Week 6 Preview + CFB Prospect Watch

Week 6 starts today and unlike Shedeur Sanders after Dillon Gabriel was named the starter, players around the league are ready to make some noise. We’re tackling games you NEED to pay attention to this weekend not only at the pro level, but on college football Saturday as well. Let’s hit the Detour.

🔮 Traffic Forecast

Some interesting things to keep an eye on in Week 6, here’s what’s got my eye ⬇️ 

🐯 Old Man Flacco Dons Some New Stripes

The veteran QB puts on the threads of yet another AFC North team as he arrives to resurrect the Bengals offense

• Ja’marr Chase & Tee Higgins - Both in double digits Week 5 for first time since Browning’s first start

  • Browning’s second stint succeeding Burrow was going much like his first for these WRs: inconsistent. Last week was their first big outing since the switch, with Higgins’ day only saved by a garbage time TD. Flacco will need to take better care of the ball and be more consistent finding the Cincy weapons.

  • Dynasty Take: Browning’s inability to take care of the ball made a move necessary to keep any post-season hopes alive, I’m just not sure this was the one to make. Flacco has done okay this season but is limited in what he can make happen at this point in his career. Chase’s floor may rise with the vet under center, but I think his ceiling remains low. Higgins’ only hope for a bump from the new signal caller is an increase in the team’s red zone appearances and a healthy helping of touches when down there. Maybe, just maybe.

     

• Chase Brown - ~4 less rushes per game under Browning compared to 2024 season

  • Managers hoped Brown would be unaffected by the change at QB, but unfortunately things have dropped off for Brown considerably. The shorter drives and less red zone opportunities certainly hurt anyone, but Samaje Perine has also eaten into Brown’s rushing work since the QBs switch. Brown hasn’t totaled less rushes (23) over a 3 week span since Weeks 1-3 of 2024, when he was seeing the field on ~25% of snaps.

  • Dynasty Take: Brown’s still been okay enough, but needs to see a big change under Flacco to even sniff last year’s finish. It ain’t happenin’. Even if the offense does put up more points, I think Brown has ceded enough work and will see enough negative game scripts to firmly remove the potential for 20+ point games, even if a 7 point floor provides managers something to feel alright about.

🐧 Waddle Off to the Races?

Tyreek Hill’s unfortunate injury has thrust the fifth year man back into the leading role, but what does he need to show us this week?

• WR1 History – 2 game stint without Hill already the longest since his arrival in 2022

  • Tyreek Hill has been nothing if not reliable for the Dolphins since joining the team, leaving Jaylen Waddle squarely as the WR2 in this offense. Fans may remember, however, the days before Hill, when rookie Jaylen Waddle saw 140 targets on his way to a rookie receptions record (104). Waddle’s WR13 finish that year had managers buzzing about the future, but the chance to become a premier WR1 was put on the backburner, until now.

  • Dynasty Take: Waddle’s 110 yards last week marked just the third time he’s eclipsed the 100-yard mark since Week 15 of 2022. Waddle is now the featured point of this passing attack, and I am hesitantly convinced he could get managers going once again. The Dolphins will likely spend considerable time playing from behind, and with this offense’s ability to scheme guys open, stretch the field, and have just enough talent around him to keep defenses off his back, I don’t see why Waddle couldn’t turn back the clock (wild thing to say about a 26 year old). I’m not thrilled about the fragility of his QB, Waddle himself, or the architect of this offense Mike McDaniel’s job, but how many sure things are there to be found out there as a team trying to make a push. I don’t love it long term, only because the Dolphins will likely be in a transitioning period the next few years, but for now, I don’t mind acquiring the guy at all.

-- Dynasty Detour Ryan

🎓️ Prospect Watch: CFB Games to Scout

Decisions are soon to be made not only for teams blowing it up, but for teams selling their 2026 draft capital and shoving their chips in. Here’s some guys to get a glance before you buy or sell the picks that could bring them to your team 📋️ 

If you haven't been tuned into this season, there's no better week than this one. Unlike some years, there's no clear top prize in this year's draft, but many NFL teams have a vacancy or need a change at the QB position. However, four top QB prospects will be facing each other this Saturday, so I'm going to give you my thoughts, and you'll have the chance to vet them this weekend and see who may become your dynasty team's franchise

🏈 #7 Indiana vs. #3 Oregon - 3:30 EST

Fernando Mendoza | QB IND - 1208 yds, 71.8% comp%, 16 TD, 1 INT, 138.7 PFF QBR

Pro Comps: Trevor Lawrence Ceiling, Blaine Gabbert Floor

Bio: For those who haven't been paying attention to college ball and are surprised to see Indiana ranked in the top 10, Curt Cignetti has handed the reins over to Cal transfer, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza has been absolutely thriving in this Indiana offense, with a 16/1 TD:INT ratio, and has shown great pocket poise. At 6’5”, he has pro-level size and a good enough arm. He was bottled up a bit by the staunch Iowa defense and produced his lowest PFF grade of the season while throwing his first pick, so keep an eye on how he handles a tough pass rush that gave Drew Allar fits last weekend. I was a fan at Cal last year, and he has done nothing to dissuade me with the Hoosiers.

Fantasy Outlook: Accuracy at all different levels, quick release, and ability to move in the pocket to avoid sacks, prototypical build for an NFL QB.

Other Indiana Prospects:

• Elijah Sarratt, WR - Mendoza’s favorite target, a big possession receiver, think in the mold of a Tre Harris or Xavier Hutchison.

Dante Moore | QB ORE - 1210 yards, 74.6% comp%, 14 TD, 1 Int, 133.6 PFF QBR

Pro Comps: C.J. Stroud Ceiling, Will Howard Floor

Bio: The former 5-star from UCLA has finally realized his potential as an Oregon Duck. After replacing Dillon Gabriel, Moore has shot up draft boards, impressing early on against some fairly low-level competition before absolutely shredding the Penn State defense through three quarters and in OT (in the 4th, they were just trying to kill the clock). Moore has a much slimmer build but a cannon of an arm, especially off-platform, and is a threat to break off a scramble if defenses don't pay attention. His ability to avoid sacks and see pressure coming is extremely impressive, suffering only one sack so far this season, so pay attention to his play extension on Saturday. I have been floored by his decision-making and agility, and Oregon QBs have been red hot in the NFL; hopefully, that doesn't change here.

Fantasy Outlook: Quick release, drives the ball into windows (middle of the field in particular), avoids sacks and turnovers, excellent accuracy on intermediate throws.

Other Oregon Prospects:

• Kenyon Sadiq TE - Might be the best TE prospect in the country, elite athleticism for a TE, often operating out of the slot, think Sam LaPorta.

🏈 South Carolina vs. #11 LSU- 7:45 EST

LaNorris Sellers | QB SC- 886 yds, 66.7% comp%, 4 TD, 1 INT, 110.6 PFF QBR

Pro Comps: Drake Maye Ceiling, Trey Lance Floor

Bio: Last season, Sellers' rise was the story of the Gamecocks' season. After a slow start, South Carolina made a push for the CFP with a series of strong performances down the stretch, totaling over 200 yards on the ground and 1200 yards in the air over his last five SEC games, where they went 4-1. Although he has not been the preseason Heisman candidate that was expected (though he has dealt with minor injuries), his efficiency and dynamic play on the ground have kept his draft stock high. Everyone is still waiting for Sellers to really get going this season, and he and the Gamecocks hope that starts now, with the team playing five straight top 11 teams over the next five games. Sellers has already been sacked a ton this season and is now facing some of the better defenses in the conference, so watch out for how he handles the pressure and let's see if we see more of the same or a return to the Sellers who rolled over the SEC last year. College football is more fun when Sellers is at the top of his game.

Fantasy Outlook: Dual Threat, turnover prone (especially with fumbles), good deep ball, play extension ability (to his own detriment on occasion).

Other South Carolina Prospects:

• Nyck Harbor, WR - honestly, one of my favorite athletes in ball, stupid speed with a 6’5” frame. His route running is not quite there, so he’s hard to compare to recent prospects, but with the right improvements, he could easily be the best receiver of this class.

Garrett Nussmeier | QB LSU- 1157 yds, 67.3% comp%, 7 TD, 3 INT, 92.7 PFF QBR

Pro Comps: Bo Nix Ceiling, Zach Wilson Floor

Bio: The oldest of the QB prospects, Nussmeier had a phenomenal first game against what was considered a good Clemson defense that briefly made him the favorite to be drafted #1 overall next year. However, Nussmeier had a couple of uninspiring performances against LA Tech and Florida leading up to his worst performance of the season and being upset against Ole Miss. Nussmeier has more experience, and that shows in his ability to manage protections and would arguably be the most “pro-ready” of the above prospects. Do not expect a 300-yard performance from Nussmeier against a SC defense that has forced at least one interception in every game this season. If Nussmeier can keep that under control, that will continue to demonstrate the pro-readiness scouts want in a QB prospect (Though I must say I'm not a huge believer here).

Fantasy Outlook: Strong arm, LSU offense leads to pro-readiness, accuracy downfield.

Other South Carolina Prospects:

• Nic Anderson - clear WR1 on this team, red zone threat with jump ball ability, typical X receiver, like an Alec Pierce.

• Aaron Anderson - has had a slow start to the season offensively, but is your typical slot-speed guy, in the mold of a Calvin Austin.

-- Dynasty Detour John

We’re officially in the swing of things, so be sure you follow us for all the must see events and reactions of every week. Follow us @dynastydetour on Instagram and X/Twitter to get our reactions and opinions in between write-ups, as well as email us with any questions at [email protected]. See you out on the road 🚘️.