For the most part, last week’s bold predictions were a good follow-up to the group’s Week 4 successes. Damien Williams, a hot waiver wire add, and two Buffalo Bills, Zack Moss and Emmanuel Sanders, posted stat lines that justified starting them. Unfortunately, a few of the other Week 5 predicted performances fell victim to yet another weekend of unfortunate injuries. So it goes.
In Week 6, things get that much trickier as we get our first taste of the dreaded bye weeks in 2021. The Falcons, 49ers, Jets, and Saints are the first in the league to have the opportunity to have the week off and recharge. Limited options in our fantasy lineups also mean limited options for bold prediction candidates. Considering usage, matchups, and other factors below, our group still put together a fantastic list of bold prediction performances to consider applying to your Week 6 lineup decisions.
Each week, our Fantrax staff writers will make their fantasy football bold predictions for you to get excited about, help sway those lineup decisions, and take your team to the moon!
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2021 NFL Week 6 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots Wide Receiver
Bold Prediction: 10 receptions, 94 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
25.4 PPR fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
Colin’s Breakdown: This is the week. It’s finally time for Jakobi Meyers to score his first NFL receiving touchdown. Meyers has 116 receptions and 1,390 receiving yards since his rookie season in 2019. However, has yet to find the end zone as a receiver. In fact, he’s actually thrown for two touchdowns in his career.
The New England Patriots play host to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Dallas is currently favored by 3.5 points and the game has a point total over/under of 51. If the Patriots, who are averaging just 19.1 points per game, are going to keep up with the Cowboys, averaging 34.0 points per game, it’s more than likely Mac Jones will be busy throwing the ball.
The good news for the Pats’ passing game is that Dallas is allowing the second-most passing yards (311.0) per game. Furthermore, Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner, cornerback, Trevon Diggs, is on the injury report as questionable. Joining him are safety, Damontae Kazee, as well as defensive end, Randy Gregory, who are questionable, as well. It’s likely all three will play, but playing at less than 100% on a pass-friendly defense tips the scale that much more in Meyers’ favor for this Week 6 matchup.
Meyers has a team-high 24.5% target share across all positions and a 46.9% target share amongst Patriots wide receivers. Look for this to be business as usual Sunday, but to really top off this bold prediction, Meyers will finally score a receiving touchdown. He’s a must-start this week, especially with four teams on a bye.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears Wide Receiver
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 113 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
23.3 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mike Omelan, @mikeomelan on Twitter
Mike’s Breakdown: Believe it or not, Darnell Mooney leads the Bears in targets, receptions, and yards. More importantly, he’s achieving these numbers with rookie quarterback, Justin Fields, operating as the team’s new starter. Allen Robinson is just behind Mooney is all of the above stats, but has not practiced so far this week.
The Bears are set to host divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers, this weekend. It’s Justin Fields’ first matchup against the Pack. Luckily for Chicago, Green Bay’s secondary is not at full strength. Specifically, they’re down top cornerback, Jaire Alexander.
Last week, the Packers allowed rookie receiver, Ja’Maar Chase, to haul in six catches for 159 yards and a score. My bold prediction is that Darnell Mooney comes close to those numbers lined up on the outside. It’s not only a big day for Mooney, but will be Justin Fields’ best day of professional passing yet.
Check out our Week 6 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Kicker | D/ST | PPR | Flex
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver
Bold Prediction: 11 receptions, 142 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
31.2 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Justin Dunbar, @talkMVP on Twitter
Justin’s Breakdown: Right now, teams are passing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a historically high rate. That’s thanks in large part to their superb run defense. On Thursday Night Football, the Eagles will likely pass more than they ever have this season. That could be meaningful for DeVonta Smith against an injured secondary.
Smith is the clear alpha on the team with a 23.3% target share. With tight end, Dallas Goedert, on the Covid-19/Reserve List and unable to play in this game, Smith’s target share could go up. It may happen with a lot of garbage time production, but a major breakout game for Smith is on the horizon. I’ve got the rookie putting up a major breakout performance in prime time to kick off this week’s bold predictions.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver
Bold Prediction: 10 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown
24.0 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Ahaan Rungta, @AhaanRungta on Twitter
Ahaan’s Breakdown: This season, Waddle is the only Dolphin with at least four targets in each of the first five weeks. His season-high in volume came in Jacoby Brissett’s first start of the season (12 receptions on 13 targets in Week 3) and his only touchdown game with Tua Tagovailoa under center (Week 1).
Regardless of who starts at quarterback on Sunday, Waddle should eat against a Jaguars defense that ranks dead least in the NFL in pass DVOA. With Will Fuller V on Injured Reserve and DeVante Parker dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, Waddle is the clear head honcho of the Dolphins pass catchers.
If not for an illegal pick play voiding a wide open score in Week 5, Jaylen Waddle would have his second career touchdown. Don’t worry. He’s getting it this week as he puts in his best performance yet and crushes my bold prediction.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback
Bold Prediction: 275 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns; 42 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
29.2 fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Lauren Auerbach, @lkauerbach on Twitter
Lauren’s Breakdown: Not surprisingly, Trevor Lawrence has gone through some growing pains in his rookie season. He finished as QB15, QB30, QB31, QB19, and QB10 through five weeks and has the same amount of total touchdowns as interceptions (8). However, he’s shown some promising signs in the past two weeks. He has an average completion rate of 70.25% in his last two games, compared to 54% in his first three games. Additionally, Lawrence is running more and scored a rushing touchdown in each of the past two weeks.
I like Lawrence’s chances to continue to roll this week with a favorable matchup against Miami. I’ve got him just outside the top-12 in my Week 6 quarterback rankings. The Dolphins are giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the season, and the second-most fantasy points per game, based on PPR scoring. They’ve also allowed 12 passing touchdowns on the season, tied for fourth-most. This is a game Lawrence should be able to exploit and live up to my Week 6 bold prediction. And who knows, maybe the Jaguars will walk away with their first win of the season!
Davis Mills, Houston Texans Quarterback
Bold Prediction: 287 total yards, 3 touchdowns
23.48+ fantasy points
Fantrax Writer: Mick Ciallela, @themick23 on Twitter
Mick’s Breakdown: Davis Mills enters Week 6 coming off what was easily considered the most productive game of his rookie campaign against the New England Patriots. Mills finished with 312 yards and three touchdowns, netting him a weekly finish of QB6. This may be the biggest bold prediction of the week, but I can see him putting up similar numbers this week when the Texans face the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts may still be reeling after allowing Lamar Jackson to throw for 442 yards and four scores on Monday night. Part of the reason was a lack of depth at cornerback. Xavier Rhodes and Andrew Sendejo both left the game due to concussions. They may not be able to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol given the short turnaround. Rock Ya-Sin has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury and is also a question mark heading into this contest. Kenny Moore and Isaiah Rodgers are most likely to fill the void, but neither has had much success in 2021. Moore has graded out 73rd among 115 cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, and Rodgers is 86th.
Mills should have matchups in coverage he can exploit. I understand it’s difficult to trust a quarterback who has failed to throw for 200 yards in three of his four games. However, Russell Wilson is out, Daniel Jones’ status is very much in doubt, and there are four teams on a bye this week. Pickings may be slim for those in need of an emergency quarterback this week. Mills is available in 78% of Fantrax leagues. Given his availability and favorable matchup, he could be just what the doctor ordered come Sunday.
More fantasy football fun for Week 6: Waiver Wire | FAAB Guide | Start & Sit | Loves & Hates | Stock Watch | Sleepers & Streamers | D/ST Streamers
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