After recording just one reception Week 5, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin caught 6-of-8 targets in Seattle's Week 6 win over the Raiders. So, is Baldwin back? Can fantasy managers count on him as a consistent WR2? Let's discuss Baldwin's production, the upside of Christian Kirk in Arizona, Josh Gordon, the rough day for the Bears' defense, and more.
Here are the Week 6 fantasy takeaways.
Doug Baldwin is back in the WR2 mix
After Baldwin caught just one pass for one yard in a Week 5 loss to the Rams, there was some concern about the veteran wide receiver. However, watching him run routes on Sunday in the win over the Raiders, catching 6-of-8 targets for 91 yards? Yeah, Baldwin is back. Even though he might not be at 100 percent healthy, I still see him as one of the top slot targets in the league.
There's the lateral movement to separate, the quick-twitch burst, plus the ability to both produce after the catch and make plays on contested throws. We saw all of that on Sunday, with Baldwin working underneath in the quick game, catching the ball off boot action, while also stretching the field on a deep fade and the inside seam/over route.
The volume he saw on Sunday should make fantasy managers relax a bit. When the Seahawks return from the bye in Week 8 with a matchup versus the Lions, I will have Baldwin ranked as a mid-tier WR2.
Where does Josh Gordon land in the Week 7 rankings?
Ranking Gordon every week is tough, because I'm still trying to get a feel for how he fits in with Tom Brady and this Patriots offense. On Sunday night, Gordon saw a team-high nine targets, catching five passes for 42 yards on multiple slants and fades. Given the Chiefs' defensive scheme, that was to be expected. Kansas City plays a bunch of single-high safety defenses with man-coverage. The Patriots correctly took the matchups where Gordon could use his speed, size and catch radius, giving him a shot to make a play.
With a Week 7 matchup versus the Bears, who use a lot of "1 robber" coverage with a safety rotating down, Gordon can make the cut as a WR2. There will be matchups for Gordon against the Bears cornerbacks, and it's pretty clear, based on the volume from Sunday night, that Brady wants to get him the ball.
Can Vance McDonald jump into the TE1 tier?
Finding consistent production at tight end has been tough for fantasy managers this season. That's why, in some of my leagues, I'm always working the waiver wire. It's also why I'm looking at McDonald here after the Steelers tight end caught 7-of-8 targets for 68 yards in Pittsburgh's win over the Bengals on Sunday.
In Week 6, McDonald produced 55 yards after the catch and is now averaging 10.7 yards after the catch this season. He's a physical guy, with good lower body balance -- and that shows up when defenders try to bring him down. Picture quick throws, or middle-of-the-field routes, where McDonald can secure the ball and run through contact.
Now, I can understand if there is some hesitation here to roll with McDonald, given that TE Jesse James is also seeing targets in the Pittsburgh route tree. He had five receptions, seven targets, and 26 yards of his own in Week 6. However, in an offense that needs a No. 3 target for Ben Roethlisberger, I would look at starting McDonald as a TE1 in deeper leagues when the Steelers return from their bye in Week 8 to play the Browns.
Derrick Henry continues to post subpar numbers in Tennessee's new system
On Sunday, Henry rushed for 21 yards on seven carries, and he caught just one pass for five yards. Sure, it was a tough matchup versus a Ravens defense that absolutely controlled the line of scrimmage. Still, with Henry having failed to score a touchdown or surpass 60 yards rushing in any game this season -- not to mention his totaling only four receptions on the year -- is it time to seriously question his fit in Matt LaFleur's new offense?
Remember, Henry is at his best when he gets downhill on the tracks, which would allow him to square his shoulders and either run through or over contact. But, when you get him moving laterally -- which is exactly what defenses want -- it doesn't cater to his skill set. In a zone-heavy run approach, Henry simply isn't producing.
The Titans running back will continue to drop deep into in my ranks, and don't be surprised to find him on the waiver wire in your leagues this week. He can be unloaded if you are stuck in a position where you need to an add a player.
The Bears defense will be back, after Week 7
Once Ryan Tannehill was declared inactive and Brock Osweiler was pushed into the No. 1 role for the Dolphins on Sunday morning, I bumped up the Bears' defense to a top-five must-start unit for Week 6. However, given the fundamental breakdowns I saw from Chicago -- plus a nonexistent pass rush -- Osweiler and the Miami receivers carved this defense up on basic, underneath throws.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Dolphins receivers racked up 274 yards after the catch in Miami's overtime win. That's a monster number. What about Osweiler? He posted 256 yards and three TD passes on 21 completions within five yards of the line of scrimmage.
Give Miami head coach Adam Gase credit for scripting a game plan with super high-percentage throws for Osweiler. However, this is also about the poor tackling and open-field angles from the defense. You can't have that. On a day when the Bears blitzed a season-high 14 times, Osweiler still had time to deliver the ball.
Chalk it up as a rough day? I would, because the talent in the Chicago front seven and the coaching of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is legit. While the upcoming Week 7 matchup with Tom Brady and the Patriots isn't ideal, fantasy managers can find a streaming option there before jumping back on the Bears' bandwagon for two positive matchups: the Jets in Week 8 and the Bills in Week 9.
Cardinals rookie WR Christian Kirk has WR3 value in deeper leagues
The Cardinals' offense isn't going to generate consistent chunk plays. We know that. Yet, I'm looking at Kirk here, particularly the flashes he has shown over the last two weeks, along with the production that is starting to rise a bit with Josh Rosen throwing the rock.
After catching 6-of-7 targets for 77 yards versus the Vikings defense in Week 6, Kirk has now caught 9-of-11 targets in his last two games for 162 yards and a score. I'm seeing the same traits that popped on his college film at Texas A&M. Kirk can work inside of the numbers. He's a tough player, and he's got the route-running to set up defenders. That can lead to double-moves and more separation on middle-of-the-field throws. Plus, the Cardinals can use Kirk in the quick passing game, both on screens and throwing in an occasional fly sweep.
For managers in deeper leagues, I would give Kirk a look as a lower-tier WR3. The rookie is starting to emerge as a top target for Rosen. If the volume stays consistent working opposite Larry Fitzgerald, Kirk can provide an added boost to your lineup.
Taylor Gabriel emerging as a WR3/WR4 in Non-PPR leagues
With two straight games of 100-plus yards receiving in an offense that will script defined reads and deep-ball shots for QB Mitchell Trubisky, Gabriel is emerging as a big-play threat in the Bears' route tree. While Gabriel didn't find the end zone on Sunday, he caught 5-of-5 targets for 110 yards. That gives the Chicago wide receiver 12 receptions -- on 12 targets -- for 214 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games.
The defined reads and deep-ball shots I am talking about are all thanks to Bears head coach Matt Nagy laying out a road map for Trubisky. Using isolation routes outside of the numbers, inside verticals and play-action is where Gabriel fits in the mix here. He has the speed to get on top. Plus, with the Bears working the screen game and sprinkling in some jet sweeps, there are designed concepts to get Gabriel the ball.
With at least five targets in every game this season, Gabriel is seeing pretty consistent volume. The Bears could well be in a situation where Trubisky has to throw the ball around in order to try and hang with the Patriots in a Week 7 matchup. Based on what I have seen on tape, I'd give Gabriel a strong look as a WR3/WR4 in non-PPR formats, given his ability to stretch the field.