Fitzgeralds Fantasy Favorites

(Week 11: Nov. 18th-22nd)

-Safe starts

• Leonard Fournette, RB Buccaneers : It’s safe to say at this point that Fournette is the main guy in the buccaneers backfield. Not only is he making a difference in the running game but he also is starting to be a reliable pass catcher which makes him a great option for any lineup.
• Michael Carter, RB Jets: Michael Carter has been a great player to have in PPR lately as he’s combined for 22 catches in the last 4 weeks. This week he has a favorable matchup vs the Dolphins who have allowed opposing running backs 59 catches so expect the Jets to try and get Carter touches in the passing game.
• Myles Gaskin, RB Dolphins: It’s always risky to start Gaskin because he always has the likely possibility of disappointing. However lately he’s proved he’s becoming a focal point in the Dolphins offense getting 15+ touches in the past four weeks. He faces a Jets defense that allows the most yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to running backs so I think Gaskin is a must start.

-Shaky Starts

• Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB Cheifs: I don’t expect to see anything too crazy from Helaire this week. Daryl Williams has been playing well and with Helaires injury I don’t  expect him to get a good workload.
• Gerald Everett, TE Seahawks: The Seahawks offense was horrendous last week so it’s risky to play any of their offensive guys. They play a Cardinals unit that ranks number one at shutting down tight ends, so that puts up some red flags for Gerald Everett in your lineup this week.
• Devontae Booker, RB Giants: Devontae Booker has been very solid as he has scored 14+ points in four of his last 5 games. However this week Saquon Barkley is expected to return which should significantly decrease Bookers usage. The Giants also face the Buccaneers who have one of the best run defenses in the league.

(Week 10: Nov. 11th-15th)

-Safe Starts 

• D’Earnest Johnson, RB Browns: Nick Chubb is expected not to play due to Covid, and Kareem Hunt is still on IR which means Johnson will be the feature guy once again. Last time he was in this situation he showed out, rushing for 146 yards on 22 attempts and 1 touchdown. Look for him to try to prove himself once again in week 10.
• Pat Friermuth, TE Steelers: Friermuth is heating up lately as he has combined for 16 catches and 3 touchdowns in the past 3 weeks. Chase Claypool is also dealing with a toe injury so that should open up things even more for the rookie from Penn state.
• Michael Pittman, WR Colts: Pittman has been red hot as he has scored 17 or more points in four of his last 5 games. This week Pittman also has a favorable matchup vs a Jaguars defense that has allowed 8 receivers to score at least 16 or more points. 

-Shaky Starts

• Christian Kirk, WR Cardinals: Kirk had a good outing last week vs San Francisco scoring 16.4 points, however this week Deandre Hopkins and Aj Green both return from injury so that takes away a lot of opportunity for Kirk. The Cardinals also play the Panthers who are one of the best teams at defending slot receivers which is where Kirk lines up the most. 
• Chris Carson, RB Seahawks: Chris Carson is expected to make his return this week vs the Packers which has many owners excited. However considering this is his first time playing in more than a month I wouldn’t bank on him getting a lot of touches.
• Ronald Jones, RB Buccaneers: Jones is basically invisible in this Buccaneers offense. Last week he had just 3 rushes and 1 target vs the Saints. With how low his usage is it’s pretty much a no brainer to bench Jones.

(Week 9: Nov. 4th-8th)

-Safe Starts

• Hunter Renfrow, WR Raiders: The Raiders are very short on receivers with no Henry Ruggs and an injured Darren Waller that might not play. They also face a very poor pass defense in the Giants so expect Renfrow to have a big week.
• Jarvis Landry, WR Browns: Landry was a key part to the Browns offense in week 8 with 10 targets and 5 receptions. This week expect him to play even more of an active role with no Odell Beckham.
• Najee Harris, RB Steelers: Harris is starting to catch fire as he has scored at least 19 points in 6 weeks straight. This week he has a prime time matchup against the Bears who have shown they are bad against the run. Look for the Steelers to try and beat the Bears through the run game with Najee Harris.

-Shaky Starts

• AJ Dillon, RB Packers: Aj Dillon has produced pretty well especially considering he is behind Aaron Jones. However Dillon is a very TD dependent player and this week with no Aaron Rodgers don’t expect the Packers to get in the red zone very much.
• Mike Williams, WR Chargers: Just a few weeks ago Williams was looking like one of the best receivers in the league but in the past few games he’s faded pretty badly. He also faces an Eagles defense that has allowed the third least points to opposing receivers. Until he starts producing like he had been its not safe to start Williams.
• Jakobi Meyers, WR Patriots: Despite getting a decent amount of targets, Meyers is difficult to start mostly because he can never get in the end zone. The Patriots also face a good pass defense in the Panthers this week.

(Week 8: Oct. 28th-Nov. 1st)

–Booming bench Players 

• Darrell Henderson, RB Rams: Despite slightly underperforming in week 7 scoring only 9 points Id still keep faith in Henderson this week. The Rams face a horrendous Texans defense that allows more than 25 points per game to opposing Running backs so I highly suggest you keep Henderson in your lineup.
• Kenneth Gainwell, RB Eagles: Before Miles Sanders went down with injury Gainwell was starting to get a pretty good volume of touches especially in the passing game. This week with Sanders out it should open up even more of an opportunity for Gainwell especially with the Eagles facing a pretty bad Lions defense. Gainwell has already proved he can put up numbers even when he’s behind Sanders, this week they should only go up with him as the main guy in the Eagles backfield.
• Jameis Winston, QB Saints: This pick is more risky but I really like playing Winston this week. He goes for revenge against his old team in the Buccaneers and I expect it to be a high scoring shootout with both Quarterbacks putting up big numbers. Michael Thomas also might return this week which also would really help Winston if it happens.

-Sit-able starters 

• Mike Davis, RB Falcons: The Falcons are really starting to use Patterson more and more each week which is not good at all for Mike Davis owners. Last week Davis got a season low of only 4 touches which is pretty concerning. The Falcons also face a Carolina team that has had a pretty solid defense so I recommended not starting Davis by any means this week.
• D’Earnest Johnson, RB Browns: D’Earnest Johnson surprised everyone and came up big for a lot of Fantasy owners in week 7. However this week with Nick Chubb returning to the lineup I can’t see Johnson producing anywhere close to what he did last week. 
• Julio Jones WR, Titans: Not too long ago it would be no question to start Jones in your lineup however things have unfortunately changed. He has struggled badly all year with consistency and injuries which has made it hard to start him. Aj Brown is also starting to catch fire so all the more reason to keep Jones on your bench.

(Week 7-October 21st-25th)

-Booming bench Players

• Jimmy Garoppolo, QB 49ers: Garoppolo is projected to make his return week 7 against a Colts defense that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points against qbs this year. Jimmy G is also in a position battle with rookie Trey Lance so look for him to try and prove himself as the guy this week.       
• Cordarelle Patterson, RB Falcons: Patterson has been one of the best surprises for fantasy owners especially in PPR leagues. He’s scored 5 touchdowns in 5 games and gets good usage averaging 8 carries and 6 targets per game. Unfortunately I don’t think he’ll be able to do this on a consistent week to week basis however this week vs a struggling Dolphins defense I think it’s a no brainer to start Patterson.
• Darrel Williams, RB Chiefs: With Clyde Edward-Helaire being injured it opened up a big opportunity for Williams and he delivered, scoring 2 touchdowns in week 6. This week expect nothing to change with the Chiefs playing a Titans defense that allows 22.5 points per game to opposing running backs.

-Sit-able Starters

• Myles Gaskin, RB Miami: Gaskin is becoming a high risk low reward type of player. Although he occasionally has some good weeks his inconsistency and decrease in touches makes him a pretty easy bench player this week.
• Jamal Williams, RB Lions: Besides occasional goal line touches Jamal Williams doesn’t really make a good case for fantasy owners. D’andre Swift has taken a lot of volume away from Williams especially in the passing game where Swift averages 7 targets per game and leads Detroit in receiving. With Williams’s usage heavily decreasing and a matchup vs the Rams where you can expect the Lions to pass a lot, I see Williams playing on your benches this week.
• Alex Collins, RB Seahawks: Despite coming up big last week against the Steelers  I don’t think it’s safe at all to start Collins. He is dealing with a hip injury that he suffered late in last week’s game so although he is expected to play, Collins wont be 100%. Rashaad Penny is also expected to return to the already crowded backfield so that should also take a lot of touches away from Collins.

(Week 6–October 14th–18th)

-Booming Bench Players

James Robinson, RB Jaguars: Robinson has produced 20 points in 3 consecutive weeks and is starting to really catch fire. This week should be even better with the Jags playing a Dolphins team that has allowed the second most fantasy point for Running backs.                                                                                         

Jalen Hurts, QB Eagles: Hurts is probably the most slept on QB in the league especially in fantasy. He has put up 20 points in every single game this season. This week in prime time against the Buccaneers expect a pretty strong showing from him.

Devonta Smith, WR Eagles: Devonta Smith is starting to become a problem for opposing defenses as he’s scored more than 14 points in the past 2 weeks. The Buccaneers have allowed the most points in the league vs Receivers that line up out wide so expect a heavy dose of Smith this week.

-Sit-able Starters

AJ Brown, WR Titans: AJ Brown has been a disappointment for fantasy owners all season even when healthy. This week don’t expect anything to change considering he is facing a Bills defense that has held every receiver they’ve faced to less then 100 receiving yards including Tyreek Hill and Terry McLaurin.

Mlies Sanders, RB Eagles: It pains me to say but I think it’s time to sit Miles Sanders.  He’s been losing a lot of touches especially in the receiving game to rookie Kenneth Gainwell. Even when Sanders has gotten significant touches he still didn’t put up good numbers. Hopefully he can pick it up because many people had high hopes for him this season.

Chase Edmonds, RB Cardinals: Last week Edmonds put up a season low 4.4 points on only 6 carries. This week he faces a Browns defense that ranks top 5 in the league against the run and has only allowed one running back score more than 10 points so I highly recommend not starting him.