Each week there are some obvious starts and sits in fantasy football. Other decisions are not quite so simple. With that in mind, I offer up some not-so-obvious picks with my weekly Studs, Duds & Sleepers. Here are this week’s picks.
STUDS
QB: Geno Smith (SEA) vs. CAR: Smith enters Week 14 as QB6 on the season and he should be able to improve on that versus a Panthers’ D that has allowed three of the last five signal callers they’ve faced to break 20 FP.
RB: Tony Pollard (DAL) vs. HOU: I can rubber stamp both Cowboys’ running backs in a game with a 17-point total. Pollard is easily a top 10 play on my board despite the Texans’ improved rushing defensive effort of late. He’s eclipsed 21+ PPR points in four of his last five outings.
WR: DeAndre Hopkins (ARI) vs. NE: It’s nice to have D-Hop back from his Week 13 bye and don’t let the matchup with the Pats worry you too much. New England has allowed three fantasy receivers to get 21+ FP over the last two games. In the six games since his return he’s received 12 or more targets four times.
TE: Greg Dulcich (DEN) vs. KC: He’s back! Dulcich finally showed up last week and given the nature of the position, he’s easily the only Bronco worth considering in fantasy lineups right now. With Kansas City likely to have a lead and Courtland Sutton (hamstring) on the wrong side of questionable, Dulcich may lead the team in targets this week.
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DUDS
QB: Tom Brady (TB) at SF: The freaking Broncos have a higher implied total this week than the Bucs as they travel to San Fran to face a 49ers’ D that only four units have allowed fewer fantasy points to.
RB: Gus Edwards (BAL) at PIT: I leaned on Edwards as a desperation flex play last week and was quickly reminded how low that floor can be. With Lamar Jackson unlikely to play this week and J.K. Dobbins making progress to a return at some point I’m moving off on Edwards in most spots altogether. At the very least he should be benched until further notice.
WR: Darius Slayton (NYG) vs. PHI: Slayton has been impressive being thrusted into a much bigger role than anticipated due to injuries. He’s in the play almost weekly at this point as a FLEX/WR3 option. However, I am looking elsewhere this week with a matchup vs. Philly on tap.
TE: Mike Gesicki (MIA) at LAC: Over the last two games he has two targets and no catches. Add to it a tough matchup with the Chargers’ D and managers need to look elsewhere.
SLEEPERS
QB: Jared Goff (DET) vs. MIN: The Lions are looking legit and Goff is a big reason why. He’s coming off his second-best fantasy effort of the season last week and has now thrown for multiple scores in six of his 12 games and with all of his weapons now getting healthy look for him to stay hot vs. a Vikings’ D that has allowed four straight QB’s to throw for over 300 yards.
RB: James Cook (BUF) vs. NYJ: The rookie saw a season-best 43 percent snap share this week while Devin Singletary has his lowest of the year (44 percent). Cook delivered with 20 total touches for 105 scrimmage yards. He’s in play against the Jets as a fringe top 25 RB. I’d play him over Singletary at this point moving forward.
WR: Nico Collins (HOU) at DAL: Being a three-score underdog should mean a heavy passing script and plenty of targets. Davis Mills back under center sadly is a bonus.
TE: Noah Fant (SEA) vs. CAR: With all the injuries and six teams on bye I am going to lean on Fant in a couple of spots myself this week. He scored last time out and has 18 targets over the last four outings.
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