As Week 6 approaches, fantasy football team managers have to navigate some bye weeks. Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the best backs in fantasy, recently breaking a franchise record once held by Barry Sanders. With the Detroit Lions on bye this week, fantasy managers will need to find a way to replace his production. Gibbs is the top running back on bye this week, but there are others. Aaron Jones of the Minnesota Vikings has been an RB1 for many teams in most formats, but he will be out on bye as well. The same is true for Chase Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals and Ollie Gordon of the Miami Dolphins.
With multiple solid running backs on bye, plus injuries, there are more limited options in Week 6. Regardless, there are some clear players that need to be started, and a group that needs to be on your fantasy football bench in Week 6.
Start ‘Em
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta (vs. Chicago)
Bijan Robinson is running back number two in PPR and standard leagues so far this year. He has been a top six running back three times already this year, and the receiving game has been a major part of that, especially in PPR leagues. Robinson has been in the top ten percent of running back targets in three of the five weeks this year. He has also been a top six running back in three of five weeks this season. The only time he was not a top 15 running back was in Week 2, when he saw just 51 percent of the snaps.
This week, Robinson has a great matchup. He will face the Chicago Bears, who have struggled heavily against the run. The Bears give up just 96 yards per game on the ground, but at a clip of 4.4 yards per carry, it could be a big day. The Falcons will be relying heavily on the run game in this one, considering Michael Penix Jr. was injured late in the loss to the Ravens. Further, the Packers' run game, which has been horrible this year, scored twice on the ground. This is a great spot for one of the top backs in the NFL.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis (vs. Tennessee)
Jonathan Taylor is not coming off a good game. Overall, he has been RB8 this year, but last week he was RB25. The Steelers shut down Taylor, giving up just 45 yards on 15 carries and not allowing him to find the end zone. He has a much better matchup this week against Tennessee. Taylor has run for 398 yards this year with six touchdowns, while also having 13 receptions for 106 yards. With the Colts entering the game as nearly a touchdown favorite, the run game is going to be featured heavily for the Colts. Adding on that Taylor has been on the field for 84 percent of the offensive snaps and has 87 percent of the running back touches, he will have plenty of chances to score in this one.
Taylor also has been dominant against the Titans. Last year, in two games, he carried the ball 29 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns. Further, he scored once in the receiving game. In 2024, he faced the Titans just once, missing the other game. He carries the ball 29 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns. In nine games overall against the Titans, dating back to 2020, he has run for 737 yards and ten touchdowns.
Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Kenneth Walker III has been dominant this year. He has played in just four games and is second in the NFL with 537 yards while scoring four touchdowns. He is also getting a ton of work this year. Walker has 22 or more carries in three of four games, while he had 18 carries and two receptions in the other game. Further, while he has been dominant on the ground, he has 12 receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Walker is also coming in fresh, with Kansas City coming off a bye.
Walker has already been great against the other two division foes. He has run for 350 yards and three touchdowns while also having a receiving touchdown against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Further, the Chargers have struggled to generate any offensive rhythm this year. That could lead to an early lead for the Chiefs and an increased run volume from Walker in this one. While he is likely not to get many targets in the passing game, his run volume will more than make up for that against the Chargers.
Other Starts: James Cook, Buffalo (at Las Vegas) and Kyren William, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona).
Sit ‘Em
Dameon Pierce, Philadelphia (vs. Carolina)
The Eagles are in a rough situation when it comes to running backs. Saquon Barkley is questionable, Tank Bigsby is on IR, and Will Shipley is doubtful. All signs are pointing to Dameon Pierce starting this game. He played last week when Shipley went down, carrying the ball 11 times for 14 yards. Pierce has not been a primary back since 2022 with the Houston Texans. Since the start of 2024, he has racked up just 343 yards and two touchdowns.
Barkley could return to the lineup, but that depends on how this week of practice goes. If Barkley is a go, Pierce has no value, even if Barkley is limited. Still, with multiple injuries to the offensive line and other skill positions, the Carolina Panthers can stack the box. If they do stack the box, there is no hope of Pierce having a good week.
Article Continues BelowJacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington (at San Francisco)
While Croskey-Merritt is the primary back for the Washington Commanders, he is also part of a committee approach in Washington. He saw his usage drop last week to just 35 percent of the snaps, even while running well. It was his best running week, carrying 11 times for 82 yards and a touchdown. Still, his highest usage is just 57 percent against the Seahawks. Further, Croskey-Merritt is not a major factor in the passing game. He has been targeted more than once in only one game this year.
Croskey-Merritt has finished as a top 15 running back just once this year and in the top 20 only twice. Both times he finished in the top 20, he scored a touchdown. Considering the defense of the 49ers, he may not have the opportunities to score touchdowns. His usage goes down when the Commanders are down, and they will be down in this one, limiting his impact.
Woody Marks, Houston (at Jacksonville)
The Houston Texans have finally won their first game of the year, but it was against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans now face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have a great defensive front seven. They have been able to force teams into obvious passing situations, and that has led to running backs not having good fantasy days against the Jags. With David Montgomery out of the lineup, Woody Marks is the main running back. He has yet to run for more than 65 yards in a game, and has been hit or miss in the passing game. Further, he has just two touchdowns this year.
There is also the game script issue in this game. The Texans have struggled overall, both on offense and defense. The Texans will be behind in this game, which will limit the usage for Marks in this one, making him someone who needs to be on the bench.
Other sits: Jeremiyah Love, Arizona (at Los Angeles Rams) and J.K. Dobbins, Denver (vs. Seattle)