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.
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Safest Starts
Rondale Moore (WR – ARI)
Second-year receiver Rondale Moore’s usage was very encouraging in his second game back from injury, especially with AJ Green returning to the lineup. Moore ran routes on 91% of the snaps and caught 7 of 8 targets for 68 yards against the Eagles’ vaunted defense. Even though they resulted in negative yards, he also saw two rushing attempts. With Green back, Moore returned to the slot role. That sets him up for a strong outing as the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary struggles to defend slot receivers. Seattle also allows the fourth-most yards after the catch. On top of that, with RBs James Conner ailing and Darrel Williams already ruled out for the game, the Cardinals could throw more than usual. Moore has WR2 appeal in a potential smash spot this week.
Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA)
The week’s top waiver wire pick is a virtual must-start. After Rashaad Penny was knocked out of the game last week with a fractured tibia, Kenneth Walker rushed for 88 yards on eight attempts, including ripping off a 69-yard run for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. While DeeJay Dallas handled all the passing down work, Walker has the talent to get the job done on the ground alone. Only playing in a limited capacity so far this season, the 2021 Doak Walker Award winner already has 10 forced missed tackles, three explosive runs of 10+ yards and averages 6.3 yards per attempt. With Seattle’s passing offense humming as well, there shouldn’t be many games where they’ll abandon the run. Walker is capable of high-end RB2 numbers this week and for the foreseeable future.
Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)
It’s sometimes hard to predict who will have the better day when a team has two wide receivers capable of putting up weekly WR1 numbers. Luckily for both D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Seattle has been firing on “both” cylinders with Geno Smith at the helm. Outside of Week 1, Lockett has received six or more targets in every game. He has peeled off double-digit fantasy points in four straight contests and is the WR8 on the season. The matchup against Arizona has the makings of a shootout, and both WRs should continue to feast. Lockett has torched the Arizona Cardinals in the past, racking up 200 yards and two scores in two matchups last year, and he had a 200-yard three-touchdown game against them in 2020. Fire him up as a WR2 with upside this week.
Eno Benjamin (RB – ARI)
Following James Conner’s exit, Eno Benjamin operated as the lead back against the Philadelphia Eagles. Benjamin only produced 25 yards on eight rushing attempts but scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Perhaps more promising, he was also used in the passing game, catching three of four targets for 28 yards. With Darrel Williams already ruled out and Conner expected to miss the game, a heavy workload could be in store for Benjamin against Seattle. The Seahawks have been getting gashed on the ground and are 31st in rushing defense. If Conner doesn’t suit up, RB2 numbers for Benjamin aren’t out of the equation.
Riskiest Starts
Elijah Moore (WR – NYJ)
We’re still waiting on a big game from Elijah Moore this season. Perhaps it was a bit of foreshadowing when it didn’t come during QB Zach Wilson‘s Week 4 return in a favorable matchup against the Steelers. Then last week, Moore’s numbers bottomed out against the Miami Dolphins, with Wilson only completing 14 of 21 pass attempts. With the Jets running game clicking and nearly half of his quarterback’s targets going to the running backs and tight ends, Moore hasn’t had much to do. He’s third in targets among the team’s WRs the last two weeks, behind Corey Davis and Garrett Wilson. While the Jets may have to throw more on Sunday to keep up, the Packers are surrendering the 11th fewest points to wide receivers. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that bounce-back performance from Moore this week.
Drake London (WR – ATL)
After a hot start to the season, including ripping off three straight top-36 finishes, Drake London’s usage declined over the last two games. We’ve already witnessed the egregious underutilization of TE Kyle Pitts, and now that’s rubbing off on London. It’s confounding that the team isn’t trying to get the ball to their best players. Atlanta’s low-volume passing offense isn’t helping matters either. Marcus Mariota has only tossed four TDs on the season and is averaging a measly 185 passing yards per game. London will likely be in lineups due to BYES or a lack of better options, but the situation isn’t likely to pan out this week against San Francisco. The 49ers’ defense allows the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and has only given up two receiving touchdowns all 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.