Week 10 did not go as expected. We saw wild finishes and a lot of weird performances. Combined with injuries, you’re likely looking at some tough choices. Such is life in the NFL. While we’re all blissfully rejoicing the return of the NFL, with it comes the specter of lineup decisions. Who should start? Who should sit? Let this weekly post be your guide as I go on a journey with you these next 18 weeks.
The criteria is simple: I pick one sit and one start from each position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end). This is based on my rankings for each week, which you can find in full at www.campus2canton.com. The standard is Top 12 for quarterbacks and tight ends, Top 24 for wide receivers and running backs. Each week I’ll begin with a review of how I did the previous week because accountability is a part of this process.
Before we move forward, let’s look at how I did in Week 10.
Starts Week 10
QB: Justin Fields, QB1 Hit. Fields is on fire, and fantasy players are reaping the rewards.
RB: Ken Walker III, RB18 Hit. Not his best day, but Walker was still in Top 20.
WR: Chris Olave, WR60 Miss. A rare down week for the Saints’ top pass catcher.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, TE7 Hit. Hockenson is getting volume.
Start Record: 3-1
Sits Week 10
QB: Trevor Lawrence, QB8 Miss. Lawrence did better than expected against the Chiefs.
RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, NA Hit. CEH didn’t get a single touch Sunday…
WR: Michael Gallup, WR56 Hit. Gallup is getting receptions but hasn’t been great for fantasy.
TE: Logan Thomas, TE29 Hit. Thomas isn’t a big part of the Commanders’ game.
Sit Record: 3-1
Quarterbacks
Start: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
About: Sure, Burrow is missing Ja’Marr Chase, one of the league’s best receivers. But he still has plenty of weapons with Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Hayden Hurst, and Joe Mixon. Mixon took all the headlines in Week 9 then the Bengals were off, so you might be tempted to forget about Joe. But he’s QB5 on the season and I’m firing him up with confidence in Week 11.
Sit: Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
About: Despite who he plays for, I like Carr. I liked him to be a solid QB1 this season. I bet a few fantasy teams on it. The thing is, it just isn’t working out. He’s QB18 on the season, still an OK option in Superflex, but he’s not a Top 12 play right now. Blame Josh McDaniels or the injuries to Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Whatever it is, the Raiders’ offense is inconsistent, which is part of the reason the team has slumped to 2-7. In a single QB league, I’m not starting Carr now.
Running Backs
Start: Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
About: I love D’Andre Swift, in theory. I love his potential and the big play ability. But he has had trouble staying on the field. And even when he’s available, Swift is a role player for the Lions’ offense. The workhorse is Williams, who was a star on Hard Knocks this off-season. Now, he’s been a star on the field for the Lions, and a player that’s largely going under the radar. He’s RB15 on the season, averaging more than 14 points per game. He should be in your lineup whether or now Swift is playing.
Sit: Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
About: Mitchell returned from IR last week, his first game with Christian McCaffrey in the lineup. He had four more carries (18 to 14) and ended up with 89 yards. Kyle Shanahan has also talked about them splitting the backfield. That sounds good in theory, and I loved Mitchell last season. He’s a sixth round pick that exploded and helped carry the 49ers’ offense. He still looks good as a runner. My problem is potential volume. McCaffrey is just a better player—and someone who will be involved in the passing game. Mitchell might return OK flex value, but I’m not banking on enough volume to be a sure-fire Top 24 option.
Wide Receivers
Start: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
About: I get it, the Broncos’ offense is a dumpster fire. For fantasy, it’s been anything but fanciful. It’s the worst-scoring offense in the league. And I get trying to avoid it. BUT, there are injuries and bye weeks to account for in Week 11. In addition, with Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler ailing, Sutton is literally the last man standing. That had him with 11 targets, catching six passes for 62 yards. It isn’t flashy, but volume matters. And the Broncos are facing the Raiders at home in a game they will want to win. Call me crazy but I think he gets a touchdown this week.
Sit: Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens
About: Opportunity and volume is king, I get it. And on paper, no one has a better opportunity right now than Duvernay, who is the top receiver on a receiver-starved team. But it’s hard to count on any volume. In Week 9, with Rashod Bateman on IR, Duvernay saw a single target, catching one pass for five yards… That’s not exactly the kind of production you want to have sitting in your starting lineup no matter what the opportunity looks like on paper.
Tight Ends
Start: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
About: Kmet has been on fire of late, as has his quarterback. They’ve had great chemistry and that has resulted in good fantasy scoring. Since Week 7, Kmet is TE1. He’s averaging nearly 15 points per game. He’s getting targets and he’s getting touchdowns. Could it end? Sure, but not likely this week against the Falcons.
Sit: Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
About: I’m not hating on the Ravens, I’m just trying to be realistic about the offense. The Ravens want to run, and when they do pass they target Mark Andrews, heavily. Andrews was missing the last few weeks but he’s due back this week, and that changes the outlook for several Ravens, notably Likely. Likely has huge boom potential, especially when it comes to scoring touchdowns. But he doesn’t have a consistent volume. He only has three games this year with five or more targets, and one has two games with four or more receptions. Even in Week 9, he was OK because his one reception was for 24 yards and a touchdown, but he’s seemingly touchdown dependent to make your day in fantasy. I’m looking elsewhere with Andrews back.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
