We have reached the halfway point of the fantasy season, with that the start and sit decisions are even harder. After last week’s “byepocalypse” our rosters are looking better, however we still have a few top tier options sitting out this week. Lets take a look at some of the best start and sits of the week!
Quarterback Start and Sit
Start: Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings)
Kirk Cousins has been a season long staple in all superflex or two QB formats. However this week I am even starting him in single quarterback leagues. Kirk Cousins has the third easiest matchup this week in the Dallas Cowboys according to PFF. The Cowboys average over 24 points to the position weekly currently his is third worst in the NFL. To boot Kirk Cousins has thrown for over 500 yards in the last two matchups against the Cowboys since 2019. Currently Cousins is averaging 21 PPG and is the QB13 on the season. I expect Kirk Cousins to outperform his weekly average on sunday night football and finish as a QB1 this week. This makes him a must start in all formats.
Sit: Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins)
As of late Tua Tagovailoa has looked very solid in his return from the rib injury. He has averaged over 24 PPG against two bottom tier defenses. However this week he is not going against a bottom tier defense, instead he draws possibly the best unit in football currently. The Dolphins will head up to Buffalo, NY to face off against a stout Bills defense. They currently allow only 13 PPG to the quarterback position, this is the best in the NFL. On top of this the Bills are coming off their bye week and are looking to get back on track after a tough loss to the Titans in week 6. Also the weather appears to be very wet and rainy. Along with that and the injuries at wide receiver Tua Tagovailoa is a must sit for me in any format.
Running Back Start and Sit
Start: Kenneth Gainwell (Philadelphia Eagles)
With Miles Sanders getting a week to week injury designation, I expect him to miss at least this week or be very limited. This will open the door for rookie Kenneth Gainwell to garnish more opportunities. Already this season Gainwell has looked impressive in a small sample size averaging over 9 PPG in PPR formats. This week the Eagles will face off against a struggling Detroit Lions team. The Lions average over 30 PPG to the position in PPR formats, this is fifth worst in the NFL. I expect Kenneth Gainwell to see a bulk of the Miles Sanders work with Boston Scott sprinkled in. This should allow him to produce double digit points this week and finish as a safe RB2 play this week. Making him a must start this week, even as a flex play.
Sit: Mike Davis (Atlanta Falcons)
Even with the emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson, Mike Davis has been a solid flex play every week this season. In the first five weeks of the season he produced five double digit weeks in PPR leagues. Last week in a tough matchup against a good Dolphins defense he was limited to 1 PPR point. This week he has an even harder matchup against the best defense against running backs in the Carolina Panthers. They are only allowing 16.1 points a week to the position. I expect the Falcons to use Cordarrelle Patterson more this week given he is a hader player to matchup against. I do expect more than 1 PPR point, though not many. Mike Davis Will struggle to crack the top 30 this week, making him a must sit for me in week 8.
Wide Receiver Start and Sit
Start: Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts)
It was a slow start to the season for Michael Pittman this year. However he has seemed to make a turn around these last few weeks. He has produced two twenty point weeks in the last three weeks. With this he is currently the WR20 on the season in PPR and averaging over 14 PPR points a game. This week the Colts will face off against a streaking Tennessee Titans team coming off two big wins. Due to this the Colts will need to Michael Pittman to have a big game against a team who has struggled against wide receivers. The TItans currently average 49 PPR points to the position weekly. This is worst in the league, making this matchup to good to avoid in week 8. Michael Pittman should be started in all formats this week as he has top twelve upside.
Sit: Corey Davis ( New York Jets)
Right now the New York Jets are without Starting Quarterback Zach Wilson for a while, in his place Mike White will start this week. This is not good news for Corey Davis or any Jets skill player. Along with that, the Jets are facing off against a much improved Bengals defense this week. Although last week after Zach Wilson’s injury Corey Davis did find his way into the endzone, I do not believe he will duplicate that this week. The Bengals currently only allow 36 PPR points to the position weekly. I expect the Bengals to pressure Mike White a ton in this game and he will struggle to find open receivers. This will make in hard for Corey Davis to crack the top 30 this week, he will have little value even as a flex play. Making him a must sit for me in all formats.
Tight End Start and Sit
Start: Gerald Everett (Seattle Seahawks)
Although he has not seen a double digit fantasy week since week 3 of the season he could be a great start this week. After missing two weeks with a COVID designation he has struggled to get on track. He has seen 6 targets in the past two games though and produced over 50 yards. He also saw one rushing attempt last week. This offseason Pete Carroll had nothing but great things to say about this athletic tight end. he has a favorable matchup this week against the Jaguars who allow the third most points to the position at 18.9 per week. I can see him getting 5 targets and a touchdown allowing him to finish as a TE1 this week. This makes him a must start in a week that multiple top tight end options are out.
Sit: Jared Cook ( Los Angeles Chargers)
In a position group that is hard to narrow down Jared Cook has been a pleasant surprise this season. He has produced TE16 numbers well averaging over 9 PPR points a week. However he has been mostly boom or bust, but he has averaged over 5 targets a game this season. Although this week he may struggle against a strong New England defense. Currently they rank as the fifth best against tight ends allowing only 8.5 PPR points per game. THis is where I expect Jared Cook to finish this week. I do not expect him to find the endzone limiting his upside, this makes him a must sit this week.
