Welcome back to the start/sit spectacular! First, I would like to apologize to Jayden Daniels and Cooper Kupp. I shouldn’t have faded them last week, that’s my bad and I hope you ignored me and started them anyway. My overall record on starts and sits of the week was 5-3 though, so in the words of Kirk Cousins, “Ouch, my Achilles!”
Here’s how we break down the starts and sits of the week:
- Quarterbacks outside the top 12 in FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking (ECR) that I have ranked in the top 12 are labeled “Starts.” Conversely, QBs inside the top 12 in ECR that I have ranked outside the top 12 are labeled as “Sits.” This will work the same way for tight ends.
- For running backs and wide receivers, the cutoff is the top 24.
- As a result of these rules, sometimes you will get a bunch of players at a certain position and sometimes you may only get one or two.
- Also, there will be a little blurb underneath each start of the week and sit of the week that will presumably be about the player listed. Maybe I’ll go off on a tangent about something else though, you can never be quite sure.
- If there is more than one player in a category, the others will be listed separately.
For a more in-depth look at my ranks, click the button up top or this link here.
QB START OF THE WEEK: Matthew Stafford, LAR @ ARI (ECR: 13, my rank: 9)
As most of you know, I am a Lions fan. As such, I got to witness an incredible performance from Stafford last Sunday night against an improved Detroit defense that had pressure in his face all game. Puka Nacua may be out long-term, but that won’t stop Stafford from going nuclear on a division rival in an important early-season contest between 0-1 squads.
OTHER QB STARTS:
Justin Fields, PIT @ DEN (ECR: 16, my rank: 10)
QB SIT OF THE WEEK (SUPERFLEX EDITION): Nasty Man, CLE @ JAX (ECR: 23, my rank: NR)
Deshaun Watson Fuck Off to Hell Because You Suck as a Person and Also as a Football Player Challenge.
RB START OF THE WEEK: Najee Harris, PIT @ DEN (ECR: 25, my rank: 20)
Harris was the clear lead RB for Pittsburgh against the Falcons and Denver’s run defense is putrid, so we’re running it back for the second consecutive week. Jaylen Warren only played 28% of snaps in week 1 as well, meaning Najee is essentially the unopposed top dog in the Steelers’ backfield (for now).
OTHER RB STARTS:
Devin Singletary, NYG @ WAS (ECR: 28, my rank: 24)
RB SIT OF THE WEEK: Rachaad White, TB @ DET (ECR: 14, my rank: 25)
Yes, I am a Lions homer, but that’s not why I’m out on Rachaad White this week. I’m out on him for three reasons: one, he’s the least efficient runner in the league. Two, the Lions have an elite run defense that will only improve with the addition of a healthy D.J. Reader. Three, his backup Bucky Irving is probably a better overall player than White. If Kyren Williams could only muster 2.8 yards per carry against Detroit, imagine how ugly White’s line could be.
OTHER RB SITS:
Jerome Ford, CLE @ JAX (ECR: 22, my rank: 26)
WR START OF THE WEEK: Tank Dell, HOU vs. CHI (ECR: 30, my rank: 20)
Here’s the air yards breakdown from Houston’s week 1 win over the Colts:
Nico Collins: 130 air yards
Tank Dell: 116 air yards
Stefon Diggs: 10 air yards
So no, I don’t care that Diggs scored multiple touchdowns. Unless you think he’s catching 32 more over the next 16 games, I’d suggest following the air yards and sticking to your guns with Tank.
OTHER WR STARTS:
DK Metcalf, SEA @ NE (ECR: 26, my rank: 21)
WR SIT OF THE WEEK: Drake London, ATL @ PHI (ECR: 19, my rank: 27)
If you haven’t already seen it, I suggest you go watch the “highlights” (read: lowlights) of last week’s Falcons game. Kirk Cousins can’t move, nor can he push off his right leg to get power behind his throws. Until Cousins looks significantly healthier, I cannot in good conscience recommend starting Drake London in 2WR leagues.
OTHER WR SITS:
Stefon Diggs, HOU vs. CHI (ECR: 24, my rank: 28)
TE START OF THE WEEK: Juwan Johnson, NO @ DAL (ECR: 22, my rank: 10)
The former Oregon wide receiver had 2/26/1 on three targets last week. You may think that’s a lackluster performance, but Johnson didn’t have to play much after halftime due to the Saints eviscerating the Panthers. Plus, TE is a wasteland again after the injuries to Jake Ferguson and David Njoku. Johnson has a consistent role and touchdown upside, which makes him the best available streaming option at the position.
TE SIT OF THE WEEK: Colby Parkinson, LAR @ ARI (ECR: 12, my rank: 14)
The Arizona Cardinals: no longer horrendous against opposing tight ends! The Desert Dwellers figured out their defensive woes over the middle of the field last season under head coach Jonathan Gannon, and they limited Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox to two total catches in week 1. Parkinson will move up in the pecking order for LA because of the Nacua injury, but I suggest waiting for a better matchup.
