This week my co-worker, Jeff Krisko, gave a half-hearted endorsement of Demaryius Thomas, which is all he probably deserves. In our week nine wide receiver sit or start counterpoint, I’d like to offer a different point of view on why starting Demaryius Thomas is actually a pretty scary fantasy football decision. And if you think Jeff is crazy for suggesting DT, you are going to think I’m an idiot. Because this week, I think you should start Sammy Watkins.
Demaryius Thomas is matched up against the Philadelphia Eagles. So far this season, the Eagles defense has given up the 9th most fantasy points to wide receivers in standard scoring leagues. Jeff points out that they have tightened up against wide receivers since week four, but the Eagles secondary is still a mess.
I understand the appeal of Thomas this week, but I have him in too many fantasy football leagues to feel comfortable starting him. Hell, I had to rationalize starting him when Trevor Siemian was his quarterback. Now that Brock Osweiler is the starter in Denver, the only rationalizing I am doing is with a bottle of bourbon.
If you are able to drink yourself into some fantasy football decisions, go ahead and start Demaryius Thomas. It will probably require a lot less alcohol than who I am going to suggest starting this week. Because this week, I think you should start Sammy Watkins.
If you own Sammy Watkins in any of your fantasy football leagues, you probably hate me just a little bit more after reading that. I don’t really blame you. Watkins shouldn’t feel like as big a disappointment as he has been. We should be used to it by now.
But Watkins has still been crushingly disappointing so far this season, catching only 18 passes for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns through seven weeks. Those are numbers we expect from him when he misses games. But he has been healthy this year! Which begs the question, why would any sane person start Sammy Watkins?
First off, he is playing a New York Giants defense that will be without Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. He is playing a Giants team that is in complete disarray. I don’t think I can fully explain to you just how bad I think the New York Giants are. Even though they are actually average at stopping wide receivers, I still have no faith in their ability to do anything right.
But the main reason I think you should start Watkins this week is the same reason I thought you should start Amari Cooper in week seven against the Kansas City Chiefs. I feel like this is the week Sammy Watkins gets back on track. The Rams did not trade a second rounder to the Bills just to have Watkins be their third wide receiver. People also seem to be forgetting that he was having to learn a new offense without any training camp to get valuable reps in. He has now had a few weeks to get acclimated to their offense and Los Angeles is coming off the bye week. I believe Watkins is going to have a strong second half for the Rams.
If you don’t feel like starting Sammy Watkins, I can hardly blame you. He has been a big disappointment so far this season. And while Demaryius Thomas has the better matchup, he also has the worst quarterback. Not just compared to Watkins, I mean compared to all the NFL, past, present and future. If you are a gambling man like I am, a guy who likes to go with his gut, then this is the week to start Sammy Watkins. And hope it’s not just indigestion.
If you are interested in more week nine receiver articles
//2017/11/03/fantasy-football-start-sit-demaryius-thomas-week-nine/
//2017/11/03/fantasy-football-start-sit-paul-richardson-week-nine/
//2017/11/03/fantasy-football-week-nine-wide-receiver-sleepers/
