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
Many people wrote Justin Fields off after his discouraging start to the season. Since then, the Bears quit restraining Fields to the pocket, and he has run amok, rushing for 455 yards over the last five weeks. That has helped open up the offense. Although he’s only thrown over 200 yards once in the previous five games, he has compiled eight passing and three rushing touchdowns in that span. Over the last four weeks, Fields has been the fantasy QB1, averaging 27.6 points per game. Last week, Fields scored 42.7 fantasy points while rushing for 178 yards, setting an NFL single-game regular season record. He’s also been a top 5 QB for three straight games. Fields now faces a cake matchup against a Detroit Lions defense that allows the third most points to QBs, the seventh-most to rushers, and the fourth-most to WRs. Pencil him in for another top 5 QB finish.
Volume is king for fantasy, and Chris Olave is producing despite only scoring two TDs this season. So far, he is the overall WR16 and the top rookie wide receiver. With Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry sidelined, he is averaging eight targets and over 13 points per game and will remain a top option in the offense. After two mediocre performances, he’ll look to get back on track this week. The Steelers are getting beaten downfield, as they allow the fifth-most yards on passes of 20+yards. Pittsburgh also gives up the most points in the league to opposing wide receivers. Olave has WR1 upside this week.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the offense runs through Ezekiel Elliott, but take that with a grain of salt. Tony Pollard gives the team the best chance at explosive plays in the run game. Pollard’s average yards per carry (6.2) is the most among running backs with at least 50 carries. He also ties for the sixth-most runs of 15+ yards despite having the fewest attempts. With Zeke sidelined in Week 8, Pollard exploded for 131 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Zeke is wearing a brace to protect his knee in practice, so he’ll be limited at best, pointing to another significant workload for Pollard. Fire him up as an RB2 and as an RB1 if Zeke sits.
Riskiest Starts
Since his return, Brian Robinson has been the lead back for the Washington Commanders. However, that role now seems to be in jeopardy. Robinson’s production has been lackluster, and last week he saw fewer snaps and targets than Antonio Gibson. The rookie only has 8.4 total fantasy points in the previous two weeks and has virtually no role in the passing game. Washington is also one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league, which limits his chances of finding the end zone. While the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles appears to be somewhat favorable for running backs, the game script won’t be. Washington will likely play catch-up and abandon the run game. Robinson is no more than a low-flex option this week.
Before the Bye, Wan’Dale Robinson only posted two receptions for 15 yards on three targets against the Seattle Seahawks. He has yet to produce more than 50 yards or to play over 70% of the snaps in a single game. To be fair, the New York Giants are a low-volume passing offense. Daniel Jones has only thrown six touchdowns the entire season and has yet to throw over 220 yards in a game. The team has primarily relied on their running game, headlined by stud RB Saquon Barkley. One can expect more of the status quo this week. The Houston Texans are by far the league-worst against stopping the run.
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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.
