Browns elevate QB Shedeur Sanders to backup role

Fri Oct 10 2:20pm ET
Field Level Media

Shedeur Sanders will back up fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel when Cleveland visits the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Friday.

Sanders, the son of Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, ascended to the No. 2 spot following this week's trade of veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Inactive for the first five games, Sanders was buried on the depth chart two months ago before Cleveland parted ways with Kenny Pickett (traded to Las Vegas Raiders), Tyler Huntley (released) and Flacco.

"I'm overly confident within myself," Sanders said Thursday, per ESPN. "I know when I first got here I'm ready to play, but that's up to the coaches and whatever decision they make, I'm fine with it."

The Browns (1-4) are already 0-2 in the AFC North heading into this Week 6 clash with the division-leading Steelers (3-1).

Sanders, a projected first-round pick, slipped to the fifth round in April's draft where the Browns grabbed him with the 144th pick -- 50 spots after taking Gabriel in the third round.

Gabriel, 24, made his first NFL start last weekend in London and completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns in a 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Sanders, 23, was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year last season with the Buffaloes. He completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for four scores in 13 games.

Cleveland's once overcrowded quarterback room now includes Bailey Zappe (practice squad) and Deshaun Watson (PUP list).

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Samaje Perine Oct 11 12:50pm CT
Samaje Perine

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine had only 52 yards off nine carries in the first five games of the 2025 campaign, adding four receptions for eight yards. While most assumed Chase Brown would lead the way out of the backfield this season, fantasy managers are still disappointed with Perine's lack of involvement and production. The 30-year-old logged 29 snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions, suggesting more involvement could be on the horizon for the Week 6 meeting with the Green Bay Packers. However, until Perine does something meaningful to benefit managers, it's best to leave him out of any fantasy lineup versus the Packers. That outlook likely won't change in the weeks ahead unless Brown goes down with an injury.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Oct 11 12:50pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will face one of his toughest challenges of the season when he takes on Atlanta's sixth-ranked run defense on Monday night. The Falcons have excelled at controlling time of possession and limiting offensive opportunities, though they've allowed a 44.7% scoring rate on drives, leaving the door open for Cook to find the end zone. The third-year back is averaging 107.8 scrimmage yards and one touchdown per game, but he's coming off a sluggish performance against New England's opportunistic defense. While Cook's volume and role in Buffalo's high-powered offense keep him in RB1 territory, fantasy managers should temper expectations--his Week 6 success will likely hinge on finding pay dirt against a disciplined Falcons front.

From RotoBaller

Trey McBride Oct 11 12:40pm CT
Trey McBride

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride still sits atop the mountain at the position as the No. 1 option in the team's offense. He's still quarterback Kyler Murray's (foot) favorite target, and even if backup Jacoby Brissett gets the start, McBride plays a great security-blanket role. The Indianapolis Colts are ranked as the 10th-toughest defense against the position, allowing 11.66 fantasy points per game, but McBride has been matchup-proof for the past couple of seasons. It goes without saying that McBride is a set-it-and-forget-it type of play.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Oct 11 12:40pm CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will face his toughest challenge of the season when the team heads to Atlanta to take on the league's top-ranked defense. The Falcons have been dominant, allowing just 244 total yards per game, including a league-low 135 passing yards. Monday night's clash features the NFL's two leaders in time of possession, with Buffalo averaging 34:09 and Atlanta close behind at 33:30, setting up a physical, clock-controlling battle. While the Falcons have padded their numbers against Marcus Mariota and J.J. McCarthy, they did hold Baker Mayfield to just 159 passing yards in Week 1. Allen's dual-threat ability and offensive weapons should still allow him to produce, but expectations should be tempered--he's best viewed as a mid-tier QB1 in what could be a grind-it-out matchup.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 11 12:30pm CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has had his fair share of issues with drops so far this season, but he seems to be trending in a better direction over the last two weeks. He registered finishes of WR21 and WR14 in half-PPR formats against the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. The coaches even talked about getting Harrison some more targets moving forward. On the flip side, Kyler Murray (foot) is considered questionable, so Brissett may be under center. Usually, backup quarterbacks target their number-one receiver more often, so that could play into Harrison's favor. With that being said, he's currently projected as a low-end WR2 with a higher ceiling since the Indianapolis Colts are ranked 28th against opposing receiver groups, giving up 38.02 fantasy points per outing.

From RotoBaller

Michael Carter Oct 11 12:20pm CT
Michael Carter

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter leap-frogged the rest of the depth chart when he was elevated from the practice squad last week. After James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both went down for extended periods of time, Carter saw 23 touches and 57.4% of the offensive snaps. Leaving Emari Demercado and Bam Knight to pick up the scraps. He seems to be in line for a similar workload, especially if Kyler Murray (foot) can't play, but Week 6 presents a tough matchup. The Indianapolis Colts are ranked as the sixth-toughest unit against opposing backfields, allowing just 18.12 fantasy points per game. Carter seems to have a ceiling of a low-end RB2, which could be a decent flex play in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jacoby Brissett Oct 11 12:10pm CT
Jacoby Brissett

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett has had a handful of solid games as a starter throughout his career. He's not going to do anything flashy or out of this world, but he's been able to manage the game for a few different teams when the starter has gone down. Kyler Murray (foot) is currently considered questionable, and it looks like the team won't make a decision until gameday. If Murray can't suit up, Brissett takes over an offense that doesn't have much of a run game and has to go up against the sixth-toughest defense against opposing QBs in the Indianapolis Colts. The last time Brissett started was in Week 5 of last season with the New England Patriots when he was unable to register any touchdowns and lost 10-15 to the Miami Dolphins. Fantasy managers will want to avoid Brissett if he does play, as long as they can afford to.

From RotoBaller

Deebo Samuel Oct 11 12:10pm CT
Deebo Samuel

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said the team will "take it into Monday" regarding the status of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Samuel Sr. has been the team's most reliable pass-catcher so far this season with 30 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 38 targets across five games. The 29-year-old has also recorded seven carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. Washington has already ruled out wideouts Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin, knee) for Week 6, so the team could be extremely thin at wide receiver. Wideouts Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore would all be in line for an uptick in playing time in Week 6 if Samuel Sr. were to be sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Mason Taylor Oct 11 12:00pm CT
Mason Taylor

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor has emerged over the past few weeks as the team's No. 2 option in the passing game behind wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Over his last three games, Taylor has recorded 18 catches for 150 yards on 25 targets, bringing his season-long totals to 20 catches for 175 yards on 28 targets. The 21-year-old will now face one of the NFL's best pass defenses in Week 6 when the Jets travel to London to take on the Denver Broncos. Denver ranks 10th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.6), and has allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns (four) through five games. Taylor could continue to see a decent number of targets from quarterback Justin Fields, but this could be a difficult week for him to turn those targets into production. Taylor profiles outside the top 12 at the tight end position in Week 6 against Denver and should be avoided by fantasy managers where possible.

From RotoBaller

Kyler Murray Oct 11 12:00pm CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) has officially received a questionable tag heading into the Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Let's say Murray does play in this one, the veteran would still present a risky option since a hurt foot would affect his scrambling ability, which is part of what makes him valuable in fantasy football. On top of that, the Colts are the sixth-toughest team against opposing QBs, allowing just 14.47 fantasy points per matchup. They have also accrued six interceptions versus eight passing touchdowns against them through five weeks. The Colts also don't have to worry much about a run game, so Murray's projections come in as a low-end QB2 if he can suit up. Otherwise, Jacoby Brissett will be under center for his first start of the season.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Oct 11 12:00pm CT
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette returned in Week 5 from a hamstring injury that cost him two games and recorded two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on three targets against the Miami Dolphins. Legette now has six catches for 39 yards and a score on 18 targets across three games this season. The Panthers have a favorable matchup on paper in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, who allowed the most passing yards (1,520) and second-most passing touchdowns (12) in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season. Still, Legette's role in the Panthers' offense and his ability to produce are not secure enough to make him a trustworthy fantasy wide receiver. Additionally, Legette could have additional target competition in Week 6 with Panthers wideout Jalen Coker (quad) potentially set to return from Injured Reserve for his season debut. Legette should be avoided by fantasy managers against Dallas in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Oct 11 11:40am CT
Terry McLaurin

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) will miss the team's Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday night, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. This will be McLaurin's third straight missed game due to a quad injury. The 30-year-old recorded 10 catches for 149 yards on 17 targets through the first three weeks of the season before getting injured. With McLaurin and Noah Brown (groin/knee) both out, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) battling a heel injury, Washington's wide receiver corps is looking thin for Week 6. Second-year wideout Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane could both be in line for significant playing time on Monday night against Chicago.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Oct 11 11:40am CT
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has emerged as a breakout star through four games, totaling 296 yards and five touchdowns. Odunze has clearly claimed the WR1 role in Chicago, evidenced by his 90.7% snap share and 94.3% route participation rate, while continuing to build a strong connection with quarterback Caleb Williams. The Week 6 matchup is favorable, as the Commanders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2025. Odunze's strength against man coverage is another plus, especially since Washington runs man defense the 10th most in the league. The second-year receiver enters the week as a low-end WR1, with another opportunity to extend his breakout campaign.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Oct 11 11:40am CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore has struggled to start the 2025 season, totaling 16 catches on 21 targets for 173 yards and one touchdown. Moore appears to have ceded the top-receiver role to second-year standout Rome Odunze. Before the bye week, quarterback Caleb Williams said Moore could be the "Deebo Samuel" of the Bears' offense, a comparison that should disappoint fantasy managers hoping for more consistent production. The Week 6 matchup against the Commanders is favorable, as Washington has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Moore currently profiles as a low-end WR3, with much of his fantasy value tied to potential touchdowns rather than consistent yardage.

From RotoBaller

Noah Brown Oct 11 11:40am CT
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) will not play in the team's Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears, per Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Brown has not played since Week 2, so this will mark his fourth straight game on the sidelines. The 29-year-old recorded three catches for 36 yards on seven targets across two games before getting injured. In addition to Brown, Washington will be without star wideout Terry McLaurin (quad), and Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) is battling a heel injury that could hold him out as well. Depending on Samuel Sr.'s status, Washington could be relying on Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Noel, and Chris Moore at wide receiver in Week 6 against Chicago.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Davis Oct 11 11:30am CT
Isaiah Davis

With New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) currently on Injured Reserve, fellow Jets back Isaiah Davis is in line to be the team's RB2 behind Breece Hall. In New York's first full game without Allen in Week 5, Davis saw a limited workload, recording 33 yards from scrimmage on four total touches. In Week 6, the Jets will travel to London to take on the Denver Broncos. Denver's defense has been very stingy against the run so far this season, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards (442) in the NFL so far this season. Davis did see four targets and record three receptions in Week 5, so his best chance at fantasy production may be as a receiver out of the backfield. Still, he profiles as a desperation flex option for fantasy managers at best and should likely be avoided in Week 6 against Denver.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Oct 11 11:30am CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins hasn't looked the best throughout the first five weeks of the 2025 campaign. He has only 13 catches (27 targets) for 158 yards. Fortunately, the wideout has at least found the end zone twice, preventing him from being a complete bust for fantasy managers. In Higgins' defense, the Bengals offense has struggled, and it wasn't much better when Joe Burrow (toe) was healthy and on the field. With Joe Flacco, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Browns, getting the start for Sunday's meeting with the Packers, it's unknown how his presence will impact the offense. However, with only a few days to prepare, it's safe to assume Flacco's knowledge of the playbook will be limited. As such, Higgins may not be the safest fantasy option, especially with a challenging matchup on the horizon. On the other hand, that could change if Ja'Marr Chase (illness) suffers a setback and doesn't suit up.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Oct 11 11:20am CT
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift will look to bounce back after a sluggish start to the 2025 season. Through four games, Swift has logged 56 carries for 187 yards and two touchdowns, adding 13 receptions for 85 yards through the air. It's been an inefficient stretch for the former second-round pick, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, with only one broken tackle so far. Rookie Kyle Monangai has impressed early, which could start to pressure Swift's workload if his struggles continue. The matchup against the Commanders isn't ideal either, as they've allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. However, Swift torched Washington last year for 129 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, showing he's capable of breaking out in this spot. Swift projects as a low-end RB2, as he hopes to rebound off a slow start.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Oct 11 11:20am CT
Brandin Cooks

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks has recorded 12 catches for 103 yards on 16 targets across five games so far this season. The 32-year-old has served as the team's WR3 alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but if Week 5 is any indication, Cooks could be losing playing time. In Week 5, Cooks played just five more offensive snaps than Saints wideout Devaughn Vele after playing 56 more offensive snaps than Vele in Week 4. In Week 6, the Saints will take on the New England Patriots, who rank fifth-worst in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.2) through five games. Still, Cooks appears unlikely to see enough target volume to be fantasy relevant and could be losing playing time altogether in New England. Cooks should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Andrei Iosivas Oct 11 11:20am CT
Andrei Iosivas

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas had three touchdowns in the first three weeks of the 2024 campaign. However, it's been a different story this season, with the 25-year-old failing to find the end zone. He also has only seven catches (13 targets) for 116 yards, further decreasing his fantasy value. While Ja'Marr Chase (illness) and Tee Higgins have been healthy, fantasy managers still expected at least a little more out of Iosivas throughout the year. All things considered, the wideout has a long way to go before earning a spot in any fantasy lineup. This applies to the Week 6 meeting with a tough Packers' defense, even if Chase somehow gets ruled out. It's also important to remember that Joe Flacco will get the start after being recently acquired from the Cleveland Browns, so his limited knowledge of the playbook likely won't help any of the Bengals' pass-catchers.

From RotoBaller