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You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers — at least we hope so. Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that’s too obvious, so you won’t see such simple analysis here. Instead, we’re exploring more debatable situations. And if you can’t find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start ‘Em
Etienne’s season has been disappointing: He ranks as the RB26 in fantasy points and has yet to score 15 fantasy points in a game so far. Last week, while he was battling a shoulder injury, his usage decreased. Still, this is a potential get-right spot for the veteran back, given that the Colts have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to opposing RBs. Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs each racked up 150 yards against Indy already, so you have to stick with Etienne in this one.
Jacobs is barely a top-30 RB after the first month of the season, and he has yet to score a touchdown or 15 fantasy points in a game. A matchup with the Rams — who have allowed the most yards and fourth-most rushing touchdowns to opposing backs — is exactly what he needs. Los Angeles’ defense is one to attack in fantasy football; plus, if the Packers have a lead late, Jacobs will be used to grind out the clock.
Harris was solid in Week 4 — as we’ve come to expect from this safe-floor, low-upside back. In Week 5, though, he could show out a little bit more. The Cowboys have struggled against the run, allowing a top-10 runner in three of four weeks so far. They’ve also allowed explosive runs to opposing RBs at the sixth-highest rate in the NFL, and they’re tied (with the Panthers) for the second-most rushing TDs allowed. Harris has at least 16 touches in every game and 11 combined targets in his last two. He is in play again this week.
Sure, Swift’s massive point total from Week 4 looks awesome, but the volume he saw in that game is what really matters. He led all Bears players in carries, rushing yards, targets, catches and receiving yards, and he scored a touchdown. It’s not ideal that the goal-line work went to Roschon Johnson, but given the overall distribution of snaps, Swift remains in play. He showed last week he could put up numbers in a good matchup, and the Panthers have allowed the second-most rushing yards and second-most touchdowns to RBs. Ride the hot hand.
Don’t look now, but Ford is tied with Alvin Kamara for third-most targets at the RB position. He has logged double-digit fantasy points in all but one game and twice topped 15, so he brings a safe floor — and this week, he could go off. The Commanders have allowed an explosive run (that is, a run of 10-plus yards) on a league-high 22% of opponents’ carries. The next closest is 16.7%. Ford is very much in play.
Sit ‘Em
White continues to lose volume to Bucky Irving. Last week against the Eagles, they both had 10 carries, with Irving getting the valuable goal-line touches. And White had a minimal advantage over Irving in targets (three to two). White has averaged just 7.4 fantasy points in his last three weeks; even more concerning, his target share has decreased from 20 percent in Week 1 to 10 percent over the past three weeks. Irving is a legit threat, and so is the Falcons’ defense. Atlanta has allowed the third-fewest breakaway runs to opposing RBs and is stingy through the air against them, as well. White can be sat this week.
It wasn’t pretty, and it definitely wasn’t easy, but Moss came through for those who started him last week. However, it was still worrisome to see Chase Brown get as many carries as Moss. They also split targets, four to three. Most concerning of all, the goal-line work went to Brown. If that wasn’t bad enough, this week, the Bengals get the Ravens, who have shut down opposing RBs. Baltimore has allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs and has yet to allow an explosive run in four games. That accomplishment is made extra impressive when you consider that the Ravens have faced Isiah Pacheco and James Cook this season. Look to get away from Moss this week.
After a hot start to the season, things did not work out as well for Singletary last week, when he was held under five fantasy points. That was against a Dallas defense that struggled against the run through the first three weeks. The Seahawks have been much tougher than the Cowboys on opposing RBs. Yes, the Lions’ RBs got going against Seattle, but they tend to eat against all defenses. The Giants are not the Lions. I would avoid this one if you have another option.
If I told you White played 60% of the Raiders’ offensive snaps and had 17 carries, you would think he had a good fantasy game — or, at the very least, outproduced Alexander Mattison. Nope. White ran for 50 yards (Mattison had 60) but also lost a fumble, so he finished with just three fantasy points. He has less than seven in every game this season. There is just no way you can trust him until we see things change; as of now, he’s a drop candidate.
If you were to start anyone from this group, it would be Hunt, who has stolen the lead gig. But Steele did get 17 carries in Week 3, one week after losing a fumble against the Bengals. Does he remain in the dog house for last week’s fumble, or was his reduced workload temporary? Plus, Perine split snaps and vultured a touchdown from Hunt. You have to imagine Perine is still the passing-downs back for situations when the Chiefs are trailing or in the two-minute drill. I would look to avoid this backfield if possible.
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