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).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has really stepped up in the team's lead-back role the last two weeks with Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) nursing multiple injuries. In the 30-19 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 6, White stayed productive with a team-leading 17 rushing attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches on three targets for 21 additional yards. The 26-year-old hasn't been all that productive with his touches the last two weeks since seeing an expanded role in the backfield, but he has delivered for fantasy managers with a nose for the end zone, scoring three total times in the last two games with Irving out. It's unclear if Irving will return in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, but if he misses a third straight game, White will maintain his plug-and-play RB2 status in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Cardinals running back Zonovan "Bam" Knight had 34 rushing yards, one catch, 20 receiving yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Colts. Dynasty Analysis: The news of Knight starting over Michael Carter send dynasty managers scrambling this morning. In the end, it didn't really amount to much as Knight and Carter pretty much split work on the day. The touchdown helped save his day but this looks like a frustrating committee starting to form with the loss of Trey Benson. Knight is worth a roster spot but you'd have to be pretty desperate to start him moving forward.
Dynasty | Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had 183 rushing yards, four catches, 56 receiving yards and a touchdown in a win against Dallas. Dynasty Analysis: In the process, Dowdle reportedly became the first player with 230 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back games since Le'Veon Bell in 2014. It was another massive fantasy performance from Dowdle, who has been flat-out dominant the past two weeks. Unfortunately, Chuba Hubbard is due back any week. In reality, Dowdle has done more than enough to create some kind of committee moving forward and could cash out as a free agent this off-season when his one-year deal expires. He remains a solid hold in dynasty leagues even with an imminent cooling off period coming any week.
Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens had nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown in a loss against the Panthers. Dynasty Analysis: Pickens has really stepped up with CeeDee Lamb out, quickly becoming the focal point of the passing offense in the process. He has now scored in five straight games and is currently on a hot streak that makes him one of the most valuable players in all of fantasy football. While this is a totally unsustainable pace, Pickens should still hold solid value when Lamb comes back, making him a solid hold in dynasty leagues.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes completed 22-of-30 passes for 257 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions, while adding 10 runs for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Fantasy Spin: After a bit of a slow start, Mahomes is starting to look a lot more like himself lately. After going for 258 or fewer passing yards, three passing scores and two rushing touchdowns in the first three games, Mahomes had 257 or more passing yards in the past three games with eight passing touchdowns, just one interception and two rushing scores. He remains a top-tier fantasy quarterback, and with Rashee Rice nearing a return from suspension, the roster will be littered with solid options for Mahomes to use.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff completed 23 of his 29 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.
Fantasy Spin: Goff has been efficient all season, and he has now tossed multiple touchdowns in each of his last three games. Consider him a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside against favorable matchups.
From TheHuddle
Ironically, Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had a season-low 29 receiving yards on just three receptions in the 30-27 win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 on Sunday, but he made up for it by finding paydirt for the first two times in his NFL career. McMillan was targeted five times by quarterback Bryce Young, which tied for the team lead with running back Rico Dowdle. The 22-year-old from Arizona scored from 19 and two yards out, respectively, to salvage his fantasy day. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned with his low-yardage output against Dallas, as it's been clear that McMillan will lead the Panthers in yards, catches, and targets when all is said and done in 2025, as long as he stays healthy. He has a tough matchup upcoming against cornerback Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets in Week 7, but McMillan needs to remain in all starting fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard registered two receptions for 51 yards on three targets in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Fantasy Spin: Shepard could have a much larger role heading into Week 7 in Detroit on Monday night, if Mike Evans and Chris Godwin need more time to get healthy. Rookie Emeka Egbuka also left the game, and he needed an MRI. If Shepard starts in Week 7, he could have some appeal in fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams.
From TheHuddle
The New England Patriots' passing attack was humming on Sunday in the Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints on the road, and wide receiver DeMario Douglas was one of the beneficiaries. Douglas entered Week 6 action with only seven catches on 16 targets for 30 yards and one touchdown, so he probably wasn't in many starting fantasy lineups against the Saints. The 24-year-old finished the 25-19 win with three catches on four targets for a season-high 71 yards and his second touchdown of the year. His day could have been much bigger, but a potential 61-yard touchdown was reversed early in the contest. Douglas' 71 receiving yards were second on the team, behind only Kayshon Boutte, who also scored twice. It was nice to see Douglas break out in what had been a disappointing season to this point, but fantasy managers should remain skeptical on his big-play potential as the WR3 behind Boutte and Stefon Diggs.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield completed 17-of-23 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers, while running three times for 14 yards.
Fantasy Spin: Mayfield hasn't had eye-popping stats, going for 289 or fewer passing yards in five of his six games. But, he does have two or more passing touchdowns in five of his six games, and he has just one interception, while helping his team to a 5-1 record. That's why he is among the early favorites for MVP. For fantasy purposes, he remains a low-end QB1 in most leagues because of his consistent stats and absence of miscues. The Bucs travel to Detroit next Monday night.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) was unable to play in the Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but tight end Trey McBride was still able to put up numbers while working with veteran backup Jacoby Brissett. McBride finished with eight catches on 11 targets for 72 yards and his second touchdown of the year in the 31-27 loss. He was second on the team in receiving yards on the day, but his 11 targets and eight receptions led the Cardinals in a near-upset victory on the road. The 25-year-old's eight grabs and 72 receiving yards were both season highs, giving you an idea of how much Arizona's offense has struggled in the first five weeks of the season. It's possible that Murray won't be able to play in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, either, but McBride might not skip a beat given the chemistry he showed with Brissett this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf looked fresh coming off the bye week in the 23-9 victory over the division-rival Cleveland Browns in Week 6 on Sunday. Metcalf scored a touchdown for the fourth straight game and also caught four of his nine targets on the day for 95 yards. The efficiency wasn't great, but Metcalf once again led the team in targets and receiving yards in a game in which the Steelers were never really threatened. The veteran wideout made up for his lack of efficiency against Cleveland by going for over 20 yards on all four of his receptions. Metcalf is clearly quarterback Aaron Rodgers' top target every week in a receiving corps that doesn't have many other exciting options in the passing attack. In addition to four straight games with a touchdown, Metcalf has topped 80 yards in three of his first five games in Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old should be a busy man on Thursday night in Week 7 in an excellent matchup against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals and their weak defense.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling posted two receptions for 22 yards on three targets in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk converted his lone target to a 9-yard reception in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he did not have a carry.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had another strong game for the Bolts in the Week 6 win over the Miami Dolphins on the road on Sunday, throwing for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions on 29-for-38 passing. Herbert carried the ball once for a gain of two yards in the 29-27 victory to end the team's two-game losing streak. He was sacked only once all day for a loss of only one yard. Herbert had to extend a lot of plays with a banged-up offensive line in front of him, and he did a good job with one of his top wideouts, Quentin Johnston (hamstring), out due to injury. The 27-year-old showed good chemistry with Ladd McConkey in this one, helping McConkey to his first 100-yard game of 2025. L.A. got a surprising 100-yard performance out of running back Kimani Vidal to help Herbert on the road, but the Chargers could continue to lean heavily on Herbert's right arm with rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) on Injured Reserve. Herbert has not thrown a pick in the last three games and will be firmly on the QB1 radar entering Week 7 versus the Indianapolis Colts.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson posted two receptions for 44 yards on three targets in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
From TheHuddle
After a slow start to the 2025 season, his second year in the NFL, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has heated up the last two weeks. In the 20-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Thomas had eight catches on 10 targets for a season-high 90 yards and his first touchdown of the year. He led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards. Thomas' eight catches were the most he's had in a game this season, and he's now caught 12 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets in the last two weeks. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher is just starting to find his groove with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Thomas had over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 total touchdowns in 2024, so we know what he's capable of. He'll be a must-start in a Week 7 matchup in London against the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey ran 17 times for 54 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he racked up seven receptions for 57 yards on eight targets.
Fantasy Spin: The 49ers have seen skill position players and other personnel drop like flies, but the oft-injured McCaffrey has somehow escaped the injury bug for once. He hasn't rushed for more than 69 yards, and that came in Week 1 in Seattle, but he hasn't had less than 49 rushing yards, either. And, he has six or more receptions in every game this season, while racking up at least 52 receiving yards. He remains a must-start in all fantasy leagues, especially PPR formats. The Niners host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 on Sunday night.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 27 of 42 pass attempts for 258 passing yards and two touchdowns in his team's 20-12 Week 6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Lawrence's biggest problem in Week 6 was the Seattle pass rush, as he was sacked seven times for a combined loss of 44 yards. The 26-year-old has now thrown for 1,324 yards and eight touchdowns with five interceptions through his first six games of 2025. Lawrence has also rushed for 95 yards and two scores. He will face a difficult matchup in Week 7, when the Jaguars travel to London to take on the Los Angeles Rams.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield led his team to its fifth win of the season in Week 6, beating the San Francisco 49ers 30-19. Mayfield completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts for 256 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception and added 14 rushing yards on three carries. The 30-year-old has now thrown for 1,309 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first six games of 2025. Tampa Bay entered Week 6 without wide receivers Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin (leg), and Jalen McMillan (neck), and then lost star rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) to a hamstring injury during the game. It's currently unclear how long the Buccaneers will be without their top four wide receivers. Regardless, Mayfield has proven himself to be a worthy fantasy QB1 on a week-to-week basis.
From RotoBaller