Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and *fantasy football rankings* at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and he is a weekly gameday host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

The Seahawks are readying for a major Thursday night home game against the San Francisco 49ers. This fantasy football week might get off to a fast start in a national TV game featuring the Seahawks' third-ranked passing offense. Fantasy players will also have to adjust to more bye week challenges, as the Chiefs, Vikings, Rams, and Dolphins are all off this week.

We get you prepared for Week 6 with highlighted starting options and full waiver wire rankings by position. The starting tips feature players that can be streamed into lineups and established names and performers who should remain active for optimum production. The analysis is based on Points Per Reception (PPR) scoring leagues.

Running Back Starters

START Breece Hall: Some fantasy players may be thinking about going with another RB option over Hall. The Jets will be gunning for a needed win over the rival Bills on Monday Night Football, and Hall will be a big key to competing for the victory.

Utilizing their No. 1 RB, the Jets can attempt to control the ball and exhibit offensive balance. Buffalo has allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs so far this season.

START Kenneth Walker III: The Seahawks star RB should also be locked into fantasy lineups for Week 6. Many fantasy players are considering tweaking their lineups to position their teams for higher statistical ceilings. But reserving the No. 3 RB in Average Fantasy Points Per Game (22.4) is not a recommended move.

San Francisco ranks 14^th in FFPG allowed to RBs, and Mike Macdonald continues to stress the importance of Walker being a central focus on offense. Expect a quality fantasy outing in an important Thursday Night Football matchup.

Those who do not roster Walker should attempt to trade for him before Thursday night's kickoff.

START Tony Pollard: The Titans running back rushed for a season-high 88 yards and a TD in his last outing in Week 4. Tennessee is coming off a bye and will face a highly vulnerable Indianapolis defense. The Colts have the lowest-ranked run defense in the AFC. Start Pollard as a fantasy RB2.

START Rico Dowdle: The matchup against the Lions' fourth-ranked run defense seems to be a daunting draw, but the Dallas RB played his best game as a pro in Week 5 against the Steelers' fifth-ranked run defense.

If you need a bye week or injury replacement at RB this week, consider starting Dowdle, who banged and slashed his way to 108 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD vs. Pittsburgh. The versatile fourth-year man has caught TD passes in two consecutive games and is a consistent option to finish off scoring drives for an aggressive Dallas offense.

Running Back Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Tank Bigsby: The second-year Jaguar is pushing for a bigger share of the backfield workload. Bigsby rushed for 90 yards in Week 4, and 101 yards and two TDs in Week 5. He had long runs of 58 and 65 yards.

As the waiver wire pickup of the week, Bigsby might require a bid of 50-plus percent of your budget in leagues where a Free Agency Acquisition Budget process is used to add free agents.

1. Tyrone Tracy Jr: Even when Devin Singletary returns from a groin injury, Tracy may work in a timeshare role with the veteran RB. The Giants rookie provides the New York offense with another spark plug.
2. Roschon Johnson: On Sunday, Johnson rushed for two TDs in a win over Carolina, and he has found the end zone three times in the last two games. Johnson might continue to be a frequent TD option for the Bears as Caleb Williams settles in as an NFL QB.
3. Jaylen Wright: This promising rookie rushed for 86 yards on 13 carries on Sunday in a win over New England. An injury situation for Miami can always move him into a larger offensive role for some fantasy upside.
4. Trey Sermon: In Week 5, Sermon rushed for a TD and caught all six of his targets. If Jonathan Taylor (ankle) misses any more time, Sermon should continue to start in his place.
5. Dare Ogunbowale: He totaled 21 touches from scrimmage for 87 yards on Sunday. Ogunbowale might remain in Houston's backfield mix this week if injuries demand that he functions in a significant role again.
6. Ty Chandler: Aaron Jones is dealing with a hip injury, but the Vikings do have a bye week for him to recover. Chandler should still be picked up in case his workload is larger in Week 7.
7. Jonathon Brooks: The rookie should make his pro debut in the near future. Add him now for potential fantasy impact later in the season. Those who are only considering longer-term pickups can move Brooks up on their priority list.
8. Jaleel McLaughlin: As Bo Nix progresses as an NFL QB, Denver's offensive options may be useful fantasy streamers. McLaughlin registered TDs from scrimmage in two of the past three games and still has promise as a receiving RB.
9. Jeremy McNichols: In the last two games, he has rushed for three TDs with long runs of 28 and 27 yards. McNichols is a good fantasy insurance add if you start Brian Robinson Jr. on a regular basis.

Wide Receiver Starters

START Diontae Johnson: In Weeks 3 and 4, Johnson finished with seven-plus receptions, 80-plus yards, and a TD in each game. Carolina's offense was stifled in a 26-point loss to Chicago in Week 5, and may bounce back to provide statistical respectability against Atlanta. The Falcons will roll up a lot of points, and Johnson will be a key to offensive responses from the Panthers.

START Dontayvion Wicks: The top waiver wire pickup from last week, Wicks should remain in lineups as the Packers take on the Cardinals. He led Green Bay with seven targets in Week 5. With 20 targets over the past two games, Wicks can turn opportunities into quality fantasy production again.

START Tank Dell: Nico Collins' status is uncertain because of a hamstring injury. Dell might see a good amount of targets and will certainly be a threat for sizable receiving gains against New England's 25^th-ranked pass defense.

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Rankings

1. Wan'Dale Robinson: Over the past three games, Robinson caught 24 of 31 targets. When Malik Nabers returns, he will benefit from his WR partner commanding much defensive attention. Robinson is still available on free agency in some leagues.
2. Josh Downs: In his second season, Downs is emerging as a clearly reliable option for the Colts QBs after flashing some promise last year. In the past two games, he caught 17 of 21 targets and finished with 82 yards and a TD in Week 4.
3. Jalen Tolbert: With Brandin Cooks out, Tolbert embraced more opportunities with seven receptions for 87 yards and a game-winning TD catch against Pittsburgh. Dallas is a pass-heavy team that will keep the third-year WR in the offensive flow.
4. Darnell Mooney: Kirk Cousins found his better form in Week 5, and Mooney finished with 105 yards and two TD catches. He will be a frequent downfield threat for the new Atlanta QB. .
5. Quentin Johnston: Coming off a bye, Johnston will resume a fantasy climb in his second NFL season.
6. Keon Coleman: The first-year Buffalo WR caught a 49-yard TD pass in Week 5 and the production can rise in the weeks ahead.
7. JuJu Smith-Schuster: Back with the Chiefs again, he stepped forward and caught seven balls for 130 yards on Monday night. Add Smith-Schuster to see if he will statistically build on the strong performance.
8. Tyler Lockett: Check for the Seahawks longtime fantasy football stalwart on your league's waiver wire. Lockett should be picked up for adequate output as a streamer when needed.
9. Jordan Whittington: The Rams rookie caught 13 passes on 18 targets over the past two games and finished with 89 yards in Week 5. If Los Angeles still is dealing with significant WR absences after the upcoming bye week, Whittington will deserve streaming consideration.
10. Tutu Atwell: A consistent target for Matthew Stafford on key downs while Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua haven't been available. Atwell will be playable in fantasy football again if the situation presses him into the same type of role after the bye.
11. Allen Lazard: Aaron Rodgers' steady TD partner in Green Bay is up to four TD receptions in their first year together with the Jets.
12. Michael Wilson: A total of 22 targets in the last three games signals that Wilson is a decent pickup for fantasy WR depth.
13. Tre Tucker: If the roster room is available, stash Tucker for possible upside later in the season.
14. Alec Pierce: Take a gamble on him for big plays as a streamer when the matchup is right.

Quarterback Starters

START Justin Fields: The ex-Bear might keep the starting job in Pittsburgh. Fields has re-emerged as a top 10 fantasy QB. Pittsburgh's defense should ensure that the offense will enjoy favorable field position while winning out on time of possession. Fields is capable of registering more than two TDs as a passer and runner.

START Dak Prescott: Dallas-Detroit promises to be a Week 6 offensive and fantasy bonanza. Prescott ranks second in the NFL in passing yards (1,424), with the Seahawks' Geno Smith at the top of the ladder (1,466). The Cowboys QB also is second in passing attempts with 191.

Quarterback Waiver Wire

1. Kirk Cousins: A stupendous Week 5 performance will position Cousins as another prime waiver wire pickup. After gunning for 509 yards and four TDs against Tampa Bay, the 36-year-old passer will be locked into many lineups for this week's matchup with the Panthers. Cousins is indeed available in some leagues, but those who already have him rostered should consider trading the Falcons QB if he is paired with another top 10 QB on the team.
2. Tua Tagovailoa: Pick him up now, because when Tagovailoa returns, we know he will be a top 10 to 15 fantasy QB.
3. Joe Flacco: The seemingly eternal savior for any team that brings him into a game has earned strong fantasy consideration any time he starts. If you roster Anthony Richardson, keep Flacco on the fantasy team as a fine insurance option.
4. Daniel Jones: After passing for two TDs in three of his past four games while always operating as a running threat, Jones should be considered for fantasy bye week or injury lineup replacement usage.
5. Drake Maye: In Superflex leagues, where you can start a QB at a second flex spot, take the flier on the rookie to add more life to the New England offense if and when he gets an opportunity to start.

Tight End Starters

START Mark Andrews: He has not produced the statistical totals that fantasy players are accustomed to so far this season. The Ravens have the top-ranked offense in the league, and in a higher-scoring affair with fifth-ranked Washington, there should be opportunities for Andrews to resurface fantasy-wise.

START Cole Kmet: The Chicago offense is coming off its best performance of the season, and might keep rolling against Jacksonville, which has the lowest-ranked pass defense in the NFL.

Tight End Waiver Wire

1. Taysom Hill: The injured Hill missed Week 5, yet you should pick him up for the statistical upside in any week when he returns.
2. Tyler Conklin: The Jets TE is getting many looks from Rodgers, with 17 targets in the last two games. Free agency is very thin at this position, and Conklin may be able to supply a decent fantasy floor when needed for lineups.
3. Jonnu Smith: In two of his past four games, Smith had five-plus receptions and seven-plus targets. At least keep him on the watch list for when Tagovailoa returns.
4. Theo Johnson: In larger leagues, the Giants rookie can be added for depth.

Week 6 Defensive Streamers: Houston (vs. New England), Chicago (vs. Jacksonville), Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Denver). Green Bay is also a steady fantasy defense against any opponent (vs. Arizona in Week 6). The Packers are the second-highest fantasy scoring defense (11.8 points per game).