Fantasy Football: Start or Sit Marqise Lee in Week Seven?

We’ve been through dozens of articles together so far, so I feel like I can level with you. Oh, what’s that? You clicked through a link on Twitter? That’s okay, I trust you, too. The player I really wanted to write about here was Pierre Garcon, but I just wrote about him, so I can’t do it again. It would be nice if I could tell you to bench Big Ben every week and start Austin Seferian-Jenkins. That sure would make my life easier. But I can’t, so instead of a Pierre Garcon piece, I decided to give you another very French-sounding name with Marqise Lee. You should start Marqise Lee this week. Thanks for reading… oh, you need reasons? Sure.

As I write this, news across the wire is that Lee sat out Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury. Please keep in mind this start recommendation is with the caveat that he plays and is a full go on Sunday. There’s a lot to like and dislike about Marqise Lee’s situation. First, the dislike: Blake Bortles. Now that we have that out of the way, there’s plenty to like about his role in the Jags offense. His forty targets are ten more than anyone else on the team, and targets are targets, even if they’re from Blake Bortles. He’s the #30 WR in the NFL by yardage, which means his dang lack of touchdowns is what is keeping him from fantasy football startability.

This week Lee gets the iffy-at-best Colts pass defense, who just gave up sixty yards each to three wide receivers (and one touchdown) against the Titans. The previous week against the 49ers, the Colts D gave up 210 yards combined to Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon. In short, they’re not good at the whole “stopping opposing wide receivers” thing.

I’m not going to lie to you, Marqise Lee represents a bit of a desperation play this week against the Colts. It’s crossing your fingers and hoping the matchup and opportunity play out in your favor. Luckily for you and your fantasy football squads, this is the week it will work out in your favor. Lee has the lion’s share of the passing offense in Jacksonville (whatever that may be). This week, he gets the Colts defense that yielded at least sixty yards to five different wide receivers in the last two games. Call sixty yards his floor, and give him a better than 50% shot at a touchdown. If you need to ask the question to start Marqise Lee: yes.