And just like that, the King has been dethroned by a broken metatarsal. That a foot injury can bring down a hulk of a man is oddly reminiscent of Trojan myth Achilles. Still, the good news is he may suffer a far kinder fate than Homer’s hero, with a fantasy playoff return possible. For many of you riding high on Henry’s weekly haul of points, it’s time to make those tough weekly calls the rest of us have been battling all season and also look toward how you’re going to rebuild your roster. Let’s get into some Start/Sit plus:
We’ll be looking at six categories (which are described in detail here in our Week 1 article). And to ensure total transparency, I’ll also note at the bottom of each section how I went in last week’s article (I’ve logged it as 54 hits and 20 misses, meaning a 70% success rate so far this season, but you be the judge). If you disagree or have start/sit questions, hit me up on Instagram or Twitter.
Editor’s Note: Ben finished No. 24 overall in 2020 in-season fantasy football accuracy and No. 3 overall in Rest of Season accuracy for 2020. He’s currently No. 30 overall in the 2021 in-season accuracy competition.
Start
Every-week starters, regardless of matchup
Taysom Hill (QB – NO)
If he gets the starting role, and it’s a big if, Taysom Hill becomes a weekly starter for many people, on the edge of QB1 consideration. He still slides in behind last week’s list of locked-in starters, but 2020 showed that the combination of his rushing floor and touchdown upside make him a valuable starting option potentially on par with Jalen Hurts in style and quality. Having said that, he’s a big risk. His health is a total unknown, and he’s not guaranteed the role with Trevor Siemian playing solidly and Sean Payton seeming inclined to move towards a more traditional quarterback situation. But IF he gets announced as the starter, you can lock him in for the near future ahead of all streaming options.
Michael Carter (RB – NYJ)
With Mike White proving to be the check-down king and Michael Carter emerging as the clear Jets starter, you can pencil the rookie running back in as a starter weekly, despite a really tough matchup against the Colts.
Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
With the Raiders sadly (for the victim and their family especially) down their best receiver and field-stretcher, Las Vegas could easily lean on their run game a lot more, and that means a lot of Josh Jacobs. While Kenyan Drake has been effective on limited carries, Jacobs is the lead guy, with Peyton Barber not even active on game days. He’s a little TD-or-bust, but his TD upside is so high he’s certainly worth starting each week.
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Despite failing to convert his performances to the fantasy scoreboard since returning in Week 5, Tee Higgins remains a solid weekly starter, beginning with this week’s juicy matchup against the Browns. With Ja’Marr Chase surely getting most of the attention, including the solid Denzel Ward, it could well be a Higgins week. Plus, he’s due some TD regression.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
He had a bad week 8, but I’m still starting Jaylen Waddle. The yardage and touchdowns aren’t quite there yet, but with Tua Tagovailoa finding his groove and no run game to speak of, the rookie is going to keep getting a dozen targets a game, and especially this week against Houston, that could prove very productive.
George Kittle (TE – SF) and Darren Waller (TE – LV)
This should go without saying, but if either of these two returns from injury, they should be an immediate start unless they’re expected to be severely limited. That’s not to say they will return this week, though, so keep tabs on the injury reports. I’d expect Waller but not Kittle at this stage.
Dan Arnold (TE – JAC)
I’ve been talking up Dan Arnold for weeks, and he’s starting to pay off with 23 targets and 160 yards across his last three games. He’s yet to score a touchdown this season, and that is the major knock on him, but he provides a fantastic floor, especially in PPR, and is one of the safer options around. I’d start him every week over most of the cusp starters, even this week against the brutal Bills defense.
Albert Okwuegbunam (TE – DEN)
With plenty of injury question marks at the tight end position and Noah Fant on the COVID list, Albert O is a start until Fant returns. He’s not a guy you need to scramble to get as he’s only a TE1 due to the number of injured players (Waller, Kittle, Gronk, Knox), but until a few of them return, he may be your best option.
Others:
- Myles Gaskin (RB – MIA) – This reflects the lack of other strong options.
- Emmanuel Sanders (WR – BUF)
- DeVante Parker (WR – MIA)
- Dalton Schultz (TE – DAL) – Is there really 12 better options? No way.
Last Week
Hits: Damien Harris, Elijah Mitchell, Keenan Allen, Diontae Johnson, Amari Cooper
OK: Khalil Herbert, Calvin Ridley (I/A), Zach Ertz
Misses: Jaylen Waddle, Tyler Higbee, Rob Gronkowski (INJ)
Sit
Consider benching if you have a viable alternative
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN)
The Vikings have been very up-and-down this season, and the fantasy fortunes of Kirk Cousins have followed suit. In fact, Cousins’ fantasy points total sits within a handful of points of the Vikings’ point total almost every week. Cousins is a fade this week with the Vikings projected to lose handily and score under 20 points. He’ll need an upset win or a real shootout to pay off, and in Baltimore, that seems unlikely.
Carson Wentz (QB – IND)
The former Eagle has hit QB1 status in three of the last four weeks and now faces the Jets. That’s the recipe for fantasy success, right? If you don’t know the answer, you haven’t read this column the last few weeks. The Jets are a tough matchup for quarterbacks, with Joe Burrow the first opposition QB to manage three touchdowns against New York’s stout secondary. While Wentz has had a consistent fantasy points total this season, he has only surpassed 260 yards once. That means he needs a raft of touchdowns to pay off. I think you can see where I’m going here. It’s Jonathan Taylor season, but Wentz will need a lot of luck to help your fantasy team. There are better options.
Jeremy McNichols (RB – TEN) and Adrian Peterson (RB – TEN)
The big names on the waiver wire this week are a strong avoid for me. The matchup is fine, but we just have no idea how this split will look. I’d anticipate Peterson to take a little over half of the rushing downs, including the goal line looks, with McNichols the 3rd down guy, mixing in on some change of pace looks. Somebody else, maybe D’Onta Foreman, will also be involved just enough to be pesky. I also wouldn’t expect the same rushing volume as we’ve become accustomed to in Tennessee. If you can, give it a week and come back next week to see where we’re at. They’re still viable holds until then, by the way.
James Conner (RB – ARI)
The 49ers remain by far the toughest running back match-up this week, so I’m avoiding James Conner in particular. He essentially needs a touchdown to pay off, and while that’s possible, with the way the Cardinals are playing the last week or two, I wouldn’t want to bet on it. While I totally bet against it, you hopefully have a better alternative.
Darrel Williams (RB – KC)
The match-up is fine against the Packers, but with the whole offense struggling and Derrick Gore emerging as a viable alternative, it’s hard to trust Williams in your starting lineup.
DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI)
Until Nick Sirianni can work out how to use his most dangerous receiving weapon, he’s best left on benches.
Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)
After an 80-yard week 7, people are getting a bit over-excited about the Ravens rookie playing just his third NFL game. I’d cool your jets on that, even against the Vikings.
Marvin Jones (WR – JAC)
Outside one boom game against the awful Dolphins secondary, Marvin Jones has been very poor for weeks, with Jamal Agnew getting far more touches and production. He’s usually strong at the back half of the season, so I wouldn’t be dropping him just yet, but he should be chilling on your bench until we see some true signs of life. The same goes for Laviska Shenault, though he is droppable in shallow leagues.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
I’ve been wary of Henry for weeks, with Jonnu Smith chipping into his role. He’s now getting to the point where I’m too nervous to start him over the safer, high-volume options available. In non-PPR, he still has enough TD upside to make him startable, but his lack of receptions (five total in the last three weeks) is deadly in PPR. He’s the definition of TD-or-bust, and I’m not risking it.
Evan Engram (TE – NYG)
I was on the Engram stream train last week, and he totally paid off. This week there are more options available (e.g., Waller and Andrews are back), so I’m avoiding him from now.
Others:
- Matt Ryan (QB – ATL)
- Justin Fields (QB – CHI)
- Mike White (QB – NYJ) – Including superflex leagues
- Mike Davis (RB – ATL)
- Kenyan Drake (RB – LV)
- Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PHI) – Obviously sit him, but don’t drop him just yet.
- Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE)
- Laviska Shenault (WR – JAC)
- Mecole Hardman (WR – KC)
- Jared Cook (TE – LAC)
- Cj Uzomah (TE – CIN)
Last Week
Hits: Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, Alex Collins, Myles Gaskin, Marquez Callaway, Odell Beckham, Cj Uzomah, Mo Alie-Cox
OK: D’Ernest Johnson, Mike Davis, Corey Davis (INJ), Tee Higgins
Misses: Joe Burrow, Brandin Cooks, Tyler Conklin
Stream
Players you wouldn’t normally start who should have a good week
Daniel Jones (QB – NYG)
The Giants just can’t stay healthy, making this a risky option. The ingredients are there for a blow-up game for Danny Dimes with the Raiders on deck, a good rushing floor, and a lack of reliable running back yards. If New York can get a couple of Golladay, Shepard, and Toney healthy for this game, Jones becomes a strong streaming option. If they can’t, I’d look elsewhere.
Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA)
With the Deshaun Watson rumors mercifully dying, Tua SZN is taking off in Miami. He’s been strong for fantasy the last few weeks since returning from injury and gets a Houston defense susceptible to aggressive QB play. With DeVante Parker back and a lack of true running game, Tua has solid Week 9 upside.
Zack Moss (RB – BUF)
He hasn’t been great the last few weeks, but you have to start Moss with the Jaguars up next, given the high probability of a touchdown.
Boston Scott (RB – PHI) and Jordan Howard (RB – PHI)
Remember last week when I predicted Boston Scott was secretly the guy to own in Philly? Well, now you can start him! And as a bonus, you can likely start Jordan Howard, too, against the awful Chargers run defense.
Chase Claypool (WR – PIT)
He’s been abysmal for weeks, but the Bears have proven generous to opposing receivers, so I’m risking going to the Claypool well again this week.
Tajae Sharpe (WR – ATL) and Russell Gage (WR – ATL)
The former Viking (and Titan) has surprisingly risen up the depth chart, and Sharpe is now the lead wide receiver (arguably ahead of Russell Gage, who is also a streaming option) in an Atlanta offense that will likely run through Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson, among other bit parts. But this week, he has the Saints, who boast the most generous defense against receivers in the league (somehow), so Sharpe is an option if you’re really desperate and a viable deep stash.
Marcedes Lewis (TE – GB)
This is a super-risky one and only for very deep leagues. The Chiefs are awful against tight ends, and Lewis is likely to get a lot of the pass-catching responsibilities in Green Bay with Robert Tonyan sadly out for the year. I don’t love this play, but I know some of you are in super-deep leagues and need options. And I now don’t love it even more with the news that Rodgers will be out this week.
Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)
It’s very possible that by next week Freiermuth will be a start as he’s finally beginning to take over an every-down role in Pittsburgh. The rookie remains risky so I’m treating him as a streamer for now, but he’s worth a stash this week even if you don’t start him.
Others:
- Ryan Tannehill (QB – TEN)
- Tyrod Taylor (QB – HOU) – In Superflex Only
- Nyheim Hines (RB – IND) – This is a total desperation play given the match-up.
- Cole Beasley (WR – BUF)
- Nico Collins (WR – HOU) – In deep leagues
- Van Jefferson (WR – LAR) – In deep leagues
- Tyler Conklin (TE – MIN)
- Michael Badgley (K – IND)
- Greg Zuerlein (K – DAL)
- Indianapolis Colts (DST – IND)
- Miami Dolphins (DST – MIA)
Last Week
Hits: Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Carter, Boston Scott, Darrel Williams, Randall Cobb, Cole Beasley, Evan Engram, Dan Arnold, Tyler Bass, Cincinnati Bengals DST
OK: Daniel Jones, Zack Moss, Chase Claypool, Sterling Shepard (INJ), Robert Tonyan (INJ), Evan McPherson, San Francisco 49ers DST
Misses: Kirk Cousins, Teddy Bridgewater, Jerry Jeudy
Stash
Pick up and bench
Justin Fields (QB – CHI)
After half a season of mediocrity, the Bears rookie finally looked like a guy you should be willing to start in fantasy. I wouldn’t be popping him into lineups quite yet but if you have deep benches, he’s a viable stash.
Backup Running Backs
Welcome back to the Backup Variety Hour that’s really lacking variety. Once again, a lead runner has gone down. Wouldn’t it be nice if next time you have the starter already? I’d suggest the following in this order (note: I’m not including the obvious Top 30 guys or the popular waiver names like Peterson, McNichols and Carlos Hyde): Tony Pollard, Alexander Mattison, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams, Mark Ingram, Sony Michel, Ronald Jones, Samaje Perine, Salvon Ahmed.
Jamal Agnew (WR – JAC)
With 25 targets in the last three weeks, the converted cornerback/returner is suddenly getting the WR1 treatment in Jacksonville. It’s very strange because only three games ago he was behind Tavon Austin at WR5 on the depth chart. Regardless, if he can keep this up, he’ll be worth starting once he gets through a tough matchup against the Bills.
Adam Trautman (TE – NO)
Trevor Siemian honed in on his tight ends big time, and Taysom Hill‘s tendencies aren’t totally clear, so it’s possible Trautman takes on a bigger role. In deep leagues or dynasty he’s worth a stash.
Foster Moreau (TE – LV)
If Darren Waller is out this week, then Moreau is an auto-start, but even if he’s not, it’s worth stashing Moreau in leagues with plenty of bench space as he’s essentially a handcuff. This was the same logic as stashing Hayden Hurst last week. Tommy Sweeney and Blake Jarwin are similar options, though with less upside.
Others:
- Russell Wilson (QB – SEA)
- Bryan Edwards (WR – LV)
- Elijah Moore (WR – NYJ)
- Jonnu Smith (TE – NE)
Last Week
Hits: Tyrod Taylor, DeVante Parker, Tommy Sweeney, Pat Freiermuth
TBD: Will Fuller, Kadarius Toney, TY Hilton, Kenny Golladay, Jonnu Smith, Foster Moreau, Hayden Hurst
Misses: Deshaun Watson, Marlon Mack
Sell
Players who will likely lose value in the future to sell now
Mike White (QB – NYJ)
It doesn’t matter what league you’re in. You don’t want to be holding onto Mike White. If you for some reason have him and can get anything better than a kicker, sell now.
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
The Bengals lead runner is getting by on touchdowns and some lucky receptions. With Samaje Perine randomly sniping receiving work and the brutal Cleveland run defense up next, it’s time to sell early on Joe Mixon.
Aaron Jones (RB – GB)
The Jones blow-up game was always coming when Davante Adams and Allen Lazard both went onto the COVID list, and it was easy to miss just how much volume AJ Dillon is taking away from the lead runner. He’s not the top-5 option many are projecting him to be, so if you can sell him high, do it.
Michael Pittman (WR – IND)
After a massive boom game, Pittman takes on the solid Jets’ secondary before T.Y. Hilton returns. Now is when his value will be highest, so it’s time to sell.
Amari Cooper (WR – DAL)
The former Raider has had these blow-up games since his time in Oakland, and that’s always been a sign it’s time to sell.
Chris Godwin (WR – TB)
With Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski on the horizon, it’s time to sell Chris Godwin before he gets more competition for targets. That may not need to be this week, but it needs to happen sometime.
T.J. Hockenson (TE – DET)
So few tight ends that you might feasibly own (or want to own) played well last week with only seven tight ends scoring double digit half-PPR points, and that included garbage time guy Brevin Jordan and fluky scorers Jesse James and Tyler Kroft while Jack Doyle, Kyle Rudolph and Jordan Akins also popped up. No one is buying these guys! Meanwhile, Hock is going into a bye which is the best time to sell, as you won’t get a value update for a fortnight, and you can avoid a wasted week of him clogging up your bench with his useless byeweekness. He is a true mid-high TE1, so expect that value. If you can get it, sell.
Others:
- Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)
- Elijah Mitchell (RB – SF)
- Any Eagles or Titans Running Back
- Melvin Gordon (RB – DEN)
- Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
- Zach Ertz (TE – ARI)
Last Week
Hits: Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Rodgers, Kenneth Gainwell, Alvin Kamara, Brandon Bolden, Myles Gaskin, Javonte Williams, Courtland Sutton, DJ Moore, Hunter Henry, Cj Uzomah
TBD: Joe Burrow, Kenyan Drake, Mike Evans, Mike Gesicki
Misses: Michael Pittman, Chris Godwin, DK Metcalf, Dallas Goedert
Scrub
Drop, assuming a viable alternative is available
Matt Ryan (QB – ATL)
With Calvin Ridley stepping away from football for the foreseeable future, Matt Ryan is going to struggle to produce fantasy points on a weekly basis. There are far better options available.
Phillip Lindsay (RB – HOU)
I’m willing to give David Johnson one more week but if your reaction to the Mark Ingram trade news was to pick up Lindsay, you can drop him straight away. He has no weekly fantasy value.
Chargers Running Backs not named Austin
It’s a total lottery which Chargers’ back will get the backup work in LA, and I’d imagine in Ekeler goes down, it would be a messy hot-hand committee situation that changes each week. If Austin Ekeler has an injury, I’d still avoid this situation, and that means while he’s healthy, you don’t want any of these guys, even in deep leagues.
Calvin Ridley (WR – ATL)
This is a tough one, we really don’t know what to expect here, and he could easily be back this season but if you’re struggling for bench space or have solid WR depth it’s likely better to just let him go or if you can, trade him.
Henry Ruggs (WR – LV)
I really don’t want to say anything about this except that my prayers are with the victim’s family and friends.
Austin Hooper (TE – CLE)
Hoop has been a little more involved the last two weeks, but please don’t buy the hype. Do not roster a Browns tight end in a redraft league.
Titans Tight Ends
Do not roster Geoff Swaim, MyCole Pruitt, or Anthony Firkser. They’ll all have the occasional boom game, but there’s no good reason to have any of them.
Others:
- Jameis Winston (QB – NO) – Obviously
- Teddy Bridgewater (QB – DEN)
- J.J. Taylor (RB – NE)
- Kendrick Bourne (WR – NE)
- KJ Osborn (WR – MIN)
- Robert Tonyan (TE – GB)
- Brandon McManus (K – DEN)
- Chase McLaughlin (K – CLE)
- Evan McPherson (K – CIN)
- Denver Broncos (DST – DEN)
- Baltimore Ravens (DST – BAL)
Last Week
Hits: Zach Wilson, Jared Goff, Nyheim Hines, Damien Williams, Malcolm Brown, Demetric Felton, Jalen Reagor, Dante Pettis, Tre’Quan Smith, David Njoku, Gerald Everett, OJ Howard, Wil Lutz, Chase McLaughlin
TBD: Brandon Aiyuk, Elijah Moore
Misses: Justin Fields, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jeremy McNichols (would have removed him after Evans injury), New England Patriots DST, New Orleans Saints DST
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Ben Wasley is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Ben, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyFirstDwn.
