Sunday Morning Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Sammy Watkins, Christine Michael, Brandon Marshall & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Just hours before the start of Week 3 I know many people have questions running through their heads. Who should I start? Who should I sit? Let’s take a look at how some of the recent news changes things:

Christine Michael – Running Back – Seattle Seahawks
With Thomas Rawls listed as doubtful and unlikely to play, Michael appears primed to operate as the lead back in what should be a favorable matchup with the 49ers.  That said, San Francisco has allowed 187 rushing yards to opposing running backs over the first two weeks, which puts them in the middle of the pack, and is only yielding 3.2 yards per carry.  They also have yet to allow a rushing touchdown, so don’t consider it a lock that Michael lights up the scoreboard.

Of course Michael has made the most of his chances thus far (25 carries for 126 yards), has proven capable of making plays in the passing game (5 receptions) and Russell Wilson is banged up.  That all comes together to help boost his stock, but he’s still more of a mid-tier RB2 this week.

Verdict – Start ‘Em as a RB2

Brandon Marshall – Wide Receiver – New York Jets
Listed as questionable, Ian Rapoport tweeted this morning:

#Jets WR Brandon Marshall (knee, foot) will be a game-time decision. But there is optimism that he can battle his way thru it vs. #KCChiefs

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2016

The Chiefs wouldn’t be an easy matchup, even if Marshall were healthy, and the emergence of Quincy Enunwa could help to limit the opportunities a banged up Marshall gets.  While he would generally be viewed as a potential WR1, Marshall tumbles down the rankings to a risky WR2/WR3 play depending on your alternatives.  He’s hardly a must use given the potential that he’s used more as a decoy than an actual target.

Verdict – If active, risky WR2/WR3-type option

DeVante Parker – Wide Receiver – Miami Dolphins
Sure he was listed as questionable, but he’s going to be on the field.  He also has a few things working in his favor:

1. He’s coming off a big day (8 receptions for 106 yards)
2. He has a favorable matchup with the Browns, who are allowing the eighth most points per game to opposing WR

You could argue that he’s a viable WR2, but as a WR3 he’ll be a must start option.

Verdict – Borderline WR2, Must start WR3

Shane Vereen – Running Back – New York Giants
He’s generally viewed as nothing more than a PPR option, but Rashad Jennings (questionable) is battling through a broken thumb and is going to be limited if he’s dressed to play.  Vereen, for his part, has shown a little bit in the running game this season (4.0 YPC on 20 carries) and he’s always going to be a significant factor catching the football.  The Redskins are currently allowing the second most points per week to opposing running backs, including 245 yards and 4 TD.  There’s obviously going to be some questions, but in PPR formats he’s a must start option.

Verdict – Must start RB2 in PPR formats

Jay Ajayi – Running Back – Miami Dolphins
With Arian Foster out, and struggling when healthy, this is going to be Ajayi’s chance to stake his claim on lead back duties.  With a favorable matchup we want to believe that he’ll take advantage, but there’s no guarantee he is utilized as a workhorse (with Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams potentially also in the mix). This tweet from Ian Rapoport just hammers that home:

With Arian Foster out, the #Dolphins are treating rookie RB Kenyan Drake as the starter today, source said. Opportunity awaits.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2016

There’s simply too much risk involved in utilizing him this week.

Verdict – Tempting, but Sit ‘Em

Alshon Jeffrey – Wide Receiver – Chicago Bears
He’s listed as questionable, so with a Sunday night game it makes his status a little bit “murky”.  That said, everyone is reporting that he’s expected to play tonight and you could argue that Brian Hoyer taking over at quarterback would actually improve his stock.

Fantasy owners would be wise to have an alternative option playing either on Sunday night or Monday, just to be safe, but Jeffrey appears primed to be fired up as a WR1.

Verdict – Start ‘Em

Cameron Artis-Payne – Running Back – Carolina Panthers
According to Steve Reed (via Twitter):

“Ron Rivera said that Cameron Artis-Payne will start, he expects carries to be pretty equal to become him and Fozzy Whittaker.”

It’s a good opportunity, but the timeshare and matchup make this a situation to avoid in most formats.  The Vikings are allowing the third fewest points per week to opposing running backs, with more damage coming through the air (92 receiving yards, 2 TD) than on the ground (98 rushing yards, 0 TD).  Artis-Payne caught just 5 passes in his seven games during his rookie season, while Whitaker caught 3 passes in Week 2 alone.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Sammy Watkins – Wide Receiver – Buffalo Bills
According to Adam Schefter:

WR Sammy Watkins is out today vs. Cardinals due to foot injury, per source. Marquise Goodwin now expected to… https://t.co/iQBfcAFcd5

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2016

With a 1 PM EST start we’ll at least we’ll have team confirmation early in the day.  Of course, even if he plays could we really trust him?  He’s coming off a miserable performance (2 receptions for 20 yards) and draws a difficult matchup against the Cardinals.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Willie Snead – Wide Receiver – New Orleans Saints
He’s listed as questionable and appears primed to be a game time decision.  That creates a problem for fantasy owners, with the Saints set to play on Monday night.  Unfortunately this makes him nearly impossible to depend on, so if you have a viable Sunday option you are better off playing it safe.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em

Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 rankings:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Kickers
• Defenses