Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

There is never a clear choice when making a decision on the flex position in fantasy football. For fantasy owners, putting a player into the flex is the ultimate wild card. If he does bad, the expectations of a flex weren't that high to begin with.

But if that player does well? It'll feel like you just won the lottery. 

To find a good flex, you must look under every rock. There are some opportunities for flex players on the waiver wire if you can get them, such as Terrelle Pryor, who is owned in just 58 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues—up 36 percent in one day.

But if you weren't fortunate enough to pick up Pryor on the waiver wire (curse you, waiver priority), don't fret. There may be some hidden flex gems for Week 4 who are right under your nose, usually sitting on your bench.

Start 'em: DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

DeVante Parker hasn't established himself as a starter in fantasy yet, but he might be on his way to a No. 2 wide receiver designation if he continues this type of play.

While he has been dealing with a hamstring injury, he was a full participant at Dolphins practice on Monday and Tuesday, according to the team. 

After missing Week 1, Parker impressed in his season debut against the New England Patriots with 106 yards on eight catches. The most impressive part of that game? He had 13 targets, which means he is going to get a lot of opportunities to make an impact this season. 

Going up against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, Parker could easily score more than his projected 8.79 points in Yahoo leagues. 

Sit 'em: Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants 

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

While it's been great to see Victor Cruz back on the football field this season, it's clear that he is no longer Eli Manning's first or second option in the passing game. 

Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Sterling Shepard have stolen the show in the New York Giants' passing game, leaving Cruz as the third and forgotten option. Sure, he had a solid game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 and even got a touchdown. But since then, he's only seen 11 targets in the past two games. 

"

Victor Cruz was only targeted 3 times. Caught all 3 passes for 70 passes.

No reason Donnell, Tye and Vereen have more targets than #80.

— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) September 27, 2016"

Somehow, he has still been able to put up some decent points for a No. 3 wide receiver, but he won't be so lucky in Week 4 when the Giants go up against an intimidating Minnesota Vikings defense. Cruz is projected to score 5.79 points this week, and while that's not terrible for a flex, there are better options out there. 

Start 'em: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

James Kenney/Associated Press

This week is Derrick Henry's coming-out party. I can feel it in the air.

Make no mistake about it: DeMarco Murray is still the lead running back for the Tennessee Titans. After his performance last week, where he scored 21.50 points in Yahoo leagues, he deserves to be.

But there's something to be said about the way Henry has performed so far this season. His vision and burst are exceptional, and his strength can break any arm tackle that the NFL has to offer. 

With the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt out this week—and perhaps for the rest of the season, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport—it's not crazy to think that the Titans will run all over the Texans' front seven, who are reeling after giving up 105 rushing yards and two scores to LeGarrette Blount last week.

Henry has to find the end zone eventually, and after scoring at least 4.40 points in each game this season, it's not that much of a risk to start him in the flex if he can reward your team with a goal-line touchdown. 

Sit 'em: Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins

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I am guilty of hyping up Arian Foster's fantasy value earlier this season, but I will not be fooled again by Jay Ajayi this week. Ajayi did score a touchdown in Week 3, and with Foster out, it seems almost logical to play him, right?

Wrong.

Ajayi will not be a bell-cow running back for the Dolphins in the absence of Foster, as he will split carries with Kenyon Drake and maybe even Isaiah Pead. Ajayi only had seven carries for 28 yards in his last outing and was even out-touched by Drake, who ran for 37 yards on nine carries.

Avoid this committee at all costs. Ajayi is not the answer to your flex prayers.

*Projected player scores courtesy of Yahoo Sports