Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. Justin Jefferson at Eagles (Thur.)
2. Tyreek Hill at Patriots
3. Ja’Marr Chase vs. Ravens
4. Stefon Diggs vs. Raiders
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Seahawks
6. Calvin Ridley vs. Chiefs
7. A.J. Brown vs. Vikings (Thur.)
8. Davante Adams at Bills
9. CeeDee Lamb vs. Jets
10. Jaylen Waddle at Patriots
Week 2 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 2 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports
Start of the Week
Tee Higgins vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Higgins couldn’t have put up a worse start to the season, scoring no points on eight targets. I wouldn’t be too concerned, though, and a matchup against the Ravens should cure what ails him. Their pass defense is vulnerable, which was evident last week with Nico Collins and Robert Woods combining for 25.7 PPR points. Keep the faith and start Higgins.
Start ’Em
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hopkins posted a respectable 13.5 fantasy points last week, leading the Titans in targets (13) in the process. He should remain in fantasy lineups this week, too, as the Chargers come in for a visit. Their defense allowed a bananas 78.2 points to the Dolphins wideouts last week, and Tennessee will have to throw the ball to keep up with their offense.
Tyler Lockett at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Lockett opened the season with a real stinker, scoring just three fantasy points on four targets in a loss to the Rams. He should rebound this week, as the Lions have allowed the third-most points to wideouts since last year, including the most PPR points to slot receivers. Lockett does have to clear concussion protocol, so keep tabs on his status.
Mike Williams at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams failed to make a major impact in the opener, scoring just 8.5 points in a loss to the Dolphins. I’d still run him out there this week, though, as he’ll face a Titans defense that’s allowed 16 touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers since 2022. Overall, no team in the league has allowed more points to wideouts in that time.
Christian Watson at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Watson missed last week’s game due to an injured hamstring, so keep tabs on his status for the upcoming matchup in Atlanta. Their defense has allowed 12-plus points to wideouts 20 times since last season, including 13 who have scored 15-plus points. If Watson is unavailable for the second straight week, fantasy fans should shift to Romeo Doubs.
More Starts
Brandon Aiyuk at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
George Pickens vs. Browns (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC)
Michael Thomas at Panthers (Mon. 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Brandon Aiyuk at Rams ($5,800)
Mike Williams at Titans ($5,700)
Romeo Doubs at Falcons ($4,800)
Week 1 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Sit of the Week
Drake London vs. Packers (1p.m. ET, Fox): Boy was I wrong about London last week. Despite a good matchup, he scored zero points in a win over the Panthers. The Falcons offense continues to lean on the run, which could be bad news for his chances of being a consistently good fantasy option. London also has to face the Packers and CB Jaire Alexander, making him even tougher to trust.
Sit ’Em
Terry McLaurin at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): McLaurin had a tough start to the season, scoring just 5.1 points despite playing 63 offensive snaps in a win over the Cardinals. Next up is a tough matchup on the road, as the Commanders face a Broncos defense that’s allowed just six touchdowns and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing perimeter receivers since the start of last season.
Mike Evans vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Evans will be active in a lot of leagues this week, especially after he posted a touchdown and 18.6 fantasy points in a win over the Vikings. Fantasy fans might not be so pleased with his totals this week though, as the Bears’ defense has allowed just nine touchdowns and the seventh-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers since the start of last season.
Marquise Brown vs. Giants (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Listed as a sit ’em last week, Brown produced just three catches and 8.7 fantasy points in a loss to Washington. He’ll be tough to trust this week, too, as Brown will face what will be a salty Giants team that had their brakes beaten off by Dallas last week. With Joshua Dobbs at the helm, Brown won’t be more than a low-end flex option this week.
Brandin Cooks vs. Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Cooks did little in his first contest as a member of the Cowboys, scoring just 4.2 points on four targets. The offense didn’t throw the ball much in what was a blowout, but I’m still wary of Cooks based on his upcoming matchup against the Jets. No team in the league has allowed fewer fantasy points to wide receivers since the start of last season.
