It’s time for Start Sit Week 14 in Fantasy Football! Which players should you be starting this week, and which players should you consider benching? We will cover it all in this weekly article!
Every week of the NFL season, fantasy gamers juggle players to insert into lineups at each position. Are you questioning which players face easy matchups and which players face tougher paths to production? You are in the right place! For seasonal leagues, DFS, and more, this week’s must-start and must-sit picks can give you some guidance on setting your lineups.
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Quarterback Start Sit Week 14
Start: Caleb Williams
The organizational changes in Chicago have been very beneficial for Caleb Williams thus far. Since the firing of Shane Waldron, Williams is averaging 23.1 fantasy points per game, including two back-to-back 20-point performances. The play-calling certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s clear from watching that the concepts have been simplified and Caleb feels much more comfortable. We’re now seeing shades of what we expected from this offense. With Doofus-of-the-Year Matt Eberflus finally gone, things could get even better.
Minnesota had no answers for Caleb Williams.
They had free blitzers go after him.
They had guys in great coverage.
It didn’t matter.
The #Bears QB was fitting the ball into keyholes over, and over and over.
Just absurd accuracy. pic.twitter.com/GLGqtetLBv
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) November 26, 2024
San Francisco’s defense has been struggling as the offense has gotten more and more pitiful. They’re allowing the fifth-highest completion percentage and the 13th-highest yards per pass attempt over their last three games. Conversely, the Bears are producing the fifth-most pass attempts per game over the last three games. Against another brand-name team, I expect Caleb to want to prove to everyone what this Bears team is truly capable of.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson
Sit: Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston is the definition of a roller coaster. You never know when the twists and turns will come or how violent they will be, but you know you want to go along for the ride. However, this may be a matchup that fantasy managers would rather watch from the rafters. Facing Pittsburgh, a division rival that is adept at pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers, will be a tough matchup for one of the most turnover-prone quarterbacks in the league with zero offensive line help. Winston is going to see massive amounts of pressure. Further, after Cleveland’s demolition of the Broncos’ defense, the Steelers will have plenty of tape to prep.
There are very few matchups where I’m not going to be confident in Jameis Winston. This is one of them. Despite the shootout last week, the Steelers aren’t used to giving up many fantasy points to quarterbacks. Unless you’re truly desperate for a win, try pivoting off of Winston this week. Despite being the top sit, if you are in a desperate must-win scenario and don’t have anyone with more upside, fire up Winston and pray to the Lord he delivers Jameis from Pick 6s.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Bryce Young, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins
Running Back Start Sit Week 14
Start: Isaac Guerendo
I’ve already been vocal on Twitter (yes, I refuse to call it by the much dumber name) about curbing your expectations f0r Isaac Guerendo. I’m not backing down from this, quite the contrary. This is probably the only week you’re going to want to play Guerendo. The matchup lines up nicely, as Chicago wields one of the league’s worst defenses at defending the run. Similarly, their pass defense is elite. So, the 49ers will likely look to get their offense going through the ground. Additionally, with this being his first start, it’s likely Guerendo will have a larger grace period.
However, do not get this twisted: This is a bad team. Kyle Shanahan, Kyle Shmanahan. They’re missing their All-Pro left tackle, their most talented wide receiver, and their top two running backs, and that’s not even mentioning the defense. I fully believe the 49ers will continue their trend of a measly 18 points per game and struggle through the remainder of the season, so get your one solid start from Guerendo while it’s there.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Rico Dowdle, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Bucky Irving
Sit: Chuba Hubbard
Jonathon Brooks took a massive step forward in playing time last week, earning nine opportunities (six carries, three targets) on 22-percent of the team’s snaps. He earned three of his carries in the red zone and grabbed some two-minute and long-down-and-distance work as well. We saw the seeds of a workhorse role being planted. While he won’t be ready to fully take over until, likely, next season, it seems that he’s grabbing enough touches away to move Hubbard down and out from the “Bellcow” category. Along with losing out on some valuable touches, Hubbard is facing an Eagles defense that cedes the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the running back position. This is not the matchup you want your playoff seeding relying on.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Rachaad White, Jaylen Warren, Jerome Ford
Wide Receiver Start Sit Week 14
Start: Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey is fully blossoming within this Chargers offense, leading the team in targets and receiving production and earning seven targets per game. He’s recorded four games of 14 or more fantasy points in the last six games, averaging 92 receiving yards per game. The tough road for Ladd has been finding the end zone, something he’s only done four times this season, including zero scores since Week 8. One of those scores, however, came against the Chiefs. Coincidentally, the Chiefs also allow the ninth-most touchdowns per game to wide receivers.
Every catch today by Ladd McConkey👍 pic.twitter.com/q6PnDPthHh
— La-Dee-Dee Mc-Con-Kay⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ (@SunnySideUp211) December 2, 2024
After he earned 12 targets last week, it’s certain the Chargers are going to look for Ladd a ton to move their offense forward. He’ll be the key to their offensive success this week. The matchup isn’t the best on paper, but with McConkey’s slot skills, he’ll be able to avoid an overage of snaps against Trent McDuffie. The stars are aligning for another big game from McConkey in a pivotal divisional matchup.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Jauan Jennings, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Khalil Shakir
Sit: Deebo Samuel
Yet another week as the top sit-of-the-week. It’s been a very inconsistent season for Deebo Samuel. He’s finished under 10 fantasy points in five of his last eight games and is facing a four-year low in target share. Age may be catching up to him, and as his speed and agility decline, his struggles will continue. He’s not producing as efficiently as he used to and is still seeing the low-air-yard, YAC-reliant role that is normally difficult to succeed in. The entire 49ers’ lineup is a mess, it would make no sense to play Deebo until there is some sort of sign of life.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Xavier Worthy, Rome Odunze, Jaylen Waddle
Tight End Start Sit Week 14
Tight ends are perhaps the most disgusting they’ve ever been for fantasy football. If you have one of these guys, you’re probably looking to just start them every week and hope for the best:
If not, consider these options:
Start: T.J. Hockenson
Don’t let last week’s struggles scare you away; T.J. Hockenson still wields massive upside every week. Week 12’s numbers are all you need for reassurance: nine targets, 96 air yards, seven receptions, 114 receiving yards, and 18.4 fantasy points. Very few tight ends have this level of attainable upside. Last week’s matchup wasn’t great for Hockenson, but now he gets a much softer Atlanta Falcons secondary. The Falcons have faired well versus tight ends this season, but Hockenson isn’t just a tight end. He’s also a refined receiver who can line up outside or in the slot.
The Falcons allow the eighth-most PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. This is a big key for Hockenson and the Vikings, as they’ll look to move him around and get creative setting up mismatches. With your fantasy life or playoff seeding on the line, don’t get too cute. Trust the superstar.
Honorable Mentions (Starts): Jake Ferguson, Will Dissly, Hunter Henry
Sit: Pat Freiermuth
Pat was one of my sits last week, a call which did not age well. However, I do not let one outlier derail my process. Rather, I’ll go right back to fading him. Freiermuth saw just his third game this season with five or more targets last week, as he has earned a pitiful 15-percent target share for the season. He’s also only had three games with 10 or more fantasy points. Despite the flash game last week, Freiermuth is a bad play this week.
We’ve already discussed the target volume, now let’s look at the matchup. Freiermuth faces the Browns, who are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to his position. They’ve only allowed two scores all season to TEs, and cede less than 50 yards per game on average. This spells disaster for anyone putting their fantasy hopes into Freirmuth’s hands.
Honorable Mentions (Sits): Pat Freiermuth, Kyle Pitts, Tommy Tremble
Set Your Lineups!
It is time to set lineups! Fire up those fingers and plug in your productive players (and bench the sits!). Check back for weekly must-starts and must-sits based on the action that unfolds this season. Need some more options? Check out PlayerProfiler’s Upside Finder, or DM me on Twitter! It’s time again for a season full of ups and downs. Buckle up!
