Stanley Holditch
Since this is a Superflex/2QB site, I decided to stop doing rankings for the time being and focus instead on deep dives into QB decisions (that article is here) and a separate article for thoughts on non-QB skill players. Here are some of my less obvious plays and sits in my non-qb sit/start for week 4.
Running Back Starts
Zack Moss vs Houston
Moss’s involvement and fantasy points have increased from week 2 to week 3 since he was a scratch in week 1. Last weekend we saw him take the lead in carries (13-11) and ypc (4.6-2.4) over Singletary. He also saw 3 targets to Singletary’s 2 and turned them into 3 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. He appears to be set to take over the dominant share of this backfield and should have little resistance from Houston (ranked 15th in ypc allowed).
DeAndre Swift vs Bears
We just witnessed both Browns running backs absolutely destroy the Bears, with Hunt (the RB2) doing by far the most damage. The Bears are absolutely lost as a franchise right now. Nagy seems like he is asking the press what the Bears should do rather than the other way around. It’s week 4 and he doesn’t know who to start at QB, and it’s not because of injuries. I think both Lions RBs are good starts, but Swift is the best start because his coach basically told us to start him.
Nyhiem Hines vs Dolphins
Taylor was a DNP on Thursday and the Dolphins are looking like an easy matchup. If Taylor sits expect Hines to see 12-15 carries along with about 10 targets.
Running Back Sits
David Montgomery vs Lions
The Lions are not a good run defense, and the Bears should lean on Montgomery. But have we seen any evidence that the Bears can actually put their players in a place to succeed? There are rumors that Nagy will once again surrender playcalling duties which if it happens will help the entire Bears offense. If there is clear signal on that, Montgomery again becomes a safe play.
Saquon Barkley vs Saints
I’m really not loving this matchup against the 2nd-ranked Saints run defense. They completely shut down Damien Harris, held CMC to a 3.0 ypc average, and held Aaron Jones to 1.8 ypc. They won’t have a problem shutting down Saquon.
Wide Receiver Starts
Deebo Samuel vs Seahawks
The Hawks are bottom ten in allowed QBR and allowed passing yards but middle of the road in yards per completion. That plays directly to Deebo’s strengths, and I think he rebounds after a rough game of drops against the Packers.
Antonio Brown vs Patriots
Fresh off of COVID protocol, primetime game, revenge game, I’m betting Brown leads all Pats receivers in yardage with around 110 and a score. Gronk will lead in TDs with two.
Terry McLaurin vs Falcons
Terry should get open easily against the Falcons and we know Heinicke can get him the ball against inferior secondaries. The Falcons showed out well against the Giants because they lost both Shepard and Slayton during the game.
DK Metcalf vs 49ers
Metcalf is an every week starter but thought it was worth calling out that Tyler Lockett missed Thursday’s practice with a hip issue. As we saw last week, Metcalf thrived with all of Russel Wilson’s attention pointed in his direction. He could be a moon-shot if Lockett can’t go.
Wide Receiver Sits
Calvin Ridley vs WFT
Ryan’s arm is shot. He can’t throw deep with accuracy or velocity anymore which takes away the best part of Ridley’s game. I also expect WFT to get to Ryan a lot in a pride game. Think this is going to be a floor game for Ridley that features more short to intermediate targets, something like 7-72 with no TD.
Marquise Brown vs Broncos
Brown will bounce back, but likely not this week against the Bronco’s monster secondary.
Brandin Cooks vs Bills
Cooks has been matchup proof but that ends this weekend against the Bills who held McLaurin to 61 yards last week, shut out the Dolphins, and shut down all three Steelers receivers.
Tight End Starts
Kyle Pitts vs WFT
A broken clock is right twice a day. I will continue to be a broken clock on Kyle Pitts. Ryan and the Falcons need his YAC ability more than ever against WFT’s pass rush.
Rob Gronkowski vs Patriots
Maintain the faith given a clean bill of health. He will be a huge part of the Bucs plan against the Patriots and I don’t think there is really anyway the Patriots can sell out to stop him.
Tight End Sits
Mike Gesicki vs Colts
To be honest this one is more of a gut feeling than anything about his opponent or Miami’s game plan. After every game I’m which he eclipsed 80 yards last year he followed up with a game under 40 yards receiving. Darius Leonard is questionable. If he sits then Gesicki could be a better play.
Logan Thomas vs Falcons
Unfortunately Thomas has materialized as a low volume, touchdown dependent tight end this year. He caught one last week, playing him this week seems iffy.
