Sunday Morning Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Derrick Henry, DeVante Parker, Tarik Cohen & 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:

Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans – Running Back
Regardless of whether DeMarco Murray plays or not, Henry is looking like the back to use this week.  Murray is battling a hamstring injury, and while he returned to practice on Friday he’s listed as questionable and even if he’s on the field you have to think that he’s going to be limited.  That appears to be exactly what’s going to happen, as Adam Schefter tweeted this morning:

Titans RB DeMarco Murray, listed as questionable for Sunday, is “more than likely” to play vs Seattle, per source.

As it is Henry has been the more impressive runner over the first two games, almost in an equal workload:

• Derrick Henry – 20 carries for 117 yards (5.9 YPC) and 1 TD
• DeMarco Murray – 21 carries for 69 yards (3.3 YPC)

With the hamstring bothering Murray dating back to the preseason, the money is on Henry to be the lead dog.  While you would generally shy away from the Seattle matchup, watching Carlos Hyde torch them a week ago has to change the outlook a little bit.  Still not ideal, Henry is a viable RB2 in all formats.

Verdict – Viable RB2 in all formats

Jordan Howard/Tarik Cohen – Chicago Bears – Running Back
There was concern when Howard was on the early week injury report, but he was removed on Friday so it should be all systems go.  Of course he’s been extremely unproductive thus far, averaging 2.7 yards per carry on 22 carries, and Cohen is the clear favorite in the passing game.  This is a tougher matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have yielded the 22nd most points to opposing running backs thus far.  Both are viable as low-end options, though sharing touches is going to limit them.

Verdict (Howard) – More of a TD dependent FLEX
Verdict (Cohen) – More upside, but still more of a FLEX option

DeVante Parker – Miami Dolphins – Wide Receiver
He sat out Thursday’s practice, but he was back in full on Friday and is in no danger of missing his matchup with the New York Jets.  That’s an enviable spot, as the Jets have allowed the third most points per week to opposing wide receivers thanks to 4 TD allowed.  When you look at the Dolphins’ receiving corps, who do you think is the favorite for end zone opportunities?  It’s certainly not Jarvis Landry, and does anyone trust Kenny Stills or Julius Thomas?  Given the matchup and upside, consider Parker a locked in WR3, at worst, and a worthy WR2.

Verdict – Worth using in all formats

Samaje Perine – Washington Redskins – Running Back
According to Adam Schefter (via Twitter):

Washington RB Rob Kelley, listed as questionable with rib injury, is not expected to play Sunday night vs Raiders, per source.

Obviously trusting Kelley is impossible, so slide him to your bench.  The question is if Perine is a worthwhile plug in?  People may want to flock to Chris Thompson, but he is what he is and it’s unlikely that he takes on early down work (in PPR formats consider him a potential FLEX option, though).  It should be Perine assuming the bulk of those carries, though he has just 67 yards on 21 carries over the first two weeks (3.2 YPC) and faces an Oakland defense that’s allowed the fifth fewest points per week to opposing running backs.  That should tell us all we need to know.

Verdict – Desperation FLEX play, but hard to trust

Bilal Powell – New York Jets – Running Back
He was supposed to be the bright spot for a lackluster Jets’ offense, but that hasn’t been the case thus far and the upside is getting even murkier.  According to Manish Mehta (via Twitter):

Jets OC John Morton says all 3 RBs will play: “Play by committee… that’s a good thing.”

That means Powell is going to continue to share time with Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire, and there simply aren’t going to be enough touches (unless Powell gets hot early and finds a way to dominate the touches).  Or are there?  The Dolphins struggled last week with running backs who can catch the football (7 receptions for 65 yards), and that’s a role Powell can fill (58 receptions in ’16).  In PPR formats consider Powell a desperation FLEX flier, but unfortunately nothing more than that.

Verdict – FLEX flier, but otherwise too much risk

Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – Quarterback
There are a lot of reasons not to like Wilson this week, but ESPN’s Matthew Berry gives some really intriguing stats to hammer home the “sit” status:

• “Wilson has completed just 57.9 percent of his passes against the blitz (19th) since 2015”
• “Wilson has averaged 14.32 points per game in September the past three seasons (QB25 last year), but has averaged 19.82 points per game from October on (QB6 last year)”

He’s nothing more than a QB2 flier, but shouldn’t be on the QB1 spectrum given the risk.

Verdict – Ignore in single-quarterback formats

Jordan Reed – Washington Redskins – Tight End
Listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision, Reed has a variety of injuries and will certainly be limited if he does dress.  However the chances of him playing, and playing a significant role, appear to be dwindling.  As per Adam Schefter (via Twitter):

Washington TE Jordan Reed (rib) is considered a game-time call, per source, but is more unlikely to play vs. Raiders.

With a Sunday night game against the Raiders it’s that much tougher to trust him, especially since he’s lacked explosion over the first two weeks (7.6 yards per reception).  If you can back him up with Jared Cook or maybe the sometimes overlooked Jason Witten you can wait it out, but in most cases you’d be better off looking elsewhere.

Verdict – Unless you have a backup plan, he’s impossible to trust

J.J. Nelson – Arizona Cardinals – Wide Receiver
The questionable tag, due to a hamstring injury, is definitely a bit of a disappointment, as Nelson was expected to play a big role with John Brown out of action.  That’s not to say that he was a given to produce, though, and playing on Monday makes him that much tougher to trust.  The risk likely outweighs the reward, and you’d be better off utilizing a high upside Sunday play that you know will be on the field.

Verdict – Risk not worth taking

Stefon Diggs/Adam Thielen – Minnesota Vikings – Wide Receiver
Sam Bradford is out for today’s game, leaving Case Keenum to again be under center.  In his first start neither of the Vikings’ key receivers were very productive:

• Stefan Diggs – 2 receptions for 27 yards
• Adam Thielen – 5 receptions for 44 yards

You would think the offense will run through Dalvin Cook, and neither receiver is very trustworthy.  Thielen is “safer” in PPR formats, though neither should be considered more than a WR3 (at best).

Verdict (Diggs) – High risk WR3
Verdict (Thielen) – “Safer” in PPR formats, but still nothing more than a WR3

Randall Cobb – Green Bay Packers – Wide Receiver
He’s listed as doubtful, so chances are he’s going to be sidelined and leave Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison as the receivers for Green Bay.  If somehow things change and Cobb does dress, it’s impossible to expect him to make any type of impact.

Verdict – Must Sit

Frank Gore – Indianapolis Colts – Running Back
Marlon Mack is out, leaving Robert Turbin and Matt Jones to back Gore up.  Obviously he’s not a sexy pick, with just 88 yards on 24 carries over the first two weeks, but the threat of a TD vulture is reduced.  That doesn’t make him a good option, but if you are desperate for a FLEX he could be worthwhile.

Verdict – Low-end FLEX option

Chris Johnson – Arizona Cardinals – Running Back
According to Mike Jurecki (via Twitter):

BA: Chris Johnson carries will likely go up this week. (Last week 11-44 yards)

BA is Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians, so the comments obviously can’t be ignored.  Despite taking on the Giants weak running attack in Week 1, the Dallas Cowboys have allowed the seventh most points per week to opposing running backs, with 194 rushing yards, 101 receiving yards and 2 total TD.  That means more carries should equate to some success, and at least a FLEX role on your fantasy squad (but potentially RB2 numbers)

Verdict – Potential RB2, depending on your alternatives

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com

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