Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate weekly look at NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Fantasy superstars such as Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley will not be featured in this column. All player matchups are based on a PPR scoring system. For your final starting lineup decisions, check my weekly fantasy football lineup rankings.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Lockett was close to posting a stinker last week, then Russell Wilson hit him on a 44-yard touchdown. I'd keep the veteran in your lineup this week, as a great matchup in Pittsburgh awaits. Lockett, who ran 65.2 percent of his routes out of the slot in Week 1, faces a Steelers defense that just gave up 51.4 points to New England slot men.
Edelman does lose some of his luster with Antonio Brown joining the offensive mix, but he's still a solid No. 2 wideout for fantasy purposes. I'd keep him in your lineup against the Dolphins, who surrendered two touchdowns to slot receivers in Week 1. Also, Edelman has had a lot of success in the stat sheets against Miami during his career.
Cooks put up a huge stinker last week, posting two catches and a mere 5.9 points in Carolina. I would still ride with him, though, as a revenge game against the Saints is next on the schedule. New Orleans has struggled with vertical threats, which was evident in Cook's stat line against them in 2018, so look for him to rebound.
Boyd tied for 10th among wide receivers in targets (11) last week, and his eight catches tied for fourth at the position as well. With A.J. Green still out of action, the Pitt product remains (at least) a flex starter in fantasy leagues. Keep him in your lineup against the Niners, who allowed the fourth-most points to home wideouts in 2018.
Williams might not be Antonio Brown on the field, but he was still impressive with 105 yards, one touchdown and 22.5 points in a win over the Broncos. Next up is a date with the Chiefs, who allowed two top-20 fantasy wideouts and a third to post 14.2 points last week. Now one of the top options for Derek Carr, Williams is an attractive choice.
Start 'Em:Sammy Watkins at Oakland Raiders, Cooper Kupp vs. New Orleans Saints
Sleepers:John Brown at New York Giants, Michael Gallup at Washington Redskins
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
Sanders looked great for a veteran wideout coming off an Achilles procedure, as he scored a touchdown and 19.6 fantasy points against the Raiders. Unfortunately, his next matchup isn't as favorable as the Monsters of the Midway come to town. Last week, the Bears allowed just 20.6 points to wideouts, including just 7.6 to Davante Adams.
Fitzgerald is coming off a monster game, posting eight catches and one touchdown. While that makes it tough to sit him, keep in mind that an upcoming matchup in Baltimore is a difficult one. The Ravens allowed the seventh-fewest points to visiting wideouts last season, and slot receivers scored just 9.7 points against them last week.
Golladay was a start 'em last week, and he produced a nice stat line (14.2 points) in a tie with the Cardinals. I'd be concerned about him this week, though, as a matchup against Chargers shutdown cornerback Casey Hayward awaits. In fact, our friends at Pro Football Focus rate this the ninth-toughest matchup for wideout this week.
Listed as a sit 'em last week, Anderson failed to produce in what was a tough game against the Bills. Next up is another tough test, as he'll face a Browns defense that held Corey Davis to a big, fat zero in their opener. If you're deep at wide receiver, Anderson should be considered a sit against the Browns talented defensive backs.
Sit 'Em:Corey Davis vs. Indianapolis Colts, Courtland Sutton vs. Chicago Bears
Busts:Alshon Jeffery at Atlanta Falcons, John Ross vs. San Francisco 49ers
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on **Twitter**, **Facebook**, **YouTube** and **Instagram** for all of the latest fantasy football news, notes and in-depth analysis!
