The best part about fantasy football is winning. The second best part is the draft. However, the draft has come and gone. Now fantasy owners struggle with the weekly decision about which players to start, which to sit, and which to use as a sleeper. To help with that, I will provide two starts, two sits, and two sleepers at each position every week. Be sure to reach out with any fantasy football questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s get started.
As a reminder for all fantasy football fans, we have an early London game tomorrow between the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Kickoff is at 9:30 am EST.
All stats are base on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
Quarterbacks
START: Matthew Stafford at New York Giants
Coming off a season-low 16.5 fantasy point performance last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Stafford should bounce back tomorrow against the Giants. While Stafford had a season-low one passing touchdown last week, he had a season-high 365 passing yards, averaging 14.6 yards per completion. Before the matchup against the Seahawks, Stafford was averaging 2.8 passing touchdowns and 22.6 fantasy points per game this season. Meanwhile, the Giants have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, giving up 21.5 fantasy points per game. More importantly, quarterbacks have scored 20 or more fantasy points in four of five games against the Giants this season. Furthermore, the Giants have given up an average of two passing touchdowns per game this season. Stafford should bounce back this week against the Giants.
START: Taylor Heinicke vs Kansas City Chiefs
Last week, Heinicke mightily struggled against the New Orleans Saints, scoring a season-low 9.9 fantasy points after throwing two interceptions and zero touchdowns. However, in his three previous starts this season, Heinicke averaged 23.1 fantasy points per game, scoring at least 20 in every contest. More importantly, Heinicke scored three total touchdowns in both his two previous games before the matchup against the Saints. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have struggled to slow down quarterbacks this season, giving up 28.1 fantasy points per game to the position. They have given up at least 28 fantasy points to quarterbacks in four straight games, including 30 or more in three of them. The Chiefs will have no trouble scoring on Sunday, forcing Heinicke to chase points and finish with over 22 fantasy points.
SIT: Sam Darnold vs Minnesota Vikings
Over the first four games this season, Darnold has averaged 2.5 total touchdowns and 23.7 fantasy points per game. However, Darnold turned into the New York Jets version of himself, throwing three interceptions and scoring only 6.1 fantasy points last week. Meanwhile, the Vikings gave up an average of two passing touchdowns and 22.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the first three games of the season. By comparison, the Vikings have shut down passing attacks over the past two weeks. In that span, the Vikings have held quarterbacks to an average of 179 passing yards and 7.7 fantasy points per game while not surrendering a single passing touchdown. Fantasy owners need to consider starting quarterbacks off the waiver wire this week instead of Darnold.
SIT: Ryan Tannehill vs Buffalo Bills
After finishing as the QB7 last season, many had Tannehill inside their top-10 quarterbacks in the preseason. However, Tannehill is the QB21 on the season, averaging only 16.6 fantasy points per game. He has scored under 15 fantasy points in 60 percent of the games. More importantly, Tannehill has averaged only one passing touchdown per game this season. Meanwhile, the Bills have held quarterbacks to the fewest fantasy points this season, allowing only 10.8 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks to under 12.1 fantasy points in 60 percent of their matchups. After the Bills held Patrick Mahomes to only 19 fantasy points last week, expect Tannehill to struggle on Monday night.
SLEEPER: Trevor Lawrence vs Miami Dolphins (London)
Lawrence has put together back-to-back games with 17.8 or more fantasy points, totaling three touchdowns and only one turnover in those contests. More importantly, after averaging three rushing attempts and 1.5 fantasy points per game on the ground in his first three games this season, Lawrence has averaged 7.5 rushing attempts and 9.2 fantasy points per game on the ground in the past two games. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have allowed quarterbacks to averaged 21.7 fantasy points per game this season. They have allowed at least two passing touchdowns and 17.9 fantasy points to quarterbacks in three straight games. After struggling earlier this season, Lawrence appears ready for a breakout performance this week against a struggling Miami defense.
SLEEPER: Davis Mills at Indianapolis Colts
Despite a tough matchup against the New England Patriots last week, Mills had a career game. He finished the game with 312 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 24.7 fantasy points, finishing as the QB6 for the week. Most impressive of all, Mills scored twice as many fantasy points last week than he scored over the first three games of his career. Meanwhile, the Colts have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, giving up 24.5 fantasy points per game. They have given up an average of three passing touchdowns per game this season, giving up at least two in every game and three or more in 60 percent of their matchups. For fantasy owners who need a bye week filler, Mills is a solid option.
Running Backs
START: Zack Moss at Tennessee Titans
In last week’s edition of Starts, Sits, Sleepers, Moss made the start list. He rewarded his fantasy owners with his fourth straight game with 12 or more fantasy points. More importantly, it marked the third week in a row that Moss had 14 or more touches. Meanwhile, the Titans have given up an average of 22.5 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. More importantly, the Titans have given up an average of 101.3 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to running backs over their past three games. Last week the Titans gave up 149 rushing yards and 21.7 fantasy points to James Robinson. While he won’t match those numbers this week, Moss is in line for a top-24 finish.
START: Myles Gaskin at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
After scoring a total of 31.9 fantasy points over the first four weeks of the season, Gaskin matched his season total last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Gaskin has double-digit rushing attempts in only one game this season, he is clearly the pass-catching back for the Dolphins, averaging 4.4 catches per game this season. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have given up the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, giving up 28 fantasy points per game. More importantly, they have given up an average of 1.8 touchdowns and 4.4 catches per game to running backs. While he won’t put up another 30 point performance this week, Gaskin will have his third game with over 12.5 fantasy points this season.
SIT: Josh Jacobs at Denver Broncos
While he scored 16.7 fantasy points last week, Jacobs has under 50 rushing yards in every game this season. More importantly, Jacobs would have finished that game with only 10.7 fantasy points if not for a touchdown. While he has averaged 12.7 carries per game this season, Jacobs has averaged only 3.2 yards per carry. Furthermore, if not for nine catches over the past two weeks, Jacobs would have averaged only 7.4 fantasy points per game during that span. Meanwhile, the Broncos have held running backs to only 13 fantasy points per game this season. More importantly, they have held running backs under 15 fantasy points in four of five games. Between his poor efficiency and the matchup, Jacobs belongs on the bench this week.
SIT: Alex Collins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Carson missed last week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with a neck injury. In his place, Collins played 71 percent of the snaps, finishing with 9.2 fantasy points. However, Collins comes with plenty of risk with Russell Wilson out this week. Meanwhile, the Steelers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, giving up under 16.5 fantasy points per game. They have held running backs to under 18 fantasy points in all but one game this season. More importantly, the Steelers are the only team in the NFL not to surrender a touchdown to running backs this season while holding them to 4.3 yards per carry. With Wilson out for this game, the Steelers will stop the run and force Geno Smith to beat them.
SLEEPER: Devontae Booker vs Los Angeles Rams
When Saquon Barkley went down with an ankle injury last week, Booker took over, playing 88 percent of the snaps. He finished that game with 19 touches for 58 scrimmage yards, two touchdowns, and 20.8 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Rams have given up 24.4 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, giving up slightly more than the league average to the position. However, the Rams have given up only 70 rushing yards to running backs in 60 percent of their games this season. Furthermore, removing last week’s matchup against the Seahawks, running backs have averaged 95.3 rushing yards per game against the Rams. While he won’t fall into the end zone twice this week, Booker should see enough workload to finish as a low-end RB2.
SLEEPER: Javonte Williams vs Las Vegas Raiders
Despite splitting snaps with Melvin Gordon, Williams has averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, in part due to an increased role in the receiving game. Over the past three weeks, Williams has had 10 targets compared to eight for Gordon. More importantly, Williams has three catches in each of his past three games. Meanwhile, the Raiders have given up an average of 26.3 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Furthermore, they have given up at least 96 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to running backs in each of their past three games. Williams has averaged 7.3 yards per carry over the last two weeks. He should have his first career game with over 75 rushing yards tomorrow.
Wide Receivers
START: Brandin Cooks at Indianapolis Colts
Over the past two weeks, Cooks has caught eight of his 12 targets for only 70 receiving yards and 15 total fantasy points. However, in the first three weeks, Cooks averaged 7.7 catches on 10.7 targets for 107.3 receiving yards and 20.6 fantasy points per game. Some will worry he has struggled because of Mills. However, that isn’t the truth, as Cooks has at least nine catches in 20 fantasy points in his first two games with Mills under center. Meanwhile, the Colts have given up an average of 41.1 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, giving up two touchdowns to the position per game. After giving up 33.5 fantasy points to Marquise Brown last week, expect Cooks to have his way against the Colts tomorrow.
START: Jakobi Meyers vs Dallas Cowboys
Even after a down performance last week, Meyers leads the team with 46 targets. Furthermore, he almost doubles the next player on the team in targets, averaging 9.2 per game. More importantly, Meyers has 12 or more targets in two of his past three games, averaging 17.6 fantasy points per game in those contests. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, giving 43 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the Cowboys have given up over 200 receiving yards in four of five games this season. The Patriots will have to chase points in this game, leading to plenty of garbage time fantasy opportunities for Meyers.
SIT: A.J. Brown vs Buffalo Bills
Despite averaging 7.7 targets per game in his three healthy games this season, Brown has averaged only 9.7 fantasy points per game in those contests. Furthermore, Brown has finished with under 50 receiving yards in every game this season despite six or more targets in every healthy matchup. Meanwhile, the Bills have held wide receivers to the fewest fantasy points this season, giving up only 25.8 fantasy points per game, 10 fewer than the league average. More importantly, the Bills have held non-Kansas City wide receivers to only 21.7 fantasy points per game and one touchdown this season. With four teams on a bye, sitting Brown might be hard to do. However, between his recent struggles and the matchup this week, fantasy owners need to leave Brown on the bench.
SIT: Courtland Sutton vs Las Vegas Raiders
Last week Sutton had a season-high 25 fantasy points after finding the end zone for the first time this season. However, Sutton has been unreliable this season, scoring under nine fantasy points in 60 percent of his games. Meanwhile, the Raiders have held wide receivers to the fifth-fewest fantasy points this season, allowing only 29.1 fantasy points per game. Despite facing the Los Angeles Chargers two weeks ago, the Raiders have held wide receivers to only 17 catches for 131 receiving yards, no touchdowns, and 32.1 total fantasy points over the past two weeks. Between his inconsistent play and the matchup, Sutton belongs on the bench this week. Fantasy owners need to trade him away while they still can.
SLEEPER: Emmanuel Sanders at Tennessee Titans
In the offseason, many discounted Sanders in Buffalo because of Stefon Diggs. However, Sanders leads the wide receivers on the team in receiving touchdowns and fantasy points despite being third in targets and catches. Sanders has been unstoppable over the past three weeks, averaging 1.3 touchdowns and 20 fantasy points per game, finishing as the WR11 in that span. Meanwhile, the Titans have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, giving up 47.4 fantasy points per game, 11.5 more than the league average. They have allowed wide receivers to score 55 or more fantasy points in 60 percent of their games this season. Furthermore, wide receivers have averaged 1.6 touchdowns per game this season against the Titans. Given his recent play, Sanders has top-10 against the Titans.
SLEEPER: Mecole Hardman at Washington Football Team
If Tyreek Hill misses this game, Hardman becomes a plug and play mid WR2. However, even if Hill plays at 100 percent, Hardman remains a flex option tomorrow. Last week against the Bills, Hardman led the team in catches (nine) and receiving yards (76). More importantly, Hardman had a career-high 12 targets last week, resulting in a season-high 16.6 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, giving up 44.8 fantasy points per game, nine more than the league average. More importantly, Washington gave up 42.5 fantasy points and three touchdowns to Saints wide receivers last week on only seven catches, including two touchdowns to Marquez Callaway on only four catches. Just imagine what Hardman could do this week against them.
Tight Ends
START: Mike Gesicki at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
After a slow start to the season, Gesicki has averaged 6.3 catches for 62 receiving yards and 14.5 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks. More importantly, Gesicki has averaged 8.3 targets per game during that span, finishing with at least six in every game. By comparison, Gesicki had only eight targets over the first two weeks of the season combined. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have given up an average of 15.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. More importantly, tight ends have averaged 1.5 touchdowns and 20.6 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks against the Cincinnati Bengals and Titans. With Will Fuller and DeVante Parker out this week, fantasy owners should expect at least 15 fantasy points from Gesicki this week in London.
START: Hunter Henry vs Dallas Cowboys
If you read last week’s Starts, Sits, Sleepers article, you would have picked up and started Henry. He finished last week’s game against the Houston Texans with six catches on eight targets for 75 receiving yards, a touchdown, and a season-high 19.5 fantasy points. Furthermore, it was the second game in a row that Henry scored a touchdown and finished with over 13 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have allowed an average of 15.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, giving up over 23.5 fantasy points to the position in 40 percent of their contests. Over the past three weeks, Henry is second on the team, averaging 6.3 targets per game. For fantasy owners who need a bye week replacement, Henry is your top target.
SIT: T.J. Hockenson vs Cincinnati Bengals
Over the first two weeks of the season, Hockenson was unstoppable, averaging eight catches on 9.5 targets for 81.5 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 23.2 fantasy points per game, finishing as the TE3 during that span. By comparison, Hockenson has a total of eight catches on 13 targets for 74 receiving yards and 15.4 fantasy points over the past three weeks, finishing as the TE28 during that span. Meanwhile, the Bengals have held tight ends to the fifth-fewest fantasy points this season, giving up 7.5 fantasy points per game. More importantly, the Bengals have held tight ends to only one touchdown and under six catches in every game this season. Between his recent struggles, his knee injury, and the matchup this week, Hockenson belongs on the bench.
SIT: David Njoku vs Arizona Cardinals
Last week, Njoku had a career-high 27.9 fantasy points against the Chargers, catching all seven of his targets for 149 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the year. However, in his other three games this season, Njoku had a total of seven catches on 10 targets for 111 receiving yards and 18.1 fantasy points. Tomorrow, he faces the undefeated Cardinals, who have held tight ends to the second-fewest fantasy points this season, giving up only 5.6 per game. Furthermore, they have held tight ends to an average of 24.4 receiving yards per game this season, giving up over 30 receiving yards only once. Fantasy owners should not believe Njoku’s fluke performance last week and leave him on the waiver wire where he belongs.
SLEEPER: Jared Cook at Baltimore Ravens
Despite Mike Williams’ breakout season, Cook has averaged 8.8 fantasy points per game this season, good for the TE15 on the year. In the two games he has seven or more targets, Cook has averaged 14.8 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, the Ravens have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, giving up 19.2 fantasy points per game. They have also allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this season. Furthermore, the Ravens have given up seven or more catches to tight ends in the three games this season, giving up an average of 24.7 fantasy points per game in those matchups. This game should be a shootout, leading to plenty of fantasy points for the Chargers pass-catchers, including Cook.
SLEEPER: Ricky Seals-Jones vs Kansas City Chiefs
Since Logan Thomas went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, Seals-Jones has taken over as the starting tight end in Washington. Last week, Seals-Jones caught five of nine targets for 41 receiving yards and 9.1 fantasy points against the Saints. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, giving up almost 18 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the Chiefs have given up 15 catches for 234 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 50.4 fantasy points to tight ends over the past two weeks. Seals-Jones won’t score 20 plus fantasy points tomorrow against the Chiefs. However, he is the perfect waiver wire addition if you missed out on Henry and need a bye week filler.
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