QUARTERBACK
SWIM
Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills):
Taylor should be a safe option this week as the game script will probably ask him to do more than most weeks. The potential upside here comes with the Patriots defense focusing on playing more zone defense this week, something they have gone away from since the early part of the season due to teams shredding them through the air. Even with no Kelvin Benjamin, I expect Taylor to have one of his better fantasy days this year.
Case Keenum (Minnesota Vikings):
It’s hard to argue against Keenum at this point, as he keeps putting up QB1-esque numbers lately, and this should set up as another positive match up for him. The 4th best fantasy QB over the past 4 weeks, look for the Vikings to lean on the passing game again in this potential shootout.
Josh McCown (New York Jets):
His willingness to take chances down the field and Robby Anderson’s playmaking ability give him some nice upside in this match up given how vulnerable the Chiefs secondary can be. Marcus Peters risk taking nature should ultimately prove if McCown booms or busts, but I have a feeling he and Anderson beat him for at least one big play.
SINK
Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions):
He’s not a must sit, but its tough to envision him being a top 12 QB this week going up against the Ravens in Baltimore. Despite the fine year he is having, he’s still someone you should only want to use in plus match ups.
Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders):
The Giants pass defense has stabilized the past few weeks, while Carr will be without his top 2 receivers this weekend. Even with those guys in the lineup, Carr hasn’t exactly been lighting it up this season and can be considered a drop candidate at this point of the season.
RUNNING BACK
SWIM
Jamaal Williams (Green Bay Packers):
The Bucs have been allowing RB1’s left and right lately, and assuming Aaron Jones doesn’t play (even if he does, I’d imagine his role will be limited), Williams has a legitimate chance at being the next one. He’s a bit of a plodder, but the volume should be there to keep his floor high enough.
Kenyan Drake (Miami Dolphins):
The only healthy RB on the roster this week, Drake will finally see a full workload and is strong enough in the passing game to be effective, even against the Broncos defense. Expect plenty of check downs from Jay Cutler on Sunday.
Jerick McKinnon (Minnesota Vikings):
Latavius Murray may have taken over as the lead dog in this backfield, but McKinnon has still seen at least 12 touches a game since week 5 and the Falcons have been gashed by multiple RB’s who see the bulk of their teams passing down work. He’s at worst a solid flex play this week.
Deep Dives–Austin Ekeler, Jacquizz Rodgers
SINK
Eagles RB’s (Philadelphia Eagles):
Yes, the Seahawks run defense has been greatly improved since some early season lapses, but that’s not the real concern here. That would be that we really don’t have an idea of how the backfields timeshare will work out in this game, as the Eagles have had one of the easier schedules so far this season. I get the feeling we will see a lot of Corey Clement this game, but it really will come down to game script, which is somewhat unpredictable for the first time in a while here with the Eagles heading into Seattle.
Titans RB’s (Tennessee Titans):
With both Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry eating into each others value, it’s become really tough to trust either of them in tough match ups. One of them will probably score in this game, but its anyone’s guess as to which one it may be, and neither one is doing enough to produce value on a week to week basis unless they find the end zone. With bye weeks now over, it’s probably best to leave these two on the bench.
WIDE RECEIVER
SWIM
Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers):
It’s never a bad idea to target receivers going against the Buc’s secondary, while at the same time Adams has become Brett Hundley’s favorite option in the passing game. He’s put up WR1 value over the past 3 weeks, and should continue that trend this week.
Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams):
Kupp was the biggest beneficiary from Robert Woods absence last week, putting together his first 100 yard game of his career. Things get even easier this week for him as he gets a Cardinals secondary that struggles mightily against opposing slot receivers.
Marqise Lee (Jacksonville Jaguars):
Chalk up last weeks dud to the Patrick Peterson factor, with this week presenting almost a complete reversal in upside for him as the Colts just lost their best cover man in Rashaad Melvin. Prior to last week, he was averaging over 9 targets a game since week 5 , and should go back to his normal target distribution this weekend.
Deep Dives–Ted Ginn, Marquise Goodwin, Dontrelle Inman
SINK
Sammy Watkins (Los Angeles Rams):
While Cooper Kupp gets the cozy match up in the slot, Watkins will likely find himself going against Patrick Peterson this weekend, so expect little to no production from him on Sunday.
T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts):
Hilton has been one of if not the most match up dependable fantasy option this season, and this is obviously a game where you should be leaving him on your bench. The only fantasy option on the Colts roster this week would be Jack Doyle, and even still, he is far from a must start.
TIGHT END
SWIM
Jared Cook (Oakland Raiders):
It would be an upset if he didn’t lead the Raiders in targets again this week, after doing so last Sunday, and he also gets the added benefit of going up against the defense most vulnerable to the tight end position. The only concern here would be that the Raiders get an early lead and Geno Smith (predictably) isn’t able to move the Giants offense at all, leaving Oakland to run the ball to kill clock much of the game.
Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers):
Every time I put Henry on this list, he seems to bust, while when I leave him off, he winds up finding the end zone. This week things should change, as the Browns defense are always nice to target when looking for tight end value.
Charles Clay (Buffalo Bills):
Clay should start being more of a factor in the passing game, and I’d imagine his targets go up this week with the Bills likely needing to throw the ball to keep up. He should settle back in to being Tyrod Taylor’s safety valve sooner rather than later.
SINK
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (New York Jets):
Even since the loss of Eric Berry in week 1, tight ends have still struggled to do much in the passing game against the Chiefs, with most teams attacking whomever may be the corner opposite Marcus Peters instead. ASJ is the definition of TD or bust, and hasn’t scored since week 7.
Austin Hooper (Atlanta Falcons):
He really hasn’t been able to produce since the Falcons got back their starting receiver duo weeks ago, and there’s no reason to believe he’ll all of a sudden have a big role this weekend.