Week 15 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:: Full point PPR. I have Njoku and his hammy sounds iffy. Do you prefer Tucker Kraft or Dalton Schultz? (here2win)

Answer:: This one is really close as I am sort of high on both players this week. I like both offenses and they each are playing good offensive opponents (Seattle and Miami) who could produce high-scoring game environments. Ultimately my lean is to Schultz, as he has less target competition and is coming off a very strong game, while his team also passes at a higher rate.

Question 2:: Need two of Rico Dowdle, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Isiah Pacheco, and Sincere McCormick.

And two of Terry McLaurin, CeeDee Lamb, Jaxon Smith-Njigba? (khcpa)

Answer:: For the running backs, I’d go with Dowdle and Pacheco. Tracy is talented, but the Giants’ offense is in for a rough go of it against the Ravens. I do like McCormick, but Pacheco’s role is growing the further he gets away from his injury return and Dowdle is a workhorse in a good matchup.

For the WRs, it is really close but I would probably bench McLaurin from those three. Lamb is still Lamb and in a non-prohibitive matchup I’m basically never going to bench him. Meanwhile, JSN has become the focal point of the Seattle passing game and is playing in a potentially high-scoring game. McLaurin has a good chance at a strong game, but the Saints without Derek Carr might not put up much of a fight and volume and downfield passing may not be there for him. Tough one, but I’d roll Lamb and JSN.

Question 3:: Standard Scoring League: 2 RB and one Flex – need 3 of the following 4: 

Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane, James Conner, Rico Dowdle - In regard to matchup I think it would be smart to get Dowdle in there but don't know who to sacrifice to do so. (Frost6)

Answer:: Bijan and Achane are in “must-start” territory for me every week. They are simply too talented and the focal points of their respective offenses, so they are a lock. For the last spot it is very close between Conner and Dowdle. Both are in solid matchups against the Patriots and Panthers, respectively, and both are clearly the lead RB for their teams. My lean is slightly to Dowdle, as Conner has a bit of risk from Kyler Murray taking rushing scores and/or the Arizona backup RBs getting more involved if they are in control of the game, as the Cardinals are still in the playoff hunt and will likely preserve Conner in the second half if they can. Tough question, but good problem to have.

Question 4:: Hey Mike, first round of playoffs. Would you go with Sincere McCormick over Javonte Williams this week in a Yahoo full PPR league? Not trusting the DEN 3 way split. (sasquatch)

Answer:: That’s exactly the right line of thought. Javonte’s workload can’t be trusted and it’s not even like he has some elite matchup. The Colts are not an elite run defense, but they aren’t terrible either. McCormick faces a Falcons defense that is very soft and they are clearly trying to get a look at him to finish out their lost season. Ride the volume and superior matchup.

Question 5:: I need 2 RBs: Pollard, Dowdle, Tracy, Guerendo (Ptaszynski)

Answer:: Dowdle is the lock from that group. Solid matchup and full workload. Tracy is my first elimination in a spot where the offense is likely to completely fail. With Pollard missing consecutive practices to start the week and Guerendo looking good to go and coming off a great game, I’d roll with the rookie (Guerendo) rather than risking whatever happens with Pollard.

Join us Saturday for Week 15 Rankings!