Thursday Night Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Week 6: Travis Benjamin, Hunter Henry & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Thursday games are often tricky, because there isn’t necessarily a reason to take any undue risks with questionable options (which could set you back and spoil your week).  Who are the borderline players that should be in lineups?  Who should be sat down?  Let’s take a look at the skill players taking the field tonight and try to answer those questions:

Denver Broncos
Trevor Siemian – Quarterback
After missing Week 5 Siemian is listed as questionable, though he’s fully expected to make the start in what figures to be a favorable matchup (the Chargers have allowed the third most passing yards to opposing QB, at 1,547).  That said it’s hard to bank on a QB who has averaged 252 yards per start, and if you remove one big game against the Bengals (4 TD) has 2 TD vs. 3 INT on the season.  He’s nothing more than a mid-range QB2, at best.

Devontae Booker – Running Back
While Booker has seen his opportunities increase in recent weeks, it’s not nearly enough to make us think that he’s going to be a viable option on a weekly basis.  He’s a player that’s well worth stashing, but little else.

Must Start

• C.J. Anderson – Running Back
• Demaryius Thomas – Wide Receiver
• Emmanuel Sanders – Wide Receiver

San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers – Quarterback
We all know the Broncos are among the better defenses in the league, which is going to make Rivers a tough sell despite his strong numbers thus far.  Of course in two matchups last season Rivers totaled 430 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT.  In fact, the last time he topped 260 yards against the Broncos came on January 2, 2010 (he had 313 yards in that game, but 0 TD).  This early in the week, it’s impossible to consider him anything more than a QB2.

Travis Benjamin – Wide Receiver
He’s emerging this season, leading the Chargers in receptions (28), targets (39) and receiving yards (394).  Throw in a pair of TD and what’s not to like?  One thing is the matchup and the other has been his propensity to put the ball on the ground (3 fumbles, losing 2).  He’s shown enough to be considered a WR3, but he’s too risky of a play as anything more than that.

Tyrell Williams – Wide Receiver
He’s been a pleasant surprise, racking up 21 receptions, 358 yards and 2 TD.  He’s also been targeted at least 5 times each game and has three straight games with 5+ receptions.  That all makes it seem like he’s a good play, but in this matchup and with the potential for numerous other players to emerge as the go to receiver makes him far too risky.  Maybe as a WR3 if you are desperate, but even that isn’t recommended.

Dontrelle Inman – Wide Receiver
Sure he had one big game (7 receptions for 120 yards and 1 TD), but that was the only time this season he’s been targeted more than 4 times and he’s had just two games with more than 1 reception.  In other words, stay away.

Hunter Henry – Tight End
He’s scored in back-to-back games and has 12 receptions for 207 yards over the past three games.  However Antonio Gates is back and that should mean a reduction in opportunities for Henry.  Considering the depth at the position, the potential to yield targets makes Henry more of a TE2 option.

Antonio Gates – Tight End
He returned last week and promptly found the end zone.  While his role should grow this week, Hunter Henry isn’t going to simply disappear.  With limited targets and significant risk, Gates is a hands off option.

Must Start

• Melvin Gordon – Running Back

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com