As the Week 11 slate of games kicked off Thursday night, the attention now turns to the start/sit decisions managers will face over the weekend as they stare down their fantasy football lineups.
For the third week in a row, four teams will be on a bye, including the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 11:
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions: The expectation is that Fields will return this week from a thumb injury. I’d be willing to start him in a potential shootout with the Lions, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game (18.3) to the position over the last five weeks.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Purdy is in for a big day against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game (22.2) and passing yards (1,596) since Week 6.
Sit ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers: Baker has quietly been a solid fantasy asset, averaging 17.4 fantasy points per game since Week 4 and finishing as a QB1 in five of those six games. The 49ers are a different breed, though, and seem to be finding their groove again. Baker is probably a better streaming option than what’s available on the waiver wire, so maybe just temper expectations.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans: It just doesn’t seem to be happening for Lawrence in 2023. He has only one game since Week 2 with multiple passing touchdowns while averaging just 235.6 passing yards on the season. Tennessee has allowed four passing touchdowns and 14.8 fantasy points per game over their last three contests, so Lawrence shouldn’t be started until he shows he can string together some consistently productive outings.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins vs. Las Vegas Raiders: If Achane is activated, he’s worth starting despite the risk of coming off a knee injury. He’s too explosive, and the Raiders have allowed the third-most PPR points per game (28.0) to the position over the last five weeks.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals: It looked pretty foolish calling Singletary a sit in last week’s column. With Dameon Pierce likely to miss another game, Singletary is a fringe RB2 with upside against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the most rushing yards (607) and seventh-most PPR points (25.2) to running backs over the last five weeks.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks: In what will likely be his final week as the 1a in the Rams backfield, Henderson is a worthy flex option with upside. The Seahawks have allowed the second-most PPR points per game (28.1) and fourth-most rushing yards to running backs since Week 6.
Sit ‘Em
Chicago Bears RBs at Detroit Lions: There’s a chance Khalil Herbert is activated, making this a frustrating three-back committee. Even if he’s not, the Lions have been stout against opposing running backs, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry to the position over the last three weeks.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys: This game has a chance to get ugly quickly. Hubbard hasn’t done much with his opportunities, averaging just 8.0 PPR points per game over the last three weeks. Dallas, meanwhile, has allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game (16.2) to the position since Week 6.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: It has been fun to watch Warren get a bigger role due to his explosiveness and efficiency, but this isn’t a matchup we should want to start him in. Cleveland has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per game (14.7) to running backs over the last three weeks, and the potential for a shootout in this game is low.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants: New York’s defense is a mess right now, allowing the most receptions (80), second-most receiving yards (1,062), and third-most PPR points per game (44.9) to wideouts over the last five weeks. McLaurin has WR1 upside this week.
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: Wilson (elbow) has seen at least 12 targets in five of the last six games, collecting a ridiculous 34% target share during that span. Meanwhile, Buffalo has allowed the sixth-most receptions (68) and 12th-most receiving yards (732) to the position over the last five weeks. He’s questionable but fully expected to play.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Hopefully, Rice gets a bit more playing time coming out of the bye week considering he leads all Chiefs receivers in the majority of statistics this season despite his limited role. He has plenty of upside in this matchup against an Eagles defense allowing the most PPR points per game (48.3) to wideouts over the last five weeks.
Sit ‘Em
Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets: Though Davis can have an explosive game at any point, the Jets have been especially tough on wide receivers, allowing the fewest receptions (34), receiving yards (382), and PPR points per game (19.1) to the position over the last five weeks. They also are the only team to not allow a wide receiver touchdown during that span.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: This seems to be shaping up to be a very low-scoring game. Some managers may not be able to afford to sit Johnson between bye weeks and injuries, but we should temper expectations. Pittsburgh’s passing attack simply isn’t consistent enough, and the Browns are allowing the third-fewest adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position this season.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers at Green Bay Packers: While the rookie has shown some life, he’s not to the point where he can be trusted yet. The Packers also have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per game (26.4) to the position over the last five weeks.
Tight End
Start ‘Em
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Chargers: The rookie has had enough moments garner to trust in a favorable matchup. Over the last five weeks, Los Angeles has allowed the most receptions (41), receiving yards (443) and the second-most PPR points per game (19.1) to the position.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: This goes to show how rough the position is for fantasy purposes. We shouldn’t want to start Njoku in this matchup with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, but he’s averaging eight targets per game over the last four weeks. That kind of usage isn’t easy to find at the position.
Sit ‘Em
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans: Engram is the type of tight end who can pop off in any matchup. However, the Jaguars are struggling offensively, Engram still hasn’t found the end zone and the Titans have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per game (7.3) to the position over the last five weeks.
Los Angeles Chargers TEs at Green Bay Packers: Both Donald Parham and Gerald Everett should be avoided in this matchup. The Packers have allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game (8.3) to tight ends over the last five weeks.
