The deeper we get into this season, two types of sit/start questions are becoming increasingly common: those involving guys who might benefit if an injured teammate remains sidelined, and "dart throws" involving guys whose usage can't realistically be projected.
More than a dozen startable flex players are currently questionable to compete in Week 7. Many more had the "Q" tag earlier this week, making it anyone's guess whether dozens of Player Bs should start over Player Cs, since each B output would hinge almost entirely on teammate Player A's status. So I've been encouraging folks to check back over the weekend. But now it's the weekend, and there are still too many question marks.
So my advice is simple: remain flexible. For example, DeMarco Murray appears to be a game-time decision. The Titans play at 1pm Eastern, meaning you can decide at 12:45pm whether to start him based on whether news reports show he's a full go, "will try to play," or is sitting. Similarly, those rostering Derrick Henry simply need to wait. Neither of those guys are friends of mine; I know as much as you do about their prospects. What I can say is what I've been saying all summer--that Murray's overvalued and Henry's fully capable of leading this backfield. If I were rostering one or both of them, sit/start decisions would combine these facts with whatever news hits Sunday morning.
The other popular question is whether to start XYZ RB4 or ABC WR4. This is what it's come to in an injury-plagued and bye-week-filled NFL. There are dozens of Week 7 options who constitute dart throws--players with about a 50-50 shot at far exceeding expectations depending on how much they're utilized. Jamaal Charles is the consensus 50th ranked Week 7 RB based on 66 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros. So if you don't have an RB3 handy and/or need a boom-bust option, grab Charles--a guy who's available in 71% of ESPN leagues and is averaging an impressive 5.1 YPC.
Who are some more dart throw players, or "DTPs" (let's see if that acronym catches on)? Wendell Smallwood (ranked 49th) is not my favorite DTP this week. But if LeGarrette Blount stumbles, Smallwood could earn 12+ touches and produce top 35 numbers.
Matt Breida (53rd ranked) and Marlon Mack (39th ranked) are in similar boats. Either guy could overtake their team's respective starter (Carlos Hyde / Frank Gore) at some point this season, and in the meantime, either guy could receive 8-12 touches any given week as a complementary back.
At wideout, Tanner Gentry (101st), Laquon Treadwell (93), and Mike Williams (88) are among my favorite WR DTPs this weekend. Gentry was on the field for most of the Bears' offensive snaps last week and has as good a shot as any to produce five catches for 50 years, which in Chicago is like winning the lottery. Stefon Diggs' absence could give Treadwell another shot to fulfill last year's high expectations. And if Keenan Allen sits, Mike Williams could join Ty Williams (and Hunter Henry) as Philip Rivers' primary targets.
A DTP is never a must-start. But he's a "should-start" when you can afford to risk a low floor for a chance at a decent ceiling.
More than a dozen startable flex players are currently questionable to compete in Week 7. Many more had the "Q" tag earlier this week, making it anyone's guess whether dozens of Player Bs should start over Player Cs, since each B output would hinge almost entirely on teammate Player A's status. So I've been encouraging folks to check back over the weekend. But now it's the weekend, and there are still too many question marks.
So my advice is simple: remain flexible. For example, DeMarco Murray appears to be a game-time decision. The Titans play at 1pm Eastern, meaning you can decide at 12:45pm whether to start him based on whether news reports show he's a full go, "will try to play," or is sitting. Similarly, those rostering Derrick Henry simply need to wait. Neither of those guys are friends of mine; I know as much as you do about their prospects. What I can say is what I've been saying all summer--that Murray's overvalued and Henry's fully capable of leading this backfield. If I were rostering one or both of them, sit/start decisions would combine these facts with whatever news hits Sunday morning.
The other popular question is whether to start XYZ RB4 or ABC WR4. This is what it's come to in an injury-plagued and bye-week-filled NFL. There are dozens of Week 7 options who constitute dart throws--players with about a 50-50 shot at far exceeding expectations depending on how much they're utilized. Jamaal Charles is the consensus 50th ranked Week 7 RB based on 66 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros. So if you don't have an RB3 handy and/or need a boom-bust option, grab Charles--a guy who's available in 71% of ESPN leagues and is averaging an impressive 5.1 YPC.
Who are some more dart throw players, or "DTPs" (let's see if that acronym catches on)? Wendell Smallwood (ranked 49th) is not my favorite DTP this week. But if LeGarrette Blount stumbles, Smallwood could earn 12+ touches and produce top 35 numbers.
Matt Breida (53rd ranked) and Marlon Mack (39th ranked) are in similar boats. Either guy could overtake their team's respective starter (Carlos Hyde / Frank Gore) at some point this season, and in the meantime, either guy could receive 8-12 touches any given week as a complementary back.
At wideout, Tanner Gentry (101st), Laquon Treadwell (93), and Mike Williams (88) are among my favorite WR DTPs this weekend. Gentry was on the field for most of the Bears' offensive snaps last week and has as good a shot as any to produce five catches for 50 years, which in Chicago is like winning the lottery. Stefon Diggs' absence could give Treadwell another shot to fulfill last year's high expectations. And if Keenan Allen sits, Mike Williams could join Ty Williams (and Hunter Henry) as Philip Rivers' primary targets.
A DTP is never a must-start. But he's a "should-start" when you can afford to risk a low floor for a chance at a decent ceiling.