Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Making the Call on Fantasy Football Fringe Starters

How many hours do you think people spend deciding who to start in their fantasy lineups each week, and how much work doesn't get done because of it?

That's hard to say. But one firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, estimated that fantasy football costs employers a total of $13 billion a year, according to Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz of the Chicago Tribune. That's a lot of productivity down the drain.

But fear not, for those corporate overlords will find a way to make their money back. While they tackle that predicament, let me help you tackle a few lineup predicaments you may be facing by playing fantasy's favorite game, "start 'em, sit 'em," with a focus on fringe starters this week.

Consider it me doing my little part to ensure your company keeps chugging along efficiently. Tell your boss I said, "You're welcome." 

All scoring via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. Points-against totals via ESPN.

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em: Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

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In 10 of his last 17 starts, Andy Dalton has scored at least 15 fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues. While everyone chooses to remember his debacle in the playoffs last year, fantasy owners often forget that he was the No. 5 quarterback in the rankings when the 2013 regular season concluded.

Dalton did little to lose your trust on Sunday, throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Of course, if you want a little perspective on those numbers, well, Football Perspective can provide that:

Still, consider that he gets an incredibly tasty matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, a team that just allowed Drew Brees to throw for 333 passing yards and a score. Dalton cracks my top 10 this week.

He should crack yours as well.

Sit 'Em: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Oh, Tony Romo. The roller-coaster ride for his fantasy owners has started at the bottom, as he threw for 281 passing yards and a score but also tossed three interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers. Things aren't going to get much easier against the Tennessee Titans.

No, the Titans defense isn't as good as the one Romo faced in the opener, but it did just hold Alex Smith to 202 passing yards and a score while picking off three of his passes. It was also quite good against opposing quarterbacks a year ago, giving up just 12.7 fantasy points to the position on average, so there is precedent for Romo to struggle.

At some point, the Dallas offense will click. Just don't be surprised if it isn't this coming week.

Running Backs

Start 'Em: Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints

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Normally, I'm not one to advocate starting a running back from New Orleans, as its committee approach has burned me more than once. But yes, I like Pierre Thomas this week.

Sure, Mark Ingram got the most touches out of the backfield (14) and scored two touchdowns in Week 1. But according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, it was Thomas who led the New Orleans backfield in snaps played (34), followed by Ingram (20) and Travaris Cadet and Khiry Robinson (12 apiece).

Thomas' role is secure—he's the passing-down back and easily the best receiver out of the backfield. He's also a darn good runner, and he generally makes the most of his opportunities. And facing a Cleveland Browns defense that just allowed 30 fantasy points to Pittsburgh Steelers running backs (26 rushes for 119 yards and two scores, six receptions for 88 yards), it's not hard to see how Thomas could have a big afternoon.

I don't trust that Ingram will score touchdowns every week. I do trust that Thomas will continue to be a major threat in the passing game—he had six catches for 58 yards on seven targets—and will continue to run well when given the chance. That's enough for me to recommend him as a very strong flex this week given the matchup.

Sit 'Em: Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions

There are going to be weeks when Joique Bell is the better option for fantasy owners than his backfield mate, Reggie Bush. This is not that week.

The Carolina Panthers have one of the best run defenses in the league and gave up just 10 fantasy points to Tampa Bay running backs in Week 1, holding them to 75 yards on the ground. With Luke Kuechly roaming around at linebacker, players who make their money between the tackles, such as Bell, aren't great options against the Panthers.

Bush, on the other hand, is the safer choice because of his ability in the passing game. If there is a running back with a chance of having a big week against the Panthers, it's Bush. 

Wide Receivers

Start 'Em: Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals

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There will be concerns with Michael Floyd that he'll be relegated to No. 2 duty in the passing game behind Larry Fitzgerald from week to week. It might be time to stop worrying about such things.

Floyd was excellent against the San Diego Chargers on Monday, catching five passes for 119 yards on seven targets. There's little question he has become this team's downfield threat. And his matchup against the New York Giants is very, very appealing.

Yes, the same Giants that just gave up 13 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns to Lions receivers Monday night. Floyd should absolutely, positively rip this defense to shreds. 

Sit 'Em: Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Golden Tate had an excellent debut for the Detroit Lions, nabbing six passes for 93 yards. It seems far less likely he'll replicate that production against the excellent Carolina defense, which just limited the dangerous Tampa Bay receivers to 11 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Will Calvin Johnson still get his? Sure. But against one of the top defensive units in the league, it's far more difficult to see Tate going off for a big afternoon. 

Tight Ends

Start 'Em: Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

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Zach Ertz was a popular breakout target for much of this summer. On Sunday, he proved why folks liked him so much.

The Philly tight end was a major force down the seam for the Birds, catching three passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. With a slew of weapons but no traditional top target in the passing game, Ertz should see his role continue to grow as his sophomore season progresses.

"I'm more of a complete tight end this year than last year," Ertz told Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I've made some improvements in the blocking specifically. I made plays in the passing game. Hopefully I can contribute more and more each week."

He should be able to contribute plenty this week. The Indianapolis Colts were absolutely scorched by Julius Thomas on Sunday night. He caught seven passes for 104 yards and three scores. Clearly focused more on stopping Denver's wideouts, the Colts allowed Thomas to run roughshod over them.

Will they be equally focused on Philly's weapons in the backfield, LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles, or their playmakers out wide, Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper? If they are—and if Philly's pace keeps them off-balance, as it has done to so many opponents before—Ertz could be the beneficiary and post gigantic numbers.

He's absolutely a TE1 this week.

Sit 'Em: Martellus Bennett, TE, Chicago Bears

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Martellus Bennett certainly got his season off to a strong start, catching eight passes for 70 yards and a score against the Buffalo Bills. A player who flashed TE1 potential a year ago and finished No. 10 in the rankings, Bennett started off strong in 2013 but tailed off at the end.

He might tail off a bit earlier this year against a Niners defense that held Jason Witten to two receptions for 14 yards on six targets. Long Romo's security blanket, Witten's inability to get anything going does not bode well for Bennett, as Witten is a more featured aspect of his offense than Bennett is. 

This is a good week to keep Bennett on your bench.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than karate class with Antonio Brown.