Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2026 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Wide Receivers to Start
Denzel Boston, WR (CLE)
Denzel Boston has quietly become one of Cleveland’s most dependable receiving options through five weeks, catching 16 of 29 targets for 330 yards. He’s averaging 66 receiving yards per game despite seeing fewer than six targets per contest, which speaks to his ability to make the most of his opportunities. Boston has also been a consistent downfield option, earning nine deep targets while averaging 2.10 yards per route run. His 18.2% target share leaves room for additional opportunities, particularly if Cleveland starts involving him more consistently in the intermediate passing game. The biggest concern entering Week 6 is his foot injury, which has limited his practice participation. Cleveland’s offensive line is also dealing with injuries, including Tytus Howard’s absence from Wednesday’s practice. That’s worth monitoring because Boston’s production depends partly on Cleveland having enough time to develop downfield routes.
Baltimore is an appealing opponent for Boston because the Ravens have struggled to prevent opposing receivers from making plays downfield. They’ve allowed the tenth-most yards per target to perimeter receivers, and their defense ranks 18th in EPA per play through five weeks. The Ravens also frequently play with two deep safeties, which could create opportunities for Boston to work into the intermediate areas of the field rather than relying exclusively on contested catches along the sideline. Cleveland’s offensive-line situation could force its quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly, but Boston has demonstrated that he doesn’t need a massive target total to produce. I’m expecting him to remain a significant part of Cleveland’s passing attack, particularly if the Browns are forced to throw more frequently. Assuming his foot injury doesn’t limit his playing time, Boston is a strong WR3 with legitimate WR2 upside against Baltimore.
Luther Burden III, WR (CHI)
Luther Burden has become one of Chicago’s more reliable receiving options, catching 23 passes for 266 yards through five games. He’s averaging seven targets and 53.2 receiving yards per contest while earning a 20.3% target share and 25.2% of the team’s first-read opportunities. Burden has also been targeted eight times in the red zone, an encouraging sign that Chicago wants to involve him near the goal line. However, the Bears’ passing offense has been difficult to trust with Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent struggled badly against Green Bay in Week 5, throwing for just 87 yards and two interceptions. Williams’ potential return is therefore one of the biggest developments for Burden’s fantasy outlook. He was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s estimated practice report, although his status as Sunday’s starter hasn’t been officially confirmed.
Atlanta isn’t an easy matchup for slot receivers, but I like Burden’s opportunity if Williams returns and gives Chicago a better chance to sustain drives. The Falcons rank seventh in defensive EPA per play and have been particularly effective defending receivers working inside, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to slot receivers. However, Atlanta frequently uses single-high safety coverage, and Burden has consistently earned opportunities against those looks. His ability to separate underneath and create yards after the catch gives Chicago a way to involve him without relying on difficult downfield throws. Williams’ return could change how targets are distributed among Burden, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland, but I believe the improvement in quarterback play would outweigh that uncertainty. I’m comfortable starting Burden as a WR3 with WR2 upside if Williams returns, although I’d lower expectations if Bagent remains the starter.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (TEN)
Wan’Dale Robinson hasn’t delivered much explosive production this season, but his role in Tennessee’s passing offense gives him some value in PPR leagues. Through five games, he’s caught 22 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns while averaging six targets per contest. His 8.0 yards per reception highlights how frequently the Titans use him on shorter throws, which limits his yardage ceiling but creates opportunities to accumulate receptions. Robinson owns a 19.4% target share, although his 1.32 yards per route run demonstrates that those opportunities haven’t consistently translated into meaningful production. Tennessee’s quarterback situation is the biggest obstacle. Cam Ward has thrown just three touchdowns through five games, and the Titans are averaging a league-low 11.6 points per contest. Robinson has been heating up more as of late with three straight performances over 10 points.
Indianapolis provides a better opportunity for Robinson because the Colts have been more vulnerable to receivers working underneath than those lining up on the perimeter. Indianapolis ranks 26th in defensive EPA per play and has allowed 26.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, although its coverage has been considerably more effective against outside receivers. That’s important because Robinson doesn’t need to win consistently downfield to contribute. His best path to fantasy production is through short completions that help Ward move the chains, particularly if Tennessee falls behind and has to throw more frequently. I’m not expecting Robinson to suddenly become a major big-play threat, and his touchdown upside remains limited in this offense. However, the matchup gives him a realistic opportunity to catch five or six passes and deliver a useful fantasy performance. He’s a viable PPR flex option, especially for managers dealing with injuries or bye weeks.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Xavier Worthy, WR (KC)
Xavier Worthy has been one of the more disappointing receivers in Kansas City’s offense, catching just 14 of 22 targets for 133 yards and one touchdown through four games. He’s averaging 5.5 targets and 33.3 receiving yards per contest despite playing with Patrick Mahomes, and his 9.7-yard average depth of target shows that he hasn’t been used exclusively as a deep threat. The problem is that his opportunities haven’t consistently resulted in meaningful fantasy production. However, Kansas City’s receiving corps is dealing with injuries that could significantly change Worthy’s role. Tyquan Thornton suffered a dislocated ankle and is expected to miss an extended period, while Rashee Rice missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. If Rice is also unavailable, Worthy should have a more secure route to playing time and could see additional targets simply because Kansas City has fewer established receiving options.
Even with those injuries, I’m concerned about trusting Worthy against the Chargers. Los Angeles ranks sixth in defensive EPA per play and ninth in defensive dropback EPA in the RBSDM dataset, while allowing just 26.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. That’s a difficult matchup for a player who has yet to establish a dependable weekly target floor. Worthy’s speed gives him the ability to turn one reception into a touchdown, and I would absolutely raise his projection if Rice is ruled out. However, additional routes don’t guarantee that Mahomes will consistently look his way, especially if Kansas City leans on Travis Kelce and shorter passing concepts to attack the Chargers. Worthy’s ceiling is appealing, but his floor remains extremely low for a player averaging barely 33 receiving yards per game. I’m treating him as a boom-or-bust flex rather than a receiver I’m comfortable starting over more established options.
Emeka Egbuka, WR (TB)
Emeka Egbuka’s disappointing production has been frustrating because Tampa Bay continues giving him opportunities in the passing game. Through five weeks, he’s caught 21 of 33 targets for 192 yards and one receiving touchdown, averaging just 38.4 receiving yards per contest. His 85.6% snap share demonstrates that playing time isn’t the problem, but his 1.25 yards per route run reflects how little production the Buccaneers have generated when targeting him. The quarterback situation has played a significant role. Baker Mayfield has missed two consecutive games with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand, leaving rookie Jalon Daniels to lead the offense. Egbuka has earned 13 targets during Daniels’ two starts, including a 36% target share against Dallas, but those opportunities haven’t consistently translated into meaningful receiving yardage. Daniels has struggled to push the ball downfield, forcing Tampa Bay to rely heavily on shorter throws and limiting Egbuka’s opportunities to generate explosive plays.
Pittsburgh isn’t an appealing opponent for a receiver already struggling to turn targets into production. The Steelers have allowed just 21.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, and their defensive front creates additional problems for an offense relying on an inexperienced quarterback. Mayfield has not resumed throwing and is out for Week 6, meaning Daniels will make his third consecutive start against Pittsburgh. That’s concerning for Egbuka because his increased involvement hasn’t resulted in efficient receiving production, and the Steelers’ pass rush could force Daniels into another conservative passing approach. Egbuka’s playing time and target share are encouraging for his long-term outlook, but I’m not comfortable relying on those opportunities when Tampa Bay is struggling to consistently move the football. Until the Buccaneers can generate more efficient passing production, I’m keeping Egbuka on the bench as a low-upside flex option.
Michael Wilson, WR (ARI)
Michael Wilson is one of Arizona’s most important offensive players, and his role should become even more secure following the trade that sent Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston. Through five games, Wilson is averaging 10.2 targets, 5.8 receptions and 57.6 receiving yards while earning a 24% target share and nearly 30% of the team’s first-read opportunities. He’s also received eight red-zone targets and seven deep targets, demonstrating that Arizona wants him involved in high-value situations. Harrison’s departure removes another established receiver from the offense, potentially creating even more opportunities for Wilson alongside Trey McBride. However, his 1.47 yards per route run demonstrates that his production has been driven more by volume than efficiency. Jacoby Brissett’s preference for shorter throws has also made it difficult for Arizona to consistently generate explosive passing plays, which could become an even bigger problem against a talented Rams secondary.
Los Angeles presents one of Wilson’s most difficult individual matchups of the season, particularly if Trent McDuffie spends significant time covering him. McDuffie has been outstanding in coverage, earning an 88.7 PFF coverage grade while allowing just five receptions and a 21.1 passer rating when targeted. The Rams have also allowed the sixth-fewest yards per target and third-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers, making this a difficult matchup for a player who earns most of his opportunities outside. I’m concerned that Brissett will struggle to consistently connect with Wilson downfield, particularly if McDuffie prevents him from creating separation on intermediate routes. However, Harrison’s departure makes Wilson’s workload too valuable to ignore, and I’m not suggesting fantasy managers automatically bench a receiver who could see double-digit targets. He’s still a player most teams should start, but I believe this is a legitimate spot for a disappointing performance relative to expectations. Wilson is one of my biggest potential bust candidates in Week 6.
Carnell Tate, WR (TEN)
Carnell Tate has earned a substantial role in Tennessee’s passing offense, but his fantasy production hasn’t reflected how frequently Cam Ward looks his way. Through five games, Tate has caught 23 of 37 targets for 274 yards while averaging 54.8 receiving yards per contest. His 23.9% target share and 32.3% first-read share demonstrate that Tennessee wants him involved, particularly when the offense needs to generate yardage downfield. Tate has also averaged 1.94 yards per route run, which is encouraging considering how inconsistent the Titans have been offensively. The biggest issue has been the quality of his opportunities rather than his ability to earn targets. Only 75.7% of his targets have been considered catchable, and he’s received just one red-zone target through five games. That’s a difficult combination for a receiver who primarily operates on the perimeter and relies on accurate throws to generate meaningful yardage.
Indianapolis makes Tate’s situation even more concerning because the Colts have been considerably more effective against perimeter receivers than their overall defensive numbers suggest. Indianapolis ranks 26th in defensive EPA per play, but its secondary has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per target and third-fewest fantasy points per opportunity to receivers lined up outside. Tate has run nearly three-quarters of his routes from the perimeter, making this a difficult individual matchup even though the Colts have allowed significant production to wide receivers overall. Tennessee’s offensive struggles also make it difficult to project enough high-quality targets for Tate to overcome that coverage. Ward has thrown just three touchdowns through five games, and the Titans haven’t consistently sustained drives long enough to create meaningful scoring opportunities. Wan’Dale Robinson has a more appealing matchup working underneath, while Tate will likely need several difficult completions downfield to deliver a strong fantasy performance. I’m keeping Tate on the bench as a risky, volume-dependent flex option this week.
