RBs to start in Week 6

Jaguars’ James Robinson (vs. Lions): Since the beginning of the season, the Lions have been a defense to target with RBs. Even though Detroit is coming off of their bye week, they’ve permitted 32.58 fantasy points per game to RBs, which is the fourth-most in the NFL.

On top of that, the Lions are giving up the third-most yards per attempt to RBs, allowing 5.2 yards per attempt. All of this should bode well for James Robinson, who remains the No. 1 back for the Jaguars entering Week 6.

Robinson has failed to score fewer than 10 points in any given week this season, giving him somewhat of a safe floor. Not to mention, Robinson continues to see a consistent workload, garnering 92 of 111 touches for Jacksonville RBs.

Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones (vs. Packers): For a moment earlier in the season, it appeared that Ronald Jones could be in jeopardy of losing his starting job to Leonard Fournette. But due to an injury and improved play from Jones, the third-year back has seemingly seized the No. 1 role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backfield.

Altogether, in the first three weeks, he combined for 43 total touches in Tampa Bay’s offense. Then, in the past two weeks alone, Jones has received 46 total touches, scoring a grand total of 34.3 fantasy points without finding the end zone.

Luckily for Jones, he faces a Green Bay Packers defense that has allowed a pass success rate of 69 percent to RBs (worst in the NFL) and given up an average of eight yards per pass attempt to RBs (second-worst in the NFL). This should bode well for Jones, who has seen 14 targets in the last two weeks.

Bears’ David Montgomery (vs. Panthers): Targeting the Carolina Panthers with RBs was a popular trend in 2019 and it’s nice to see it hasn’t lost its value this year. The Panthers are currently the worst defense in fantasy football to RBs, surrendering an average of 36.02 fantasy points per game this season.

They also have given up 43 receptions to RBs (tied for most in the NFL) and teams are targeting RBs against Carolina on 28 percent of their pass attempts (second-most in the NFL). While he may not be viewed as a dual-threat back, David Montgomery has seen an uptick in targets in the Chicago Bears’ passing attack in recent weeks.

Within the past two weeks, Montgomery has gotten 14 targets, turning those targets into 10 receptions for 60 yards. It also helps that Montgomery has been on in 83 percent of Chicago’s offensive snaps in the past two weeks, giving him a safe floor against the Panthers.

Other RBs to consider in Week 6: Vikings’ Alexander Mattison (vs. Falcons), Dolphins’ Myles Gaskin (vs. Jets), Lions’ D’Andre Swift (vs. Jaguars), Texans’ David Johnson (vs. Titans)

RBs to sit in Week 6

Ravens’ Mark Ingram (vs. Eagles): Before the season began, many were wondering how the Baltimore Ravens would divvy up the touches among their trio of RBs. After five weeks, it’s evident that Mark Ingram isn’t an RB1 or RB2 in fantasy football anymore despite Baltimore’s run-heavy offense.

While Ingram is the de facto starter, he is seeing just 44 percent of the team’s touches at RB (48 of 107 total touches). Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson continues to run the ball, which also limits the ceiling of Ingram and the other RBs.

Ingram has sputtered so far this season, combining for just 38 fantasy points in five weeks. He also faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that is strong against RBs, giving up just 3.9 yards per attempt (tied for sixth-fewest in the NFL).

Broncos’ Melvin Gordon (vs. Patriots): Earlier this week, Melvin Gordon found himself in off-the-field trouble, being cited for a DUI in the Denver area. Despite his less-than-ideal situation, Gordon practiced with the Denver Broncos on Thursday and appears prepared to suit up on Sunday versus the New England Patriots.

With that in mind though, it is uncertain if Gordon will see a usual workload. Plus, Phillip Lindsay is probable to return from a turf toe injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 1.

Lastly, the Patriots aren’t a defense to target with RBs with them permitting a mere 20.5 fantasy points per game to the position (fifth-fewest in the NFL).