Starts/Sits - Week 16

Words - Anthony Winters | @A_Winters9
Graphics - Justin Barber | @Justin_B

Y’all, I am so sick of having to start each article like this, but it truly has just been one of those seasons. No matter what happens, there is always something that goes wrong. COVID-19 decided to take a huge toll and now we get football essentially every single day. I feel so bad for my fiancée because damn, I sure as hell have been looking at my phone a lot or hyper-focusing on whichever game was on TV. But hey, when you make the semis in 80% of your leagues, you must be doing something right *shameless plug*.

In all seriousness, for all of those that are still playing this week, good freaking luck. We have been shown and constantly reminded that no matter what we still don’t know what is going to happen on a week to week basis. Take Craig Reynolds for example. This kid is playing his heart out after essentially being told he wasn’t good enough to play. Are we seeing a D’Andre Swift replacement? I kid, I kid. My Swift shares hope I am at least. But the point remains: prepare for the unexpected.

Here’s to helping you get to the finals everyone. Cheers to you.

Quarterback:

Start of the week: Jared Goff (DET vs ATL)
Are we seeing the emergence of the Goff we knew during that super bowl run with the Rams? Probably not, but you can’t deny that Goff is looking like a legit starter over in Detroit. And with the way the quarterback landscape is panning out, you could find a worse option than a guy who has only thrown 2 picks in the last 4 weeks, but is top-10 in touchdown passes thrown in that same span. Considering Atlanta is being gouged for nearly 20 FPPG this season, I have Goff as a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.

Sit of the week: Derek Carr (LV vs DEN)
For all of the good that Carr is doing, I doubt he keeps it up this week. To start with, the Brownies just held him to 10 fantasy points and that is only 2 less than what Denver’s defense just did to Joe Burrow. Carr has gone through the ringer this season losing his top targets at both tight end and wide receiver as well as his head coach (for good reason on this one though). Carr started off the season hot, but it’s not how you start, but how you finish. And as of now, Carr is trending towards the bottom. Denver is going to destroy this man and I for one will love it. But your fantasy team will not.

Like - Joe Burrow (CIN vs BAL)

Dislike - Tua Tagovailoa (MIA vs NO)

Running Back:

Start of the week: James Robinson (JAX vs NYJ)
17.8 points and a top-5 finish in your first game without Urban Meyer? Yeah, that’s no coincidence. Robinson is a locked and loaded top-5 back this week against a Jets team that just gave up 31 fantasy points to Miami running backs and is being gashed for a league high 34 FPPG on the season. Robinson has always had the talent, but his usage was very much so being capped by Liar, Liar [Urban Meyer]. It’s also amazing how well you play when your best player is involved. There isn’t much to say here. Start Robinson and reap the rewards.

Sit of the week: Chuba Hubbard (CAR vs TB)
I know we all desperately want Hubbard to show us what he did in the beginning of the year when CMC first went out, but I am hard pressed to think this will actually happen. Tampa just surrendered 5 fantasy points to Alvin Kamara. If that doesn’t tell you something, then I don’t know what will. Simply put: this defense stifles the run. They’ve done so all season as they are near the bottom third in the league on the season. Sit Hubbard and literally stream D’Onta Foreman or someone else with a better matchup.

Like - Elijah Mitchell/Jeff Wilson (SF vs TEN)

Dislike - Michael Carter (NYJ vs MIA)

Wide Receiver:

Start of the week: Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET vs ATL)
I’m piggy-backing off of myself from last week and again saying that if your quarterback is on the start list, your top receiver should be as well. Now for this one, St. Brown gives me more confidence than Smith did this past week. St. Brown has seen double-digit targets the last 3 weeks and is averaging 21 fantasy points in the same timeframe. Simply put, Detroit is getting the ball to their best playmaker and it seems to be paying off for them. I’m firing up St. Brown against an Atlanta team that allows 38 FPPG on the season and just gave up 35 more to San Fran last week.

Sit of the week: Jerry Jeudy (DEN vs LV)
This is such a sad story as he was a preseason darling for many of us; my included. But with the lack of a true downfield passing attack, Jeudy is simply just not thriving in Denver. I mean this is also due to terrible quarterback play, but hey, who’s keeping track? Simply put, Jeudy is just not a part of this offensive game plan. In the last 4 weeks, he has 11 receptions for 149 yards and no tuddies. This is not what you are looking for in the slightest both in fantasy and real-life. Jeudy is still a fine dynasty stash, but his redraft value is close to zero. I’m not even letting him occupy a bench spot on my team at this time.

Like - Michael Pittman Jr. (IND vs ARI)

Dislike - Gabriel Davis (BUF vs NE)

Tight End:

Start of the week: Zach Ertz (ARI vs IND)
What team is the worst against tight ends on the season? Indianapolis is the correct answer and that misfortune continued in the past week against New England and Hunter Henry as he secured 2 touchdowns against this defense. Ertz had a couple down weeks there, but he has seemed to right the ship in correlation with Kyler coming back to form. He has had 18 targets the last 2 weeks and I would expect more of the same this week against a weak Colts defense without Hopkins available. Fire him up in the most volatile position in fantasy.

Sit of the week: Mike Gesicki (MIA vs NO)
Gesicki was a start for me last week, but this week, I am not as confident. For starters, New Orleans allows under 10 FPPG to tight ends. Miami is getting healthy again, specifically, Jaylen Waddle. Waddle’s presence combined with the running backs and Parker are going to make Gesicki’s life that much harder for fantasy production. Yes, he is still in the top-10 at the position on the season, but he is not Tua’s first look and I would argue that he isn’t even the second look either. Unless you absolutely must, I’m not rolling with him this week.

Like - Brevin Jordan (HOU vs LAC)

Dislike - Hunter Henry (NE vs BUF)

Honorable Mention:

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams
Beckham is making his presence felt in LA as he has secured a touchdown in the last 3 games each. This bodes well for many of us down the stretch as quite a few of our receivers are hurt. We all know the talent is there, but I am starting to wonder if Beckham is more of a generational athlete than he is a generational football player. Regardless, he can still help you win this week and beyond. Since Robert Woods has gone down, Stafford has shown a trust and rapport with Beckham that can’t be denied. I’m starting him this week and riding him until I can’t anymore.

Sleeper of the week:

Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This scares me. Absolutely scares me. But I can’t deny that Jones has legit sleeper appeal with Fournette likely not going this upcoming week. Carolina is rather stout against the run, but here’s the rationale for me. We know the talent is there for Jones. It’s plain to see. The biggest thing that Jones has going for him is the amount of injuries to Tampa’s team. Fournette and Evans might be out for this upcoming week and Godwin is done for the season. With Antonio Brown coming back, he might put a dent in things, but he has to get back in the good graces of the coaching staff.

Hailing from sunny Florida, Anthony is an avid football fan and fantasy football fanatic. He is known for his consistent trade advice and constant tinkering of his teams trying to make sure he has the coveted “perfect lineup”. If you want to make a trade, chances are he’s already thought about the exact offer you’re considering. Outside of football, Anthony is a school counselor and baseball coach. He cares just as much about his kids as he does football. Closing in on his wedding, his beautiful fiancée helps him religiously cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs every Sunday.

Follow Anthony - @A_Winters9