This recurring pseudo-start/sit article focuses on some of the players I feel are the safest or riskiest starts in fantasy football each week, especially relative to their ranking in the PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR). It will mainly include more of the under-the-radar players. Always start your studs, as the big names will be omitted each week except in extreme circumstances. You can ask me start/sit questions on Twitter.
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Safest Starts
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET) vs GB
Returning from injuries, Amon-Ra St. Brown had a solid showing against the Miami Dolphins with seven catches on 10 targets for 69 yards. In his four healthy games this season, he is averaging 10+ targets a game as QB Jared Goff’s top option in the passing game. With TE T.J. Hockenson now in Minnesota and RB D’Andre Swift seemingly not 100%, Goff will continue to pepper St. Brown with targets. “The Sun God” had an astounding closing stretch last season, becoming the first rookie in the Super Bowl era to post at least eight receptions in six straight games. Replicating that insane production moving forward isn’t out of his realm of possibilities. Green Bay may not seem like a favorable matchup on paper, but they have a bottom-eight defense in passer rating allowed to slot receivers.
Joshua Palmer (WR – LAC) at ATL
Fantasy teams needing some relief from BYES or player carnage should look no further than Joshua Palmer. Palmer has averaged 9.7 targets and 14.5 fantasy points in three games this season. With Mike Williams on IR and Keenan Allen battling an injury of his own, Palmer could operate as the Chargers’ top receiver against Atlanta on Sunday. The Falcons are leading the league in allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers. They just got torched by the Carolina Panthers for 317 receiving yards, including 152 yards and a touchdown by WR DJ Moore. Palmer could finish inside the top24 at the position this week.
Gerald Everett (TE – LAC) at ATL
With the wide receiver room banged up, like Joshua Palmer, Gerald Everett could also see an uptick in usage. With Keenan Allen missing the second half in the Week 7 game, Everett caught five of nine targets for 63 yards. He has had six or more targets in all but two games, and his 9.93 average points per game currently rank him as the TE9. That’s not too shabby, considering it’s a TE wasteland outside the top tier. It is also a plus matchup for Everett as Atlanta’s defense is surrendering the fourth-most points and the second-most receptions to the position.
Riskiest Starts
Kadarius Toney (WR – KC) vs TEN
While his trade to the Kansas City Chiefs gives Kadarius Toney a new lease on life, fantasy managers may want to pump the brakes before immediately inserting him into lineups. Despite a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans and reports from KC indicating he’s healthy and ready to go, he still has to learn a new system. Toney will also have to prove himself as he enters a crowded receiver room that includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Mecole Hardman.
Allen Robinson (WR – LAR) at TB
With injuries to their defense, Tampa Bay hasn’t been suffocating receivers as usual. With the Rams emphasizing getting him the ball, Allen Robinson also has had a bit of a resurgence lately. He has recorded five receptions and double-digit fantasy points in the last two games. However, Copper Kupp left last week’s game with an ankle injury. If Kupp were to miss time, don’t expect much from Robinson with QB Matthew Stafford, the run game, and the offensive line struggling.
Tyler Conklin (TE – NYJ) vs BUF
Tyler Conklin has been serviceable as a streaming tight end option this season. He is coming off a massive game against the New England Patriots, putting up 79 yards and two touchdowns for 21.16 fantasy points. With the New York Jets becoming more of a passing offense following the loss of RB Breece Hall, he could sustain momentum going forward. However, with an unfavorable matchup against the Buffalo Bills, there are better weeks to test that theory.
Bonnie Robinson is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Bonnie, check out her profile and find her on Twitter @FantasyQueenB.