It’s 2:30 a.m. on a crisp October night in our nation’s capital.
I find myself sitting on the rear ledge of the Lincoln Memorial, buzzed, accompanied by the only ones craziest enough to get me there – my best friends.
Shane Rolick, Tyler Rolick, Tanner Morehead, Chris Udovich and I pose for picture during a recent trip to Washington D.C.
As I gazed across the Potomac River into the blurry lights of Arlington, Virginia, even in my current state, I couldn’t help but think back to 10 years prior when we were just kids, camping out somewhere in my backyard in our little, middle-of-nowhere town.
Life was more than simple back then. It was great. Because it was all we knew.
As we grew up together over the next greater-half-of-a-decade, so did our tendencies. Like most, our late-night s’mores around the fire telling urban legends turned into light beer and conversations about girls, cars and the crazy world we are living in.
Between our adolescent days, our varsity and collegiate years and to our time now, as young professionals, together we’ve made memories I’ll never forget. Even though sometimes the number of times we make a toast in one night can make us omit some minor details.
But, beyond all the crazy stories we share and the fun we have when we get together, these guys, my boys from back home, are also there when the going gets rough.
A house fire when I was 16, moving to a rival school a month later and dealing with convoluted family bullshit – these guys were there whenever I needed them along the way.
Like most friend groups from high school, especially when you pursue different passions, we’ve shrunk in size over the years, for one reason or another. But that doesn’t matter anymore. All that does now, is what we have today – an unbreakable bond.
Similar to how we invest in friendships, we do the same in fantasy football. We start each new journey with a team, compiled of unique individuals.
Along the way sometimes, no matter how much we invest in someone, they leave the team, due to being traded or released. And it can tear you up on the inside, having to let go of someone you invested so much time, heart and soul into.
But, that’s why you have to appreciate the ones you have now. Soak up every moment you have with someone, relish in the good times and don’t be afraid to tell them what they mean to you.
And when it comes to my life, and the people I have by my side today, no one has been there longer and more consistently, than my boys from back home.
“Udo,” Tanner, Tyler and Shane, thanks for everything, fellas. I love you guys.
Now, let’s get to it.
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft League.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay): After what was an utter disappointment of a performance in Week 6 against Tampa Bay, where he scored only 3.8 fantasy points, some are beginning to question the validity of starting Aaron Rodgers.
While I understand the frustration he caused last week, probably losing most teams their matchups, Tampa Bay’s defense is legit. The Packers’ Week 7 opponent, the Texans, have a defense that is anything but that.
I think Rodgers and Davante Adams will make quick work of Houston, which allows the second-highest quarterback rating (111.5) on average and let Ryan Tannehill go for 364 yards and four scores in Week 6.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Drew Brees (New Orleans): Not only has Drew Brees finished as a QB1 just twice this season (QB 10 in both Weeks 3 and 5), but he’s also finished outside the Top 18 in each of his other three performances.
Michael Thomas should be good to go against Carolina this week, boosting Brees’ overall floor. But Carolina’s defense is continuing to be slept on, although they are a Top 4 defense, only allowing 14.7 fantasy points per game, against opposing quarterbacks.
Personally, in a one-QB league, even with Thomas back, I’m dropping Brees as his next formidable matchup doesn’t come until Week 11 when he faces the Atlanta Falcons.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
D’Andre Swift (Detroit Lions): In three of his first four games, rookie D’Andre Swift posted double-digit PPR points, garnering only a handful of carries each week, and making up for it in the passing game and the end zone.
D’Andre Swift is averaging 6.1 YPC and is also the Lions second-leading receiver.
Last week, he took 14 carries for 166 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while also adding three receptions for seven yards. Now that he’s proven to be an explosive player, Matt Patricia, who is coaching for his job this season, has no choice but to turn to the Georgia product.
His opponent this week, the Atlanta Falcons are middle-of-the-road when it comes to opposing running backs, generally because it has been so easy to throw on them.
However, they do allow the third-most receptions per game to backs (7.7), Swift’s specialty. All this to say, I’m firing Swift up with full-confidence in Week 7 and hope you do the same.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Joshua Kelley (Los Angeles Chargers): After a hot start to his rookie campaign, Joshua Kelley has stalled, failing to reach six PPR points in his last three outings.
On paper, Kelley’s opponent this week, the Jaguars, are a bottom-five defense against the running back position. But, he’s only averaged 1.8 Yards per Carry (YPC) and has had inconsistent snap shares, ranging from 29 to 57 percent, in his last three games. This inconsistency and lack of efficiency leads to me to bench Kelley and even cut him from some rosters if space is needed elsewhere.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Chase Claypool (Pittsburgh Steelers): We could be witnessing a changing of the guard at the receiver position in Pittsburgh this season. Both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson have been banged up on and off, while rookie Chase Claypool has just been on fire.
Claypool leads Pittsburgh in yards, yards per catch and touchdowns. And this week, he faces the fellow 5-0 Tennessee Titans. In what should be a competitive matchup, Claypool could find an edge once again as the Titans have been burned consistently by receivers, allowing 199 yards per game to the position, fourth-most in the NFL.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
Julian Edelman (New England): Super Bowl LII MVP, Julian Edelman, has been another player who has cooled after a hot start, scoring a combined 15 PPR points over his last three.
While I see things getting easier for Edelman down the road as his quarterback Cam Newton gets his feet back under him, there’s just not enough upside that justifies playing him here in Week 6.
Despite the 49ers being injury-plagued on the defensive side of the ball, they’ve held tough, especially against the slot receivers where they just Cooper Kupp to three receptions for 11 yards (5.1 PPR points).
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.