to a season-low 38.0 run-defense grade.

This is not the norm for Hubbard, as his career run-defense grade is a 72.8, and his 201 total tackles are tied for first among all edge defenders since he entered the league in 2018. A matchup against the Lions in Week 6 should help Hubbard get back on track — they are among the top five teams in the league in surrendering fantasy points to the defensive end position. 

Hubbard has managed at least two pressures per game, so going up against the second-lowest-graded pass-blocking unit (47.3) in the NFL should help him add to his two sacks on the year. Lions starting right tackle Matt Nelson will be the primary matchup for Hubbard this week, as he lines up exclusively against right tackles. Nelson owns just a 43.4 pass-blocking grade (69th among tackles), having allowed 22 pressures (second) and two sacks (14th) on the season. Nelson hasn’t fared much better in run defense, with just a 58.2 run-defense grade on the season, ranking 48th among offensive tackles who have played at least 20% of the team’s snaps.

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SIT: HAROLD LANDRY III, TENNESSEE TITANS VS. BUFFALO BILLS

It should be noted that Landry has been very good this season, both as a pass rusher and tackler from the edge position. He has racked up 30 total pressures (second among EDs) and 30 tackles (first) while playing the third-most snaps among edge defenders. That said, there are still reasons to consider other options this week.