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 . Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from , Next Gen Stats or 撸先生AV Research.
Start 'Em
In three games with Russell Wilson, Pickens has averaged 18 fantasy PPG. His average yards jumped from 60.5 per game with Justin Fields to 92 per game with Wilson. And after not scoring in six games with Fields, he has two touchdowns in three games with Russ. I may be a Fields supporter, but Pickens is obviously better with the veteran at QB. He could have another blow-up game this week against the Ravens, who have allowed the most yards and touchdowns to receivers both on the season and since Week 6. They have allowed the most fantasy PPG to WRs. Pickens is a must-start option this week.
Sutton is the biggest benefactor of rookie Bo Nix looking the part and further developing at the QB position. In his last three games, Sutton has averaged 10 targets, 97.3 yards and 19.8 fantasy PPG. He has topped 13 fantasy points in six of his last eight. That is a receiver you should be starting in fantasy, especially in favorable matchups like this one, as the Falcons have allowed the eighth-most yards and fourth-most touchdowns to receivers since Week 6. They have allowed the eighth-most fantasy PPG to receivers in the last month. Ride the hot hand here.
Do not forget just how dominant Tillman has been since the Browns traded Amari Cooper. The second-year pro has averaged 85 yards and 22.2 fantasy PPG with at least 18 in every game. During that three-week span, he ranked third in targets and yards, second in air yards and tied for second in touchdowns. That is elite volume and production. Now he gets the Saints, who have allowed the third-most yards to receivers on the season and since Week 6. Make sure to get Tillman in your lineup this week.
Ridley has been included as a "start" for weeks, and yet, he was started in just 25 percent of 撸先生AV.com leagues last week. You have a chance to right your wrong this week. Ridley has seen elite volume as of late, averaging 9.8 targets per game in his last five. He has averaged 20.1 fantasy PPG in his last three games. He may be a little volatile week to week due to QB play, but volume and upside keep him in play. Especially against the Vikings, who have allowed the sixth-most yards and third-most fantasy PPG to WRs. Keep riding with Ridley.
Last week, Jennings returned from injury and led the 49ers receivers in snaps (90 percent), targets (11), catches, (seven) and receiving yards (93). That was his first game playing without Brandon Aiyuk. We have now seen him play two games this season without one of Deebo Samuel or Aiyuk, and he has gone off in each. In each of those outings, he played over 80 percent of the snaps and had 23 combined targets. Seattle is in the top 10 in yards allowed to WRs since Week 6. Jennings is a strong start and has league-winning upside moving forward. He could be what we envisioned Aiyuk would be for the 49ers this season.
Sit 'Em
This one hurts. Despite seeing 10 targets last week, Lamb was held to just 21 yards -- his fewest in a game since 2021. With Dak Prescott now out for the season, Dallas is left with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance at quarterback. Last week, Rush and Lance combined to throw for 66 yards with zero touchdown passes and one interception on 29 attempts. This feels a lot like Miami's offense without Tua Tagovailoa. The Texans are not a must-avoid matchup or anything, although they have allowed the third-lowest completion percentage on passes to receivers. This is more about the QB play in Dallas. If anyone can overcome a bad situation, it is CeeDee Lamb, so he is not a must-sit. But if you have another option you feel good about, I would take it.
We have reached this point with Chicago's offense. After finishing as a strong WR1 last season, Moore is barely usable in fantasy football as of late. He has averaged just 6.1 fantasy PPG in his last four games. He has topped 40 yards once in his last six games. It is clearly not a DJ Moore problem, but rather more of a play-calling issue. The Bears just fired OC Shane Waldron, promoting passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to the play-calling role, but until we see the results change, you have to rid your starting lineup of this star receiver. The Packers have allowed the fewest yards to receivers since Week 6. In the last month, they have yielded the third-fewest fantasy PPG to receivers. Last year in two games against Green Bay, Moore had just six total catches for 89 yards and zero touchdowns. Get away from him this week.
With Trevor Lawrence on the shelf, Jacksonville's offense struggled last week under Mac Jones, and Thomas was not immune to that. He saw just three targets -- all of which were short -- and finished with only 12 yards. For some reason that I do not understand, the Jags have been throwing to the rookie less and less. He has averaged just 4.4 targets per game over his last five games. It's led to him scoring fewer than 10 fantasy points in his last two games combined. The Lions are a favorable matchup, so Thomas could prove me wrong, but given the QB play and recent usage, I think you can start someone else.
Another game, another single digit-fantasy performance. Waddle has not reached double figures since Week 1. He has averaged just 7.3 fantasy PPG since Week 2. This week, he gets the Raiders, who have allowed the third-fewest yards to receivers. They are especially tough on outside wide receivers, allowing the fourth-fewest yards and just one touchdown to them this season. Waddle plays 82 percent of his snaps out wide. I would get away from Waddle until we start seeing better results.
So far this season, Addison has averaged just 4.7 targets, three catches and 42.6 yards per game. He has scored two touchdowns in seven games. Addison has not topped 50 yards in three straight and has only done so in two of seven games. He is averaging around 10 fantasy PPG and has only hit double figures twice. There is simply not enough volume or production to trust the second-year pro, even with four teams on bye. By the way, the Titans have allowed the second-fewest yards and third-fewest fantasy PPG to receivers.
As president of the 2024 Diontae Johnson Club, I am not giving up hope. Some will say he is droppable; I disagree. While he has just two targets and has played 30 and eight percent of snaps in his first two games with the Ravens, some context is needed. He was traded on a Tuesday before a Sunday game, and then the Ravens played on a Thursday after that. The mini bye was likely huge for Johnson, and head coach John Harbaugh has already said the Ravens want to get him more involved. I am taking a wait-and-see approach with Johnson -- especially with this week's matchup against the Steelers' stout defense -- but better days are ahead.
