Quarterbacks
Start
Jameis Winston, Saints (vs. Falcons): With Drew Brees out, Winston will likely be the starter against the Falcons. He was extremely productive with the Buccaneers last season. He threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns and finished fifth in fantasy points among quarterbacks. I would not expect him to completely replicate that production over the next couple of weeks, but he will have a great matchup this week against the Falcons. The Falcons are giving up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. Cowboys): Cousins has been solid after having -1.48 fantasy points against the Colts in Week 2. Since Week 3, he has been the QB16. The Cowboys defense has continued to struggle. They are allowing a league-high 32.2 points per game to opposing offenses. In their last game, Ben Roethlisberger had 25.04 fantasy points. This matchup makes Cousins a safe start this week.
Sleeper: Alex Smith, Washington Football Team (vs. Bengals)
Sit
Jared Goff, Rams (vs. Buccaneers): The Buccaneers are giving up the third-fewest passing yards per game. Goff had only 10.48 fantasy points against the Seahawks, who are allowing the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Goff should definitely be benched this week.
Andy Dalton, Cowboys (vs. Vikings): Dalton is expected to be the starter, once again. In two starts, he had a total of 13.64 fantasy points. There is very little upside here.
Running backs
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Damien Harris, Patriots (vs. Texans): Harris rushed 121 yards against the Ravens last Sunday. He has now topped 100 rushing yards in three out of the six games he has played in this season. He is a safe bet to have another big game against the Texans, who have given up the most rushing yards in the league.
D’Andre Swift, Lions (vs. Panthers): Swift is officially the lead back in Detroit. Last week, he posted season-highs in touches (21) and scrimmage yards (149). More importantly, that has translated into fantasy prodcution. Since Week 6, Swift is the RB4 in PPR leagues. In addition, this is an enticing matchup, as the Panthers are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs.
Sleeper: Salvon Ahmed, Dolphins (vs. Broncos)
Sit
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. Rams): After receiving just one carry against the Saints, Fournette gained only 19 rushing yards on eight carries last week against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Ronald Jones rushed for 192 yards on 23 carries. The Buccaneers should continue to rely on Jones, and Fournette is not a starting option against a strong Rams defense.
J.K. Dobbins, Ravens (vs. Titans): From a fantasy perspective, Mark Ingram’s return went as expected. Once again, the Ravens have three running backs splitting carries, but none of them received enough touches to offer much upside. Gus Edwards led the way with seven carries, while Ingram and Dobbins each carried the ball five times. Dobbins certainly is still capable of producing a big play, but he is far too risky at his current volume.
Wide receivers
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Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. Cowboys): As I previously mentioned, the Cowboys are allowing a league-high 32.2 points per game. I already listed Kirk Cousins as a start this week. Like the rest of Minnesota’s offense, Jefferson should have a big game.
Willie Snead IV, Ravens (vs. Titans): Yes, Snead is suddenly a fantasy option. Over the last three weeks, he is the WR13. He has led the Ravens in receiving yards for two out of the past three games, and he scored two touchdowns against the Patriots last week. More importantly, Snead has 18 total targets over the past three games, which leads all Ravens’ wide receivers. The Titans are allowing the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and Snead looks like the best option on Baltimore.
Sleeper: Deonte Harris, Saints (vs. Falcons)
Sit
Marquise Brown, Ravens (vs. Titans): Brown has a total of 55 receiving yards over the past three games. To be fair, the first two games were against the Steelers and Colts, but he should have bounced back against the Patriots. Breshad Perriman posted 101 yards and two touchdowns against the Patriots in the week prior. On paper, this is a good matchup, but I simply do not trust Brown this week considering his recent performance.
Corey Davis, Titans (vs. Ravens): Davis has been a solid contributor this season. In PPR leagues, he is averaging 13.7 fantasy points per game. Nevertheless, he will face a tough test against Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters this Sunday.
Tight ends
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Hayden Hurst, Falcons (vs. Saints): Before the bye week, Hurst was becoming incredibly consistent. He had four straight games with at least 50 receiving yards and double-digit fantasy points. With a favorable matchup against the Saints, he should be started in all formats.
Sleeper: Irv Smith Jr., Vikings (vs. Falcons)
Sit
Trey Burton, Colts (vs. Packers): A few weeks ago, Burton scored three touchdowns in two games, but he has cooled off considerably since then. Over his past two games, he has a total of four receptions for 30 yards and no touchdowns. I would not project an uptick in production against the Packers, who are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.