Welcome to the first 2022 edition of Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Ems. Many students here at BHS are involved in fantasy football leagues. Many also fail to receive guidance on the important weekly decisions that may change the outcome of their matchups. I, along with a few guest analysts, will break down a handful of players at each position weekly and give you advice. Any readers with specific players they would like covered are encouraged to email to myself (at the end of this article) or other analysts. 

Start ‘Ems (Who you should START this week)

QB: Joe Burrow (Cincinnati)

Through three weeks, Burrow has been slightly disappointing. He has offered little rushing upside, and has been consistently turning over the ball. Despite this, he is tied for eighth in passing TDs and total QB points. Although he hasn’t produced the elite numbers we have expected, he is primed for a huge performance this week, facing the high-scoring Miami Dolphins in a primetime Thursday Night matchup. The Dolphins invested heavily in their defense this offseason, and new addition Melvin Ingram II recently was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month (September). Nonetheless, the Dolphins have allowed the most points per game, or PPG, to quarterbacks through three weeks at 25.9 PPG. In this matchup, I expect there to be 30+ points scored by both teams, and a strong performance from Joe Burrow. 

RB: Alvin Kamara (New Orleans) and Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles A)

I am grouping both of these guys together, and this is why. Both of these guys were drafted in the first round, and when you drafted them, you were expecting a dual-threat monster with consistent redzone action. Both of their offenses have struggled, and both of these runningbacks have been highly disappointing. Now, heading into this week 4, both have encouraging matchups. The Saints and Chargers are facing the Vikings and Texans, respectively. These opponents have allowed the second and third most PPG to running backs in PPR (points per reception) formats, at 29.8 and 29.7. Both high-profile halfbacks have all the stars aligned to go ballistic this week. 

WR: Gabe Davis (Buffalo)

Josh Allen has been slinging the football this year, and Stefon Diggs has been the direct beneficiary. Now, of course, if you own Stefon Diggs, you’re going to start him. The WR1 through 3 weeks is a must start. But, his sidekick, Gabe Davis, has fallen a bit under-the-radar. You must start him too. The Ravens defense has given up huge scores to WRs galore this year, such as the Dolphins WR duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. This week against the Buffalo Bills should be no different. Baltimore’s defense has given up a league-high 56.1 PPG to wide receivers thus far, and Gabe Davis can have a huge week this Sunday, as he did in the AFC Championship the year prior. 

TE: David Njoku (Cleveland)

Njoku has been a Cinderella story this year. The former Miami Hurricane was a first round pick in 2017, but the athletic freak had never put it together on the fantasy football circuit. But this year, with TE-dependent quarterback Jacoby Brissett in Cleveland, Njoku has put it together. He has been the TE9 so far, and is looking like a huge piece of the Browns offense against the Falcons defense, who has given up the second most PPG vs tight ends this year (20.4 PPG). David Njoku owner Jayden Diaz (Junior) said, “He puts up 20-piece Chicken McNuggets every week. Start him.”

Sit ‘Ems (Who you should SIT this week)

QB: Lamar Jackson (Baltimore)

Yes, I know. Shocking. The QB1 has been unbelievable through three weeks. He single-handedly has more touchdowns than a majority of NFL franchises. He has been electric through the air and on the ground. But you should sit him, especially if you have a strong backup. He is going up against the mighty Bills defense, which has returned to their shutdown state that they were in last year. They lost numerous pivotal figures to injuries last week, but I still think they can give Jackson trouble. Buffalo’s defense has given up 6.7 PPG to quarterbacks through three weeks, and although Lamar will outscore 6.7 points, do not expect him to be his normal self.

RB: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City)

Edwards-Helaire has started off the season hot. The former Louisiana State product went in the first round pick in the 2020 draft, just mere picks ahead of Jonathan Taylor. Since then, he has been riddled with injuries and competition for touches. He has flourished so far in 2022, as he is currently the RB4 headed into Week 4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense he is facing has shutdown running backs left and right, and Edwards-Helaire’s touchdown dependency makes him an easy fade for teams with runningback depth. Points from touchdowns have resulted in about 35% of Clyde’s points, and Tampa Bay gives up an average of 11.6 PPG to runningback groups, the league low. Sit Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

WR: Allen Robinson II (Los Angeles N) and Hunter Renfrow (Las Vegas)

I have grouped both of these guys together for numerous reasons, all of which point to them being favorable options for your bench. Both are shadowed by dominant WR1s and strong TEs. Both are going up against elite defenses against the passing games. Both are not strong options. Robinson is entering the week as the WR69, and Renfrow as the WR81. Lowly receivers such as Ashton Dulin or Equanimeous St. Brown are ahead of these guys. Fellow analyst James Mertz (Junior) says, “Hunter Renfrow is the Raiders’ third receiving option. Not sure if he is healthy or a strong play against the Broncos’ good defense”. Now I know these guys have had success in previous times, but I do not trust them this week.

TE: George Kittle (San Francisco)

We all know Kittle’s unique combination of pass-catching abilities and blocking prowess makes him arguably the most important tight end in the league. But, in the world of fantasy football, you should sit him this week. He is facing a strong Rams team which has put up good battles against their cross-division rivals, and he doesn’t look 100% healthy. Last week was his season debut, and he put up 6 points. With Jimmy Garroppolo back under center in the wake of Trey Lance’s injury, I see Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jeff Wilson Jr. being focal points in this offense, not George Kittle. If you have a strong bench option at TE, play him and don’t think twice.

Thank you for tuning in. If you have requests for next edition, email me at [email protected]. Good luck this week to all!