Fantasy News

Russell Gage catches first career pass in Week 6.

The rookie special teams ace from LSU received time on offense after Calvin Ridley (ankle) and Mohamed Sanu (hip) left against the Bucs, and he caught his lone target for nine yards in the Falcons’ victory. Justin Hardy will be the preferred fantasy option if Ridley and/or Sanu miss more time, but it’s good to see the rookie step up on offense when called upon. Congrats to Gage on his first career reception.

10/15/18 - 09:07 AM ET

Justin Hardy catches three passes in Week 6.

Hardy was asked to step up in a bigger role after Calvin Ridley (ankle), and then Mohamed Sanu (hip), left the game; and he’s shown he plays well when called upon for the Falcons. Hardy caught three passes for 33 yards, with a long of 17 yards, against the Buccaneers. If both Ridley and Sanu miss time, Hardy would offer FLEX appeal as someone that would draw a lot of one-on-one coverage opposite Julio Jones.

10/15/18 - 09:04 AM ET

Mohamed Sanu (hip) did not return against the Buccaneers.

Sanu was officially questionable to return to Atlanta’s Week 6 win, but he never did. However, he appeared to be in good spirits on the sideline, and the injury does not appear to be serious. Before leaving, Sanu caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming on a 35-yarder where he broke tackles on his way up the sideline and into the end zone. Sanu has at least one touchdown or 111 yards in the last four games, and he’s in the FLEX conversation as long as the Falcons offense is clicking like it has been. We’ll track his injury throughout the week, but we expect he’ll be fine for Week 7 against the Giants.

10/15/18 - 09:02 AM ET

James Washington held without a catch in win over the Bengals.

Washington just saw one target, which came deep in double coverage. The second-round pick has just five receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown this year, as the Steelers have gotten big-time production out of James Conner and Vance McDonald with JuJu Smith-Schuster making a leap after a breakout rookie year. Washington won’t be a recommended play in redraft leagues when the team returns from a Week 7 bye to face the Browns.

10/15/18 - 09:02 AM ET

Ryan Switzer caught one pass for seven yards in Sunday’s win over the Bengals.

Switzer had been involved quite a bit recently, but Pittsburgh went with a lot of heavier personnel groupings against Cincinnati, so the 23-year-old saw just one target. He won’t be a recommended fantasy option when the team returns from their Week 7 bye.

10/15/18 - 08:59 AM ET

Austin Hooper scores in Falcons’ win.

Hooper again worked as a very reliable target for Matt Ryan, catching nine-of-ten targets for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers. Hooper has shown strong hands and ability to get open and pick up positive yardage for first downs or to remain ahead of the sticks, and this is two straight weeks with at least nine receptions and 70 yards. Granted, the last two weeks might have been his best two matchups of the season, but Hooper is playing well right now. He’s in the TE1 mix for Week 7 against the Giants.

10/15/18 - 08:59 AM ET

Jesse James caught five passes for 26 yards in Sunday’s win over the Bengals.

James saw a healthy seven targets in a huge divisional victory, but Vance McDonald was featured again after being held to one reception in Week 5. The Penn State product heads into the bye with 16.1 yards per reception on 17 grabs, but he has been held below 30 yards in each of the past four games. That said, he might be worth considering as a flier in an inviting matchup against the Browns when Pittsburgh hits the field in a couple weeks.

10/15/18 - 08:57 AM ET