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 3 Starts
QB: Kirk Cousins, QB4 hit. Cousins has been great, even if the Vikings aren’t.
RB: James Cook, RB18 Hit. Cook continues to produce and make the most of his touches.
WR: George Pickens, WR38 Miss. Pickens got receptions but not enough volume in the Steelers’ pass offense in Week 3.
TE: Sam LaPorta, TE1 Hit. LaPorta is on fire.
Start Record: 3-1
Week 3 Sits
QB: Joe Burrow, QB26 Hit. Burrow played but continues to struggle.
RB: Najee Harris, RB38 Hit. Harris is an RB3/Flex at best.
WR: D.J. Moore, WR33 Hit. Moore got some garbage time receptions and a TD, but it wasn’t enough to crack the Top 24.
TE: Tyler Higbee, TE9 Miss. Higbee had a big Week 3.
Sit Record: 3-1
Quarterbacks
Start: Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
About: I get it, the Broncos are 0-3. And if you read the message boards for Broncos fans, Wilson is solely to blame. The thing is, he’s actually playing well. He’s actually QB9 on the season. Now the Broncos get the winless Bears. I’m all in on Russell this week.
Sit: Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
About: I know, you probably weren’t seeing him as a QB1. But I’m here to say I don’t think Tannehill is even a Superflex consideration right now. He’s been dreadful with turnovers and inefficiency to the point it seems like we’re closing in on the Malik Willis or Will Levis era. He’s QB29 on the season, averaging just over 10 points per game. I’m staying away.
Running Backs
Start: Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
About: Jonathan Taylor who? OK, maybe not that far. But Moss has impressed as he’s stepped in the last two weeks to take over the Colts’ backfield. He’s RB5 the past two weeks with 20-plus points in each game. I expect him to keep it up against the Rams.
Sit: Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
About: C.J. Stroud and the passing game is coming along for the Texans. So, too, is the defense, which is improving. However, one of last year’s lone bright spots, Pierce, has struggled. He has just 100 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries in three games. He’s currently RB28 on the season. He’s not in my lineup.
Wide Receivers:
Start: Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Twenty targets, 18 receptions, 215 yards and one 49-yard touchdown pass. That was Allen’s line in Week 3. In short, he’s on fire. He’s currently WR1 on the season and has had at least 14 points in every contest. Now that Mike Williams is out for the season, it’s all about Allen. Expect fireworks against the Raiders.
Sit: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
About: Is London the Falcons’ best receiver? Yes, of course. Does that mean he’s getting volume. Nope, it sure doesn’t. London had one good game but he’s suffering from the same issue as Kyle Pitts, there’s just not enough consistency. I don’t see that changing in Week 4 as the Falcons travel to battle a hungry Jaguars’ team in London. He’s a WR3/flex at best. He’s currently WR60 and until something changes, he’s not a reliable start.
Tight Ends
Start: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
About: Tight end is a funny position. And yet, the past few years we’ve seen it be a big part of what Dak Prescott is doing for the Cowboys. Ferguson is that tight end this year. He’s TE11 on the season, with 19.9 points the past two weeks. I have him as a low-end TE1 and I’m throwing him in my lineup.
Sit: Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers
About: Hurst had a big Week 1. I thought he could be the outlet for Bryce Young and the Panthers. Instead, Adam Thielen and the receivers have taken over. He has just 7.1 points total the past two weeks and sits as TE14. He’s not a reliable weekly start.
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.
