RADIO
Now that we're down to brass tacks in the fantasy season, how should managers evaluate a talented player in a hard-to-predict offense?
We'll take a look at three lineup options that fit that bill in Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell, and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
All three players have had big weeks this year, but extenuating circumstances on their teams has made production inconsistent. So, who should start?
Should I Start Chuba Hubbard for Fantasy Football?
Hubbard has been an excellent value on what will be a losing team, ranking No. 11 for running backs in half-PPR. The Panthers also have started to get their act together as quarterback Bryce Young has shown some promise since being reinserted into the starting lineup, and he'll get another start this week against Tampa Bay.
"I'm so excited for JB... sky's the limit for him."
- @Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is stoked for teammate Jonathon Brooks to make his debut | @EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/f6zD7rhJCQ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 24, 2024
Hubbard's pre-season value plummeted largely due to Carolina drafting rookie Jonathon Brooks, but Brooks drew only two carries in his debut as he returns from an ACL injury. At least for now, this is Hubbard's backfield, and against a Tampa defense that ranks 24th in red zone scores allowed and 18th against fantasy running backs, Hubbard is an RB2 play in Week 13.
Should I Start Tank Dell for Fantasy Football?
Houston's Tank Dell is a big-play threat playing against a bad Jacksonville defense this week, but the story is still the same. Dell is the second option on an offense that has been volatile due to poor pass protection. Since fellow receiver Nico Collins returned from injury, Dell has just seven catches but has turned them into a robust 126 receiving yards.
Tank Dell bottom of screen pic.twitter.com/zzMnkJDmhM
— Mike Vannucci (@WRCoachVannucci) November 26, 2024
Jacksonville ranks 29th against fantasy receivers, 31st in allowing yards after the catch, and 29th in air yards allowed, so there is certainly big-play potential available for Houston’s passing game. But with a line that has allowed the fourth-most sacks and Collins back to hog targets, starting Dell is a risky WR3/Flex bet dependent on home-run plays.
Should I Start Brian Thomas Jr. for Fantasy Football?
The Jags, as you may be aware, are bad. But Thomas isn't. He has three top 10 finishes in PPR formats this year and has put together a nice rookie season despite general turmoil and an injury to his quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
A majority of scouts, myself included, are gonna be kicking themself for relinquishing Brian Thomas Jr. to a tier below MHJ, Nabers, Odunze.
UNREAL talent, torches Terrion Arnold and is moving like this at 6’4. pic.twitter.com/a57K3HCqqG
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 23, 2024
Houston, this week's opponent, ranks 31st against fantasy wide receivers, 30th in average depth of target, and dead last in passing touchdowns allowed. Nearly 20% of all Jacksonville passes have gone Thomas' way this season, so even with quarterback questions, he's an overqualified flex play in Week 13.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 13
Fantasy managers looking at the standings are well aware we're almost out of runway: The time for a push -- to either get into the playoff field or secure seeding -- is now. Start 'em or sit 'em decisions at quarterback will carry extra weight the next two weeks, so we'll take a look at […]
Travis Etienne, Jeremy McNichols, Braelon Allen: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 13
It's Week 13, which marks the second-to-last game before the fantasy football playoffs for many teams. We've reached the make-or-break portion of the fantasy football season, meaning these games have outsized importance. If you have injuries to any running backs in your lineups, chances are you may need to consider starting one of the players […]
Anthony Richardson, Sam Darnold, C.J. Stroud: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 13
Quarterback is a position that typically has a higher floor scoring-wise than other positions, yet a much higher ceiling. A position with plenty of players that can put up 25 or more fantasy points in a game without surprising anyone is bound to be very important. Unfortunately, some QBs have been highly inconsistent this season […]
Jonathan Taylor, Rachaad White, Gus Edwards: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 13
Running back is the most important position to hit on in the draft in all fantasy football formats. That's been even more true this season due to the outlandish number of injuries to key wide receivers this season. There are plenty of RBs that go on serious cold streaks or just don't look good for […]
Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 13? Jakobi Meyers, Ameer Abdullah, Tre Tucker
The NFL's Black Friday "tradition" returns for a second season. The Raiders travel to Arrowhead to match up against the defending Super Bowl champions. As Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce put it, "Let's call a spade a spade. Best team in football against the worst team in football. Let's change the narrative." The Raiders […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
