RADIO
Sometimes there are simply no great options to start at certain positions on some of your fantasy teams. Whether it's because you're in a deep league, have a roster that's loaded with injuries, or have limped into the playoffs through sheer luck, this situation simply happens sometimes.
It's important to make the right decisions because, of course, you don't get any more chances if you lose in the playoffs. Getting caught in the situation of having to start a player that hasn't been great this year is never fun, but sometimes that's life.
Let's break down three players you aren't happy about having on your rosters but might be considering to start anyway.
Should I Start Javonte Williams for Fantasy Football?
No, god no. Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams been truly awful this season. The knee injury he suffered in 2022 might have stolen his career from him, as he looked very promising early in his tenure with the Broncos. He averages just 3.55 yards per carry on the season despite having faced a slew of terrible run defenses.
Javonte Williams is ranked
33rd in Rushing Yards (461)
32nd in Attempts (130)
(3.5 Y/A) https://t.co/JCHe0wzlFK pic.twitter.com/dAbOG6izDd— 🄱🄾🄶🄶🄸🄽🅂 (@Mr_Boggins) December 16, 2024
The Broncos backfield is an absolute mess, mostly because they simply do not have much talent. Williams tore his ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner in a devastating injury in 2022, had a sluggish 2023 and hasn't looked to improve since then. He's had plenty of time to rehab his ailment, so it's likely that his knee just won't ever be the same.
While the Los Angeles Chargers have a poor run defense that allows 4.7 yards per carry by opposing rushers, it's hard to trust in JW, who hasn't had a game with 10 or more carries since Week 9. The backfield is a committee of the worst sorts. His involvement in the passing game has faded as the season has gone on as well.
Should I Start Audric Estime for Fantasy Football?
No, you shouldn't start him either. His best game this season came in Week 11, when he scored 5.5 PPR fantasy points. He hasn't even come close to double-digit scores, and he's struggling to get playing time ahead of one of the worst RBs in the league (guess who). His lack of talent has obviously been noticed by Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
some nimble running from a big man in Audric Estime pic.twitter.com/vQo7e6uudc
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) November 13, 2024
He lacks the burst to break off big plays, isn't very elusive, has had trouble fumbling the ball this season, and isn't a dynamic pass-catcher. There just isn't any reason to put him in your starting lineups -- he hasn't exceeded 25% of offensive snaps in his last four games.
Fellow Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) didn't practice on Wednesday, so he could get more snaps in Week 16, but it's too hard to trust anyone in this backfield. Denver has a good offensive line, so make sure you take a flier on whichever rookie RB the Broncos draft in 2025. He could turn out to be a league winner -- the 2025 running back class is absolutely stacked.
If you' re forced to choose between Estime and the first player covered in this piece, though, go with Williams.
Should I Start Joshua Palmer for Fantasy Football?
No. There is very, very little upside for Palmer, who seems like the team's WR3. The WR1 is Ladd McConkey and the WR2 is Quentin Johnston, as poorly as he's played this season. Therein lies another red flag -- the fact that Palmer, a fourth-year player who had chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert, has looked so bad this season is just not great.
#VFL Josh Palmer catches his first touchdown of the season and 10th of his career. #Vols pic.twitter.com/4TstaBOtIS
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) November 3, 2024
Similarly to Johnston, Palmer has had a disproportionate amount of his production come from busted coverages. Other than that, he's essentially been a non-factor. McConkey can't get all the targets, but the team has had very little success throwing the ball to any of its other pass-catchers outside of when the opposing defense blows their assignments.
Expecting a player who hasn't been a factor all season to suddenly become a good player to start in fantasy football isn't usually a pathway to success. We'd prefer starting Williams over him, as bad as it will feel to have him in your lineup.
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