Welcome to our weekly fantasy rankings! We’ve updated the format to give you more of the relevant information, in a faster format. Here we review each position grouping for the week, outline possible starters and streamers, and give you the low-down to make your fantasy life easier.
With that, let’s dive in!
Quarterback
Start of the week
Lamar Jackson tops the list again with another soft matchup in Miami on Thursday Night Football. Don’t expect another 21 carries for 120 rushing yards, but 10 carries, 60 yards on the ground, 250 yards through the air, and a pair of TDs is definitely in play with plenty of room for more.
Sneaky start of the week
Derek Carr started the season on a tear, but has showed his inconsistencies over time. Next up, Carr gets a tasty matchup against KC at home. After showing fairly well against Jordan Love and Daniel Jones, I expect Carr (through Waller) to put KC back in their place.
Sit of the week
Kirk Cousins travels to LA to take on the Chargers. The biggest detriment to Cousins won’t be the Chargers, rather it’ll be Dalvin Cook. Expect Cousins to take a back seat in this one.
A-grade Starts:
- Lamar Jackson (@ MIA)
- Dak Prescott (vs ATL)
- Kyler Murray (vs CAR)
- Josh Allen (@ NYJ)
B-grade Starts:
- Patrick Mahomes (@ LV)
- Justin Herbert (vs MIN)
- Tom Brady (@ WAS)
- Aaron Rodgers (vs SEA)
- Russell Wilson (@ GB)
C-grade Starts:
- Jalen Hurts (@ DEN)
- Matthew Stafford (@ SF)
- Derek Carr (vs KC)
- Carson Wentz (vs JAX)
- Ryan Tannehill (vs NO)
- Kirk Cousins (@ LAC)
Sit:
- Mac Jones
- Trevor Lawrence
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Matt Ryan
- Jacoby Brissett
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Baker Mayfield
- Mike White
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Taylor Heinicke
- Jared Goff
- PJ Walker
- Trevor Siemien
- Taysom Hill
Running Back
Start of the week
Dalvin Cook has a great matchup, taking his slashing style to LA against the Chargers. It should be a Cook heavy script to keep the defense – and Herbert – off the field. Even with the latest situation, it’ll take something pressing and immediate to prevent Cook from taking the field.
Sneaky start of the week
Javonte Williams put up his first 100 yard game last week with a 45/55 split. Despite a couple clunkers against solid defenses, taking on Philly at home could bring a monster breakout for the former Tar Heel.
Sit of the week
Antonio Gibson is taking on Tampa Bay’s phenomenal defense this week, and is still playing through the pain. This would be a tough matchup if healthy… playing banged up is sit-city.
Matchup of the week
Not to sound like a broken record, but Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings zone game takes on the Los Angeles Chargers defense this week. The Chargers are sitting third-worst in fantasy PPG given-up to RBs – overwhelmingly coming from the ground game (second most Yards and TDs given up). Minnesota’s offensive line isn’t exactly what one would call “good” – especially not in pass protection – however they are typically solid when running the ball. Alexander Mattison may get a few touches too, but likely not enough to make a significant fantasy impact.
A-grade Starts:
- Dalvin Cook
- Najee Harris
- Jonathan Taylor (x)
- Christian McCaffrey ()
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Aaron Jones
- Nick Chubb (if cleared)
- Alvin Kamara
- Austin Ekeler
- James Conner
B-grade Starts:
- Darrell Henderson
- Leonard Fournette
- Josh Jacobs
- D’Andre Swift
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- James Robinson (if healthy)
- Melvin Gordon
- Javonte Williams
C-grade Starts:
- Damien Harris (if cleared)
- Myles Gaskin
- Elijah Mitchell
- Michael Carter
Sit:
- Antonio Gibson
- Zack Moss
- Devin Singletary
- Devonta Freeman
- Le’Veon Bell
- Chris Carson (if healthy)
- Mike Davis
- Tony Pollard
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (if healthy)
- Darrel Williams
- Kenyan Drake
- All other RBs
Wide Receiver
Start of the week
Davante Adams gets Aaron Rodgers back, and will assuredly take advantage in what will likely be a game with a lot of offense.
Sneaky start of the week
Hunter Renfrow has been incredibly consistent up-to this point in the year. With Ruggs gone, and more importantly – few other non-Waller options – that opens the door to up-to five more targets per game. I expect Renfrow will hit the high-end of hit production to this point; 7 receptions, 75 yards, and even a touchdown.
Sit of the week
Brandon Aiyuk had a big game, and has been on the up-and-up the last two weeks, and against the Rams there’s likely going to be volume…I get the appeal, but also can’t help but look back on the lack of involvement weeks 1 through 7 and hesitate. Doubly-so if Deebo is back on track from his injury.
Matchup of the week
Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to the Capital to take on the Washington Football Team. Washington’s defense has given up the second most per-game pts to WRs per ProFootballReference. None of the Washington DBs can individually match-up against the Tampa WRs in man coverage, so I expect a fair amount of zone to be played. Normally against zone, I’d prefer Chris Godwin or Antonio Brown, but both are Questionable. If neither suit up, it’s possible that we see Tyler Johnson take advantage and ball out.
A-grade Starts:
- Cooper Kupp (x)
- Tyreek Hill
- Davante Adams
- Mike Evans
- Keenan Allen
- A.J. Brown
- Stefon Diggs
- Diontae Johnson
- CeeDee Lamb
- Amari Cooper
- Chris Godwin (if healthy)
- Antonio Brown (if healthy)
B-grade Starts:
- Justin Jefferson
- Adam Thielen
- Terry McLaurin
- Mike Williams
- Tyler Lockett
- D.K. Metcalf
- DeAndre Hopkins (if healthy)
- D.J. Moore
- Michael Pittman
- Chase Claypool (if healthy)
- Marquise Brown
C-grade Starts:
- Jerry Jeudy
- Courtland Sutton
- Jaylen Waddle
- DeVonta Smith
- Julio Jones (if healthy)
- Hunter Renfrow
- Rashod Bateman
- Cole Beasley
- Emmanuel Sanders
- Christian Kirk
- Russell Gage
Sit:
- Corey Davis
- Elijah Moore
- Jakobi Meyers
- Jarvis Landry
- Donovan Peoples-Jones
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Marvin Jones
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Laviska Shenault
- Zach Pascal
- Bryan Edwards
- Mecole Hardman
- All other WRs
Tight End
Start of the week
Last week, Darren Waller had his first double-digit-target week since Week 1, catching 7/11 targets for 92 yards. The workload will likely be there now with the absence of Henry Ruggs and ineffectiveness of Bryan Edwards. This week, Vegas hosts Kansas City, who comes in ranked 26th in total defense and allows the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in the NFL.
Sneaky start of the week
Dan Arnold has almost reached the point where he can’t be considered sneaky anymore. He’s topped 60 yards receiving in three of the past four games, and he’s seen 30 targets during that time. Trevor Lawrence clearly likes to target Arnold, and this week’s opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends in the league this season.
Sit of the week
Jared Cook hasn’t topped four catches in a game since Week 4, and has only three games all season with more than 30 yards receiving. The allure to seeing Cook’s name in your lineup is due to the explosive nature of the Chargers’ offense in general, but Cook has not been particularly good this season. The Vikings are top five in the NFL at allowing the fewest fantasy points to tight ends.
A-grade Starts:
- Travis Kelce (@ LV)
- Darren Waller (vs KC)
- George Kittle (vs LAR)
- Kyle Pitts (@ DAL)
B-grade Starts:
- Dalton Schultz (vs ATL)
- T.J. Hockenson (@ PIT)
- Tyler Higbee (@ SF)
- Noah Fant (vs PHI)
C-grade Starts:
- Zach Ertz (vs CAR)
- Ricky Seals-Jones (vs TB)
- Dallas Goedert (@ DEN)
- Pat Freiermuth (vs DET)
- Dawson Knox (@ NYJ)
- Jared Cook (vs MIN)
- Hunter Henry (vs CLE)
- Dan Arnold (@ IND)
Sit:
- Cameron Brate (@ WFT)
- Ryan Griffin (vs BUF)
- Gerald Everett (@ GB)
- Mo Alie-Cox (vs JAC)
Additional Information
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Your typical know-nothing wannabe who never played American football growing up, Andrew grew up playing the REAL football, dreaming of being the next Ronaldo (the Brazilian one).
One fateful day in 1998, Andrew was introduced to one, Randy Moss, who would almost singlehandedly vault American football to the forefront of a young twelve-year-old’s flimsy attention span.
Twenty-some years later, Andrew, now a father, coach and rabid Tottenham supporter, still loves both footballs.
