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: Kirk Cousins (MIN) vs CHI: The Vikings passing game hasn’t started to click just yet and Cousins’ numbers have shown it. He is QB14 on the season and has yet to reach 280 yards in a single game and has thrown just six scores across four contests. The Bears have allowed opposing QB’s to score 20+ FP in both road games this year and Cousins should extend that streak to three games in Minnesota on Sunday.
RB: James Robinson (JCK) vs. HOU: There aren’t many things fantasy managers can count on week in and week out this year, but the Texans’ D being a whipping post for running backs has been one of them. Three times in four weeks Houston has ceded a 27+ FP day to a running back. Robinson has reached 15 FP in three of his four games this year. He’ll easily get that here.
WR: Tee Higgins (CIN) at BAL: In two games vs. the Ravens last season Higgins pulled in 19 balls for 256 yards and two scores. Baltimore was dealing with injuries last season, but have already allowed three wideouts to hit 150 yards in four games this year and only Washington has allowed more scores to the position so far in 2022.
TE Tyler Higbee (LAR) vs. DAL: I had it wrong last week vs. SF when I put Higbee as a Dud here. I’m making up for it here by rubber stamping him as a must start this week. With nine or more targets in three of the Rams’ four games Higbee’s volume alone makes him a weekly TE1 option, especially in PPR formats.
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DUDS
QB: Kenny Pickett (PIT) at BUF: There is plenty of buzz in Pittsburgh around the rookie getting the nod as the team’s starter. However, fantasy managers and Steelers fans need to temper their expectations a bit with a brutal schedule over the next month, starting with Sunday’s trip to Buffalo. He’s worth grabbing in deeper league and 2QB formats, but Pickett should be nowhere near a starting lineup in Week 5.
RB: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) at LAR: The veteran is RB36 one month in PPR formats and has reached double-digit points just once so far this season. He has yet to have a single game with 20 carries or 75 rushing yards and has been targeted just seven times in four contests with one trip to the end zone all season. Dallas needs to realize Tony Pollard needs more work and fantasy managers need to accept Zeke for what he is, a low-ceiling flex play.
WR: DJ Moore (CAR) vs. SF: It’s not all on Moore, but the Panthers’ passing game is brutal and that has led to him being considered as one of the biggest bust candidates at the position through the first quarter of the season. He’s scored one time all year and has yet to break 50 yards receiving in a game this season. A matchup vs. a San Fran D that has allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to wideouts on the year isn’t making me feel any better about playing him.
TE: Hunter Henry (NE) vs. DET: The Lions gave up a pair of TE scores last week to the Seahawks and have been a great matchup in fantasy for nearly any opposing player. That still isn’t enough for me to endorse Henry as a Week 5 option. Frankly he shouldn’t be rostered in most leagues as he has just five catches all season and has only been targeted nine times. With injury issues and quarterback I’m staying clear altogether.
SLEEPERS
QB: Ryan Tannehill (TEN) at WAS: If you take out his game vs. the Bills, Tannehill has actually been fairly solid this season. Now he gets to face off vs. a Commanders’ defense that has already yielded 10 passing scores to wideouts this season. He’s inside my top 20 this week at the position.
RB: Raheem Mostert (MIA) at NYJ: I witnessed first-hand last week how impressive Mostert could look in the Miami offense. I am convinced he’s the best fantasy option in the Miami backfield moving forward. The Jets have held Joe Mixon and Najee Harris in check, but Mostert should be considered as a solid flex option here coming off what we saw last Thursday night.
WR: Robert Woods (TEN) at WAS: With Treylon Burks dealing with a turf toe and Woods getting healthier and more dialed into the Tennessee offense each week the opportunity for targets seems strong this week for the veteran. The matchup vs. Washington is favorable too. The Commanders have seen seven wideouts get 12+ PPR points vs. them through four games.
TE: David Njoku (CLE) vs. LAC: Tight end is once a scary place as nearly every player at the position fails to lack consistency. Njoku does get a decent amount or target share in the Cleveland passing attack though and I expect the Browns to be playing from behind and that could help lift Njoku into backend TE1 range in Week 5.
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