The Big Lead

Fantasy Football Start 'Em and Sit 'Em, Week 4: Josh Freeman is a Deep Sleeper Against Redskins

By Jason Lisk

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Today, your biggest start of the day is Josh Freeman. Over the last two weeks, Sam Bradford and Andy Dalton have averaged 319 yards and 3 touchdowns, finishing 2nd and 6th respectively in that week’s QB scoring. That doesn’t even include Mohamed Sanu’s deep bomb to A.J. Green to start last week’s game. Freeman hasn’t looked great so far, but it’s not like Bradford has lit up teams not named Washington. He should be in your top 10 based on matchup.

QUARTERBACKS

  1. Tom Brady vs. BUF
  2. Aaron Rodgers vs. NO
  3. Matt Ryan vs. CAR
  4. Robert Griffin III vs. TB
  5. Peyton Manning vs. OAK
  6. Drew Brees vs. GB
  7. Matt Schaub vs. TEN
  8. Josh Freeman vs. WAS
  9. Matt Stafford vs. MIN [Stafford should go today with the hip injury]
  10. Carson Palmer vs. DEN
  11. Michael Vick vs. NYG
  12. Christian Ponder vs. DET
  13. Tony Romo vs. CHI
  14. Cam Newton vs. ATL
  15. Eli Manning vs. PHI

SNEAKY DEEP STARTS: The sneakiest start is Freeman, who goes against a Washington team that has made Sam Bradford and Andy Dalton among the top starts the last two weeks. Shaun Hill, Detroit vs. Minnesota (on the assumption Stafford is ruled out), Russell Wilson, Seattle vs. St. Louis, Kevin Kolb vs. Miami

BIG NAMES TO AVOID: Jay Cutler vs. Dallas secondary, Philip Rivers against a Chiefs defense getting healthy, just put lots of pressure on Brees.

RUNNING BACKS

  1. Arian Foster vs. TEN
  2. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. CIN
  3. Ryan Mathews vs. KC
  4. Frank Gore vs. NYJ
  5. LeSean McCoy vs. NYG
  6. Jamaal Charles vs. SD
  7. Marshawn Lynch vs. STL
  8. Willis McGahee vs. OAK
  9. Stevan Ridley  vs. BUF
  10. Adrian Peterson vs. DET
  11. Benjarvus Green-Ellis vs. JAX
  12. Alfred Morris vs. TB
  13. Darren McFadden vs. DEN
  14. Cedric Benson vs. NO
  15. Mikel Leshoure vs. MIN
  16. Michael Turner vs. CAR
  17. Ryan Williams vs. MIA
  18. Doug Martin vs. WAS
  19. DeMarco Murray vs. CHI
  20. Reggie Bush vs. ARI [Jason LaCanfora says Bush will go unless there is a setback, concerns over matchup, limitations, and whether he plays have him down here]
  21. Darren Sproles vs. GB
  22. Andre Brown vs. PHI
  23. Fred Jackson* vs. NE
  24. Jonathan Stewart* vs. ATL
  25. C.J. Spiller* vs. NE [Update: Spiller and Jackson both to play]
  26. Steven Jackson* vs. SEA
  27. Chris Johnson vs. HOU
  28. Ben Tate vs. TEN
  29. Michael Bush vs. DAL
  30. Pierre Thomas vs. GB

BIG NAMES TO AVOID: Ahmad Bradshaw should play, but how effectively? Matt Forte may play, but it is a tough matchup and he may not get full carries. Shonn Greene goes against the best run defense in the league. [NOTE: Reggie Bush is questionable and a game time decision, if you have to make calls by 1 PM, be conservative there]

SNEAKY DEEP PLAYS: Jacquizz Rodgers could continue to see more touches in a decent matchup against the Panthers. Daryl Richardson if Steven Jackson is ruled out for the game against Seattle. Kendall Hunter may benefit from the 49ers focusing on the run game, and the Jets trying to adjust their defense without Revis. Shaun Draughn could see more action if Peyton Hillis is officially ruled out, especially a week after Charles had 33 carries.

WIDE RECEIVERS

  1. Calvin Johnson vs. MIN
  2. Larry Fitzgerald vs. STL
  3. A.J. Green vs. JAX
  4. Julio Jones vs. CAR
  5. Percy Harvin vs. DET
  6. Andre Johnson vs. TEN
  7. Roddy White vs. CAR
  8. Demaryius Thomas vs. OAK
  9. Vincent Jackson vs. WAS
  10. Wes Welker vs. BUF
  11. Victor Cruz vs. PHI
  12. Jordy Nelson vs. NO
  13. Steve Smith vs. ATL
  14. Brandon Lloyd vs. BUF
  15. Greg Jennings vs. NO
  16. Dwayne Bowe vs. SD
  17. Denarius Moore vs. DEN
  18. Danny Amendola vs. SEA
  19. DeSean Jackson vs. NYG
  20. Jeremy Maclin vs. NYG
  21. Dez Bryant vs. CHI
  22. Eric Decker vs. OAK
  23. Miles Austin vs. CHI
  24. Marques Colston vs. GB
  25. Brandon Marshall vs. DAL
  26. Mike Williams vs. WAS
  27. Randall Cobb vs. NO
  28. Michael Crabtree vs. NYJ
  29. Steve Johnson vs. NE
  30. Ramses Barden vs. PHI

BIG NAMES TO AVOID: Brandon Marshall has that tough matchup against the Dallas corners, though unless you have plenty of good matchups elsewhere you may have to start him. Malcom Floyd goes against a Chiefs secondary in better shape.

SNEAKY PLAYS: Jerome Simpson comes back from suspension and gets a good matchup in Detroit, could add a big play.  Kevin Walter has a fantastic matchup and Andre is nursing a groin injury, but should play, and Walter could see a good number of targets. Andrew Hawkins continues to provide value in the slot.

TIGHT ENDS

  1. Vernon Davis vs. NYJ
  2. Jimmy Graham vs. GB
  3. Rob Gronkowski vs. BUF
  4. Tony Gonzalez vs. CAR
  5. Kyle Rudolph vs. DET
  6. Owen Daniels vs. TEN
  7. Brandon Pettigrew vs. MIN
  8. Martellus Bennett vs. PHI
  9. Antonio Gates vs. KC
  10. Brent Celek vs. NYG
  11. Jason Witten vs. CHI
  12. Brandon Myers* vs. DEN
  13. Greg Olsen vs. ATL
  14. Jermichael Finley vs. NO
  15. Jacob Tamme vs. OAK

SNEAKY DEEP PLAYS: Dallas Clark against the Redskins porous pass defense.

AVOID: Jared Cook with the tough matchup at Houston.

Previously: Waiver Wire Week 4

[photo via US Presswire]