Sam LaPorta finally had a big day last week after disappointing all season. Knowing when to start him or sit him has been crucial to fantasy football success. With that being said, here are two players who you should be starting this week and two who you should be sitting.
Start: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Njoku was here last week, and I’m running him back out there again. After a rough first four weeks to the season, Njoku has hit his stride. And fortunately for him, both QBs – Watson and Winston – seem to like throwing him the ball. Watson is out for the remainder of the season, and Winston is in (for now). I love what I saw on Sunday from Jameis, and it means moving forward for Njoku. Over the last three weeks, Njoku is averaging 9+ targets, 6+ receptions, and 55 yards to go along with a touchdown in two straight games. I love the volume and opportunity. Add to that the fact that Cleveland’s WRs are going to be a mess each week, and Njoku is set to eat. The matchup doesn’t scare me, with the Chargers ranking 20th on the season.
Start: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
You’re welcome, Kelce owners. Since I wrote disparagingly about Taylor’s future fiancé in my Week 4 S/S column, Travis has reemerged as a must-start at the position – TE5, TE7, TE30 (oops), and TE4. We’re not worried about him anymore, are we? Even with the arrival of Deandre Hopkins (who I expect to actually help open up the offense). Tampa Bay is brutal against tight ends (29th) and even worse over the last month (22+ and two touchdowns in each of the last two weeks). Marquee player in probably the best TE matchup of the week.
Sit: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
You’re also welcome here, as Andrews has also had a nice run since I wrote about him back in Week 5 (TE19, TE3, TE3, TE10). He’s back in our good graces as well, but I don’t like this matchup. After getting gouged by Brock Bowers in Week 5, the Denver defense has been super stingy to the position (6.1, 8.1, and 3.5). Granted, none of those weeks were they faced with the TE talent they’ll see this week in Andrews and Likely, and let’s face it – the Ravens are special. In fact, if I keep writing I may switch him to a start recommendation. Their talented TE is seeing volume on a jugger offense, but a tough matchup fuels my gut hunch here. And to be fair, there are also a lot of decent TE matchups this week.
Sit: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Kraft has been fantastic all season, but it’s really these last five weeks that have put the Green Bay TE on the fantasy map. Not since Jermichael Finley have we been this excited about a Packers tight end. Top 10 finishes in four of the last five, fueled by a touchdown surge (five TDs during that span). This is just another situation where a talented player is set to face a damn difficult matchup. The Detroit Lions rank first against the position, giving up an average of only 5.3 points a week and one touchdown all season. Wide receivers clean up against the Lions (30th, 33.5 points per), tight ends not so much. I expect a big number in this game, and I expect the GB wide receivers to feast. I’m tempering my expectations for Tucker.