Week 11 was interesting. We saw more injuries and more stranger 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 11.
Week 11 Starts
QB: Joe Burrow, QB1 Hit. Burrow threw four TDs and looked great.
RB: Jamaal Williams, RB5 Hit. Williams is the RB1 for the Lions.
WR: Courtland Sutton, WR26 Miss. Just barely missed. I expected a TD.
TE: Cole Kmet, TE17 Miss. Kmet cooled a bit.
Start Record: 2-2
Week 11 Sits
QB: Derek Carr, QB10 Miss. The Broncos made Carr and Davante Adams look incredible.
RB: Elijah Mitchell, RB36 Hit. Not enough volume for Mitchell.
WR: Devin Duvernay, WR93 Hit. Baltimore’s pass game is a tough read.
TE: Isaiah Likely, TE45. Likely isn’t getting enough volume.
Sit Record: 3-1
Now on to Week 12!
Quarterbacks
Start: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
About: I get it, the Texans have a horrendous rush defense. I’m sure Jeff Wilson, Jr., and Raheem Mostert will be good but let’s not forget, passing powers the Dolphins’ attack. Tua is QB7 on a points-per-game basis this season with more than 20 points per game. He’ll be in my lineup and he should be in your lineup, too.
Sit: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
About: I’m not out on Goff as quarterback for the Lions. In fact, I’ve argued they’d be better served using a First Round pick elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean he’s a lock for fantasy. The Lions are playing well but Goff has cooled after a hot start. Since Week 7, Goff is just QB25, averaging less than 11 points per game. That’s not what I’m relying on in a week where I have 32 options.
Running Backs
Start: Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
About: Pollard is the Cowboys’ best running back. I know Ezekiel Elliott is still there, he’s still getting volume and he’s been good traditionally on Thanksgiving. I’m still playing Pollard and I’m not worried about it. Pollard is a weapon—both in the backfield and as a receiver. He’s RB10 on the season, averaging more than 16 points per game. And much of that damage has come with Elliott in the lineup as well. He’s a home run hitter and I expect another good week.
Sit: Michael Carter, New York Jets
About: I like Carter’s talent and he was a great contributor in 2021 and at times earlier this season. When Breece Hall was lost for the season in Week 8, it seemed like it would be time for Carter to shine again. It hasn’t materialized. Since Week 9, he’s just RB39, averaging just over nine points per game. That’s not good enough to rely on as an RB2 start.
Wide Receivers
Start: Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
About: Jacoby Brissett hasn’t been great and that’s a big part of the Browns’ 3-7 start. That hasn’t stopped Cooper from looking like a WR1 and quite the steal based on the Fifth Round pick he cost in the trade this off-season. Cooper is WR10 on the season, averaging more than 16 points per game. Despite middling quarterback play, Cooper continues to shine, looking like a star receiver. I’m rolling him out with confidence.
Sit: Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
About: I like Williams’s potential, and he’s one of the ultimate boom options at receiver. The problem is he also has bust potential. Last week, returning after only a couple of weeks away with a high ankle sprain, he managed just one reception for 15 yards. With the Chargers having Keenan Allen back and seeing Joshua Palmer emerge, Williams has competition for targets. He’s also clearly still not 100 percent. Given all those factors, I’m not comfortable counting on him this week. He could certainly get a couple of touchdowns and prove me wrong but I think there are better options.
Tight Ends
Start: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
About: Tight end has been a tough nut to crack. One of the players who has been coming on of late is Johnson, who has settled in as a solid target for Andy Dalton. He’s TE8 for the season but he’s been even better recently. Since Week 8, he’s TE5 and has touchdowns in three straight games. At a position that’s been a toss-up and hammered by injuries, Johnson looks like a streaming tight end dream right now.
Sit: Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
About: Who do you trust among the Packers’ pass catchers? Yeah, I don’t have a good answer, either. Week-to-week it seems to change. We’ve seen nearly everyone have a big game but no one has demonstrated consistency. That includes Tonyan. He’s an option, and he has some boom potential, but he’s far from a sure thing. Tonyan is TE16, averaging just over seven points per game. There are worse options but there are also better options.
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.
