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.
Safest Starts
Garrett Wilson (WR-NYJ)
I listed Garrett Wilson here last week, and he exploded against the Vikings, finishing as the WR9 overall. Although he didn’t score, he saw 15 targets, snagging the ball eight times for 162 yards. He led the team in targets, catches and yards. Over the last two games, QB Mike White has fed Wilson a whopping 23 targets. Because of his usage, the rookie makes a consecutive appearance on this list despite a mediocre matchup against Buffalo. The Bills’ defense has been more forgiving of late, surrendering the second-most points to wide receivers over the past month. The last time Wilson faced the Bills, he had eight catches for 92 yards. The Jets will also likely throw a ton to keep pace. Don’t expect the moon, but he’s a top 24 option this week.
Jared Goff (QB-DET)
The Lions’ game versus the Vikings should feature plenty of fireworks since both defenses are bottom-of-the-barrel units. It has the highest implied total on this week’s slate. Jared Goff has been explosive in favorable matchups. He has averaged over 23 fantasy points in his last two games, including a 23/240/2 passing line against the Bills. The Vikings allow the seventh-most points to QBs. They have given up 300-plus passing yards in four consecutive games, with the last two to Mac Jones and Mike White. Goff should easily crack the Top 12 again this week.
Hunter Henry (TE-NE)
Under normal circumstances, Hunter Henry wouldn’t appear on this list. He only has two touchdowns on the season but has had a red zone target in his last two games. Henry could be more involved with Jakobi Meyers dealing with an injury, and he would be a slam dunk if the receiver sits this one out. The Cardinals’ defense has given up the most touchdowns, receiving yards, fantasy points, and the highest catch rate to TEs.
Riskiest Starts
Diontae Johnson (WR-PIT)
Diontae Johnson has been underwhelming this season and currently ranks as the WR37. He has all these targets but no touchdowns to show for it. Not to mention his struggles with drops. If you need another reason to bench him, he’ll be facing the Ravens’ CB Marlon Humphrey this week. Humphrey has allowed 18 targets, eight receptions and zero touchdowns to wide receivers in single coverage. He has shut down the likes of Stefon Diggs, Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill. This also has the makings of a George Pickens game. The rookie wide receiver recently chirped about not getting the ball, and the squeaky wheel usually gets the grease. Considering these factors, one can imagine Johnson dropping the ball on fantasy playoff hopes this week.
Gabriel Davis (WR – BUF)
Despite being the WR26, Gabriel Davis’ production has been spotty and relatively unpredictable. It doesn’t help that he’ll be treading water, or “sauce,” this week. As the field stretcher, Davis lines up on the left outside on 84% of his snaps, where the Jets’ Sauce Gardner mainly resides. Gardner leads the league in most passes defensed. Stefon Diggs could also spend some time in his coverage. However, with this being an important divisional matchup, it would be sensible for the Bills to run their top receiver primarily out of the slot to avoid the star cornerback. Either way, Davis will face a combination of Gardner and the rest of the Jets’ elite secondary that allows the fourth-fewest deep ball completions.
Josh Palmer (WR – LAC)
If Mike Williams returns this week, Josh Palmer should be on more benches than in lineups. Palmer only has two red zone targets in Williams’ absence over the last five games. Williams is trending toward playing after being upgraded from limited to full practices from Wednesday to Thursday. Palmer has taken a backseat in games where both Keenan Allen and Williams have played. That makes him a shaky flex play if Williams does return.
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Bonnie Robinson is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Bonnie, check out her profile and find her on Twitter @FantasyQueenB.
