There are times a guy can have you feeling some type of way. That’s how I feel about some fantasy players each week based on matchups and situations. In this Love ‘em or Leave ‘em (start/sit) column, I’ll highlight some players looking better than usual, and others not as much, who can take a seat on the bench.
Weekly/Season Recap
After a Week 3 absence, I am back! So far, I am 10-6 on my calls. Week 2 was a little rough, and I had to count Parris Campbell as a miss, who unfortunately was injured in the first quarter and is now out indefinitely.
Hits
Diontae Johnson (start) 23.2 pts, David Montgomery (start) 21.7, Deshaun Watson (sit) 17.7 (QB21), Mecole Hardman (sit) 7.3.
Misses
Parris Campbell (start) .70 pts, Logan Thomas (start) 6.6, Russel Gage (sit) 16.6, Melvin Gordon (sit) 16.4.
Love ‘em
Cooper Kupp, WR Rams – Darnay Holmes of the NY Giants will cover Kupp this week, a five-star college recruit who was one of the most desirable outside corners coming into the 2020 draft. However, with his position change to slot cornerback and no-preseason experience, the rookie has been less than stellar, most notably in Week 1, when JuJu Smith-Schuster racked up 24.9 points against him. Holmes is no match for Kupp, who thrives in the slot and is coming off a huge outing against the Bills. Kupp should crack the Top 12 easily in fantasy this week. I can feel it tingling in my loins.
James Robinson, RB Jaguars – Is there anyone hotter than this guy right now? If you drafted him late-round or plucked him off waivers, congratulations, you currently have the 5th highest scoring running back on your fantasy team. Although he was buried on the depth chart, I was all in on him following Leonard Fournette’s release, and was able to snag him in four of my seven leagues. The undrafted free agent out of Illinois State racked up 1,899 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his senior year alone. This week he faces the Cincinnati Bengals, who’ve allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. Robinson doesn’t appear to be game-script dependent either, as he gets enough usage in the passing game despite the presence of Chris Thompson.
Aaron Rodgers, QB Packers – Speaking of hot dudes, Rodgers stands out here. In Davante Adams’ absence last week, Rodgers spread the ball around, passing for 283 yards and 3 TDs. Now he’ll face the Falcons defense on Monday night, who have been the worst against passers this season and have already given up 9 TDs. The Packers offense has been on fire even without Adams. Rodgers has been increasingly enamored with Coach Matt LaFleur’s play-calling. He even showed his coach some love by pointing at LaFleur on the sideline following a big play during the Saints game. The Falcons should keep it close in this one because of poor tackling by the Packers lately. This will force Rodgers to keep throwing in a game with an over/under of 58.
Author’s note: Hopefully, Adams will be back this week, as Allen Lazard is now out at least a month after undergoing core muscle surgery.
Darrell Henderson, RB Rams – Simply put: The NY Giants are getting run all over this season. They just gave up both a rushing and receiving touchdown to the 49ers’ Jeff Wilson. In Week 2, David Montgomery gashed their front seven to the tune of 82 yards rushing and 3/45 and a TD receiving. On top of that, Henderson has looked spectacular the last two weeks averaging over 6 yards per carry. He should give you RB2 production this week.
Honorable mention: DeVante Parker
Leave ‘em
Nick Foles, QB Bears – Like any girl, I love Big Nick Energy, but a date with Indianapolis doesn’t appeal to me. Foles exploded coming off the bench to replace Mitch Trubisky in Week 3, racking up 188 yards and 3 TDs in just over a quarter to overcome a 16-point deficit. But that was against the lowly Atlanta Falcons defense. This week he will meet much more resistance from the Colts, who have allowed the fewest points to signal-callers. They have six interceptions over the last two games and have not allowed a quarterback to pass for more than 200 yards. Too stingy for me. I’d pass on him for a more promising choice this week.
Leonard Fournette, RB Buccaneers – Bruce Arians’ usage of his backs is confounding. We were rolling with Fournette as one of our guys after his 100+ yard and two TD performance in Week 2, but then Ronald Jones resumed the role of lead back last week. Regardless of who starts in this game, I’d avoid both of them against the Chargers defense, who just stymied Joe Mixon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Hopefully, a starter will emerge and this doesn’t become a Bill Belicheck-Esque backfield. #sickofit
Author’s note: Fournette has since been ruled out this week.
T.Y. Hilton, WR Colts – Hilton has been a major disappointment this season with less than 10 fantasy points in the first three games. Hell, you can do better with a guy off the waiver wire. You’d think Hilton would see a bump up with all of the Colts’ injuries at pass catcher, but he’s only been averaging a little more than five targets through the first few weeks. He could see a slight uptick in targets this week, but probably not an increase in production as he faces a Chicago Bears unit that has not allowed a touchdown to a wide receiver this season.
