The 2024 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. Because we want to measure our success, we check back each week for a recap of 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 think will finish outside those metrics. Before we dive into this week’s suggestions, let’s review how we did last week. All scoring is courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Week 5 Starts
QB: Sam Darnold, QB27, Miss. Darnold didn’t have a good day in London
RB: Brian Robinson, Jr., RB20 Hit. Robinson was limited but got two TDs to help his day.
WR: Stefon Diggs, WR24 Hit. Just made it, but Diggs continues to do well for the Texans.
TE: Travis Kelce, TE5 Hit. Kelce is a big part of the attack with Rice out.
Start Record: 3-1
Week 5 Sits
QB: Derek Carr, QB21 Hit. Carr was just a QB2.
RB: Najee Harris, RB30 Hit. Harris isn’t putting up big numbers, even without Jaylen Warren.
WR: Brandon Aiyuk, WR10 Miss. You’re welcome if you roster Aiyuk; he’s the latest receiver I’ve spurred back to life.
TE: Isaiah Likely, TE4 Miss. Likely only had three catches for 13 yards, but two were TDs…
Sit Record: 2-2
On to the Week 6 picks.
Quarterbacks
Start: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
About: The Cowboys host the Detroit Lions on Sunday in what might be one of the best games of Week 6. The Lions’ defense has been stout at times against the run, but it’s been much more friendly to passes. So far, they’ve faced Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith, and each of the four has had 15 or more fantasy points against the Lions. The Cowboys have Dak, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and Jalen Tolbert. I think it will be a good day for Prescott and the Cowboys.
Sit: Drake Maye, New England Patriots
About: The No. 3 overall pick gets his first start this week for a Patriots team still lacking skill position talent, struggling on its offensive line, and facing a good Texans team. The Texans held Josh Allen to 14.6 points in Week 5 while harassing him with its rush. Maye is more talented than Jacoby Brissett but can’t cover all the Patriots’ problems. I like him long-term, but not in Week 6.
Running Backs
Start: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
About: Hubbard has sprung to life with Andy Dalton in the lineup after a slow start. Since Week 3, he is the RB2, averaging 22.5 PPR points. The Panthers are at home against the Falcons in what could be a higher-scoring game. Even when the Panthers’ pass game has struggled, Hubbard has been solid. Start him now before Jonathon Brooks is off PUP.
Sit: Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
About: The Browns’ offense has been bad. A lot of that is the struggles of Deshaun Watson and the passing game, but Ford has been limited, too. He’s RB23 on the season but has three games with ten or fewer points. Now, the Browns are facing the Eagles on the road, and Nick Chubb could be in line to be active, cutting into Ford’s workload. He’s not a Top 24 option for me.
Wide Receivers
Start: Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
About: In Week 5, the Falcons put it together. Kirk Cousins threw for more than 500 yards, and a big beneficiary was London. He was WR2 for the week and now WR7 for the season. He’s had 12 or more points in the last four games as the Falcons’ passing offense has picked it up. Now, the Falcons are facing a suspect Panthers’ secondary. It’s wheels up for London in Week 6.
Sit: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
About: Pickens might be the best receiver for the Steelers, but he’s not been a great option in fantasy. He’s WR39 on the season with one game at 15 or more points and two games of less than six points. Could he get a touchdown here? Sure, he could. The Steelers are playing the Raiders, who surrendered 34 points to the Broncos in Week 5. But Pickens isn’t a reliable Top 24 play in fantasy.
Tight Ends
Start: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
About: Tight end has been a dicey position at times this season. However, one player who is stepping up is Kraft, who is TE3 on the season. He’s become a key target for the Packers, especially the past two games with Jordan Love back. He’s a start for me as the Packers host the Cardinals—who gave up a big day to George Kittle in Week 5.
Sit: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
About: The Saints are in the midst of a transition on offense with Spencer Rattler making his first start this week. Johnson has talent and has been a fantasy factor in the past, but not so much this season. He’s currently TE29 with two zero point games this season. The Saints are using Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau at tight end as well, making for a murky competition for targets. Johnson is a sit for me.
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.
