Fantasy Football Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Garrett Wilson, Zay Flowers, Pat Freiermuth

Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover. These players could blow up in your face this week.

Want to read about only your players? Sync your team (free) to get My Primer

Fantasy Football Start/Sit Lineup Advice

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

Injuries are part of the game, but seeing Aaron Rodgers go down four plays into his tenure with the Jets was heartbreaking for him, the team, fantasy players, and Wilson. Thankfully, Zach Wilson played well enough off the bench for the second-year wide receiver to total five receptions on five targets for 34 receiving yards and an impressive touchdown. The former Ohio State star ended Week 1 as the WR22, scoring 11.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, fantasy players need to prepare for a rough season from Wilson, especially this week.

The Dallas Cowboys obliterated the New York Giants in Week 1. Their defense was dominant, totaling three turnovers, seven sacks, and a touchdown. They also had a blocked field goal returned for a score. The Jets’ offensive line struggled against the Buffalo Bills, giving up numerous pressures and three sacks. Meanwhile, Wilson will see plenty of Stephon Gilmore in this contest. The star cornerback allowed only a 37.5% completion rate and a 12.5 quarterback rating when targeted in Week 1. If you must start the second-year receiver this week, temper your expectations.

Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)

Flowers had an impressive NFL debut in Week 1, totaling 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points. The former Boston College star was the WR20 last week, scoring 3.5 more fantasy points than Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. combined. However, fantasy players need to pump the brakes on the hype surrounding the rookie wide receiver. Flowers had a 2.6 aDOT. Furthermore, nearly 70% of his receiving yards came after the catch. More importantly, he had a 47.6% target share but won’t see a target share anywhere near that high in Week 2.

After missing last week with a quad injury, Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, Mark Andrews, should play against the Cincinnati Bengals. More importantly, the Bengals have a talented secondary. Last week, they held the Cleveland Browns wide receivers to only seven receptions for 92 receiving yards and 14.6 fantasy points. By comparison, the Bengals surrendered 25 fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2022, the eighth-lowest in the NFL. Between the tough AFC North division matchup and the return of Andrews, Flowers will need to make more plays downfield to avoid being a bust.

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)

While the Steelers’ offense looked outstanding during the preseason, they fell flat on their face in Week 1. Freiermuth was the TE9 last week, scoring 6.8 half-point PPR fantasy points despite briefly leaving the game with a chest injury. The third-year tight end’s fantasy performance got saved by Pittsburgh’s only touchdown of the contest. The former Penn State star caught only one of his four targets for three yards against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, Freiermuth’s fantasy outlook for Week 2 is similarly grim.

Last week, the Cleveland Browns held Irv Smith Jr. to three receptions on five targets for 17 receiving yards and 3.2 fantasy points. His poor performance isn’t surprising, given how the Browns made Joe Burrow look like a high school quarterback. However, Freiermuth has always struggled against Cleveland. The former Penn State star has averaged 2.8 receptions on 4.8 targets for 26.8 receiving yards and 5.6 fantasy points per game in four career contests against the division rivals. Furthermore, he hasn’t totaled more than 44 receiving yards in any matchup against the Browns.