There are three types of fantasy football players. You are familiar with the first type because every family and friends league is filled with them. This is the person who fills out their lineup in 10 seconds based on the projections listed on their lineup page. If this is you, knock it off. If you want to win your league, you should become a second or third type of player. The second sets up their entire day around fantasy football. They read fantasy football news on Twitter while they brush their teeth, they listen to our podcast while they shower, and they take extra long bathroom breaks so they can feast on Mike Tagliere’s incredible Primer. No, really, this is an actual thing:

Then there is the third type of person who might have four demanding children and while they love fantasy football as much as fantasy player number two, they are scrambling to set their lineup with the last 15 minutes they can scrounge up. If that’s you, this is the weekly article for you. I’m going to give you quick-hitting advice with an overall grade and start/sit recommendation for every fantasy-relevant player based on four simple criteria: Matchup, expected volume, fantasy ability and surrounding talent.

Matchup – Some teams are ridiculous against tight ends. Others are ridiculously bad against tight ends. It really doesn’t get much more simple than this.

– Some teams are ridiculous against tight ends. Others are ridiculously bad against tight ends. It really doesn’t get much more simple than this. Expected Volume – Tyler Lockett was remarkably efficient last year, but wasn’t a top 10 wide receiver because he only saw 70 targets. I use consensus projections mixed with recent news reports to grade each player’s expected touches. For quarterbacks, carries count in addition to pass attempts.

– Tyler Lockett was remarkably efficient last year, but wasn’t a top 10 wide receiver because he only saw 70 targets. I use consensus projections mixed with recent news reports to grade each player’s expected touches. For quarterbacks, carries count in addition to pass attempts. Fantasy Ability – You may cringe when you see that Tom Brady isn’t my #1 quarterback. If this was real-life ability, he would be in contention for #1 with Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees, but we aren’t real-life GMs. Instead, this incorporates rushing ability quite a bit since that is a fantasy cheat-code for QBs.

– You may cringe when you see that Tom Brady isn’t my #1 quarterback. If this was real-life ability, he would be in contention for #1 with Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees, but we aren’t real-life GMs. Instead, this incorporates rushing ability quite a bit since that is a fantasy cheat-code for QBs. Surrounding Talent – This is weighted differently for each position. For instance, running backs lean on their offensive line much more than their quarterback. Wide receivers are quite dependent on having a solid QB, but the running back only matters in the sense that it will enhance red-zone opportunities.

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The grades listed below range from 1 to 25 with overall grades made to mimic a school grade (1-100 with letter grades). The four grades will not add up to the overall grade since each position weights the four criteria differently. For instance, volume is king for running backs, but matchups are much more important for quarterbacks. The start/sit recommendations are for 12-team half-PPR, 1-QB leagues. Slight adjustments would be made for moderate rules changes. Additionally, I’ll name a start of the week, stream of the week and fade of the week at each position. Obviously the #1 player is the top start, but start of the week refers to a player you wouldn’t always start. Stream of the week is a player you can typically pick up off the waivers if you are desperate for a fill-in. Fade of the week is the opposite of start of the week, as it is a player you would typically start, but shouldn’t this week because of matchup or game script. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @BobbyFantasyPro.

Quick Link to view the entire spreadsheet and search for players quickly at this link.

Running Backs

Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Start of the Week: Miles Sanders Stream of the Week: C.J. Anderson (remember, this doesn’t mean I love the play, it means he is the best available if you are really desperate) Fade of the Week: Austin Ekeler



Wide Receivers

Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Start of the Week: Dede Westbrook Stream of the Week: John Brown Fade of the Week: Robby Anderson



Quarterbacks

Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Start of the Week: Jameis Winston Stream of the Week: Kirk Cousins Fade of the Week: Matt Ryan



Tight Ends

Please refer to the FantasyPros homepage for updates on game-time decisions Start of the Week: Jared Cook Stream of the Week: Delanie Walker Fade of the Week: Austin Hooper



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