As always, the most important takeaway from this article should be to never sit your studs. Let me say that again, NEVER sit your STUDS. Your studs are the guys that can prevail no matter the matchup because they are one of the best in the world at doing what they do. Every week I will have a list of the major studs at each offensive position that should never be on your bench unless they are on bye or if they are injured, don’t outsmart yourself with their matchups. This list is intended to help you decide between 1 or more players you may not be completely sold on, on a weekly basis. Just because I don’t particularly like a certain player does not mean they should be on your bench no matter what. Some people won’t have better options than the players I don’t like. I will try my best every week to avoid using obvious players against obvious matchups and select players that have either been struggling recently or I think have a secretly good matchup. It is also important to note that the players listed here under Start should be considered for use in DFS leagues as they will likely be available at a cheaper price or I think they are ready for an amazing week.
Quarterbacks
Studs: Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady
Start:
Philip Rivers – Falcons have been letting QBs have their way with them over the last 5 games so this one is likely going to end up a shoot-out.
Kirk Cousins – Detroit is one of the passing defenses that you want to target and Captain Kirk seems to have found himself recently, just hope Matt Jones doesn’t take control of the game.
Brian Hoyer – Hoyer has been lighting it up in Jay Cutler’s absence and Green Bay is banged up in the secondary, great DFS play as well considering he will be cheap.
Blake Bortles – Has yet to really break out this year after a dominating performance in 2015. That being said, Oakland couldn’t stop an arena football team from passing on them, so breakout game for Blake.
Sit:
Carson Palmer – Seattle is stingy, he’s coming off injury, and he hasn’t looked like himself yet this year. Carson Palmer, meet bench.
Ryan Tannehill – Played somewhat decent last week in a huge let-down game for the Steelers, but the Bills look like they’ve found themselves defensively this year.
Carson Wentz – He’s playing the Vikings, the black hole of defenses.
Landry Jones – I don’t see this passing attack being very productive without Big Ben.
Running Backs
Studs: David Johnson, Lamar Miller, Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarco Murray
Start:
Jacquizz Rodgers – San Fran hasn’t been able to stop anyone in the run game and with no Martin or Sims, so look for Rodgers to have a day. Huge DFS target this week for me.
Spencer Ware – Even with Charles being back, Ware had his best game of the season last week. Look for this to continue forward as a timeshare but a meeting with New Orleans should be favorable for both backs.
Jeremy Hill – They’re playing Cleveland, once they go up a ton they are going to pound the rock with Hill.
Matt Jones – Had a huge day on the ground last week with limited touches. Don’t expect the same production, but Detroit has one of the worst defenses in the league.
Jay Ajayi – Hard to sit him after last week’s performance, plus Buffalo is easier to run against than to throw against.
Sit:
Isaiah Crowell – Has been on the downward spiral since week 4 and that should continue against the Bengals’ solid run D and because of game flow once they go down a few scores.
Rashad Jennings – He’s back, but didn’t do much last week. That’s not going to change against the Rams.
Matt Forte – Another player on the downward spiral. With Geno Smith at QB they could try and pound the rock with Forte, but the Ravens are not easy to run between the tackles against.
Jamaal Charles – I’m not really looking to start him unless his snaps dramatically increase, even though the matchup is quite good.
Mark Ingram – His snaps have been down in recent weeks, but I’m thinking (and hoping) that this game turns into a shootout.
Wide Receivers
Studs: Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr, Julio Jones, AJ Green, Allen Robinson, Mike Evans, TY Hilton, Brandon Marshall
Start:
Jeremy Maclin – He disappointed last week. but apparently game flow was decided by field condition. Regardless, he has another great matchup that could turn into a shootout at home.
Cameron Meredith – The Bears are willing to throw the ball and Meredith seems to be the biggest benefactor of that, start him if you got him. Oh and the Packers are depleted in the secondary.
TY Montgomery – If you don’t know who he is you probably aren’t alone. Buried on the Packer’s depth chart is a WR who is likely to also see carries this week in the backfield. You’re throwing a dart if you play him, but it could work out wonderfully for you.
DeSean Jackson – He keeps getting targeted every week and will break out eventually. Why not against the weak NY Jet’s secondary?
Sterling Shephard – I’m banking on him bouncing back this week. Yes, he was successful when OBJ was down at the beginning of the season, but he is the true #2 WR on this offense that needs to get going and they have a good matchup to boot.
Sit:
DeAndre Hopkins – Finally had a Hopkins-like game last week, but nobody does well against Denver. The best thing going for him is that Denver doesn’t have fantastic height in their secondary, at least none on Hopkin’s level.
Jordan Mathews – Production has fallen off a cliff for J Matt since week 2 and that likely isn’t going to change against Minnesota’s defense.
Stefon Diggs – He’s likely going to play this week, but Philly’s D is nothing to scoff at, this should be a run-heavy game.
Golden Tate – Huge week last week for those fantasy players who had faith in him finally bouncing back (like yours truly), but temper expectations this week as he is likely getting Josh Norman.
Willie Snead – He’s been really down recently; I want to see some production before I’m comfortable throwing him back out there. Maybe that happens this week.
Tight Ends
Studs: Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed, Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker
Start:
Hunter Henry – Falcons are letting up a lot of points to the TE position and Rivers seems to like him, I’d use him over Gates this week honestly.
Cameron Brate – With V Jax out, weapons are limited for Tampa Bay.
Zach Miller – The Packers have actually been pretty decent at stopping the TE position. However, their secondary is banged up so his ceiling this week is pretty high.
Sit:
Kyle Rudolph – Philly is pretty stout at stopping opposing TEs and this is likely to be a run-heavy matchup.
Tyler Eifert – First week back in action after not playing a down yet, I’m not rolling the dice with him until I see something first.
Coby Fleener – He’s been doing well this year but KC is adept at stopping opposing TEs and NO is on the road. There are better options this week.
