You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
With Jameis Winston at quarterback, Jeudy has become the greatest receiver ever. OK, that might be a bit hyperbolic, but the wideout has averaged the following figures with Jaboo under center: nine targets, six catches, 103 yards and 21 fantasy points. Jeudy has scored a touchdown in half of Winston's six starts, clearing 12 points every time out while also posting a couple of monster fantasy outings (40.5 and 26.2 points). So, he's providing a safe floor and a very high ceiling. In Week 15, the fifth-year wideout faces the Chiefs, who have allowed the second-most receiving yards to receivers since Week 10. In a game where the Browns likely air it out, Jeudy is a strong start.
In a rough year for the Jets -- though it just got better for those Jets-Mets fans! -- Wilson has been a bright spot, ranking seventh amongst receivers in fantasy points and yards. He recently hit a slump, but appeared to break out of it this past Sunday with a season-high 114 yards. Meanwhile, Adams just topped 100 yards for the first time as a Jet and caught a touchdown pass. The veteran has topped 13 fantasy points in four of his last five games and still brings a high ceiling. Both are must-starts this week against the Jaguars, who have allowed the fourth-most yards and fantasy PPG to receivers.
The broader football-watching world is getting to know Khalil Shakir. Although, I did pound the table for him all summer, so hopefully if you're reading this, you've had him on your team all season. He has scored 11-plus fantasy points in six of his last seven games, eclipsing 19 points twice in that span. He is Josh Allen's safety blanket, providing extremely trustworthy hands, but he also can win both downfield and after the catch. Now he has an excellent matchup against Detroit in what could be a scorefest. The Lions have allowed the second-most yards and fifth-most fantasy PPG to receivers. They have allowed over 1,000 yards to slot receivers -- no other team has allowed even 860. Shakir runs 62 percent of his routes from the slot. Start him.
Last week, Ridley finished with 12.9 fantasy points, but the volume is what caught my eye. He received 12 targets while no other Titan saw more than four. His 57 percent first-read rate led all players in Week 14, per Fantasy Points Data. Now he faces the Bengals, who have allowed eight touchdowns to receivers since Week 10. Tennessee will have to score plenty to keep up with Joe Burrow and Co. The volume and upside make Ridley a strong start in the fantasy playoffs.
MORE START OPTIONS: Lions' Jameson Williams (vs. Bills), Bears' DJ Moore (at Vikings), Giants' Malik Nabers (vs. Ravens), Raiders' Jakobi Meyers (vs. Falcons).
Sit 'Em
This "sit" isn't an indictment on Thomas, who is an exceptionally talented rookie receiver. It is more about not trusting Mac Jones and being wary of the matchup. The Jets have given up the fourth-fewest yards to receivers and just eight touchdowns, the second-fewest in the NFL. They also play man at an above-average rate. Thomas has gained just 215 of his 851 total yards against man, with a 41 percent catch rate versus the coverage. He splits his time on each side of the formation, but he runs over 70 percent of his routes out wide. Thus, he will see plenty of Sauce Gardner (who's apparently in line to return from injury) and D.J. Reed. Due to the quarterback and opposing defense, I would look to go in another direction.
Many Deebo Samuel fantasy managers didn't make the playoffs. For those who did, I would keep the wideout on the bench if you have another option you feel good about. Over the past four weeks, Deebo has averaged 4.7 fantasy PPG. This Thursday, he draws the Rams, who've been pretty tough on receivers recently -- well, besides this past Sunday, when Bills QB Josh Allen put on a tour de force in Los Angeles. Samuel missed the first game against the Rams in September due to injury and he had mixed results against the division rivals last year. I am a little nervous about the potential for a squeaky-wheel game after his social media posts, but the floor has been too low to trust this WR in the fantasy playoffs.
Pittman's production has been better lately, but it's still far from ideal. He has topped double digits in just one game that Anthony Richardson has started and finished. In those eight AR games, he is averaging just 8.3 fantasy points per contest. He now faces Denver's defense, which has allowed a league-low seven touchdowns to receivers. The Broncos have yielded the 12th-fewest fantasy PPG. Plus, Pittman runs about 70 percent of his routes out wide, so he could see a bunch of shutdown corner Patrick Surtain II. Lastly, there is a chance Josh Downs returns from injury. The floor is too low to trust in the single-elimination portion of the fantasy season.
Dell has averaged just 7.8 fantasy PPG in the three games since Nico Collins returned from injury. That is consistent with the 7.6 fantasy PPG he has averaged over all seven games he has played with Collins this season. While the Dolphins have been a better matchup recently, they still have allowed the sixth-fewest yards and fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to receivers this season. They are tied with the Jets for the fewest touchdowns allowed to WRs. I do not want to trust C.J. Stroud or his No. 2 receiver with the fantasy football season on the line.
