The 2023 NFL Season is here, and with it comes some lineup questions. Which moves should you make to maximize your points? Let this weekly post be your guide as I offer one start and one sit suggestion at QB, RB, WR, and TE. These suggestions are based on my rankings against consensus each week. And because we want to measure our success, check back each week for a recap on how I did.
For the purposes of this project, a start is a player I think will finish Top 12 at QB or TE and Top 24 at RB or WR. A sit is a player I suspect will finish outside those metrics. Before we move forward, let’s look at last week’s picks. All finishes courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Week 2 Starts
QB: Jared Goff, QB6 Hit. Goff was great despite the loss, posting a Top 10 finish.
RB: Tyler Allgeier, RB49 Miss. Allgeier didn’t have a great day.
WR: Calvin Ridley, WR81 Miss. Ridley just missed a couple of touchdowns, diminishing his day.
TE: Hunter Henry, TE2 Hit. Henry is a huge part of the Patriots’ offense.
Start Record: 2-2
Week 2 Sits
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB31 Hit. I guessed Jimmy G. wouldn’t crack the Top 12, and he didn’t crack the Top 24.
RB: Dalvin Cook, RB79 Hit. Cook didn’t do much against Dallas, as expected.
WR: Puka Nacua, WR2 Miss. Nacua is great, I stand corrected.
TE: Zach Ertz, TE7 Miss. Ertz is back and a focal point for Josh Dobbs.
Sit Record: 2-2
Quarterbacks
Start: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
About: Cousins was QB2 in a losing effort in Week 2. He tossed four touchdown passes. The Vikings’ run game isn’t strong, and I don’t see new acquisition Cam Akers playing much this week. But the Vikings’ pass offense is great. And the Chargers’ pass defense has been suspect. In Week 1, they allowed Tua Tagovailoa to go for 466 yards. I suspect Cousins, with an 0-2 start, will look to go off at home. It could be a big day for Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson as well.
Sit: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
About: I loved Burrow pre-season. I picked him as my QB1 overall. Instead, we’ve seen Burrow is rusty and just not right. He’s just QB32 through two weeks. His calf is still a problem, and it’s not even a lock Burrow plays Monday night. Either way, he’s out of my lineup for the time being. (Editor’s Note: I disagree, start by boy Joey B!)
Running Backs
Start: James Cook, Buffalo Bills
About: Cook hasn’t gotten touchdowns, but he’s making the most of the touches he’s getting. Through two games—one against the Jets—Cook is RB9 so far on the season. He’s been explosive, and he’s been producing. He dominated the running back touches the first two weeks, and that figures to continue. I like Cook this week against the Commanders.
Sit: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: Harris was a top draft pick who had an amazing rookie season. I think we still cling to that—I know I do. But we haven’t seen that Harris much in the past two seasons. Through two games, he 74 yards on 16 carries and two yards on three receptions. He doesn’t even look like the best running back on his team. He’s not a Top 24 option at the moment.
Wide Receivers
Start: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: Harris might be on my bench, but Pickens is in my lineup. Diontae Johnson got hurt in Week 1, and Pickens took off Monday night. With a Prime-Time game against the Raiders on Sunday, I suspect Pickens will be ready to go off again. He has nine receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown through two games. Even with a middling passing game, Pickens has done well. I like him again this week.
Sit: D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears
About: The Bears’ offense is a mess, as is quarterback Justin Fields. Moore caught both of his targets in Week 1, but it wasn’t much of a showing. He caught six passes for 104 yards in Week 2. Is it a sign of things to come? It’s hard to feel confident in that based on what we’ve seen from the Bears. Chicago faces the Chiefs this week, and I think that pass rush is going to play fits with Fields. If the Chiefs held Trevor Lawrence in check, I’m not bullish on Moore this week.
Tight Ends
Start: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
About: The rookie tight end is for real. Through two games, LaPorta is TE4 on the season. He’s a featured player in a high-volume pass offense. David Montgomery is banged up, and the Lions are at home against the Falcons. I suspect another big day from Jared Goff, and I think LaPorta will be a beneficiary.
Sit: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
About: The Rams have looked good through two weeks. I even think they could pull out a win Monday in Cincinnati. The pass offense has been strong as well, even without Cooper Kupp. But it’s been strong thanks to Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell. Higbee, meanwhile, is TE22. Could he have a big game? Perhaps, but I’m not betting on it. He’s a sit for me in Week 3.
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.
