You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Swift racked up a season-high 129 yards and a touchdown on just 18 carries last week vs. Washington, also logging a season-high 73 percent of Chicago's offensive snaps. Now he gets the Cardinals, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards to RBs. The Cards yield a generous 4.6 yards per carry and have missed a league-high 61 tackles. That latter part is key for Swift, who picks up the bulk of his yards after contact.
Pollard just continues to dominate workload and be a highly productive back. He has been a good volume play all year, but that has only shot up with Tyjae Spears out the last couple of weeks. Even in a very tough matchup last week against the Lions, he turned 20 carries and four targets into 117 total yards. Pollard is good for around 15 fantasy points most weeks. He could bring more upside this coming Sunday against the Patriots, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and fifth-most fantasy PPG to the RB position. New England is one of three teams to allow 10-plus rushing TDs to backs this season. Pollard is a must-start option.
Hunt has not been a very efficient runner by any stretch, but he's received more than 20 carries in three straight games, notching four rushing touchdowns in that span. Kansas City's new style of offense includes a ton of grinding out the clock and heavily features the RB near the goal line. That paired with the matchup makes Hunt someone you must start this week. The Bucs have allowed the second-most receiving yards and third-most catches to backs. They also allow 5.0 yards per carry and the third-most rushing yards over expectation to RBs (189).
Last Sunday was a letdown, as Hubbard failed to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 1 and was outscored by Miles Sanders. But he still played 73 percent of the snaps and received 17 touches. The downside: He has averaged just 7.4 fantasy PPG in games with Bryce Young, including being held to 14 yards in Week 1 against the Saints. I like him a lot more if Andy Dalton starts, but he remains in play either way. The Saints have allowed the third-most rushing yards, second-most rushing touchdowns and eighth-most receiving yards to RBs in the last month.
Full disclosure: Conner was not the original pick here. I initially wrote about De'Von Achane ... then thought that was too obvious. (He is a must-start!) So I pivoted to Tyrone Tracy Jr., who was enjoying a banner night on the Monday night stage ... before suffering a concussion late in the fourth quarter. Let's hope the third option's a charm! Conner has a tough matchup on paper, as the Bears' defense has been a generally stingy group. However, Chicago has allowed 4.7 yards per carry, yielding explosive runs (10-plus yards) at a rate above league average. Conner, who led the NFL in explosive runs last year and sees so much volume each week, remains in play despite the matchup. And I will say it again: Trade for him now, while you still can. His schedule opens up in a huge way; I think he will become a league-winner in the second half.
While Cincinnati's backfield is still a split, Brown has taken over enough of the workload to make him startable in fantasy football. He has double-digit carries in five straight, with 12-plus in four of them. He also consistently sees around three targets per week and has been getting goal-line usage. He is in play against the Raiders, who have allowed the ninth-most rushing yards to backs and the fourth-most rushing yards over expectation.
Sit 'Em
What do Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Alvin Kamara, J.K. Dobbins, Jordan Mason, Zack Moss and Alexander Mattison have in common? The Chiefs held them all to fewer than 50 rushing yards. (Shoutout to colleague LaQuan Jones for highlighting that.) Kansas City has allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs by far -- in fact, there is only one team even within 100 yards of K.C. The Chiefs have allowed just 3.0 yards per carry while yielding just two rushing touchdowns. They also have given up the ninth-fewest receiving yards and zero receiving touchdowns to backs. If the Bucs backs prove me wrong, it'll be on catches, but if you have the option to get away, I would.
Ugh, trusting Broncos playmakers grows more frustrating by the week. Williams was starting to look like you could trust him in good matchups , but then he flopped against the Panthers. One thing we have seen for sure, though, is that you can get away from him when he draws tough defenses. That is exactly what he gets this week in the Ravens, who have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards and just 3.2 yards per carry to backs. The only hope a back really has against them is to see a bunch of targets. The floor is low enough, though, where you should get away from Williams this week.
Last week was a step in the right direction for Chubb, as he saw his snaps and touches increase in his second game back from injury. However, he is still shaking off some rust. In his first two games of 2024, he is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry and 2.0 yards per target. Now he gets the Chargers, who have yielded the sixth-fewest rushing yards and just one rushing TD to backs this season. Los Angeles is middle of the pack against backs in the passing game and, in total, has allowed the third-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. Be patient. When Chubb looks like himself again, that'll be the time to start him.
Dowdle missed last week's game due to illness, but he did not miss much. It was another disappointing performance from Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have stated that they want to use Dowdle more, but on the season, they have run the ball on just 32 percent of their plays, the third-lowest rate in the NFL. The Falcons have allowed explosive runs to RBs at the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. That means Dowdle will likely need to see more volume in order to come through in fantasy. It is OK to get away from him this week.
Oof -- last Sunday was rough for Mattison. He turned 14 carries into 15 yards against the Chiefs. Sure, that was a very tough matchup. This week is more favorable, but still tough, as the Bengals limit big plays and pass-game usage to RBs. They have allowed explosive runs at the seventh-lowest rate in the NFL. They've given up the sixth-fewest receiving yards to backs, as well. Mattison is someone you can play in favorable matchups and avoid in tough ones. I would look elsewhere for RB production this week.
