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:
Marcus Mariota – He averaged 30+ fantasy PPG last year against Jacksonville and has scored 30+ in 2 of the last 3 weeks. Love him in 2 QB leagues or if your starter has a bye.
Andy Dalton – Washington has improved against QBs over the past few weeks, but he’s been doing well and Eifert should see a few more snaps this week. Great bye week filler.
Kirk Cousins – Not a bye week filler but a legit starter in most leagues. If you have the opportunity to pick him up, do so and play him as Cincinnati has looked nowhere near as good as they have been in the past.
Alex Smith – Indy is in contention for one of the worst defenses in the NFL and KC’s isn’t much better. This one could easily turn into a shootout and Smith did well last week in a solid matchup.
Sit:
Philip Rivers – He’s playing Denver. Even though the Chargers have found ways to beat the Broncos in the past, Rivers isn’t going to put up stellar fantasy numbers.
Tyrod Taylor – Just like Rivers, they find a way to beat the #1 team in their division in the Patriots but I just don’t see him having a huge fantasy day to boot. Plus his best weapons are all hurt.
Blake Bortles – Horrible season so far this year considering how he did last year. He’s not starting for me against NO or DET at this point.
Dak Prescott – Even though he gets Dez back I think the Eagles D is still pretty darn good and there are better options this week unless you’re hurting from byes or injury.
Running Backs
Studs: David Johnson, Lamar Miller, Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarco Murray
Start:
Spencer Ware – Charles is apparently less than 100% so Ware is again the main man in this backfield and they are feeding him as such. Running against Indy doesn’t hurt either.
Devonte Booker – Has been seeing more and more snaps every week and there is a possibility that CJ Anderson is out this week, if he is, you’re looking at a t10 option against San Diego.
Jacquizz Rodgers – Getting all the touches out of this backfield with Sims and Martin both out and he gets Oakland at home, yeah, he’s starting in all of my leagues.
Jeremy Hill – What a week he had last week! I doubt he replicates those numbers but Washington is giving up a 5.5 YPC average to opposing RBs, start him again.
Mike Gillislee – This is based on if Shady is out or not, if Shady plays, we saw last week that it is not a good sign for Gillislee. If Shady sits (which I think he should), the Bills always play the Patriots tough.
Sit:
Mark Ingram – Even though they are in the dome, NO is welcoming SEA this weekend. Unless you play PPR Ingram is not a good option this week.
Melvin Gordon – He’s playing in Denver and his only fantasy value is crossing the goal line, you feeling lucky, punk?
Jonathan Stewart – First game back in action for a while and he is playing Arizona, you saw what they held Christine Michael to last week. Pretty risky play if you ask me.
Jordan Howard – Jeremey Langford will potentially be back this week which will cut into his workload. Oh and they play Minnesota. Jordan Howard, meet bench.
Isaiah Crowell – Everyone who reads this must think I hate Crowell as he is seemingly on here every week. I don’t, I just don’t like Cleveland in general and think “what’s the point in running the ball when you’re down 3 scores?” He’s also playing the Jets this week.
Wide Receivers
Studs: Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr, Julio Jones, AJ Green, Mike Evans, TY Hilton, Brandon Marshall
Start:
Dez Bryant – First week back which makes him a pretty risky play but chances are if you’ve been sitting on him then you need him in your lineup.
DeAndre Hopkins/Will Fuller – From week 2 on fantasy owners have been disappointed with Hopkins and have probably looked for reasons to dump him. As a Hopkins owner, the future looks very bright. They have had a brutal schedule so far this season and I think the rest of the way looks bright. Great buy-low candidates if you ask me. Both should look to take advantage of Detroit as both receivers look to climb their way up the rankings the rest of the year.
Tyler Lockett – I want as many shares as I can get of the team playing New Orleans every week.
Stefon Diggs – Another great buy-low candidate. We’ve seen what this kid can do, now watch him do it against Chicago.
Ty Montgomery – What did I say last week? Yup, riding that train again this week; a WR who is getting a few targets every week plus he will get some touches out of the backfield, gimme some of that!
Sit:
Jordy Nelson – 1 catch for 9 yards, that stung a little bit. This isn’t the first time he’s hurt owners either, had it not been for TDs he has had some poor performances lately. Desmond Trufant may not be the right CB to right the ship against.
Allen Robinson – Wow, who would have guessed that Jacksonville’s offense would be this bad? For those of you who have held onto him all year, you’re probably still starting him but he’s not likely doing much against Tennessee.
Alshon Jeffery – Cutler’s back! Alshon may be the ONLY person in the world happy about that fact but never-the-less, Minnesota is going to shut this offense down.
Donte Moncreif – May be seeing his first action since week 2 but I need to see some production before I’m willing to start him.
Davante Adams – HUGE week last week so I get it if you want to start him again, just don’t expect those numbers again against Atlanta.
Tight Ends
Studs: Rob Gronkowski, Jordan Reed, Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker
Start:
Jimmy Graham – Should be in my STUD column, maybe next week. Like I said above for Tyler Lockett, I want as many shares of the team playing New Orleans as I can get.
Kyle Rudolph – Has been down the past few weeks, but Chicago will do their best to pressure Bradford and Rudolph will be open when that happens.
CJ Fiedorowocz – He’s Houston’s TE for those of you who have no idea who he is. Houston is playing Detroit; I could put up 6/55/1 against Detroit.
Sit:
Tyler Eifert – Like I said with Moncreif above, I want to see some production before I’m happy with starting him.
Martellus Bennett – Probably going to have 3 catches for a total of 5 yards but 3 touchdowns since I put him here. However, Buffalo always seems to have the Patriot’s number so I doubt Brady throws for 6 TDs; just too many weapons to rely on him this week.
Coby Fleener – Has had some production this year but with Seattle coming to town, I would rather rely on my speedsters finding holes in the zone defense than my TE beating Seattle’s athletic LB core in the passing game.
