With just a few weeks left in the fantasy regular season, we are at a critical point of the season, and picking the wrong play could be the difference between a playoff appearance or starting your 2022 research early. The ‘Studs, Duds, and Sleepers’ staff is back this week with our 10th straight ironclad, fool proof list of players to target – or avoid!
Studs:
Quarterbacks:
Aaron Rodgers, GB:
I am very certain that Rodgers is pissed after the way the media has attacked him this past week and there is nothing I like more in fantasy football than scorched earth Aaron Rodgers. Throw in the fact that he gets a bad Seattle defense, and this could be a huge week for Rodgers…assuming he plays.
Lamar Jackson, Bal:
The Dolphins rank 30th against the pass and are bottom half of the league against the rush. Translation? This should be a good day for Lamar Jackson.
Others receiving votes:
Tom Brady, TB:
Brady and his receiving corps, coming off a bye week, against the league’s worst pass defense? Yes please!
Running backs:
Najee Harris, Pit:
Harris has found pay dirt five games in a row, and prior to their matchup last week against a tough Bears defensive front, he had three straight games of 120+ all-purpose yards. I like his matchup this week against a winless Lions team that boasts the league’s 29th ranked run defense.
Dalvin Cook, Min:
Speaking of friendly matchups, Cook gets the Chargers this week. The Chargers have the worst run defense in the league, surrendering more than 160 yards per game at a 5.0 ypc clip.
Others receiving votes:
Aaron Jones, GB:
The Seahawks give up more than 400 yards per game and are almost equally as bad against the run as they are against the pass. Whether Rodgers plays this week or not, Jones should find plenty of success.
Pass Catchers:
Davante Adams, GB:
If Rodgers plays, I love Adams against the Seahawks defense – see 400+ yards per game above. If, however, Rodgers does not play, I don’t like any Green Bay pass catcher with Jordan Love at the helm.
Chris Godwin, TB:
With Russell Wilson trending towards a return, it’s time to fire up D.K. Metcalf in what could be a shootout vs. the Packers. Look for Metcalf to return to his weekly WR1 status now that he has his quarterback back under center.
Others receiving votes:
Marquise Brown, Bal:
Over his last two games, Brown has seen 26 targets, pulling in 14 of those for 196 yards and a touchdown. I look for him and Jackson to have a big day this week against the Dolphins.
Duds:
Quarterbacks:
Trevor Lawrence, Jax:
Lawrence has more games with zero passing touchdowns (2) than he does games with multiple passing touchdowns (1), and that game was Week 1 against the Texans. Throw in rushing touchdowns, and he still only has two multiple touchdown games on the year. If you are one of those owners still starting him because you are waiting for him to breakthrough, stop! There are better options on the waiver wire, I promise you.
Mac Jones, NE:
Jones has had a solid rookie season, but only the Rams (28) have more sacks than the Browns (27). I expect the Browns to get a lot of pressure on Jones and cause him to struggle.
Others receiving votes:
Baker Mayfield, Cle:
Mayfield plays better without Odell Beckham, Jr., and he did have two touchdowns last week, but he didn’t have to do much last week against the Bengals. Belichick will force Mayfield to win this game, and I don’t think he will…especially if Nick Chubb is out.
Running backs:
Antonio Gibson, Was:
The Football Team has no passing game, is going up against the second ranked run defense – which is also coming off a bye – and apparently Gibson has been playing with a fractured leg. Does not sound like a recipe for success this week.
Michael Carter, NYJ
After a breakout game two weeks ago against the Bengals, Carter came back down to earth last week, putting up just 49 yards rushing at 3.8 yards per carry against a mediocre Colts run defense. The Bills run defense ranks fourth in the NFL, giving up just 85.6 yards per game.
Others receiving votes:
Adrian Peterson, Ten:
A lot of folks got excited picking up Peterson last week and some even played him… luckily he got a touchdown, otherwise he would have been a complete dud. The good news was he lead the team in carries (10). The bad news? He only put up 21 yards on those 10 carries.Yes, it was the Rams defense, but the Saints – at least statistically – are the league’s top run defense, only giving up 73.8 yards per game.
Pass Catchers:
Carolina Pass Catchers:
With Darnold out, the Panthers are going to go with, checks notes, P.J. Walker? The second year quarterback from Temple has thrown just 15 passes this year…completing just three for 33 yards. Heaven help the Carolina offense this week.
Deebo Samuel, SF:
The 49ers are a mess. After losing last week to a Kyler Murray-less Cardinals team, they get the Rams defense this week which is one of the best in the league…and will have Von Miller this week! Starting anyone against the Rams the rest of the year is going to be tough.
Others receiving votes:
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cle:
He was a hot commodity on the waiver wire this week after putting up 86 yards and a touchdown last week in the Browns rout of the Bengals. However, he only had two catches and 60 of his 86 yards (and the touchdown) came on a blown play by Eli Apple. He is unlikely to get behind the Patriots this week, and therefore his value is limited.
Sleepers:
Ryan Tannehill, Ten:
In his first game without Derrick Henry, Tannehill didn’t do much, but it was against the Rams. While the Saints have a great run defense, their pass defense ranks in the bottom six. I could see Tannehill having a big day this weekend.
Matt Ryan, Atl:
Ryan is putting up a solid season and has put up 330+ yards in three of his last four games. He has also thrown multiple touchdowns in six of his eight games. Even if he is without Calvin Ridley again this week, I like the matchup against the Cowboys bottom five pass defense.
Jacoby Brissett, Mia:
The Ravens defense can throw a lot at a quarterback, but Brissett is a veteran who has seen plenty and so far this season, the Ravens defense hasn’t been very successful. The Dolphins have enough weapons to challenge the Ravens secondary.
Running backs:
Javonte Williams, Den:
Williams had his best game as a pro last week – most carries (17) and most yards (111) – and while he only has two touchdowns on the year (one rushing, one receiving), his stock is pointing up.
Brandon Bolden, NE:
With Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson both in concussion protocol, that could leave lead duties to Bolden this week. Even if Harris and/or Stevenson return, Bolden still has some value as a flex.
Others receiving votes:
Tony Pollard, Dal:
Even if Ezekiel Elliott plays this week with his knee injury, I would expect to see Pollard picking up more of the duties than usual, making him a possible flex play this week against a less than impressive Falcons defense.
Pass Catchers:
Cole Beasley, Buf:
For the second week in a row, Beasley is on the ‘Sleepers’ list because of the volume he is seeing. Over the last three weeks, Beasley has seen a whopping 33 targets, pulling in 25 of those for 204 yards and a touchdown. He has another friendly matchup this week against a bad Jets defense.
Elijah Moore, NYJ:
In five games with Zach Wilson at quarterback, Moore saw 26 targets and only caught nine of them for 79 yards and no touchdowns. In the two games without Wilson, Moore has 14 targets, 13 catches, 151 yards and two touchdowns. With Wilson out again this week, Moore may be a flex play.
Mike Gesicki, Mia:
If Gesicki is somehow still on your league’s waiver wire, pick him up. If he is on your bench, put him in! He has seen six or more targets in seven of his nine games, and ever since Week 1, he is averaging about 7.5 targets and 5.5 catches per game.
