Last week, our Fantrax fantasy football contributors hit big with bold predictions citing big performances from Breece Hall and even rookie wide receiver Josh Downs! So, let’s keep the momentum heading into Week 6! These bold predictions won’t always have a 100% success rate, but should at least help sway decision-making for your dynasty, redraft, or even Daily Fantasy Sports lineups.
2023 NFL Week 6 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Bold Prediction: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown
17.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
Ahead of Week 6, fantasy football managers are still coping with the biggest injury news of the season. Justin Jefferson, of whom many used the first overall pick to select this summer, is out at least four weeks on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury. Given the Minnesota Vikings’ 1-4 record, Jefferson’s pending contract extension, and trade rumors surround quarterback Kirk Cousins, there is a chance we’ve seen the last of Jefferson this season.
Let’s focus on some positives, though, shall we? With the loss of Jefferson comes an opportunity for other Vikings pass catchers to put up points in our fantasy lineups. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is doing just fine averaging 13.1 points per game as the TE4. We should expect to see first round pick Jordan Addison to increase his snaps, targets, and production, as well. However, K.J. Osborn, the focus of my Week 6 bold prediction, deserves consideration in starting lineups moving forward.
Prior to this season, Osborn served as the Vikings’ WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. When Thielen missed time due to injury, Obsorn saw a bump in usage hauling in 10 of 21 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns over four games. He has the most familiarity in this offense and with Cousins.
So far in 2023, Osborn is second in snaps behind Jefferson amongst wide receivers. Justin Jefferson leaves behind a 26% team target share. As I said, Hockenson and Addison will get theirs, but Osborn cannot be overlooked. He’s a flex-worthy play with upside in Week 6 against a Chicago Bears defense tied in allowing the ninth-most points to opposing receivers this season.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Bold Prediction: 290 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
19.6 fantasy Points
Fantrax Writer: Michael Reedy, @MikeReedyFF
Michael’s Breakdown: Anthony Richardson has gone to Injured Reserve with a shoulder injury. The Colts are lucky they have one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league in Gardiner Minshew. Minshew has been a starter in the past and can produce in good matchups. He has such a match-up in Week 6.
The Colts are playing divisional rival the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 1 rematch. The Jaguars give up sixth-most fantasy points to opposing teams’ quarterbacks. Quarterbacks have averaged 272 yards and 1.6 TDs per week against the Jaguars. Every quarterback to face the Jaguars this season has scored a touchdown against them. Furthermore, four out of five have thrown multiple touchdowns. This is a nice spot for Minshew to hit on my bold prediction of 290 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Bold Prediction: 9 receptions, 121 yards, 2 touchdowns
33.1 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Meng Song, @FFA_Meng
Meng’s Breakdown: Baltimore’s receivers had a slew of drops last week that led to a narrow road loss in Pittsburgh instead of what should’ve been a blowout win. Zay Flowers contributed two of those drops. The good news is that even with Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. back in the lineup in Week 5, Flowers continued to lead the Ravens in targets, and the rookie should do so again in Week 6.
While he’s seen a consistently high target share, how Flowers was targeted changed last week. In his first four games, the rookie saw an average depth of target (aDOT) of just 6.1 yards, but his aDOT jumped to 15.3 yards in Week 5 against the Steelers. This week, Flowers will be facing a Titans secondary that’s top-10 in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers thus far, and he should continue to see more downfield targets with Baltimore’s offensive line finally getting healthier.
To top it all off, the Ravens have been in London since Monday adjusting to the time difference, whereas the Titans will be flying across the pond overnight on Thursday, giving Tennessee less than 48 hours to adjust to the change in time zones. The Titans’ defense could be half-asleep for this London matchup, so don’t sleep on my bold prediction of a big coming-out party for Flowers in Week 6.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 19 carries, 75 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 receptions, 15 yards
17.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT
It’s hard to imagine actually putting faith in a New England Patriot in any Week 6 fantasy football starting lineup. They’ve been outscored 72-3 over their last two games. That alone makes this a bold prediction. I do think better days are ahead for Rhamondre Stevenson even though he is on my “hot seat” ahead of this week. However, his bounce back can start in a softer-than-most matchup at the Las Vegas Raiders.
So far in 2023, teams are running against the Raiders at the eighth-highest rate. As a result, they’ve totaled the ninth-most rushing yards against them. When these two teams matched up last season, Rhamondre Stevenson ran wild for 172 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. My bold prediction claims he matches that workload, which ties a season-high in carries this year, as well, but for a modest 75 yards, also a season-high. Las Vegas are also in the bottom half of the league in points allowed per game (22.8) so I do think Stevenson punches in his second rushing touchdown of the season, as well, in Week 6.
With only two teams on bye in Week 6, there are more options that probably appeal better than Stevenson. However, I can’t imagine Bill Belichick depending on Mac Jones to air it out in a game against a Josh McDaniels-led Raiders who should be able to scheme a strong game against the struggling quarterback. Leaning on the run game makes sense in this one. I’ve got Stevenson as an RB2 with upside. This can be the game fantasy managers can begin putting faith in him again.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty