Honorable mention starts: Puka Nacua (LAR), Khalil Shakir (BUF), Jerry Jeudy (CLE)
Honorable mention sits: Jayden Reed (GB), Tyreek Hill (MIA), DeAndre Hopkins (KC)
Start: Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Nico Collins is back, friends, right when we need him the most. When he’s on the field, he’s automatic for us, regardless of matchup. Miami has been good against the position all season, but Nico is different. In 75% of his games this season, he’s returned no worse than WR15, including three top-ten finishes. The targets finally translated this past Sunday, and it appears he and Stroud may be back on the same page. And, as is the theme with most of my start/sits this week, I love the matchups beyond this week. There are going to be a lot of points in this game, and it has the makings of a Tyreek Hill v. Nico Collins kind of day. We love that, don’t we?
Start: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
Hopefully, you have a few pieces of this one because they’re going to beat up the Bills. In what could very well be a preview of Super Bowl LIX, expect both teams to have the pedal to the metal. This reco could have easily been Khalil Shakir here (honorable mention) as both teams cede their fair share of points to slot receivers (St. Brown lines up in the slot 52% of the time, Shakir nearly 76% of the time). I’m highlighting St. Brown here because he’s mired in a three-game “slump” if you will (thanks, Tim Patrick), albeit with a sturdy floor. I don’t need to give you Amon-Ra’s resume; I’m just here to remind you to have faith in the guy you drafted in case you may have lost it.
Sit: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
What is going on in Philly? Unless you’ve been in a cave with Aaron Rodgers, you know about the brewing drama between Hurts and Brown. And honestly, is anyone surprised? Brown has pulled this routine before when he feels he’s underutilized, for sure. But if you watched the game last week, let me ask you this – did it seem like Hurts was intentionally avoiding Brown? Little bit? Brown ran 26 routes and was only targeted four times (15% target share – his lowest of the season), and he looked open – a lot. Yes, DeVonta was back and had a DeVonta line, but something is still off. IDK what is going on, but it’s not good for us, especially during the playoffs. I actually traded for Brown right before the deadline and have been sorely disappointed in my return (four games with the following finishes – WR36, WR5, WR38, WR48). Friends, how can we trust it? In most situations, we kinda sorta have to, but I don’t like it. Fortunately I have other options on my bench, so he’s planted until I see it from him. Oh. And it’s the Steelers with a tiny little O/U. Lots to avoid here, unfortunately.
Sit: Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Since Davante Adams left via trade, Jakobi Meyers has been pretty serviceable for us (of the flex/WR3 variety most weeks). And for what it’s worth, this matchup couldn’t be any juicier – the Falcons secondary looked horrendous against the Vikings (265 yards and five touchdowns, good for 75 points, damn). In fact, this Falcons defense has been destroyed by WRs pretty much all season. And just look at Meyers over the last month – 42 targets, 27 receptions, 313 yards, etc. The stars had aligned for Jakobi this week, and if you’d like to start him, be my guest. But this is a sit reco, so allow me to get to it. Two words – Desmond Ridder. Minshew is on the IR, and O’Connell is most likely going to miss this game. Insert the next man up, Ridder, and I couldn’t be less excited for it. As a matter of fact, I’m quite bummed about it, especially after attempting all week to sell/convince Lou Landers that O’Connell was a possible league winner with his schedule. Atlanta moved on for a reason, and so should you.
