Colby’s Start-ems, Sit-ems and Pick-ups for Week 2
QB Start-em: Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer torched the Saints on Sunday by completing 19-of-32 passes for 307 yards, three touchdowns and no picks.
In standard scoring leagues, Palmer was outscored only by Tom Brady. Palmer has had a hard time staying healthy in recent years, but as long as he stays healthy, sign me up for the No. 3 hype train.
Palmer will face a favorable matchup this week as the Cardinals take on a Bears secondary that Aaron Rodgers picked apart last week without Jordy Nelson, and with an injured Randle Cobb.
Palmer only started in about 30 percent of leagues. The Cardinals’ schedule will get much more difficult from here on out, but this week he is a must-start. If he’s available, pick him up and if you have him, start him.
QB Sit-em: Philip Rivers
Had it not been for two interceptions, Rivers would have had an outstanding fantasy outing last week against the Lions.
In season 12, Rivers is one of the game’s elite play-callers. I expect he will have more than a few huge games this year that will make fantasy owners proud. However, you may want to think about sitting him for this week’s matchup as the Chargers travel to Cincinnati.
Historically, Rivers has been awful when traveling to the east coast to play. Last year, he even had negative points in Miami. This Sunday’s trip will be against a Bengals defense that looked tough against Oakland in week one — I know, I know, any defense looks tough against the Raiders. I’m not saying that Rivers is a must-sit, but there’s just not a lot of upside to this week’s matchup.
If you have a decent quarterback on your bench with a favorable matchup, I would consider letting Rivers sit this week out.
RB/WR Start-em: Adrian Peterson
So what AP only had 30 yards rushing last week? To quote one of my favorite people of all time; everyone needs to R-E-L-A-X.
Peterson hasn’t played competitive football for an entire year. It’s going to take some time for him get back into the swing of things. Plus, was there anything about any part of Minnesota’s offense that looked good during Monday night’s loss to San Francisco?
Peterson will come around, trust me. There’s a reason that he was picked in the top ten of this year’s fantasy draft. Expect AP to bounce back this week against Detroit.
RB/WR Sit-em: LeGarrette Blount
I have never been big on LeGarrette Blount, but since he is making his 2015 debut this week, I expect owners will be excited to start him.
The Patriots will be facing a Bills defense that just got done dominating a high power Colts offense. The Bills completely shut down Frank Gore, who has a very similar running style to Blount, and I expect the defense will be extra good at home. I, personally, am not too excited about Blount; but if you are, I get it. You just might want to wait a week before you throw him in your lineup.
Other Start-em’s: Drew Brees, Tony Romo, Carlos Hyde, LeSean McCoy, Brandin Cooks, Keenan Allen, Travis Kelce, Jason Witten.
Other Sit-em’s: Jay Cutler, Cam Newton, Frank Gore, Joique Bell, Golden Tate, Percy Harvin, Jordan Reed, Eric Ebron
Waiver Wire pick-ups:
QB Marcus Mariota:
Last year’s Heisman winner, owned in about 36 percent of leagues, had a monstrous week against Tamba Bay where he went 13-of-16 passing for 209 yards and four touchdowns.
Is there anyone that wouldn’t like to have this kid on their team? I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t think such high production is sustainable. But with so much upside, why not pick him up?
RB Danny Woodhead:
Woodhead, owned in 60 percent of leagues, played more snaps than Melvin Gordon in Sunday’s win against the Lions and added two touchdowns. He has emerged as the back of choice for San Diego and will be a smart play moving forward.
WR Donte Mocrief:
Moncrief is owned in close to 30 percent of leagues will have a lot of upside this week as TY Hilton will likely not play. The Colts pass a lot, and with Darrelle Revis focused on Andre Johnson, Moncrief could have a breakout week.
TE Tyler Eifert:
There is a reason that Tyler Eifert, who is owned in only about 43 percent of leagues, was drafted in the first round of 2013. He blasted the Raiders for 104 yards on 9 catches and a touchdown last week. He’s healthy now, and no, ladies and gentlemen last week was not a fluke. Grab him if you can.
Other pick-ups: Tyrod Taylor, James Jones, Terrance Williams, Stevie Johnson, Chris Johnson.
—Colby May is a senior majoring business administration. He is an avid Packers fan and a successful fantasy football manager. Some people have called him the Vincent Van Gogh of fantasy sports. You can reach him at colbymay@aggiemail.usu.edu or on twitter at @may_colby7.