Which moves should you make to maximize your points? Use this weekly post as your guide, as I offer one start and one sit suggestion at QB, RB, WR, and TE. These suggestions are based on my rankings compared to the consensus each week. To measure our success, check back each week for a recap of how I did.
For this project, a start is a player I think will finish in the Top 12 at QB or TE and the Top 24 at RB or WR. A sit is a player I think will finish outside those metrics. In the coming weeks, I’ll start with a recap of how I finished the prior week. All scoring will be courtesy of Fantasy Pros.
Before we move forward, let’s see how we did in Week 8.
Week 8 Starts
QB: Kirk Cousins, QB2 Hit. Cousins stays hot!
RB: Bucky Irving, RB11 Hit. Irving is powering the Buccaneers.
WR: Zay Flowers, WR90 Miss. I was wrong; he’s not quarterback-proof.
TE: Brock Bowers, TE1 Hit. Bowers is a star.
Start Record: 3-1
Week 8 Sits
QB: Kyler Murray, QB8 Miss. Murray had his best game of the year.
RB: TreVeyon Henderson, NA Hit. Henderson didn’t even play. He’s not getting his role back.
WR: Ladd McConkey, WR27 Hit. McConkey remains WR3 or less in this offense.
TE: Colston Loveland, TE12 Miss. The Seahawks’ defense struggled.
Sit Record: 2-2
Now, on to the Week 9 picks!
Quarterbacks
Start: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
About: Through eight weeks, Stroud is just outside QB1 range. He sits as QB13 this season. But the passing game has been strong lately, and it’s doubtful a bye week will cool that. It’s also doubtful that the Chargers’ defense or home-field advantage will cool that. Without a solid running game, Stroud has powered a Texans offense that has needed to produce with the defense struggling. I like him as a Top 12 option this week.
Sit: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
About: Stroud’s former draft classmate has had an up-and-down season. He started strong and still sits as QB12 this season. But of late, he’s struggled along with the rest of the team. Facing the Broncos this week won’t help, especially with the Broncos’ safeties on track to return. Young isn’t a great Week 9 starter.
Running Backs
Start: Aston Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
About: The Raiders’ running game hasn’t been strong. In fact, Mike Washington is getting carries that eat into Jeanty’s limited ground-game work. That has some saying he’s a buy-low for fantasy. That may be true, but I think this offense is a work in progress. And despite that, what Jeanty is adding to the passing game has him sitting as RB12 this season. Don’t overthink it. Put Jeanty in your lineup.
Sit: Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
About: Allgeier exploded last week as the Cardinals beat the Cowboys. And with Jeremiyah Love on IR, he’s the man in the Cardinals’ backfield. So, why is he a sit for me? Well, despite Love missing time this year, Allgeier hasn’t been a great play. And not every defense is the Cowboys. This week they’re on the road against the Seahawks. I know Seattle allowed D’Andre Swift to run into the end zone time and again on Monday, but I’m not confident in Allgeier.
Wide Receivers
Start: Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
About: The question about Higgins has always been health and competition. This year, neither has been a factor. He’s WR5 this season, actually with a higher total score and per-game average than Ja’Marr Chase. Higgins and Joe Burrow are in the zone, and I think that continues as they head to Spain to battle the Falcons.
Sit: Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
About: With no Alec Pierce or Michael Pittman, it should be Downs’ time. But the Colts’ offense has been dreadful. He isn’t happy, either. He’s being outplayed by veteran Keenan Allen and has requested a trade. A matchup this week with the Cowboys won’t help. He’s on my bench.
Tight Ends
Start: Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
About: The Giants have something cooking, and J.J. McCarthy has looked solid in his new home. Coming off a bye and facing an imploding Eagles team, I expect Likely to stay hot. I like the Giants in this matchup as they try to win the NFC East, and I like Likely and Malik Nabers to keep powering the attack. He’s a start.
Sit: Kenyon Saddiq and Mason Taylor, New York Jets
About: The Jets have a tough matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs this week. While both Saddiq and Taylor have had moments this season, there hasn’t been consistency for them or for the pass offense in general. With so many moving pieces and a team in flux, I’m not relying on either Jets tight end this week.
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.
