With key starters out on numerous teams, certain players look to fill the gaps on their teams and possibly your fantasy team. Cleveland, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and the Giants round out the bye weeks this year, which furthers the search for good starts this week.
Quarterback
Start: Derek Carr (OAK) – Carr has impressed fantasy owners all year, and he should continue to do so against the Lions. Detroit comes in to this week giving up the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and they have injuries all over the secondary. Carr is a must start.
Mark Sanchez (PHI) – This is similar to the Kirk Cousins start last week, but is probably a much bigger stretch. Still, he might have to replace Big Ben or Drew Brees for some of you. Sanchez faces the Buccaneers, who have given up the third most passing touchdowns in the league. Sanchez is not one of the most talented QB’s out there, but he’s been in Chip’s system longer than Bradford and might surprise people.
Carson Palmer (ARZ) – Palmer proved me and most other fantasy owners wrong last week in a start against Seattle. This selection for a start is simply to say start him every week almost no matter who else you have. The Bengals have been solid in pass defense, but that doesn’t seem to matter with Palmer and the Cardinals.
Sit: Joe Flacco (BAL) – Flacco has followed his career trends this season in that he his much better at home than away. However, this week should not be so easy. The Rams have held QBs such as Russell Wilson and Palmer to under 18 points, and will at least limit Joe to a mediocre day.
Ryan Tannehill (MIA) – The Cowboys defense has never been dominant on defense in the Romo era, but have been very solid against the pass in recent times. They have only given up 2 total touchdowns in the past four games. Tannehill really hasn’t been a quality start all year, only having two solid games in blowouts.
Running Back
Start: Frank Gore (IND) – Gore received his most touches last week (28) and turned in a solid fantasy day against a great Denver defense. The Falcons defense is very good in limiting RB’s in yards, but have given up 10 touchdowns to them. Expect plenty of action and goal line carries for the veteran with Andrew Luck out.
Charcandrick West (KC) – West is an automatic start as he goes against the leagues worst fantasy rush defense in the San Diego Chargers. They have given up a touchdown to a running back in four of the past five games, and West has four in the past three.
Jonathan Stewart (CAR) – The Redskins are dead last in the NFL in yards per carry on defense, allowing a whopping 5 yards per carry. Stewart has seen an increased role lately and has a touchdown in four of the past 5 games. Expect at least one more in week 11.
Sit: Alfred Morris (WAS) – Morris finally topped 100 total yards for the first time since week 1, but this was mainly due to the horrendous New Orleans Saints defense. Things will likely go back to normal, starting with Carolina, which is unfortunate after seeing so much potential early in Morris’ career.
Karlos Williams (BUF) – Williams has a chance to set an NFL record this week with a touchdown in his first 7 career games. However, he goes up against a stout Patriots defense and LeSean McCoy is back to his normal self. In a blowout/shootout, Williams is not a good play if you other options.
Jeremy Hill (CIN) – You could say this game against the Cardinals is more of a Giovanni Bernard game, but it’s doesn’t really good for either back. Neither is a good start against the 7th ranked fantasy rush defense.
Wide Receiver
Start: Danny Amendola (NE) – With Julian Edelman out, Amendola is the obvious replacement has he has a very similar playing style. Even if talented corners Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby put forth their best efforts, Brady will still likely find Amendola for a big play sooner or later.
Stevie Johnson (SD) – Johnson is again an easy choice to start as the number one option. He was alright last week with 7 catches against the Bears, but he should more productive this week. The Chiefs have allowed the second most points to opposing receivers, yielding countless short to mid range completions near the sidelines. This is a perfect game to start Johnson.
Mike Evans (TB) – Evans has racked up 662 yards in only 7 games, but he has only reached the end zone once. This is what has limited him in fantasy and has kept him in the flex or even on the bench. This week the Bucs play the Eagles, who have given up on average 2 touchdowns to opposing WR’s per game.
Sit: DeSean Jackson (WAS) – Cousins looked deep a couple times to Jackson last week and converted one 42 yard pass. Still, he shouldn’t be relied on if all he can do at this point is catch one deep ball. He will not likely get any long passes anyway against a great pass defense of the Panthers led by Josh Norman.
Alshon Jeffrey (CHI) – Jeffrey is still listed as a game time decision for Sunday’s game against the Broncos, but he shouldn’t be started even if he was healthy. With that said, if Jeffrey is pronounced out, there is no use searching for the next man up, because they are an even worse option.
Tight End
Start: Eric Ebron (DET) – The Oakland Raiders have given up the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, giving up 10 touchdowns in nine games. The loss of Aldon Smith will only add to this struggle. Ebron hasn’t had a good game in three weeks, but will likely get back on track this Sunday.
Crockett Gillmore (BAL) – Gillmore has a touchdown in each of the last two games with Steve Smith out. The Rams have been a great defense all year, but let Zach Miller have a huge day against them last week. He had two touchdowns, and Gillmore looks to add at least one more in week 11.
Sit: Antonio Gates (SD) – The Kansas City Chiefs have been historically good against TE’s all year, not allowing more than 70 yards and only giving up touchdowns total. The future Hall of Famer has only had one good game this year and is battling with a hip injury, which also adds to the reason to sit him.
Charles Clay (BUF) – Buffalo plays a very good tight end defense too in the Patriots. Clay finished with only 7 points in standard leagues against New England in their first meeting, with points mainly coming from a meaningless touchdown. This week’s game is sure to be a high scoring affair with a lot of big passing plays, but Clay will likely not be a huge part of this.