Look, fantasy football in Week 6 is usually where the wheels start coming off. You’ve got the bye weeks starting to bite—C.J. Stroud and Sam Darnold (the 2025 version, not the old one) are on the shelf. If you're staring at your roster wondering if you can actually trust a rookie or a "washed" veteran, you aren't alone. Honestly, the week 6 qb rankings fantasy landscape this year is a total mess because of how some of these "elite" names are actually producing.
Take Patrick Mahomes. He’s the QB3 by average points, but if you actually watch the games, it's weird. He has only one multi-score game through the air. He’s basically becoming a goal-line vulture, with three 50-yard rushing performances with scores already. It’s "whatever it takes" mode in Kansas City.
The High-End Locks: Josh Allen and the Running Men
You don’t need me to tell you to start Josh Allen. He’s facing Atlanta on Monday night and, barring a catastrophe, he’s the QB1. But the tier right below him is where the real money is made.
Jalen Hurts is in a fascinating spot against the Giants. He actually threw the ball 38 times last week—a season high—and it resulted in an Eagles loss and a very grumpy A.J. Brown. Expect Philadelphia to pivot back to the ground. That’s great for Hurts' fantasy floor, even if it’s boring to watch on a Thursday night.
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Then there’s Jayden Daniels. He was the QB15 in his return from that knee injury, which actually means he hasn't hit the top 12 in any of his three 2025 starts. But Chicago is a "get right" game. They are giving up a massive 73.7% completion rate. If Daniels doesn't blow up here, it might be time to worry, but for now, he's a top-four play.
Week 6 QB Rankings Fantasy: The "Start 'Em" Tier
- Dak Prescott (at Carolina): Dak is absolutely on fire. He just dropped 28 points on the Jets and has eight touchdowns in two weeks. Don't let the "scary" Panthers defensive stats on your app fool you. They can’t generate pressure, and when Dak has a clean pocket, he’s basically second in the league in every meaningful metric.
- Matthew Stafford (at Baltimore): Stafford is 37 and moves like a statue, but who cares? He’s thrown for 375+ yards and three scores in back-to-back games. The Ravens secondary is decimated. Roquan Smith is out, Kyle Hamilton has been banged up, and they are giving up the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. Stafford is a high-end QB1 this week.
- Drake Maye (at New Orleans): I’m officially the conductor of the Maye train. He has Stefon Diggs looking like his old self, and he adds so much value with his legs. New Orleans generates the second-lowest pressure rate in the league. Maye has the 5th best EPA when he isn't being chased by defensive ends.
The Risky Business: Who to Bench
You might be tempted to play Justin Fields against Denver. Don't. He got 19 of his 25 points last week in pure garbage time. Denver's defense is a nightmare for mobile quarterbacks who struggle with processing, allowing only 13 points per game to the position.
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Aaron Rodgers against Cleveland is another "no thanks." The Browns have only allowed one quarterback (Lamar Jackson) to score more than 15 points all season. Unless you're in a deep 2-QB league, Rodgers belongs on your bench.
Mid-Tier Options and Sleepers
- Jordan Love (vs. Bengals): Fresh off a bye and facing a Cincy defense that has given up 19+ points to three of the last four QBs they've seen.
- Caleb Williams (at Commanders): He’s the QB6 by average points now. Coming off a bye to face a Washington defense that is... let's just say "generous."
- Bo Nix (at Jets): This is the London game. Nix actually looked good against Philly (18 points). The Jets just got torched by Dak, so Nix isn't a crazy Superflex play.
Making the Final Cut
The biggest mistake people make with week 6 qb rankings fantasy is chasing last week's points without looking at the defensive pressure rates. If a guy like Daniel Jones is playing a team that can't sack a grocery bag (like Arizona), he’s going to be productive. Jones has been playing well in real life, even if the fantasy numbers faded lately because the Colts keep winning by 30 and stop throwing.
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The Ravens and Cowboys defenses are the units you want to target with your streamers. It sounds weird to say, but Baltimore's "name value" is way higher than their actual performance right now.
Actionable Insights for Your Lineup
- Check the Injury Report: If Kyler Murray is officially ruled out again, Jacoby Brissett becomes a viable "desperation" play against Indy.
- Monitor the Weather: High winds are forecasted for some of the East Coast games; if it's over 15 mph, downgrade the "mono-threat" passers like Stafford slightly.
- Trust the Volume: Look for teams with high "Pass Rate Over Expected" (PROE). The Chargers are currently 2nd in the league in PROE because their run game is broken with Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris injured. Justin Herbert might finally have a ceiling game against Miami.
Go set your rosters. Check the Saturday updates for any last-minute scratches in the secondary of the Saints and Ravens, as that moves Maye and Stafford even higher up the board.