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 4 Starts
QB: Russell Wilson, QB9 Hit. Wilson has been hot this season, tossing three more touchdowns.
RB: Zack Moss, RB26 Miss. Moss just missed the RB2 window.
WR: Keenan Allen, WR30 Miss. Allen caught a touchdown, but it wasn’t quite enough on a rare low-volume passing day for the Chargers.
TE: Jake Ferguson, TE4 Hit. Ferguson continues to produce.
Start Record: 2-2
Week 4 Sits
QB: Ryan Tannehill, QB20 Hit. Tannehill was better than expected but still not Top 12.
RB: Dameon Pierce, RB17 Miss. Pierce still isn’t efficient, but did enough to sneak into RB2 this week.
WR: Drake London, WR31 Hit. The volume just isn’t there for London and Pitts.
TE: Hayden Hurst, TE47 Hit. Hurst isn’t getting the volume, either.
Sit Record: 3-1
Now, on to Week 5!
Quarterbacks
Start: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
About: Jackson got a new contract this off-season, and the Ravens seemed to acquire pieces designed to give him more support. At least he got the new contract. In the early going, it has certainly seemed like it’s back to Jackson having to carry the Ravens as a passer and a runner. Jackson is QB4 on the season, posting 22 or more points in the last three weeks. He’ll do it again against the Steelers.
Sit: Daniel Jones, New York Giants
About: Jones was a pleasant surprise in 2022, finishing as a QB1. This year hasn’t been as bright. He’s QB24 on the season, and a matchup with the Dolphins won’t help matters. He’s not even a great start in Superflex but shouldn’t be a consideration at all in single QB leagues.
Running Backs
Start: David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
About: Montgomery returned from injury to carry 32 times for 121 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4 against the Packers. He’s the workhorse back for the Lions, and he’s a great threat to score, having already added five touchdowns in three games. I expect him to fare well against the Panthers; he’s in my lineup.
Sit: Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
About: I mentioned above that Jackson is doing it all for the Ravens. While Edwards seems to be nominally the lead back, his production isn’t enough to make him a good option. He’s sitting as RB34 on the season with three out of four games with less than seven fantasy points. He’s a flex at best.
Wide Receivers
Start: Nico Collins, Houston Texans
About: I love what rookie C.J. Stroud is doing with the Texans, who are a frisky 2-2 already this season. The recipient of his love has been Collins, who has exploded as a reliable receiving option for fantasy players. He’s sitting as WR7 on the season. I’m firing him up against the Falcons in Week 5.
Sit: Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
About: The Denver passing game has been greatly improved, which has led to good things for Courtland Sutton and big plays for Marvin Mims. Meanwhile, Jeudy sits as WR67 on the season, averaging under nine points per game. For the time being, he’s little more than a deep league flex consideration, especially against the Jets.
Tight Ends
Start: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
About: Engram continues to be a force in the Jaguars’ passing attack. He’s sitting as TE4 on the season, averaging 12.1 points per game. In fact, his lowest output of the season was 9.9 points. That gives him a stable floor, too. The Jaguars will need to throw against the Bills, and I like Engram as a reliable start.
Sit: Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
About: The Bills’ offense has exploded of late. The team has posted double-digit wins in its last three games. But Josh Allen is spreading the love, and that has meant inconsistent targets for Knox. In fact, after a 10-point game in Week 2, he has just two points in the past two contests. He’s TE32 on the season and not even the highest-scoring TE on his own team. You can do better.
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
