John Laghezza answers your fantasy football lineup questions leading up to kickoff.
John Laghezza
November 5, 2023 at 1:08 PM EST
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8 New Updates
Onto the games!
Chris Godwin's target rates make him a good option at the Flex
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Q: Flex Chris Godwin or Tank Dell? Half PPR. — Trevor M.
Roll with the projections and Chris Godwin. Don’t get me wrong, I’m high on the Texans and Tank Dell going forward. However, on a week-to-week basis, the emergence of Noah Brown is a thorn in the side of anyone starting Dell. Those 4-5 targets every game had been going to Dell earlier in the year.
I’d prefer Godwin who is most likely going to be playing from behind as the second-highest target earner on his team.
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Singletary for six
Q: Darrell Henderson or Devin Singletary? Non-PPR league. — Jake S.
Non-PPR means prioritize touchdowns, so I’m starting Devin Singletary on the more highly projected team and Dameon Pierce OUT. Despite the Texans’ recent struggles, I believe in C.J. Stroud to bounce back and pave the way for an RB1 finish from Singletary.
Breakout Rhamondre game incoming
Q: Flex Rhamondre Stevenson or Jahan Dotson? Who would stack well with Sam Howell? — Colin U.
I’m projecting a breakout Rhamondre game coming against the Commanders today. Washington’s defense played poorly before trading their best two players on the same day. I’m expecting little to no pressure on a Patriots team that should turn to their best player today.
Is the Renfrow resurgence happening?
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Q: I feel like a Hunter Renfrow resurgence is coming under the new coaching regime in Las Vegas. Anything to it, and is this week too early? — Ron C.
No one loves speculating on fantasy assets more than I do, but I just don’t see the surrounding contextual environment needed to support yet another player in Las Vegas. There’s a rookie QB under center with established superstars to feed. Hunter Renfrow would have to be extremely efficient to make it happen.
I’d prefer Buffalo’s Khalil Shakir in a similar spot.
Ride the Trey McBride train
Q: Keep riding Trey McBride, or play it safer with Logan Thomas? — Jonny Q.
Definitely ride with Trey McBride. No team in the league has targeted the tight end position more than ARI and Kyler Murray could be back as soon as next week. McBride’s playing every down and earning tons of targets which is all you can ask for from a fantasy TE.
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Stop with the Packers questions!
Q: Flex options are Chuba Hubbard, Aaron Jones or Christian Watson. What do we think? — Josh S.
As a huge preseason Green Bay backer, these Packer questions are killing me, Josh. Fantasy’s a game of maximizing the shortest samples so I’m sticking with my projections and starting Chuba. The Panthers have shown some life off the bye as Hubbard usurped all of Carolina’s high-value touches. Until we see anything from Jordan Love and sitting all Cheeseheads.
Drop the Eagles defense
Q: Ten-team standard: Should I drop the Eagles defense for the rest of the year? — Josh S.
Yes, I would move on from the Eagles defense. They have an upcoming bye and a very hard schedule on the horizon (DAL, BYE, @KC, BUF, SF, @DAL, @SEA).
You can start Hubbard, Stevenson with confidence
Q: Ugh … I have to start two of three of these RB’s in my PPR league: Kareem Hunt, Chuba Hubbard or Rhamondre Stevenson. — Tom D.
Fret not, you’re going to love this one, Tom! Ok fine, it’s partly a function of bye weeks and a decimated running back landscape but I have Chuba Hubbard and Rhamondre Stevenson in RB1 territory this week. Start them both with confidence today. I’m recommending anyone rostering Kareem Hunt take a wait-and-see approach with Jerome Ford returning.
Kareem Hunt or Darrell Henderson?
Q: PPR RB: Kareem Hunt or Darrell Henderson? — Jim S.
Despite the backup QB in Los Angeles, I’m sticking with Darrell Henderson, especially in PPR. Inexperienced quarterbacks often fall back on check-down passes when facing any sort of pressure. Plus Henderson’s in line for whatever little touchdown equity there is today whereas I’m assuming Jerome Ford reassumes the lead role after logging a full practice.
Don't eat a zero on Downs
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Q: Do I play Josh Downs (possibly out with a knee injury) or play Demario Douglas or Tank Dell? Then same question, but with Trey McBride as a replacement for Downs. — David L. & Scott S.
I can’t stand the idea of eating a zero so I wouldn’t start Josh Downs without confirmation. Demario Douglas gets pushed to the fore as the expected team target leader in NE heading into a plus matchup. I’m starting Pop Douglas universally. Tank Dell’s a nice piece but will be limited so long as Noah Brown continues to eat into those opportunities.
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Think before dropping a RB
Q: Need to drop one of these: Roschon Johnson, Zach Charbonnet or a TE (Logan Thomas or Trey McBride). Non PPR. — Mike B.
Always drop a second tight end before any RB with contingency upside. Logan Thomas has been great, we thank him for his services. Given the emergence of Trey McBride and the looming return of Kyler Murray, stash your backup RBs and move on.
Don't underestimate Zack Moss
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Q: Pick two RBs : Zack Moss, Gus Edwards or Brian Robinson? — Alex R.
Brian Robinson has to be the odd man out here. Gus Bus is a must-start coming off back-to-back RB1 finishes. I jumped ship on Zack Moss too early this season. He’s managed to earn double-digit touches through productivity with standalone value. The Colts and Jon Taylor insist he wasn’t hurt last week despite limping and not returning after a weird hit; I have my doubts.
Focus on opportunities when scraping the RB barrel.
Oof, 16 teams is rough
Q: Flex spot full PPR: Cam Akers, Chase Edmonds or Khalil Shakir, or Jamison Crowder? Thanks. A 16-team league is rough. Bye. — Jerry D.
Definitely add our boy Khalil Shakir, especially given the PPR element. The Buffalo Bills are the most potent offense mentioned and just underwent a total overhaul on offense due to injury. Khalil Shakir dominated the slot role on a prolific offense and he goes off again today, he will not be available after today.
Pick one: Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper or Puka Nacua?
Q: PPR Flex. Pick one: Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper or Puka Nacua? — Alex R.
This one’s projected as close as can be so if you have a strong feeling either way go with it. I’d start Tee Higgins to try and attach myself to the game with the higher potential of blowing up. Yes, Deshaun Watson’s back for Cleveland but let’s be honest; that hasn’t meant much for the passing attack. The Browns are almost 13-point favorites and if the Vegas books are any indication, there’s little chance Amari Cooper gets involved late.
Start whoever isn't playing the Jets defense
Q: Jonathan Mingo or Quentin Johnston?? Half PPR. — Ron L.
This answer will change weekly depending on the matchup but this week I’d start Jonathan Mingo. He’s progressed up the depth chart which we’ve seen continue after the bye under new a play-caller. Though Quentin Johnston’s got the (much) better QB, I’m avoiding the New York Jets defense whenever possible, especially when the secondary’s at full strength.
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Do NOT drop Kupp
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Q: Play two, sit one: Cooper Kupp, Keenan Allen, Jordan Addison. Kupp could be a sneaky drop ... — Michael H.
DO NOT DROP COOPER KUPP!
With that out of my system, I’d actually sit Jordan Addison. I went through all the new QBs and what I expect at the top of this piece if you’re looking for more detail but I’ll take the bird in the hand. Neither QB situation’s ideal but at least we saw Kupp get 50 percent of Rypien’s targets last week. Don’t discount the Falcons’ defense either.
Kareem Hunt has the edge
Q: Half PPR. Kareem Hunt or Josh Downs in the Flex? — Mitch R.
As much as I like Josh Downs on a weekly basis, I’m a little worried about the injury, plus he takes a slight ding in half-PPR. I’d start Kareem Hunt who has dominated all the goal-line touches for a team that projects as a double-digit favorite in a game script that could be great for Cleveland’s RBs.
Week 9 top 20 TE custom ranks and projections
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