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Fantasy Football Week 6: Start Austin Davis

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By @JordanWevers

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Getty Images

An intriguing quarterback to discuss inside fantasy football circles in 2014 has been Austin Davis of the St. Louis Rams. Despite his matchup in Week 6 versus the San Francisco 49ers, he should be viewed as a starter.

If you are in a 12 to 16 team league, chances are there isn’t much depth for you to pluck off the waiver wire. Drew Brees and Alex Smith both have byes in Week 6, so there is a good chance every Brees owner will be looking for a spot starter at QB — not so much for Smith, because he is already viewed more as a backup or QB2 in most instances.

If you own Brees like I do, go pick up Davis. I did in my NFL.com league, and here’s why:

1. Davis broke all of Brett Favre‘s college records at Southern Miss. No joke — all of them (completions, attempts, completion percentage, yards passing, passing touchdowns and efficiency rating). He even ran for 1375 yards and 25 TDs in his career as a Golden Eagle.

2. Davis is the best pure passer the Rams have on their roster, Sam Bradford included. It may be a blessing in disguise that Bradford got injured. Remember the last time this scenario played out in St. Louis? Some guy named Kurt Warner came from out of nowhere to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career after replacing Trent Green. I’m not saying Davis will have similar success, but he is a better option for this offense moving forward than Bradford or Shaun Hill is.

3. Since becoming a full-time starter in Week 2, the Rams’ offense has averaged 24 PPG. Over that stretch, Davis himself has twice accumulated 20-plus fantasy points at QB, averaging 312 yards passing per game.

4. Davis is doing things Bradford failed to do, like foster a relationship with WR Brian Quick and make him a productive receiver in this league. Quick appeared in all 16 games last season, recording only 18 receptions for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Through four games this season, he has already eclipsed every one of those numbers with Davis as his QB and is the 16th ranked WR heading into Week 6. Davis is also utilizing the talented TE Jared Cook more than Bradford ever did.

Davis has not faced a top 10 defense yet in 2014, so this will be his first test. Working in his favor, the Rams are at home and the offense is gelling incredibly well. It’s a prime time Monday night game too, so Davis will be extra motivated to perform in front of a national audience. Owners should start him in Week 6, and stash him if you are in a keeper league.

Jordan Wevers is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanWevers, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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