Week 7 is here and it presents some challenges. The Bills, Eagles, Vikings, and Rams are on a bye, taking some big names out of your lineup. Combined with injuries, you’re likely looking at some tough choices. Such is life in the NFL. While we’re all blissfully rejoicing in 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 are 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, and 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 look ahead, let’s look back at Week 6.
Week 6 Starts
QB: Geno Smith, QB19 Miss. Geno was fine, the Seahawks won, and he wasn’t Top 12.
RB: Jeff Wilson, RB65 Miss. Wilson was a non-factor as the 49ers lost a shocker to the Falcons.
WR: Courtland Sutton, WR68 Miss. The most reliable part of the Broncos’ pass offense was smothered by J.C. Jackson.
TE: David Njoku, TE 17 Miss. Njoku didn’t quite get enough volume.
Start Record: 0-4
Week 6 Sits
QB: Jameis Winston, NA Hit. Winston couldn’t even suit up for the Saints.
RB: James Robinson, RB33 Hit. Robinson continues to struggle.
WR: Juju Smith-Schuster, WR7 Miss. Juju caught two 40-plus-yard passes. I still don’t buy it’s sustainable.
TE: Irv Smith, Jr., TE13 Hit. Just barely survived. Smith got a rare TD pass, but the volume remains spotty.
Sit Record: 3-1
Now, on to Week 7.
Quarterbacks
Start: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
About: I get it, Dak hasn’t played since Week 1 and he wasn’t great in that start. He’s had time to get healthy. The Cowboys have had time to get their line together. And, better yet, the Cowboys are facing the Lions. The Cowboys are at home, and Dak returns to CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz, and Noah Brown among his receivers. The Lions have given up 170 points and rank No. 32 in points and yards against this season. Fire up your Cowboys!
Sit: Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
About: Wilson is QB17 on the season, which doesn’t sound terrible. He’s averaging 15.06 points per game, which is about the same spot. The Broncos’ offense doesn’t look good. It’s struggled to find itself and continues to struggle with penalties, inefficiency, and scoring points. A meeting with the red-hot Jets won’t help. Wilson is a consideration in Superflex, but I don’t trust him to produce Top 12 production.
Running Backs
Start: Breece Hall, New York Jets
About: Hall was the No. 1 pick in dynasty rookie drafts for a reason, and we’ve started to see that. His production and share of the backfield continues to tick up. He’s now RB6 on the season. I know Denver has a good defense, but we’ve seen backs—especially backs involved in the passing game—do well against them. In Week 4, Josh Jacobs was RB2. Monday night, Austin Ekeler was RB3. I think Hall will be just fine.
Sit: J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
About: Just 35 carries, 123 yards, and a touchdown. That’s what Dobbins has produced in four games played this season. In Week 6, he rushed seven times for 15 yards. Kenyan Drake got ten totes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Dobbins is a talented back returning from injury but his role and production aren’t in line with our expectations. Until we see signs that they are, he’s not a consistent bet for production.
Wide Receivers
Start: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
About: It’s a tough week for fantasy wide receivers. Due to bye weeks, Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson, and Cooper Kupp are all off. That’s a lot of big-time producers. One big-time producer who’s available is Chase. You were probably starting him anyway, but given the byes and his matchup, Chase is my No. 1 receiver this week. Not only has he been a solid weapon for Joe Burrow, but he’s also been explosive. Now Chase gets to face the No. 31 defense in pass yards allowed in the Falcons. Wheels up!
Sit: Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
About: Samuel was a great find early in the season. He’s still WR22 on the season, but over the past three weeks, he’s just WR58. Now, Carson Wentz is injured and out. Taylor Heinicke takes over this week as the Commanders face a stout test in the Green Bay Packers. There are more questions than answers on this offense, which is not good for a player already seemingly trending in the wrong direction. I like Samuel, but he’s out of my lineup for now.
Tight Ends
Start: Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
About: The Cardinals are beat up. They have been a revolving door at running back and now wide receiver Marquise Brown is out for at least a month. DeAndre Hopkins is back and the team traded for Robbie Anderson. But as Kyler Murray and his shifting receiver group work things out there’s one constant—Ertz. He’s TE3 on the season and has been a rock-solid target for Murray. That continues this week.
Sit: Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
About: If you read my Stock Watch piece from earlier this week, this comes as no surprise. Conklin was going great guns the first three weeks with Joe Flacco. Since Week 4, he’s seen just eight targets. He only has one reception and three targets in his last two games combined. The Jets are finding ways to win but the passing offense is a work in progress. Conklin is no longer a good bet for production.
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.
