Five Week 6 standouts anchor Week 7 starts and sits: Kimani Vidal flashed as a short-term Chargers spark, Bam Knight nudged into fantasy relevance for the Cardinals as injuries shuffled roles, Kayshon Boutte delivered a boom game for New England but remains a boom-or-bust bet, Ladd McConkey finally capitalized with Johnston sidelined, and Michael Mayer flashed ceiling value for Las Vegas as a streaming TE. Mahomes remains the constant floor-raising pivot in a week shaping up with mix-and-match starts.

Vidal’s sustained value hinges on the Chargers’ backfield chaos (Harris out; Hampton limited). Knight is touchdown-dependent and best kept in emergency flex or if Demercado misses. Boutte’ s volatility persists despite big yardage and two TDs. McConkey offers upside when Johnston sits but could fade when the full receiver corps is healthy. Mayer is a speculative TE2 until Bowers returns, offering a high ceiling week if target share stays elevated.

Week 7 decisions will hinge on matchup and usage, with the Who Should I Start tool underscoring a need to weigh recent volume against role stability. The core five players remain the focal point for lineup-shaping fantasy managers this week.

Mayer's return re-energizes the Raiders’ offense and stabilizes a unit hit by injuries, lifting both the passing game and special teams. His impact, paired with a healthier two-tight-end look, reshapes Chip Kelly’s play-calling and gives Geno Smith a trusted safety valve as Las Vegas eyes a Week 6 clash with Tennessee. The squad’s depth at tackle and the presence of Mayer and Bowers anchor a clearer path to offensive efficiency and fantasy upside.

Coaches and players praised Mayer for his big game and leadership on special teams, underscoring how his absence muted the attack during the previous four games. With Miller, Mayer, Bowers, and Powers-Johnson back, the Raiders’ configuration could tilt toward more balanced, explosive outputs, especially in high-leverage fantasy matchups against the Titans.

Las Vegas leaned on play-action to edge Tennessee, but the win exposes a stubborn flaw: the offensive line remains a bottleneck that limits Jeanty and the run game. Mayer surfaced as a timely zone target, helping the quarterback unlock efficient drives. The victory ends a four-game skid and provides a blueprint: rhythm and design can carry the offense even with blocking struggles, though improvements up front are essential for sustained fantasy upside.

For fantasy managers, Mayer’s growing role and Jeanty’s potential volatility loom large. The Titans’ front is formidable, so future success hinges on continued play-action reliance and Mayer’s red-zone involvement. Monitor the line’s health and how often design leverage creates soft spots in coverage.

Week 6 delivered a slate of fantasy-relevant twists. Kansas City nudged its offense back on track, 30-17 over Detroit, with Rashee Rice returning and the defense tightening on late downs. Green Bay leaned on a revived run game, Josh Jacobs delivering 153 yards and two rushing TDs. Carolina’s Bryce Young and Rico Dowdle sparked a 30-27 upset of Dallas as the Panthers press toward the Jets. Las Vegas got Michael Mayer involved; Seattle rode Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a road win. Ravens slipped to 1-5; Broncos’ defense anchored London. A rich week for depth players and rookie contributions.