2022 NFL Week 6 Breakout Candidates
We’re nearly one-third of the way through the 2022 NFL season. We will have, on paper, one of the worst primetime matchups this season Thursday between the Washington Commanders and Chicago Bears. While you angrily scan the waiver wire or set your lineups at the thought of potentially having to watch that after last week’s Thursday game — you could also opt to watch playoff baseball, the start of the NHL season or, my favorite, preseason basketball! — let’s jump into some potential fantasy football Week 6 breakouts. But first, let’s figure out how we did in Week 5.
- Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons: 13 car., 45 yards
- Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers: 6 rec., 61 yards
- Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots: 4 rec., 54 yards
- Mike Boone, RB, Broncos: 7 car., 38 yards; 3 rec., 47 yards
- Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings: 18 car., 94 yards, 2 TD; 2 rec., 27 yards
An overall bad week. Once again, you win some, you lose some. Now let’s get into potential Week 6 breakouts!
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s offense has been one of the biggest surprise stories through five weeks — as the Geno Smith-led Seahawks rank atop the NFL in DVOA. Running back Rashaad Penny will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2022 season after suffering a season-ending ankle injury Sunday, so Walker is almost certainly going to take the majority of the carries in his absence. He totaled eight carries for 88 yards and a touchdown last week and will be going up against a mediocre Cardinals defense in Week 6. Bank on a big Walker performance.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Thielen has been on again, off again to begin the 2022 season — at least more than I expected. Color me a homer, but this is the second time I’ve had him on this list. He watched Justin Jefferson torch the Bears secondary last week for 12 catches and 154 yards, while Thielen himself had just four catches for 27 yards. He only has one touchdown on the season after having 24 combined over the previous two seasons; sure, regression for the 32-year-old was inevitable, but this substantially? I think he’ll find the endzone — or at least haul in seven-plus catches, a feat he’s only done once through five games in 2022 — against a porous Miami Dolphins secondary Sunday.
Brian Robinson, Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
It’s honestly refreshing that Robinson, Jr. is on a football field again after suffering multiple lower body gunshot wounds. He was the victim of a carjacking incident. He debuted last week for nine carries and 22 yards. Robinson, Jr. will square off against a Bears defense that has been one of the worst against the run this season. I’m interested to see how Washington manages Robinson, but I’m expecting a more productive Week 6 for Robinson.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Among the presumptive top-10/12 fantasy quarterbacks heading into the season, the reigning Super Bowl champ Stafford has been the worst. He only eclipsed a dozen fantasy points just once (Week 2 v. Atlanta; 21 PTS), having conjured together just 29 combined over the last three weeks combined. Coming off two consecutive weeks against two of the best defenses in the league in San Francisco and Dallas, Stafford will have a home bout against a so-so Carolina secondary. Perhaps he’ll get back on track heading into the bye week? Only time will tell.
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He has logged just 11 catches for 99 yards without a touchdown in three games. He returned from a groin injury. He’ll breakout sooner or later — why not against a porous Falcons pass defense? That should yield TE1 production, right?
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