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). Always start your studs, as the elite players will be omitted each week except in extreme circumstances. You can ask me start/sit questions on Twitter.
Safest Starts
James Robinson (RB – JAX)
The matchup couldn’t be any more favorable for James Robinson this week. The Houston Texans are dead last in the league at stopping the run. They were recently gashed on the ground by Chicago Bears RB Khalil Herbert, who racked up 157 yards and added a pair of touchdowns against them in Week 3. It should also be a positive game script for Robinson as the Jacksonville Jaguars were 6.5-point favorites as of Thursday. If the Jaguars have the game well in hand, Robinson could get some garbage time production. Start him as an RB1 this week.
Robert Woods (WR – TEN)
Even though Tennessee has a low-volume passing offense, Robert Woods has shown signs of life lately. Over the Titans’ last two contests, he’s caught eight passes on 13 targets. If Treylon Burks misses their game against Washington due to a toe injury, Woods could get a few more opportunities. Since it is much easier to attack the Commanders through the air than on the ground, the Titans could also opt to open up the passing game a bit more. Washington is surrendering an average of 2.5 TDs per game to receivers this season. Woods is in the high WR3 range this week.
Tyler Conklin (TE-NYJ)
With the first quarter of the fantasy football season in the books, Tyler Conklin is currently the TE8 in PPR leagues. He is among the team leaders in targets, catches, and leads all tight ends in snap totals through four weeks. Conklin’s not a world-beater by any means, but he has one of the higher floors among the position, scoring at least eight fantasy points in every game this season. He’s sort of like vanilla ice cream — a little boring but still good. A favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins keeps him firmly in the TE1 conversation.
Riskiest Starts
George Pickens (WR – PIT)
This week, George Pickens was the hot chick at the bar regarding waiver wire pickups. Against the Jets, he caught six of eight targets for 102 yards, coming off perhaps the catch of the season against the Browns in Week 3. He was also the apple of fellow rookie QB Kenny Pickett‘s eye, who replaced starter Mitch Trubisky at halftime. Let’s not crown either player Rookie of the Year just yet. The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a formidable stretch in their schedule that begins this week against Buffalo. The Bills allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs and are the league’s best at defending QBs.
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)
With Cordarrelle Patterson sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury, Tyler Allgeier appears to be the next man up in the Atlanta backfield. Patterson played on Sunday after having a questionable tag heading into the game but received just nine carries. Allgeier had an excellent showing after taking over, rushing the ball 10 times for 84 yards and adding a reception for 20 yards. However, he could share work with Caleb Huntley, who gained 56 yards and a score on 10 rushing attempts of his own. To add fuel to the fire, they’ll face the Tampa Bay defense this week, which allows the third-fewest points to rushers.
Geno Smith (QB – SEA)
Geno Smith has strung together a couple of impressive games, finishing as the QB7 and QB2 in fantasy points in Weeks 3 and 4, respectfully. He has played well enough to warrant QB2 consideration but will likely fall short of the top 12 this week. He’ll have a more challenging task on the road against the New Orleans Saints. They have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers through the first four games.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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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.
