Start ‘Em
Aaron Rodgers
I’m putting Rodgers on this to serve as a reminder to start your star players no matter who they are playing. The 49ers are the best at preventing opposing quarterbacks from putting up points, but that doesn’t apply to Rodgers. Plus, San Francisco’s defense has been much more generous the past three games, allowing at least 26 points in each.
Baker Mayfield
By this time of the year, Mayfield should probably have been dropped in nearly every league. He’s been arguably the worst QB in football, but he has a juicy matchup with the Dolphins at home. Miami is giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. This might finally be the game Mayfield looks like the MVP many people thought he was going to be coming into the season. He could be available in your league if you need a QB this week, and he should be an affordable DFS play as well that could end up paying significant dividends.
Jeff Driskel
This is a deep sleeper, but I’ve picked him up in a league or two with my quarterback being on bye this week. Driskel played fantastic against a Dallas defense that has played quarterbacks pretty well this year and gets a much softer Washington secondary this time around. He’s a pretty good bet to throw for 250+ yards and 2 TDs.
Sam Darnold
Once again, if you’re in a deep league with a QB on a bye, Sam Darnold could be a sneaky good play. He played well last week and has another favorable matchup at home against Oakland. Darnold should be able to put up enough points to keep your team in it.
Derrick Henry
Now is the time of the year where Derrick Henry starts inflicting his pain on worn down defenses. Last time out, he rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns against a soft Chiefs run defense. Henry has another generous matchup this weekend at home versus the Jaguars. I like Henry as a DFS play, and he should be starting in every league.
Calvin Ridley
Ridley went off last Sunday in Carolina for eight receptions, 143 yards, and a touchdown. He was the beneficiary of Austin Hooper being absent. The Falcons tight end is scheduled to miss about a month with an MCL sprain. That’s good news for owners of Ridley, who has a matchup with the Buccaneers this weekend. Tampa Bay has allowed the most opposing fantasy points to receivers.
D.K. Metcalf
As a rookie, Metcalf has proven he is going to have a place in this league for a long time. The Eagles defense may have looked impressive last weekend against the Patriots, but don’t fall for the trap. This is still a secondary that can get burnt early and often. With Tyler Lockett’s status for this game up in the air, I’m looking at Metcalf to be the primary target for MVP candidate Russell Wilson.
Jarvis Landry
Landry’s on pace for well over 1,000 yards receiving this year. He has not done that since 2016 when he was with the Dolphins. This week, Landry makes his return to Miami, and he’s the type of dude that would like to make a statement. I’ve already said I like Mayfield this week, and I think his favorite target will be Jarvis Landry.
James Washington
If you need a flex, James Washington should be a solid play. Juju Smith-Schuster might not play, and the Steelers have a fantastic matchup against the lowly Bengals. Look for that Oklahoma State connection between Mason Rudolph and James Washington.
Jaeden Graham
If you’re looking for a deep sleeper in DFS leagues, Jaeden Graham might be your guy. He’s going to be filling in for Austin Hooper again this week, and his role should only increase as he becomes more acclimated to the offense. The Bucs give up the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. This could be the Jaeden Graham coming out party.
Sit ‘Em
Jameis Winston
Winston can put up enough stats to be a good fantasy QB some weeks, and you might be thinking Atlanta is a team that surrenders a lot of chunk plays. That was true until two weeks ago. They have gone on the road to New Orleans and Carolina the last two weeks without allowing a touchdown in two blowout wins. I see Atlanta being stout again defensively in Tampa Bay.
Jared Goff
Goff shouldn’t be rostered in most leagues, and if you have him, you don’t want to start him this week. The Ravens defense has come alive as they have gotten healthier and acquired Marcus Peters. I don’t see a struggling Rams offense scoring very often at all.
David Singeltary
Singeltary is beginning to receive enough touches where he can be started as a flex most weeks. This isn’t one of those weeks. Outside of one outlier, when the Broncos let Leanord Fournette run all over them, they have been among the best at stopping the run. Since Singeltary hasn’t yet proven to be much of a threat in the receiving game, I’m looking for a replacement this week.
Rams WRs
See Jared Goff.
Tyler Boyd
Boyd was one of my favorite receivers coming into the season. However, one of the worst offensive lines I have ever seen has plagued the Bengals. Pittsburgh didn’t allow Dalton any time to throw the last time these two teams faced. I don’t think they will be treating Ryan Finley any better. Boyd is, at best, a low-end flex play this week.
Michael Gallup
Gallup’s having an excellent second season, but the Cowboys get the Patriots on Sunday. Amari Cooper is a must-start every week – the same goes for Dak Prescott – but I’m sitting options like Gallup. The Pats defense looked elite once again against the Eagles, and they play their best at home in the cold. It’s supposed to be wet with a chance of snow on Sunday in Foxborough.
Jimmy Graham
Graham’s best days are well behind him, but he can still be an occasional starter depending on the matchup. This Sunday, the Packers are up against the 49ers, who have allowed 34 receptions for 231 yards and 2 TDs to opposing tight ends all season. Sit Jimmy Graham.
Jared Cook
Cook’s been a nice fill in for me at times this year, but I’m not using him this week. Like the 49ers, the Panthers are extra stingy against tight ends, and the Saints have many other explosive weapons they can utilize.