Fantasy Football Today: Week 14 Start or Sit – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 8, 2024

Hosts: Adam Aizer and Heath Cummings
Analysts: Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg

Introduction

In the Week 14 episode of Fantasy Football Today, hosts Adam Aizer and Heath Cummings delve deep into the latest fantasy football developments, focusing on critical start or sit decisions. This episode is packed with injury updates, player rankings, strategic insights, and answers to listener questions, ensuring fantasy managers are well-equipped to make informed lineup choices.

Running Back Injury Updates and Impact

The episode kicks off with significant injury news affecting several key running backs:

• Breece Hall is out for Miami.
• Ken Walker is sidelined for Arizona.
• Jordan Mason and Christian McCaffrey are also confirmed out.
• Isaac Orndo is likely to secure a starting role for the 49ers.

Heath emphasizes the ripple effect of these injuries on fantasy lineups:

"Breece Hall is out at Miami, Ken Walker is out at Arizona and Jordan Mason Christian McCaffrey they are out. Isaac Orndo is likely getting put into that starter's role for the 49ers."
[02:26]

Start or Sit Rankings: Braylon Allen, Zach Charbonnet, Isaac Orndo

Zach Charbonnet emerges as a favored pick:

"Zach Charbonnet is the most starty of the starts. He had a rush share of over 80% and a target share over 10% last time that Ken Walker missed a couple of games and he didn't run efficiently."
[02:26]

Heath categorizes Charbonnet as a top 10 running back, endorsing him for nearly all lineups.

Isaac Orndo is viewed as a borderline top 12 option:

"We've seen earlier this year, they trusted him with pretty much a starter's workload, and almost everyone over the last five years who's been a starting running back in this offense has been good."
[02:26]

Braylon Allen presents more uncertainty:

"Braylon Allen makes me the most nervous. He's a low end RB2. I don't have complete confidence that he's going to handle the passing downs."
[02:26]

Final Rankings:

1. Zach Charbonnet – Top 10
2. Isaac Orndo – Borderline Top 12
3. Braylon Allen – 23rd

"I've got Charbonne, I think 10th, Connor, 14th, Braylon Allen... Braylon Allen's 23rd."
[03:53]

Impact of Team Changes and Player Depth

With Alexander Madison reportedly not playing, Heath analyzes the implications for Tampa Bay’s backfield:

"I'm going to give McCormick a few more carries. They're both high end flexes. I'm starting Sincere McCormick in a couple of leagues."
[04:39]

Bucky Irving remains a top 12 running back despite recent injuries:

"Reports we're getting on Bucky Irving is that he's fine. He was injured during that game and performing spectacularly last week."
[05:41]

DeAndre Swift presents mixed emotions:

"The downside is that he's got a quad injury... the upside is Roshan Johnson's out with a concussion."
[05:52]

Heath positions Swift as a number two running back but prefers Charbonnet and Orndo over him.

Wide Receiver Analysis: George Pickens and Malik Neighbors

George Pickens is expected to play after a hamstring test:

"As for Pickens, it's an early game. If he tests it out and he's active, they say he's fine."
[08:30]

Malik Neighbors faces a limited role due to injuries:

"Malik Neighbors... will try to play versus The Saints. But the team wants to see how he feels in pregame warmups and... would be more of a limited role."
[08:30]

Heath downgrades Neighbors to Wide Receiver 30:

"I had already downgraded Neighbors to basically a high end wide receiver 3... he's kind of just the definition of that borderline starter."
[08:30]

Recommendations:

• Avoid starting Malik Neighbors unless no better options are available.
• Start George Pickens if he passes the hamstring test with no issues.

Kicker Updates

Key kicker news includes:

• Will Reichard is confirmed to play for Minnesota.
• Fantasy managers are advised to consider starting Will Reichard over Parker Romo.

"If you have Parker Romo, you can get rid of him and you can start Will Riker because whoever Minnesota's kicker is, is someone that you can, you know, you can start."
[09:42]

Listener Questions and Expert Responses

The episode features a segment where Adam poses listener-submitted questions to Heath. Below are some highlighted Q&As:

1. Nick Pacheco vs. Nick Westbrook vs. Isaiah Pacheco

   • Heath: "Westbrook, Akina, I've got projected for 10 points. Pacheco, I've got projected for eight and a half. So I'll go with Westbrook."
     [11:13]

2. Ladd McConkey vs. Juwan Jennings

   • Heath: "Definitely going to start Juwan Jennings in that situation."
     [11:28]

3. JSN vs. Garrett Wilson

   • Heath: "I'm going back to Garrett Wilson. I'm not starting JSN over him."
     [11:34]

4. Tyreek Hill vs. Jacoby Myers vs. Bucky Irving

   • Heath: "I'd go. I'd go Bucky Jacoby and Tyreek."
     [11:38]

5. Derek Carr vs. Aiden O'Connell vs. Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Zach Charbonnet (PPR)

   • Heath: "Charbonnet sharp."
     [12:06]

6. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Malik Neighbors vs. Calvin Ridley (Half PPR)

   • Heath: "I am going to start Harris. No, I've got Ridley one spot ahead of Harrison."
     [12:12]

7. Jerry Judy vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Drew Locke (Super Flex)

   • Heath: "Rush."
     [12:34]

8. Naji vs. Malik Neighbors

   • Heath: "It's got to be Naji."
     [12:37]

9. Dowdle vs. Braylon Allen vs. Isaiah Pacheco

   • Heath: "I am going with Rico Dowdle."
     [12:44]

10. Garendo vs. Braylon Allen vs. Brian Thomas Jr. (Flex)

    • Heath: "I am def." (Incomplete in transcript, likely intent to confirm Garendo or Braylon)
      [12:56]

11. Grando ETN vs. Braylon Allen

    • Heath: "I've got Braylon Allen. Higher."
      [13:01]

12. Jerry Judy vs. Devonte Adams

    • Heath: "Judy."
      [13:05]

13. Winston vs. Mahomes

    • Heath: "That's a great question. They are very close in the projections. I'm going with Jameis." (Assuming Jameis Winston)
      [13:10]

Concluding Insights and Final Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Heath underscores the importance of staying updated with player statuses and being flexible with lineup decisions:

"You have to play him over Lad McConkey... I probably wouldn't start Braylon Allen over Malik Neighbors if he's active."
[10:21]

Key Takeaways:

• Prioritize Zach Charbonnet and Isaac Orndo in your running back slots.
• Monitor Malik Neighbors' status closely; opt for higher-ranked receivers if he's limited.
• Leverage Will Reichard as a reliable kicker option over less consistent alternatives.
• Stay adaptable by having backup plans in place for uncertain player statuses.

Final Quote:

"We'll see all at 11:30am Eastern. YouTube.com/Fantasy Football Today we'll be answering your questions. See you then. Good luck everybody."
[13:34]

Conclusion

This Week 14 episode of Fantasy Football Today provides invaluable insights for fantasy managers, especially concerning critical start or sit decisions amidst a backdrop of injuries and player performance fluctuations. By following Adam and Heath's expert analysis and staying engaged with ongoing updates, listeners are well-positioned to make strategic moves and maintain a competitive edge in their leagues.