Sit Em, Start Em – Week 14
Start
Jordan Matthews – Despite the tough matchup and our conservative WR3 ranking for Matthews this week he remains a must-start in all fantasy leagues due to his elite level talent. While we expect Mathews may struggle a bit against the Seahawks the fact is he operates mostly out of the slot and thus will not be checked by left cornerback Richard Sherman. As long as Matthews can absorb the jarring hits from the legion of boom he should be able to post appreciable numbers this week for his fantasy owners.
Donte Moncrief – Moncrief still figures to be a weekly mega upside boom or bust play, but now that he has passed Hakeem Nicks on the depth chart he is someone those in deeper leagues can trot out there and hope for the best. Those in competitive formats have had him stashed since his breakout game earlier this season and now may finally be the time to set him loose; and just in time for the fantasy playoffs. We are firm in our belief that Moncrief is a future WR1 and has more talent than TY Hilton who he was unofficially timed as fast as in the 40 at 4.34 (4.40 was his official time). Start Moncrief where possible.
Frank Gore – Frank Gore is in line to eat this week against the lowly Raiders defense and should be started in all leagues this week as an upside RB2. Most owners may not have been in a position to sit Gore this week anyways but those of you who got lucky with waiver priority and their FAAB bids may have other compelling options. Carlos Hyde is also a sneaky flex play in what figures to turn into a clock killing affair early in the second half.
Tre Mason – Mason continues to show that he belongs at this level as a featured back and he should be a RB2 regular once the Rams get an upgrade at QB. This week against a struggling Washington team Mason should post solid RB2 level numbers at the very minimum. Mason has weekly RB1 upside versus sub .500 teams and is a solid, if low floor, RB2 every other week. Tre Mason’s fantasy success continues to heavily gameflow dependent due to the fact he plays for a bad team but if the Rams can get out in front in this one than Mason should start to thrive. Start Mason where possible.
Colin Kaepernick – Similarly to Frank Gore Kaep gets a value spike this week against the Raiders even after a horrendous week 13 that saw him bounce some of his fantasy owners from the playoffs. Kaep should post at least two touchdowns and 40 yards rushing which would make him a borderline QB1 for week 14. We have Kaep ranked at 13th overall for this week and he looks like a solid matchup play.
Jordan Reed – Jordan Reed exploded in his return to action and Colt McCoy figures to keep looking for his safety valve when things get muddled in the pocket. Reed doubles as one of his team’s best offensive weapons and should continue to be a centerpiece of this offense regardless of who they are facing. The Rams have been solid against the tight end position this year but closer analysis reveals that they have not faced but two good tight ends all year one in Kyle Rudolph who found the end zone and the notoriously criminally underutilized Travis Kelce who had a modest four reception, 45 yard outing. Reed will eat. Start him in all leagues.
Sit
Trent Richardson – At this point of the season and at this point of Trent Richardson’s career do we really need to tell you to sit him? Some continue to hold out due to his draft pedigree but that is a fools errand. T-Mitch has squandered his opportunity time and time again and despite his TD upside any fantasy owners that starts him deserves what they get for making the decision. There is always hope he shows the talent we know he has but it is apparent that Richardson is still nothing but a boy who lacks heart and may not get it together until he truly becomes a man.
Doug Martin – Yes, Martin has been getting more touches than Charles Sims who has shown he is not yet ready to be a contributor after missing so much of the season and the opportunity to catch up to the NFL’s game speed but Martin still remains a bottomless floor, unenticing fantasy option. Starting Martin may lead to a case of sever heartache so we suggest leaving him on your bench for the rest of the season.
Pierre Garcon – After entering the history books with Antonio Brown as one of only three players in NFL history to record at least five catches per game Garcon has been almost comically bad this season with the revolving door of mediocrity that is Washington’s quarterback situation. Needless to say this stud receiver needs to be on fantasy benches until he starts doing something with his targets as his three receptions for nine yards off of nine targets is truly rock bottom. Sit Garcon until further notice.
Wes Welker – Welker is going to continue to struggle for the Broncos. No longer the most talented receiver on his team with denver Welker is at the bottom of the pecking order and despite posting appreciable numbers in a similar role last year Emmanuel Sanders’ versatility has rendered Welker surplus to requirements and nothing more than a puffed up decoy piece in the middle of the field. Welker may find the end zone every now and again but his target workload is laughable and he should be on fantasy benches in all leagues sizes unless you just have no choice.
Coby Fleener – It is time to sit Andrew Luck’s college room mate as Dwayne Allen is expected back this week and will likely get more snaps despite still being in the process of returning to full health. Fleener has enticing upside when he is an every-down player but with less 12 sets likely to be run due to the emergence of Donte Moncrief as a gamebreaker Fleener will be nothing more than a lower end TE2 for the foreseeable future. Sit Fleener where possible.
Mark Sanchez – Sanchez should be left on fantasy benches in all but 24 man leagues this week as he has a date with the Seahawks on the schedule. Players always take a ranking dip against the defending champs.
