This segment is designed to help you decide which of the "lower end" or more "questionable" players to start or sit in fantasy football. I’m not planning on covering every stud player, so do not over think it when it comes to guys like Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson. They are always guys to start unless they appear on my list. If you have concerns about specific players, feel free to leave a comment with your player concern or tweet (@Spatters91) me and I will try to help you out. Good luck fantasy players!
BYES: Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals
Guys to Start:
Andre Brown (MUST START): The Cowboys have given up the most points to running backs this season. Not that surprising without Sean Lee. Brown has been very effective in his limited starts as a New York Giant. But even behind the dicey Giants offensive line, he has been very good. In a juicy match-up against the Cowboys, he is a must start.
Matthew Stafford: Tampa has given up the 8th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The Lions will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Steelers. The Bucs are on a roll, but their defense will have a hard time stopping Megatron and all the other weapons Stafford has. He is always a guy you want to start in a favorable match-up.
Ben Tate: The Jaguars have given up the 7th most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Jaguars offense has fallen apart since Blackmon was suspended. Even though the Texans are a mess, Case Keenum should get the start and Tate should get plenty of touches. Tate did not get into the end zone last week, but he has a good chance against a weak Jags defense.
Shane Vereen: Denver has given up the 12th most fantasy points to running backs this season. Vareen might not be a guy who can get 100 yards rushing and a touchdown like your classic running back, but he catches a lot of footballs. Gronk and Vareen are the two most experienced pass catchers on the Patriots offense, and it shows in the box score. Vareen is a great play in PPR formats or just a good flex option. He is basically the Patriots Danny Woodhead.
Jordy Nelson: The Vikings have given up the 8th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. I know Tolzien is not Aaron Rodgers, but Jordy is match-up proof because of his talent. In a favorable match-up with the Vikings, Nelson is a good guy to start. I would even consider starting Boykin if you have issues with your wide receivers.
Vernon Davis: Washington has given up the 10th most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Davis is the best receiver on the 49ers right now, and Kaepernick needs him to be effective in the passing game. Davis will likely have a good game in this favorable match-up.
Guys to Sit:
Philip Rivers: Kansas City has given up the 7th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Rivers has been surprisingly good this season, but this is not a match-up you want to mess with. The Chiefs are coming off against a tough loss to the Broncos and will likely take their dissapointment of losing out on the Chargers. Phillip’s best weapons are Woodhead and Gates, and the Chiefts linebackers are very good. There won’t be an offensive explosion you need from Phillip.
Maurice Jones-Drew: The Texans have given up the 14th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. The Jaguars offense has become very stagnant and Jones-Drew has a very low average yards per carry this season. The Texans have not been a great this season, but their defense should be able to man-handle the Jags offensive line and limit his upside.
Antonio Brown: The Browns have given up the 9th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Joe Haden is having a great year for the browns and he makes your no. 1 receiver useless. Just look at A.J. Green’s numbers from last week. Yikes. Haden is the new Revis Island.
Hakeem Nicks: While Dallas has given up the 10th most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, Nicks has been awful. Nicks is not a guy who can be trusted week to week, his numbers just are not that great. It looks like a favorable match-up this week against the Cowboys, but I would look elsewhere for wide receiver help.
Martellus Bennett: The Rams have given up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Bennett has had some consistency issues this season and I would not trust him in a tough match-up. Bennett also has not scored in a while, meaning the Bears have found other red zone targets on their roster. He wont have highlight reel catches every week. I would look elsewhere for tight ends this week.
Sean’s Fantasy Watch List: (Waiver Wire Recommendations: In deeper Formats, add watch list guys)
ADD HIM:
Bobby Rainey (TAM-RB): I guess this is the guy you want
Donald Brown (IND-RB): Trent Richardson thinks he has been pretty good
Coby Fleener (Ind-TE): Things are looking up for him.
TRENDING UP:
Delanie Walker (TEN-TE): Garbage time still counts.
Mike Tolbert (CAR-RB): Could be a good guy to have, he has hands.
Montee Ball (DEN-RB): Probably want this guy if you have Moreno.
Case Keenum (HOU-QB): Seriously, I love this guy.
WATCH LIST:
Santonio Holmes (NYJ-WR): When healthy, he is a great match-ups guy.
Tyler Eiffert (CIN-TE)
DeAndre Hopkins (HOU-WR): Keenum is a baller