By Ryan Bologna
There are some key fantasy players on byes this week, as the Bills, Eagles, Rams and Vikings are not playing. That means star receivers Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson are not playing. Maybe you have Jalen Hurts too. Here is who some of the top outlets recommend starting this week.
Quarterbacks
Cowboys quarterback was mentioned by all five outlets this week. He’s making his awaited return from injury at home against the Lions this week. Geno Smith is once again a popular name as the Seahawks prepare to go into Los Angeles and take on the Chargers. He could be a good streaming option for you this week.
Experts are not as big on Marcus Mariota against the Bengals this week. The Falcons have been much more competitive than most have expected this season, but the quarterback play isn’t something people are enthused by. There are likely better streaming options for your team.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Matt Ryan | Russell Wilson, Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields |
| ESPN | Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Matt Ryan | Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota, Jimmy Garoppolo, Ryan Tannehill |
| CBS | Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Derek Carr, Matt Ryan | Jared Goff, Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson |
| Yahoo | Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, Derek Carr | Marcus Mariota, Daniel Jones, Russell Wilson, Jared Goff, Ryan Tannehill |
| Sporting News | Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Geno Smith | Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota |
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson has produced well over the last couple of weeks, and outlets expect another big game from him this week. The Patriots face the Bears on Monday Night Football this week, who are 29th ranked in rushing yards allowed per game. All signs point to another strong game from Stevenson this week.
James Robinson is mentioned in the Sit ‘Em category three times. There are concerns about his role with Travis Etienne Jr. being on the team as well. The Giants were gashed on the ground by Baltimore last week, but that’s a unique rushing attack. The Jaguars don’t have the threat of Lamar Jackson’s legs to open up rushing lanes.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Kenneth Walker III, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Kenyan Drake | James Robinson, Kareem Hunt, Eno Benjamin, Tyler Allgeier |
| ESPN | Dameon Pierce, Kenneth Walker III, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott | AJ Dillon, Kareem Hunt, James Robinson, Eno Benjamin |
| CBS | Ezekiel Elliott, Kenneth Walker III, Dameon Pierce, Brian Robinson, Najee, Harris | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, James Robinson, Melvin Gordon, Raheem Mostert |
| Yahoo | Rhamondre Stevenson, Leonard Fournette, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Dameon Pierce | Najee Harris, David Montgomery, Travis Etienne Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Eno Benjamin |
| Sporting News | Raheem Mostert, Ezekiel Elliott, Travis Etienne Jr., Brian Robinson Jr. | David Montgomery, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, James Robinson, AJ Dillon |
Wide Receivers
Tee Higgins was a popular name for wide receivers this week. He has dealt with injuries over the first part of the season, but he is a great threat when on the field. Managers might have benched him last week because of that, but experts recommend putting him back in starting lineups this week.
We’re staying in the same game with Falcons rookie receiver Drake London, who has been held to single-digit receiving yards in three straight games. London has great potential, but it is probably wise to bench him until he produces more again.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Lazard, Alec Pierce | Robert Woods, Drake London, Jerry Jeudy, Jakobi Myers |
| ESPN | DeAndre Hopkins, Tee Higgins, Courtland Sutton, Tyler Lockett | Chris Olave, Allen Lazard, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Drake London |
| CBS | DeAndre Hopkins, Tee Higgins, Allen Lazard, Brandon Aiyuk, Diontae Johnson | Drake London, Jerry Jeudy, Curtis Samuel, Garrett Wilson |
| Yahoo | Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton, Brandon Aiyuk | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Drake London, Curtis Samuel, Jerry Jeudy, Rondale Moore |
| Sporting News | Diontae Johnson, Brandon Aiyuk, Brandin Cooks, Alec Pierce | Amari Cooper, D.J. Moore, Jerry Jeudy, Curtis Samuel |
Tight Ends
David Njoku is the most popular tight end in the Start ‘Em category. He has been in both categories multiple times. Njoku could be on an upward trajectory, as the season goes on. The Browns play the Ravens this week, who have struggled in pass defense. Njoku could be a good play this week.
Daniel Bellinger was popular on the waiver wire this week, the rookie tight end had a touchdown against Baltimore and has been a reliable target for Daniel Jones so far this season. However, the Giants offense is pretty conservative, so it will probably take Bellinger finding the endzone again this week to have a good fantasy day.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Kyle Pitts, Evan Engram, Gerald Everett, Juwan Johnson | Mike Gesicki, Logan Thomas, Daniel Bellinger, Jelani Woods |
| ESPN | Zach Ertz, David Njoku, T.J. Hockenson, Darren Waller | Robert Tonyan, Hayden Hurst, Daniel Bellinger, Taysom Hill |
| CBS | Robert Tonyan, David Njoku, Evan Engram | Daniel Bellinger, Hunter Henry, Hayden Hurst |
| Yahoo | Zach Ertz, Kyle Pitts, Evan Engram, Taysom Hill, T.J. Hockenson | Daniel Bellinger, Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Greg Dulcich |
| Sporting News | David Njoku, Robert Tonyan, Gerald Everett, Pat Freiermuth | Zach Ertz, Taysom Hill, Hunter Henry, Tyler Conklin |
