Most fantasy players can agree that the most difficult part of managing your fantasy team is optimizing your lineup each week. When setting your lineup, it’s essential to take into account injuries, matchups, and probable game scripts. Before we take a look at this week’s best start/sit options, let’s see how accurate my predictions were from Week 5:
Best Start of Week 5: Eric Ebron (TE1)
Worst Start of Week 5: Derrick Henry (RB48)
Best Sit of Week 5: Doug Baldwin (WR114)
Worst Sit of Week 5: Kenyan Drake (RB6)
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s top starts and sits:
Quarterbacks
Must Start:
Jameis Winston (TB @ ATL): Returning to the starting lineup after a tough loss against the Bears and a bye week, Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers offense will look to get things rolling against a Falcons defense that’s allowing 277 passing yards a game and 12 total passing touchdowns this year. Look for the Bucs to attack the depleted Falcons secondary. With the over under for this division matchup at 57.5, I’m expecting an entertaining game with a lot of big plays through the air.
Honorable Mentions:
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT v CIN)
Andrew Luck (IND @ NYJ)
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI @ MIA)
Russell Wilson (SEA @ OAK)
Must Sit:
Marcus Mariota (TEN v BAL): Mariota and the Titans offense have potential to be something special as they have shown in flashes this season. Unfortunately, they have been extremely inconsistent, playing spectacular one week and not even being able to put up a touchdown the next. The Titans have a bright future, but their offense has been hurting with the absence of Delanie Walker and the running backs not producing as expected. Between injuries and questionable play calling, Mariota has become a player who is too unpredictable and who I would avoid starting if possible.
Dak Prescott (DAL v JAX)
Case Keenum (DEN v LAR)
CJ Beathard (SF @ GB)
Ryan Tannehill (MIA v CHI)
Running Backs
Must Start:
Wendell Smallwood (PHI @ NYG): With Jay Ajayi done for the season, it looks like Smallwood and Corey Clement will be in a timeshare. Although either back could break out, I believe Smallwood will be the likely goal line back with Clement being more of a pass catching back this Thursday night. I’m expecting Smallwood to have a slight lead on the backfield this week, and if given the opportunity, I think Smallwood is talented enough to establish himself as the primary back in a potent Eagle’s offense.
Honorable Mentions:
Jordan Howard (CHI @ MIA)
Nyheim Hines (IND @ NYJ)
James White (NE v KC)
Sony Michel (NE v KC)
Must Sit:
Royce Freeman (DEN v LAR): After Royce Freeman had only 8 touches compared to Phillip Lindsay’s 15 last week versus the Jets, the Denver Broncos play a stacked LA Rams defense in Week 6. I expect the Broncos to be playing from behind against the high flying Rams offense, which would result in the Broncos potentially avoiding the run game all together. If the game script goes as I expect, Lindsay may end up out touching Freeman again as the Broncos will be in need of a big playmaker like Lindsay.
Honorable Mentions:
Frank Gore (MIA v CHI)
Alex Collins (BAL @ TEN)
Derrick Henry (TEN v BAL)
Alfred Blue (HOU v BUF)
Wide Receiver
Must Start:
Robert Woods (LAR @ DEN): The Rams could potentially be without their other 2 starting receivers, Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp this week after both players exited last week’s game with concussions. If neither Cooks or Kupp can suit up against the Broncos, Woods’ role should be expanded. Last week versus the Seahawks, Woods hauled in 5 of 7 targets for 92 yards and had 2 carries for an additional 53 yards rushing. Woods has been a big time playmaker in the Rams offense, so with or without Cooks and Kupp, Woods should remain in you starting lineup.
Honorable Mentions:
Josh Gordon (NE v KC)
Taylor Gabriel (CHI @ MIA)
Chester Rodgers (IND @ NYJ)
Keke Coutee (HOU vs BUF)
Must Sit:
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI @ MIN): The future Hall Of Fame wide receiver has been struggling so far this season with only 17 catches for 176 yards and no touchdowns. You could say it’s his quarterback, but he’s played with worse in the past and produced much better stats. The stud wide receiver will have a tough time this week if he is in fact lined up across from Xavier Rhodes, one of the league’s better corners against big receivers. Rhodes allowed Alshon Jeffery just 2 catches on 8 targets in Week 5. Fitzgerald has not been 100% this season, battling a hamstring injury, but I do expect the tough veteran receiver to go out there and give it his all like he does every week. Overall, this week is not a favorable matchup for Fitz and is one I would avoid.
Honorable Mentions:
Kelvin Benjamin (BUF @ HOU)
Phillip Dorsett (NE v KC)
Corey Davis (TEN v BAL)
Chris Hogan (NE v KC)
Tight End
Must Start:
Cameron Brate (TB @ ATL): Cameron Brate has a good matchup against the Falcons defense that has been battling injuries all season. With O.J Howard out again, Brate should see some red zone targets as well as other looks while the Falcons are forced to focus on the Bucs’ talented trio of receivers. In the past, we’ve seen Winston target Brate heavily as one of his favorite targets, so I expect that trend to continue in Week 6.
Honorable Mentions:
Nick Vannett (SEA @ OAK)
David Njoku (CLE v LAC)
Niles Paul (JAX @ DAL)
Must Sit:
Hayden Hurst (BAL @ TEN): The Ravens 1st round draft pick in 2018 played his first game last week, managing just 1 catch on 2 targets. With the Ravens loaded at the tight end position (Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Maxx Williams), you never know which one will be out there catching passes from Joe Flacco. Until we see someone take over at this position for the Ravens, I would avoid their tight end situation completely.
Honorable Mentions:
Ian Thomas (CAR @ WAS)
Antonio Gates (LAC @ CLE)
Jesse James (PIT @ CIN)
Thank you for reading and be sure to follow me on Twitter for more fantasy football advice throughout the week @LonskiWilliam
