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 6:
Best Start of Week 6: Jameis Winston (QB1)
Worst Start of Week 5: Wendell Smallwood (RB37)
Best Sit of Week 5: Larry Fitzgerald (WR66)
Worst Sit of Week 5: Dak Prescott (QB2)
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s top starts and sits:
Quarterbacks
Must Start:
Eli Manning (NYG @ ATL): Eli Manning has been one of the hardest players to trust in fantasy football in recent years. Despite having some of the top positional players in the league, the offense has not been productive this season outside of Saquon Barkley. With Barkley playing as well as he has, you have to think the Giants will try getting their passing attack back. This will require one of the top wide receivers in the game, Odell Beckham Jr.
He’s been waiting for his breakout game top help propel this struggling Giants team to some wins. In Week 7, the Giants get to play a Falcons team that has given up the 2nd most passing touchdowns and 3rd most passing yards this season. The Falcons should be forced to focused on one of the most dynamic players in the NFL in Saquon Barkley which should open up passing lanes for Eli Manning.
Honorable Mentions:
Jameis Winston (TB v CLE)
Joe Flacco (BAL v NO)
Mitchell Trubisky (CHI v NE)
Baker Mayfield (CLE @ TB)
Must Sit:
Deshaun Watson (HOU @ JAX): Last week, neither the Texans or Jaguars looked like themselves. The Texans couldn’t get things going on the offensive side, while the Jaguars couldn’t get anything going on their well know defensive side of the ball. Going into Week 7, I look for the Jaguars defense to bounce back while the Texans offense will still be trying to figure things out. Watson has been battling injury and the Jaguars defense will be looking to punish Watson and the Texans offense to show they are still a top defense after a terrible performance against the Cowboys in Week 6.
Honorable Mentions:
Brock Osweiler (MIA v DET)
C.J Beathard (SF v LAR)
Marcus Mariota (TEN @ LAC)
Blake Bortles (JAC v HOU)
Running Backs
Must Start:
Tevin Coleman (ATL v NYG): Devonta Freeman has been placed on IR, which leaves the door wide open for Coleman, unless Ito Smith can outperform him. So far, Smith has been primarily the second option behind Coleman the weeks Freeman has been out. In times when Freeman has been injured, Coleman has shown the ability and potential to be a true number 1 back in a loaded Falcons offense. Their offense needs to be dependable with some of their top defenders out with injuries. In Week 7, the Giants should be focused on one of the top passing offenses in the league this season, which should open some lanes for Tevin Coleman to hit some big runs.
Honorable Mentions:
Nick Chubb (CLE @ TB )
Tarik Cohen (CHI v NE)
Alex Collins (BAL v NO)
Marlon Mack (IND v BUF )
Must Sit:
Lamar Miller (HOU @ JAX): Miller has been struggling this season as he has been held without a rushing touchdown and just 271 yards rushing for 3.7 yards per carry. Alfred Blue has taken on a larger role in Houston’s backfield, but has not been much better. The Texans running backs as a whole have not been able to get anything going this season and should not be considered to be starters on fantasy teams rosters unless absolutely necessary.
Honorable Mentions:
Nyheim Hines (IND v BUF)
Alfred Morris (SF v LAR)
Chris Thompson (WAS v DAL)
Carlos Hyde (JAX v HOU)
Wide Receiver
Must Start:
Julian Edelman (NE @ CHI): Edelman scored his first touchdown of the season last week against the Chiefs. He caught 4 of the 7 passes thrown his way. I think he will continue to get more targets as the season progresses, seeing as he is Tom Brady’s go-to guy. The Bears allowed Albert Wilson 155 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6. Julian Edelman could be in line for a big day against the Bears. Tom Brady will most likely be looking to throw quick strikes with Khalil Mack and company putting on the pressure.
Honorable Mentions:
Chester Rodgers (IND v BUF)
Taylor Gabriel (CHI v NE)
Sterling Shepard (NYG @ ATL)
Chris Godwin (TB v CLE)
Must Sit:
Kelvin Benjamin (BUF @ IND): Josh Allen isn’t playing, so Benjamin doesn’t have to tell him “no” to running practice routes during pre-game this week. With Nathan Peterman under center for the Bills in Week 7, it would be best to avoid the Bills’ struggling receiver. He’s had only 10 catches on the season with just 1 touchdown.
Honorable Mentions:
Robby Anderson (NYJ v MIN)
Kenny Stills (MIA v DET)
Keelan Cole (JAX v HOU)
Michael Crabtree (BAL v NO)
Tight End
Must Start:
Evan Engram (NYG @ ATL): The Giants should be thrilled to be getting their talented young tight end back in the starting lineup for the first time since Week 3. The Falcons have allowed 16 passing touchdowns thus far. That’s worst in the NFL. Engram should see his fair share of targets, especially in the red zone. If he’s available as a free agent or on your bench, put him into your starting lineup for a nice matchup against the Falcons.
Honorable Mentions:
O.J Howard (TB v CLE)
C.J Uzomah (CIN @ KC)
Greg Olsen (CAR @ PHI)
Must Sit:
Cameron Brate (TB v CLE): With O.J Howard surprisingly returning from injury last week against the Falcons, Brate saw just one target. He caught it for a 15 yard touchdown. Going forward, it may be difficult for Brate to stay on the field with the return of O.J Howard. Brate may see some red zone looks, and he might have to be in some teams starting lineups with 4 teams on bye week ( GB, PIT, OAK, SEA), but I would avoid playing him this week if at all possible.
Honorable Mentions:
Dallas Goedert (PHI v CAR)
Charles Clay (BUF @ IND)
Jonnu Smith (TEN @ LAC)
Thank you for reading and be sure to follow me on Twitter for more fantasy football advice throughout the week @LonskiWilliam
