Week 6 Fantasy Flames: DGB, Mathews to have owners rolling in green

Every Wednesday the Noise highlights 12 under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week using the scoring system shown here (Thresholds – QB: 18 fpts, RB: 13 fpts, WR: 11 fpts: TE: 10 fpts; .5 PPR). If you’re a member of TEAM HUEVOS, reveal your Week 6 Flames in the comments section below.

Trevor Siemian, Den, QB (4 percent started, $30)
Matchup: at SD
If someone predicted preseason a former seventh-round pick, who was hindered by injuries and ineptitude while at Northwestern, would have a 99.6 passer rating and 8.2 ypa through five weeks, I would’ve questioned whether that individual consumed several special cookies from one of Denver’s fine dispensaries. Siemian’s stellar play has left Broncos fans giggly. To all points, he’s delivered passes crisply and accurately ranking top-10 in overall (67.3) and deep-ball (60.0) completion percentages, the antithesis of Paxton Lynch. Most laudably for fantasy purposes, he’s netted 0.48 points per dropback, good for No. 6 at the position. Yes, he has only one multi-TD tally under his belt in four games, but his prospects of doubling that number are significant this week. San Diego’s secondary is seriously hurting. Jason Verrett is sidelined by a partially torn ACL and Brandon Flowers, still dealing with post-concussion issues, is no guarantee given the short week. Casey Hayward (53.8 catch% allowed) and Craig Mager (50.0) played well on an individual basis Week 5 versus Oakland, but weak safety execution crushed the Chargers downfield, evidenced by Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree’s combined nine catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns. On the year, the Chargers are conceding 309.2 pass yards per game. Piece together the puzzle and Siemian, who should return after missing the Atlanta game with a dinged wing, is a premier option for streamers and bye-week seekers, especially with emotions riding high due to Gary Kubiak’s absence.

Fearless Forecast (If active): 272 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 17 rushing yards, 22.5 fantasy points

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Ryan Mathews, Phi, RB (43 percent started, $25)
Matchup: at Was
Doug Pederson should run for political office. His misleading words and general treachery are ideal traits for the job. Only days after singing the praises of Wendell Smallwood, a running back who inspired this legendary tweet after the head coach said he earned more opportunities post-Steelers spanking (17-79-1), he reversed course at Detroit, gifting Mathews 64 percent of the opportunity share. Smallwood’s ‘opportunity,’ meanwhile, was one measly snap. Yep, I was duped. With my former man-crush firmly atop the depth chart, it’s time to confidently reinsert him into your lineup. His 3.2 yards per carry is rather unspectacular, but he’s gained a rock solid 3.0 yards after contact and accumulated 0.72 fantasy points per snap, the 11th-best mark among RBs. With another double-digit workload, Mathews should slice and dice his way through the competition. Washington, a capsized ship when it comes to run defense, has earned an ‘F’ in gap integrity. Rushers have averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 128.4 rushing yards per game against it. When Orleans Darkwa and Shane Vereen roll up 12-plus fantasy points against you, behind the Giants’ turnstile line no less, that says it all. Overall, the ‘Skins have conceded the second-most fantasy points to the position. Trust the ankles. Trust the matchup.

Fearless Forecast: 14 carries, 70 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 8 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 14.8 fantasy points

James White, NE, RB (29 percent started, $15)
Matchup: vs. Cin
Another former Wisconsin back who, like Melvin Gordon, could demolish the Wisconsin RB curse once and for all, White is starting to show signs of his PPR promise. He’s totaled an opportunity share of at least 31 percent in consecutive weeks, averaging nine touches and 75.5 total yards per game during that span. Most impressive, he amassed nine evaded tackles against the Bills and Browns, a number that clearly shows his in-space elusiveness. The Patriots are armed to the teeth with destructible weapons which complicates matters for everyone not named Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and possibly Martellus Bennett, but Tom Brady’s faith in White as a receiver means he’ll consistently earn 8-12 touches per game until Dion Lewis’ activation (Your guess, as good as mine). This week, expect the low-dose back to crank out an RB2 line in 12-team and deeper leagues. Cincinnati has largely contained pass-catching backs this season, allowing 42.6 receiving yards per game. However, they’ve yielded 4.6 yards per carry to the position and Matt Forte, DeAngelo Williams and Zeke Elliott chipped in noteworthy production against them in the pass game. Throw in the Pats’ field-stretching ways, and it’s conceivable White manufactures a double-digit output, possibly graduating from the FLEX-only ranks.

Fearless Forecast: 5 carries, 24 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 41 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.0 fantasy points

Will Fuller, Hou, WR (57 percent started, $25)
Matchup: vs. Ind
Brock Osweiler is an amalgamation of Joey Harrington, Matt Flynn and Joe Flacco, a terribly overpaid passer who somehow robbed an NFL GM blind. The $72 million man hasn’t earned one-thousandth of his deal. Through five games he ranks near rock bottom in several standard and secondary measurements, including completion percentage (58.0), yards per attempt (6.2) and passer rating (70.6). Horrible. Despite the QB’s missteps, Fuller exceeded expectations almost immediately. Over the first two weeks, the WR, who hauled in nine receptions for 211 yards and a TD, owned an approval rating on par with Ken Bone and his spectacular ‘Battle Red’ sweater. Largely perceived as a streak-only receiver, he’s displayed considerable versatility almost every week. Only matchups against the Pats and Vikings, two stifling pass defenses, bogged him down. Currently ranked inside the position’s top-30 in fantasy points per game, he should elevate into the WR2 class in Week 6. Even with Vontae Davis and Darius Butler back in uniform (Temporarily for Butler. He’s doubtful Sunday due to a broken finger), the Colts are mostly Kibbles ‘n Bits on pass defense. This season, Indy, collectively, has yielded 8.2 yards per attempts, four 70-plus yards WRs and the 12th-most fantasy points to pass catchers. After a very quiet 1-4-0 line in Minnesota, Fuller is sure to shine inside a much friendlier venue. Thanks to Osweiler’s tunnel vision, it’s important to remember he’s netted 21.5 percent of the targets share, a workload near equal to DeAndre Hopkins’. Buy the bounce back.

Fearless Forecast: 6 receptions, 86 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 17.6 fantasy points

Brandon LaFell, Cin, WR (2 percent started, $10)
Matchup: at NE
Revenge is a dish best served cold, unless you’re LaFell, who would likely shatter it on the ground before delivering because of his drop issues. His horrendous 2015, a season in which he botched 10 passes, still stands out in my mind. However, the former Patriot is a wide receiver to strongly debate in season-long and daily. Displaying significantly improved hands (No. 22 in drop rate) and off his highest targets share (28.2 percent) and best fantasy performance of the season (26.8), he is certainly a player of interest, especially when weighing the opponent. To the superficial, New England isn’t a recommended matchup. As a group, the Pats are allowing a mere 6.8 pass yards per attempt and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to WRs. But working opposite A.J. Green, LaFell will more likely than not tango with Logan Ryan, a corner with wonderful flaws for fantasy purposes. On the year, the DB, who lines up outside 81.4 percent of the time, has yielded a 107.7 passer rating, 71.4 catch percentage and league-high 16.1 fantasy points allowed. Mouthwatering. Some will avoid the Bengal simply because they don’t want to chase last week’s stats, but the very appealing one-on-one matchup is difficult to ignore. Play the contrarian card.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions, 65 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 15.0 fantasy points

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WEEK 6 SHOCKER SPECIAL (Under 10 percent started)

Dorial Green-Beckham, Phi, WR (1 percent started, $11)
Matchup: at Was
DGB is a ceaseless tease, the supposedly unassuming ‘hot’ girl in high school who played you like a fiddle for the sole purpose of feeding her ego. Buy into him hook, line and sinker and, most times, heartbreak ensues. However, this is the week the wide receiver finally reciprocates. It’s true, Green-Beckham is the third man on the totem pole. Working behind Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor in two-TE sets, he’s averaged 30.5 snaps per game and has generated a mere 10.5 percent of the targets share. But his metal-bending power, length and wide wingspan are characteristics of a topflight receiver, not a sporadically used afterthought. Doug Pederson realizes DGB’s playmaking potential and recently expressed his desire to reward the WR with more looks. Close to crossing the chalk twice last week, it’s clear DGB is being groomed for a red-zone role. Given his musculature, that shouldn’t come as any surprise. This Sunday, look for him to toss around a beat-up Washington secondary. The Redskins, down DeAngelo Hall and possibly again Bashaud Breeland, are a vulnerable unit. Josh Norman, for the most part, played tremendously through five weeks, but replacement corner Greg Toler hasn’t exactly answered the call. The punching bag has allowed a 62.5 catch percentage, 20.2 yards per route and a 106.3 passer rating to his assignments. Quinton Dunbar, his battery mate, has also coughed up a 63.6 catch rate. Overall, Washington has given up five 10-plus fantasy-point WRs. Pondering the setup, this may finally be the week the Eagle spread his wings.

Fearless Forecast: 4 receptions, 49 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 12.9 fantasy points

BONUS WEEK 6 FLAMES

#TEAMHUEVOS PICKS OF THE WEEK
Each week one fortunate guest prognosticator will have a chance to silence the Noise. Following the rules stated above, participants are asked to submit their “Flames” (1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 D/ST) by midnight PT Tuesdays via Twitter @YahooNoise. How large are your stones?

Reader record: 13-22

Noise season record: 21-39 (Week 5: 3-9; W – Brian Hoyer, Chris Hogan, Buffalo; L – Jameis Winston, Cameron Brate, Wendell Smallwood, Jerick McKinnon, John Brown, Quince Enunwa, Terrance West, Duke Johnson)

Follow Brad on Twitter (@YahooNoise) and check out his new TV show, ‘The Fantasy Football Hour,’ Wednesdays on Altitude TV (Channel 681 on DirecTV, 412 on DISH).