Week 14 Start/Sit Questions

By: Mike Johnson (@mjohnson86)

Some things in fantasy football are easy. We know we should start Ja’Marr Chase and Saquon Barkley. We know we should bench the backup running back who is only on our roster in case of injury. A lot of the decisions are made for us. However, there are a lot of things that are not so simple. All of the “in between” situations are what can make the difference between a few wins and losses, and therefore it can be the difference between a successful season or a failed season. Every Friday, we are here to help!!

I’ll take questions each week in our #fantasy-football channel in our Discord from people looking for Start/Sit advice and give my thoughts. This article on Fridays will feature a few of those questions and responses, so join our Discord to be a part of the conversation or ask questions of your own!!

Question 1:: Who would you prefer (1 or 2) between Rome Odunze, Xavier Worthy, Keon Coleman, and Jaylen Waddle? My other wide receiver and Flex are Malik Nabers and Tank Bigsby. (#VibeUnits)

Answer:: I would choose to bench Bigsby and play two of your listed receivers along with Nabers. Bigsby was great early in the season, but he has a very tough matchup against the Titans’ stout run defense and Mac Jones at QB. Bigsby has only been targeted six times all season, leaving him as a yardage-and-touchdown RB in a tough matchup. I would go with Waddle and Odunze for your other two spots. Waddle has shown the ceiling is there and is playing at home against a Jets secondary that is likely to be shorthanded. Odunze is a talented rookie who I think could see his role grow with a new head coach as the Bears look to 2025.

Question 2:: Baker Mayfield or Joe Burrow? (john58)

Answer:: Burrow by a landslide. The Cowboys’ defense has been better in recent weeks but that was against a Commanders team who really only has one above-average NFL WR and a Giants offense that is struggling in a big way. Burrow is in a great spot to go off on primetime with his two stud WRs as the Bengals try to keep at least a statistical hope alive for them to make a playoff run.

Question 3:: Please choose one QB, one Flex option, and one TE:

Sam Darnold or Geno Smith?

DeAndre Hopkins, Gus Edwards, or Jerry Jeudy?

Will Dissly or Dalton Kincaid? (Sef20)

Answer:: Darnold over Geno at QB. Neither QB has shown an especially high weekly “ceiling”, but Darnold has been extremely consistent, especially in good environments. Playing in a dome against a Falcons defense that struggles to generate pressure, Darnold should have a high floor and could post a surprisingly high score if his electric WRs can get loose.

Ride the hot hand with Jerry Jeudy at the Flex.

If Kincaid is active, I’d play him. I expect the Chargers/Chiefs game could be a bit of a slugfest and Kincaid is tied to an elite QB in a potentially high-scoring matchup.

Question 4:: Brian Thomas Jr. or Deebo Samuel Sr.? (PPR) (Hokum)

Answer:: This one is really close. I think both players have underrated ceilings this week as Thomas had a solid Week 13 and narrowly missed on two long touchdowns, while he now faces a Titans defense that is likely to force Jacksonville to throw a lot. The Jaguars’ season is cashed out, so feeding their prized rookie would make sense. On the other hand, the 49ers’ season is on life support and Deebo could be a focal point as they adjust to life without CMC. My lean is slightly to Deebo, but it is incredibly close. Curious who your other options are, as there’s a chance I’d play both of these guys over someone you have in your starting lineup.

Question 5:: Which RB should I add, Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal, or Ray Davis? (Belks19)

Answer:: Davis is a really good running back on a really good team. If James Cook ever misses time, Davis is a high-end RB. You can’t say the same about a clear scenario where Edwards or Vidal becomes a “must-start”. Take Davis, as he is someone who could be a league winner in the playoffs.

Join us Saturday for Week 14 Rankings!