NFL Football - Starts and Sits

This week the start/sit column will be a little different. DeMarco Murray and Greg Jennings owners probably had to put in extra hours on their shrink’s coach this week. Have no fear: I am here to help.

Below are the names of potential people you could have on your bench to replace them. Some should be considered for starting status while others should be left on your bench. If you don’t see a name here, send me a message on Twitter? Don’t have a twitter? Leave a comment below and I’ll check later in the week to answer it.

Running Backs

Felix Jones – Jones will be the ‘guy’ and will have a ton of carries to go with it. If, for some reason, Jones is available, grab him immediately.

CJ Spiller – The Dolphins defense has played well recently. Leave him on your bench.

Marion Barber III- His two mistakes notwithstanding, he had a decent game. But, Chicago is trying to salvage their playoff hope and fans are calling for a new running back. Kahlil Bell will start to split carries, which is something you don’t want in your own playoffs. Stay away.

Ryan Grant – If James Starks is out again, then yes you can play him. If Starks is back, then leave both on your bench. My guess is Grant is the guy, especially with Brandon Saine banged up.

Kevin Smith – Yes, Smith put up great numbers when healthy. Word on the street is he could play. But with 2 injuries in less than a month, he should only be played if you are desperate.

Michael Bush – True, he hasn’t been very productive lately, but there is no real competition for carries. The Lions give up oodles of yards and Bush should see most of it. Get him in your lineup. Yes I said oodles.

DeAngelo Williams – Williams would be at the top of the “I don’t want to but there is no one else better” list. In 2 games that were great for fantasy, DWill had a long touchdown run in each. If you are shooting in the dark, you could do worse. But be aware of the dreaded 8/39 stat line.

Jonathan Stewart – Like the guy in the same uniform (Williams), Stewart is at the bottom of the “OK I’ll start you but I’m not happy about it” list. The only difference being he is involved in the passing game much more. If you are some version of PPR then roll with Stewart.

Peyton Hillis – Stay away from all Browns Running Backs.

Montario Hardesty – Seriously, don’t do it.

Chris Ogbonnaya – You will hate yourself for 8 months if you do it.

Mike Tolbert – You could do a lot worse. Maybe he will vulture a touchdown or two.

KendAl Hunter – So it turns out Frank Gore is at about 70%. Check out this logic: 1) 49ers need to win to get a first-round bye. 2) Frank Gore is at 70%. 3) Harbaugh will want to rest his star player. 4) Hunter gets a ton of carries as the 49ers keep the petal to the metal. I like it!

Wide Receivers

James Jones – I’ve seen a fair amount of analysts say that Jones will be the biggest beneficiary of Greg Jennings being out. This simply won’t happen. Jones is unofficially behind Randal Cobb, the playmaking rookie. Cobb and Donald Driver will benefit more (with Finley in the mix). At minimum we aren’t sure, and that means bench city.

Miles Austin – Someone has to make the catches. My hunch says it is Laurent Robinson, Miles Austin, then Dez Bryant. They should all put up points so any one you have can be inserted into your lineup.

Mike Williams – You may not like it, but MWTB gets a ton of targets. So, if you are shooting in the dark, you at least want someone who is bound to get a ton of targets in the game. No other Tampa Bay WR should be started.

Eric Decker – Yes, he has been quiet lately, but the Broncos get New England this week. The Patriots will not let Tim Tebow and the offense hang around as they will put up points immediately. There will be a lot of passes thrown and you want either Decker or Demaryius Thomas.

Golden Tate – This is one of the guys on my watch list for 2012. However, does that help you now? IN the Monday Night “game” he was targets a lot at the beginning of the game. It is possible for him to end up with 90 yards and 2 touchdowns or 36 yards and 0 touchdowns. Are you game?

Doug Baldwin – Even though he has a bad wheel, see Tate, Golden.

Johnny Knox – Knox is talented but Caleb Hanie is having a hard time. Look elsewhere.

Jerome Simpson – The second fiddle to AJ Green isn’t very glamorous, but Simpson only had 1 less target in the last game. The St. Louis Rams are not the Houston Texans. It could happen.

Devin Aromashodu – Percy Harvin is in fact “the guy.” However, after Harvin’s 15 targets were Aromashodu’s 10. I’ve heard the Saints are a pretty good team, and with a first-round within range they will be on fire. So, the Vikings will be in catch-up mode and having the #2 guy isn’t a total loss. This one takes guts though. He has had 137 yards the last 2 games.

Good luck in the playoffs! We are here to help. Contact me at @FD_Bass on Twitter.