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 7 Starts
QB: Tua Tagovailoa, QB22 Miss. Tua and the Dolphins struggled more than expected in Philly.
RB: Raheem Mostert, RB35 Miss. Mostert was held out of the end zone, which hurt.
WR: Zay Flowers, WR28 Miss. Flowers was solid but fell just short.
TE: Kyle Pitts, TE16 Miss. Pitts fell just short.
Start Record: 0-4
Week 7 Sits
QB: Gardner Minshew, QB3 Miss. Two rushing TDs and 38 points. The Browns’ defense didn’t stifle Minshew as expected.
RB: Rachaad White, RB12 Miss. White made his mark with a lot of receiving work.
WR: Gabe Davis, WR88 Hit. Davis was a non-factor.
TE: Zach Ertz, TE22 Hit. Not enough volume for Ertz.
Sit Record: 2-2
Now, on to the Week 8 picks!
Quarterbacks
Start: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
About: It’s a battle of the top draft picks this week as the Texans and Panthers, both fresh off a bye, clash in Carolina. I’m giving the edge to the Texans, thanks in large part to Stroud, who has looked like a strong Rookie of the Year candidate. Stroud is QB14 on a points-per-game basis, but he’s had an impressive season. We’ve seen quarterbacks throw all over the Panthers this season, and I suspect Stroud will crack the Top 12 in Week 8.
Sit: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
About: Did the bye week help Young? Maybe it did, but he hasn’t looked sharp this season. Despite a top receiver in Adam Thielen, he’s struggled. Young is just QB30 on the season, and I don’t expect him to make a big leap in Week 8 against the Texans.
Running Backs
Start: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
About: With David Montgomery out, Gibbs was unleashed in Week 7. He finished as RB5, leading the Lions on the ground and putting up some good numbers in the passing game. Montgomery is tracking to miss again, and the Lions have a Monday Night Football matchup with the Raiders. I’m firing Gibbs up.
Sit: Brian Robinson, Jr., Washington Commanders
About: Robinson is RB9 on the season, but much of that owes to the fact the Commanders haven’t had a bye, Robinson has stayed healthy, and he had a monster game in Week 2. In the past three weeks, he’s recorded just 24.3 points total, 8.1 points per game. The Commanders are now using three backs with Chris Rodriguez back, and they’re facing an Eagles team that smothered the No. 1 rushing attack of the Dolphins in Week 7. I’m staying away.
Wide Receivers
Start: Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
About: The Vikings have won two straight despite missing Justin Jefferson. They’ve done it thanks to some great work from the rookie Addison, who is now WR8 on the season. He exploded on Monday night, and in a game the Vikings need to get past the Packers; I like Addison to do more of the same Sunday. He’s a start for me.
Sit: DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
About: Hopkins is a big name, but he hasn’t produced big results in Tennessee. He’s just WR51 on the season. He has only one game with double-digit points, averaging 6.3 points per game. Those numbers aren’t likely to be helped with Ryan Tannehill tracking to miss the game. Hopkins will have a combination of Malik Willis and Will Levis throwing to him. I’m keeping him on my bench.
Tight Ends
Start: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
About: Kincaid saw a big increase in targets in Week 7. He finished the week at TE7 for the week. He figures to see an uptick in targets once again in Week 8 as Dawson Knox is out with wrist surgery. The Bills are at home in what feels like a must-win game. I like Kincaid to make an impact.
Sit: Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
About: For Fant, it’s a numbers game. He’s part of a talented offense that has three good receivers and an interesting rookie in Jake Bobo. The Seahawks also like to run with Ken Walker III. So, that doesn’t leave much left over for Fant. He’s just TE32 on the season and hasn’t had a double-digit game all year. You have better options at TE.
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.
