Sit/Start Week 11: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Cardinals @ 49ers

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, November 17th at 4:05 pm

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara CA

Betting Odds: SF, -11.5, 45 Total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Sleeper Spotlight: Raheem Mostert

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

Quarterback:

• Kyler Murray: (Sit)

 

Kyler Murray has started to slowly begin his ascent into the higher tier of fantasy quarterbacks, with a potential spot on Mt. RUSHmore at his position (Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott). While he has taken the team to the promised land not once in the past three games, it’s hardly something to blame on Kyler. Kyler has added at least 3 additional points in points per ten yards rushing leagues in three of his last five games while completing over 60 percent of his passes in four of those same five games. It’s not a position where I’d specifically look to start him, as the 49’ers defense is in the top three defenses in the league, but Kyler could still be effective considering his rushing floor.

 

Running Backs:

• Kenyan Drake: (Flex)
• David Johnson: (Sit)
• Chase Edmonds: (Sit)

 

I want no part of this backfield in DFS plays, in weekly leagues, hell, I’d have a hard time starting any of them in a “players named Kenyan or David” leagues. David Johnson has disappeared, for lack of a better term, and I watched in amazement as a fantasy owner I trust and respect outright cut him in our dynasty league this morning. The best rusher in Arizona is Kyler Murray. Kenyan Drake has some vision and can blow up on some pretty large plays, but rushing against San Francisco is no treat. Will Kingsbury and the coaching staff attempt to get David Johnson back in check, as he’s not been sparked very much from the entry of Drake to the fold? Will they attempt to hand the backfield over to Drake, which could also be a horror in ways, as David Johnson is signed through 2021. Or will they attempt to rest any semblance of talent they have in a lost season and let Kyler try and lead the team? Who knows! And I don’t want any part of it.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

• Christian Kirk (Start)
• Larry Fitzgerald (Start/Flex)
• Damiere Byrd/Andy Isabella/Keesean Johnson (Sit/Sit/Sit)
• Charles Clay (Sit)

 

Christian Kirk is the new number one wide receiver in Arizona. It’s not hard to understand why, as he had his proverbial birthday party last week, to the tune of three touchdown receptions. He’s earned the trust of Kyler, and while the fact that he was shut down in their last matchup against San Francisco, I believe the risk may outweigh the reward in a light week of matchups. Averaging 23 yards a reception last week against Tampa Bay, Kirk has proven that the early draft pick was well deserved. Don’t expect his fireworks display from last week against this defensive squad, but also don’t expect two receptions for eight yards like the last 49er’s matchup. Larry Fitzgerald also doesn’t need much of an introduction. His Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself, but I’m also a touch apprehensive recommending him, but my logic for this one is the lack of solid offensive weapons for Murray, and also the backfield murkiness could cause the team to air out the ball in an attempt to make some points up in what assumedly will be a blowout in San Fran’s favor.

 

San Francisco 49ers

 

Quarterback:

Jimmy Garappalo: (Sit)

 

Jimmy Garappalo is the quintessential game manager quarterback. As I was watching the shootout with him and Russell Wilson last week, one of the announcers mentioned that Jimmy is a much better NFL quarterback than he is one to lead your fantasy team. Nothing really could be truer. Watching him lead the team down the field can at times be exciting, he can lead his receivers and also doesn’t make a large number of dumb plays. With that said, he’s not going to blow up with passing yards in any given game. He likely won’t get you much on the ground, and he absolutely won’t be looking to air it out with the current wide receiver squad he has. Through 9 games, he’s averaging almost an interception and a half and has a tad under an average of 200 yards passing on the season. Arizona has a putrid defense, but there’s not much exciting about putting Jimmy in as your starting quarterback. Proceed with caution

 

Running Backs:

• Tevin Coleman (Start/RB2)
• Raheem Mostert (Start/Flex)

 

Tevin Coleman this year has become “that guy” for me. You know the guy. You throw him in your lineup, and he doesn’t completely implode, but he DOES get roughly 50 yards, maddening you as you sit someone else who goes off. The week after, you’ll overthink the situation, shake your fist in front of your keyboard and then sit them, only to have them rumble for well over 100 yards and a score. What can you do? The matchup is juicy for Coleman. The Cardinals are the 21st overall rushing defense, per FootballOutsiders.com, and Matt Breida has already been declared out for the week. That leaves Coleman and Raheem Mostert as the two to look at for carry coverage here, and Coleman is the lead back, as has been referenced again and again by Kyle Shanahan. So, I guess we’re going back to that well. The thing is, Coleman didn’t necessarily have a rough game last week, the game just didn’t dictate a huge need for what he offers, and thus he only received nine rushes, but at 4.4 yards per carry clip. Expecting a potential for a split backfield, Mostert is also not the worst of options if you’re scouring for starters with upside and opportunity. Thus far this season, he’s averaging over 5 yards per carry and has just 60 yards less than Coleman on the season. Mostert is quite possibly one of the best backup running backs in football, and with the backfield in San Fran, it’s amazing he’s considered a third option. I’d start both, and expect that Coleman should be able to potentially net you 80 yards and a score, while Mostert would likely vulture a second touchdown and potentially go for something in the range of 50-100 yards.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

• Emmanuel Sanders(Sit)
• Deebo Samuel(Start/WR2)
• Ross Dwelley(Sit)
• Dante Pettis(Sit)

 

Emmanuel Sanders is broken again. What’s unfortunate is this is a juicy part of the schedule, as matchups against Arizona’s soft defense would be a huge help for his fantasy numbers. Coming off a short-lived presence against Seattle, Sanders, and his ribs will likely sit on the bench alongside offensive star George Kittle this Sunday. So who benefits? Likely it’s Deebo Samuel and a mish mash of whoever else is healthy and has available hands. The tough part is which will be available and consistent. Will they go back to the well and attempt to bring Dante Pettis back to the living? 109 yards through the season tells me it’s not likely him. The only real name to watch in this squad with the above Kittle and Sanders ailing is Deebo. Deebo was heralded as the bright spot in this receiving squad in the preseason, and last week we got a glimpse. 112 yards on eight receptions, and he looked like the freshest apple in Jimmy’s eye. The only downside could be the inability of Garappalo to connect on deep pass plays. Even still, Deebo has the potential to be a top 15 to 20 wide receiver for the week.

-Matt Bevins (@MattQbList