Week 4 Fantasy Football Expert Start/Sit Decisions: Joe Mixon vs. Zack Moss vs. Jerome Ford, and More
Sometimes the experts have questions too. I'd love to hear what you have to say and maybe even get some good advice.
Quarterback Questions
Lamar Jackson vs. Jayden Daniels
It's incredible how quickly we got here with Daniels. His ascension has been meteoric, to say the least. Nevertheless, this is where we're at.
The reigning MVP has a brutal matchup against the Buffalo Bills, while the rookie is in what's expected to be a shootout with the Arizona Cardinals. As difficult as it is to bench Jackson and I'll hate myself if it backfires, Daniels has more than earned this consideration. As of now, I do have Daniels in my lineup and the plan is to roll with him this week.
Sam Darnold vs. Jared Goff
These two have both been major surprises so far this season. Darnold has far exceeded expectations, while Goff has fallen well short of them. On paper, Darnold has the better matchup against the Green Bay Packers, but does have to go on the road to Lambeau. Goff plays the Seattle Seahawks, who have been better against fantasy quarterbacks, but gets to play at home in a dome.
I've searched for every excuse not to, however, I have pulled the trigger on Darnold this week. Hopefully, this isn't the week he turns back into Sam Darnold. Which QBs would you go with this week?
Running Back Questions
Joe Mixon vs. Zack Moss vs. Jerome Ford
This is a tough one because injuries are playing a major factor. For context, this is a PPR league with .25 points per carry. Zack Moss is currently in my lineup, however, news broke today that in Houston that Mixon may end up playing, which looked very unlikely on Thursday.
In Cleveland, Ford is now good to go and Pierre Strong has been ruled out. All three backs have great matchups with the Texans taking on the Jags, Moss goes up against the Carolina Panthers and Ford draws the Las Vegas Raiders.
If Mixon does end up active, it would be hard to keep him out of my lineup even with the risk of him re-aggravating his injured ankle. Moss has a slight edge over Ford, although both have another back behind them who could steal touches. The only difference is we've already seen it happen in Cleveland while Moss has maintained his stranglehold on touches in Cincy.
Derrick Henry vs. De'Von Achane vs. Cam Akers
This league is also full PPR with .25 points per carry. I can start two of these backs and it should be an easy call. However, Akers has an elite matchup against the Jags and will see nearly all the touches assuming Mixon doesn't suit up. If Mixon does play, then Akers is no longer a factor.
Derrick Henry has a bad matchup against the Buffalo Bills and if things go sideways for the Ravens, he could forfeit a lot of opportunities to Justice Hill in the passing attack. Achane is also without Tua Tagovailoa on an offense that can't score with Raheem Mostert potentially returning. I have Henry and Achane in my lineup as of now, but I'd love to find a slot for Akers this week.
Chuba Hubbard vs. David Montgomery
This decision comes from my Expert IDP league which is full PPR. Hubbard exploded last week and there is no reason to believe that Carolina won't look to deploy him the same way this week with Andy Dalton getting another start.
Montgomery is in a full-blown timeshare but is in a superior offense with a proven ability to score TDs. The matchups are close so that's not a major factor. This pretty much comes down to my gut and as of now, I'm rolling with Monty. What does your gut tell you when it comes to these backs?
Wide Receiver Questions
Diontae Johnson vs. Terry McLaurin
If you had asked me last Monday morning this would have been an easy call and Johnson would have been the play in this PPR league. Then McLaurin finally got on the same page as Daniels on Monday Night Football and went off.
To make my decision even tougher, Johnson popped up on the injury report with a groin injury mid-week. He says it's not an issue, nonetheless, it's still a concern. At the moment, Johnson is in my lineup, but not without some hesitation.
Drake London vs. Rashid Shaheed
This is the same decision I had to make last week and I made the wrong one. Luckily it didn't cost me my matchup, but London went off on my bench while Shaheed gave me a goose egg.
Here I am again in this PPR league, but now there is suddenly a chance that Chris Olave is inactive. London had been locked in all week, but Olave tweaking his hammy in practice could change things. Who would you go with?
Please, hit me up on Twitter @CoolCutter21 and let me know what you think!
