I kicked off this new weekly article last Friday and will continue to post it every week around lunchtime. This is for those of you who would love to sit down and read a detailed start/sit article for 90 minutes but just can’t carve out the time at this stage in your life. Instead, I’ll give you all the information without any of the words. Here is how it works: it’s quick-hitting advice with an overall grade and start/sit recommendation for every fantasy-relevant player based on four simple criteria: Matchup, expected volume, fantasy ability and surrounding talent.

Matchup
For example, Robby Anderson took on Tre’Davious White last week so he was an obvious fade.

Expected Volume
Miles Sanders is a ridiculous talent but it won’t matter as much if Doug Pederson doesn’t make him a bell-cow

Fantasy Ability
Drew Brees is a superior real-life quarterback to Josh Allen, but QBs who can run are a fantasy cheat code

Surrounding Talent
Jamison Crowder takes a hit with slot-happy QB, Sam Darnold out for the week

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The grades listed below range from 1 to 25 with overall grades made to mimic a school grade (1-100 with letter grades). The four grades will not add up to the overall grade since each position weights the four criteria differently. For instance, volume is king for running backs, but matchups are much more important for quarterbacks. The start/sit recommendations are for 12-team half-PPR, 1-QB leagues. Slight adjustments would be made for moderate rules changes. Additionally, I’ll name a start of the week, stream of the week and fade of the week at each position. Obviously the #1 player from each player is the top start so rather, start of the week refers to a player you wouldn’t always start. Stream of the week is a player you can typically pick up off the waivers if you are desperate for a fill-in so don’t be surprised if they are down at the bottom of a table since most useful players are already rostered. Fade of the week is the opposite of start of the week, as it is a player you would typically start, but shouldn’t this week because of matchup or game script. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @BobbyFantasyPro.

Quick Link to view the entire spreadsheet and search for players quickly at this link.

Running Backs

• • Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
    • If Joe Mixon plays, he moves to a C+, Should Start and Gio Bernard becomes a can’t start
    • If Mixon doesn’t play, Gio Bernard moves to a C, Could Start
  • Start of the Week: Matt Breida (remember, I’m not saying Breida is a better plan than Saquon, it means Breida is the best option among those you don’t always start)
  • Stream of the Week: Rex Burkhead (remember, this doesn’t mean I love the play, it means he is the best available if you are really desperate)
  • Fade of the Week: Tarik Cohen
• Break in the chart is between RB36/RB37

Wide Receivers

• • Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
    • If Mike Williams plays, he moves to a C+, Should Start
    • If Antonio Brown doesn’t play (note: the expectation is he will play), Josh Gordon becomes a C, could start (Xavien Howard would shadow him)
  • Start of the Week: D.K. Metcalf
  • Stream of the Week: Mohamed Sanu (remember, this is the best player you can pick up off the waivers–that doesn’t make him a great start)
  • Fade of the Week: Robby Anderson (again, as he draws Denzel Ward this week)
• Break in the chart is between WR36/WR37

Quarterbacks

• • Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
  • Start of the Week: Tom Brady
  • Stream of the Week: Josh Allen (remember, this is the best available you can pick up off the waivers–that doesn’t make him a great start)
  • Fade of the Week: Kyler Murray

Tight Ends

• • Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Sunday morning
    • Even if Trey Burton plays, he is just a D+, Shouldn’t Start
    • With Jordan Reed now out, Vernon Davis moves to a D+, Shouldn’t Start
  • Start of the Week: Darren Waller
  • Stream of the Week: Dallas Goedert (remember, this is the best player you can pick up off the waivers–that doesn’t make him a great start)
  • Fade of the Week: Eric Ebron (drop him already)

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