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Fantasy Football Week 6 Start Or Sit: Justin Hunter

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By @teapester725

Justin Hunter Titans

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The Tennessee Titans have an uncertain quarterback situation currently, limiting the value of the rest of the offense for fantasy. Jake Locker is again suffering from an injury, and backup Charlie Whitehurst leaves much to be desired. While the long-term outlook may seem bleak, this week there should be some opportunities for wide receivers to put up fantasy stats. Justin Hunter had a little bit of a coming out party in Week 5, and it should continue in Week 6.

Last week against the Cleveland Browns, Hunter finished the game with three receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. While the targets were low, only five, he turned in a strong day because the touchdown came on a 75-yard reception. But the Titans were blowing out the Browns, leaving the passing game on the back burner.

But taking a deeper look into the numbers, Hunter should start putting up stats more consistently. It looks that he has finally surpassed Nate Washington on the depth chart, as Hunter played 68-of-70 offensive snaps against the Browns. If he does that again against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, he should put up stats once again.

The Jaguars currently give up the fifth-most points to wide receivers in fantasy, making Hunter a great sleeper candidate this week. They have given up the second most passing yards in the NFL at 1,544 yards and the most YPC at 8.3. They also give up points in the passing game, surrendering 12 touchdowns through the air, tied for second most with the New York Jets and trailing only the Philadelphia Eagles.

While having a backup quarterback start is usually a negative for receivers, for Hunter it may actually be a benefit. With Locker under center, Hunter has averaged an underwhelming 3.6 YAC; with Whitehurst, albeit it a small sample, Hunter pulled off that long touchdown against the Browns.

Things may get even better if the Titans turn to rookie Zach Mettenberger this week. Mettenberger, unlike Whitehurst, has a big arm and will throw the ball downfield more often than Whitehurst, who currently is a check down artist.

Hunter’s long-term outlook is unknown, as it is tied into who is under center for the Titans, but he is trending in the right direction with his snap count. With a juicy matchup against the Jaguars’ porous pass defense, Hunter should get stats no matter who is throwing the ball. Hunter should be played with confidence this week with WR3 upside against a defense that will give up points to receivers in fantasy.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network

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