NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Wide receivers for Week 6

There was a time when Davante Adams was the best receiver in fantasy football. Now, he plays alongside the best in Puka Nacua. Adams used to shine as Batman, and now he is doing so in a Robin role. Adams has seen at least eight targets in four of five games with the Rams. And it is not just that he is seeing volume; it's the value of the volume he is seeing. He leads the NFL in red-zone targets and is second in end-zone targets. This week, he faces the Ravens, who have allowed a league-high 10 touchdowns to receivers. In fact, all 10 TDs allowed to receivers have come in the red zone. Adams has shown to be a safe-floor option, but he brings upside against banged-up Baltimore.

In Miami's first game since Tyreek Hill's season-ending injury, Waddle saw nine targets, his first outing with over six this season. He was the first read for Miami on 35 percent of plays last week, per Fantasy Points Data. Miami also used him downfield more, as Waddle doubled his yearlong deep targets and set a new season high in air yards. Waddle was able to turn all that into 23 fantasy points and a top-eight WR finish on the week. That kind of volume has him back in play on a weekly basis, even in what might look like a tough matchup on paper.

I will take the L here. I doubted Diggs coming into this season because he was coming off a major knee injury at a later stage in his career. Diggs, as he often does, has made fools of his skeptics. He looks like his old self again. Over the last two weeks, Puka Nacua and Justin Jefferson are the only receivers with more targets. In that span, Diggs leads the NFL with a 42 percent target share and 54 percent air-yards share. He is getting more downfield usage, having averaged 10.4 air yards per target in the last two weeks. In hindsight, the first three weeks of the season look like they were a ramp-up period. In the last two, Diggs is back to being a target vacuum and putting up WR1 numbers in fantasy.

The one thing you can count on with Tetairoa McMillan is steady volume. The rookie has seen at least eight targets in every game. He has a healthy 25 percent target share, and his 43 percent air-yards share is sixth-highest in the NFL. Lastly, he has been the first read on 28 percent of pass plays, per Fantasy Points Data. All that volume has made McMillan a safe-floor play, scoring double-digit fantasy points in all but one game. This week's contest has the potential to be his best fantasy outing yet, as the Cowboys get cooked by receivers on a weekly basis. They have allowed the most yards and touchdowns to receivers, including the most of both on deep passes and to receivers who line up out wide. All of that is great for McMillan -- especially if the Panthers are in catch-up mode, which seems likely. McMillan is a strong start in Week 6.

Last week's effort was what I had envisioned from Cam Ward and Ridley coming into the season. The veteran wideout was targeted 10 times, twice as many as any other Titan. Four of those were deep targets and two were intermediate. A few weeks ago, I wrote that I hated how all of Ridley's targets were short. A change in usage like this is huge. If Tennessee does the same thing this week, it could be another big fantasy game for Ridley. Las Vegas has allowed the third-most yards to receivers. The bulk of the damage comes from receivers lined up out wide, as the Raiders have give up the second-most yards and second-highest passer rating on those targets. Ridley runs 78 percent of his routes out wide. He is back in play in fantasy.

Last week, Smith caught eight passes for 114 yards, while Brown continued to frustrate fantasy managers with another single-digit point total. If you watched the game, though, you know Brown enjoyed some success against Patrick Surtain II, and he was overthrown by Jalen Hurts on a play that should have been a 61-yard touchdown. Smith was the first read on 37 percent of plays last week, while Brown has been that on 33 percent of plays this season, per Fantasy Points Data. I would take the shot on both Eagles receivers against the Giants, who have allowed the second-most yards to wideouts. They've yielded the third-most yards specifically on deep passes (20-plus air yards), as well. I think this is the week Hurts and Brown connect on a long ball.

The last couple of weeks have been a step in the right direction for Thomas, but still, a season-high of 12 fantasy points is not what managers envisioned when they spent a premium pick on him. As I explained last week, it is not all his fault, as he has the sixth-highest uncatchable target rate. His catch rate is still the lowest of any player with at least 20 targets. This week, he faces the Seahawks, who have yielded the lowest passer rating on throws to out-wide receivers. They have allowed just two touchdowns and five interceptions on those passes. Thomas lines up out wide on 72 percent of his snaps. I get that some of you might not be able to bench him or just want to roll the dice. But those of you in 10-team (and potentially 12-team) leagues can get away if you have another option you like.

Last week, you saw why you cannot bench Ja'Marr Chase in fantasy. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Higgins. Through five weeks, he is averaging 31.6 receiving yards per game. He is getting chances downfield, but they're just not hitting. In fact, his 48 percent catch rate is the fifth-worst in the NFL (min. 25 targets). The floor has been low, and the ceiling has not been worth the risk. That latter part's especially true against a defense like this Packers unit. Starting him right now is hoping for a touchdown. Maybe Cincy's trade for Joe Flacco ultimately lifts this fantasy stock, but I have to see it first.

Through five games, Williams has been the biggest loser of the Lions' change at offensive coordinator. He ranks second in the NFL -- behind only Tyquan Thornton -- with an average of 19.4 air yards per target. Unfortunately, he has just 21 targets (15% target share) and eight are deep (38.1% of his targets). It is simply too all or nothing for Williams right now. He will have some huge games, but many are going to be duds (like last week's two-point outing). The Chiefs rank top 10 defensively when it comes to fewest yards allowed to out-wide receivers. Furthermore, they have allowed just a 20.3 passer rating and 25 percent completion rate on deep passes to receivers. Sit Jamo this week.

Coleman leads Buffalo in target share (20%) and air-yards share (31%). The issue is that he's enjoyed two big-volume games ... and three with fewer than five targets. The Bills seemingly have to be trailing to give him more chances. It is frustrating because the potential is there. This week, he has a tough matchup in the Falcons, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy PPG to WRs. That includes the second-fewest yards to out-wide receivers, which is where Coleman runs 83 percent of his routes. I would look to get away if you can.

There is a new sheriff in town. Emeka Egbuka played more snaps than Godwin last week and was the top target for Baker Mayfield. After receiving 10 targets in his return in Week 4, Godwin saw just four last Sunday. All of his targets were less than 10 air yards down the field, as well. It still appears Godwin is working his way back from last year's season-ending injury. He could return to his old form, but until that happens, it is fine to take a wait-and-see approach. Plus, there is also a chance Mike Evans returns this week, and we know he will see plenty of volume if he does.

(EDITOR'S UPDATE: Godwin has been ruled out for Sunday's game with a fibula injury.)

Ever since last season, I have been skeptical of that WR1 stretch Jerry Jeudy had. I believed it was a perfect storm with two WR kingmakers: QB Jameis Winston and play-caller Ken Dorsey. So far this season, with those two gone, Jeudy has struggled to duplicate that success, reaching double-digit fantasy points just once. The floor is four fantasy points or fewer and the ceiling has not been high enough to risk it. To make matters worse, following last week's QB change to third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, fellow rookie Isaiah Bond received more targets than Jeudy. It is all bad in fantasy right now for the veteran who made his first Pro Bowl in 2024.