Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Examining Boom-or-Bust Options

One question probably gets asked in the minds of football fans more than any other on Sunday mornings: Should I start him or sit him?

I understand, folks. I do it too. And I'm here to help.

There's a caveat for this article, however: We're going to break down players with incredibly high upside but those who I also deem to be really, really risky and therefore not necessarily the smartest starts based on my fantasy ranking grades.

If you have safer options on your roster, I might not recommend the following players. But if you are in a tight spot this week or in a really deep league and you aren't afraid to roll the dice to potentially get back ultimate value, let's find out who might be worth the risk and who won't be. 

Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee Titans

There are things I love about Jake Locker this week.

I love his raw talent. I love that after his 19-point performance for fantasy owners in Week 1, he now has posted 18 or more fantasy points in four of his last eight starts and 14 or more points in five of them. I love his matchup against a dreadful Dallas defense that gave up 17 fantasy points to Colin Kaepernick in Week 1 and 20.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks a year ago, 31st in the NFL.

And I love the reliable Kendall Wright and the big-play threat that Justin Hunter brings to the table. 

But I don't completely trust him, either. I'm still having a hard time trusting a guy with 21 turnovers in 24 games. The sheer fact that he's been injured so often in his career and could go down at any time worries me. The fact that he's only completed 57.7 percent of his passes in the NFL gives me pause. 

Back and forth I go, especially when I know there are safer options. Then I read things like this, from Paul Kuharsky of ESPN:

"

'I see (the pressure) more often now,' Locker said. 'I understand where it's coming from and where your problems are. I think that helps you.'

In the past, we’ve seen Locker panic too often, making bad decisions and forcing things in high-pressure situations. It’s a complicated equation. Under pressure there are usually good options to throw to. But a quarterback has to sense what’s around him and keep his eyes downfield. He probably won’t be able to step into a throw the way he’d like. Locker’s a fast runner who will likely also have an option to take off. 

In a one-game sampling, he’s made great progress sorting it out. 

"

There are safer options I'd rather rely on than Locker this week. But I also think he could have a big year if he stays healthy. If you don't mind rolling the dice, I won't discourage you from starting him against the Cowboys.

Verdict: Start 'Em!

Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns

Leon Halip/Getty Images

I loved that Terrance West opened his season with 16 carries for 100 yards in relief duty of the injured Ben Tate. I don't love as much the fact that Isaiah Crowell made the most of his opportunities, carrying five times for 32 yards and a score. 

I love the fact that West was on the field for 37 snaps last week, according to Pat McManamon of ESPN, whereas Crowell was on the field for just 14. I don't love that two of those snaps came in the red zone for Crowell, leading to his two touchdowns. 

I love the fact that the Browns don't have a great passing game and will need to rely on the rushing attack to move the ball, meaning West should get quite a few touches. I don't love the fact that without Josh Gordon to take the top off of a defense, opponents won't be de-incentivized from stacking the box.

I think West is going to be the main guy for the Browns while Tate is out, but I also think Crowell has shown enough to get his share of touches and limit West's upside. In really deep leagues—especially for Tate owners who had West on the roster as a handcuff—you might not have a choice but to start West. 

But it's hard for me to believe that in most leagues, and on most teams, you don't have two better running backs and a better flex option than him, either. For now, I'm going to preach caution when it comes to Mr. West.

Verdict: Sit 'Em!

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Michael Thomas/Getty Images

Oh, how Cordarrelle Patterson tantalizes me with his talent and concerns me with his role in the Vikings offense. I love that any time he touches the ball—and I mean any time—he is a threat to take it to the house. I love that he's going to continue to be a regular presence in the run game. I love that he continues to grow as a player. I really love that he's scored a rushing or receiving touchdown in six straight games.

But I don't love that he's not a polished wide receiver just yet. His three receptions for 26 yards on five targets in Week 1 concern me. The fact that the New England Patriots would be wise to shadow Patterson with Darrelle Revis when he's lined up out wide seriously worries me. The fact that he seems to be touchdown-reliant to have fantasy relevance really, really worries me.

If you have him, I don't think you can sit him. So I too will recommend you keep him in your lineups. Just know that there's always a good chance he'll leave you high and dry.

Verdict: Start 'Em!

Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

All you had to do on Sunday night was watch the game to see that Dwayne Allen was the superior player to Coby Fleener. His four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown on five targets versus Fleener's three receptions for 21 yards on eight targets suggests as much, and it certainly proved that Allen can do some big things for fantasy owners.

Ah, but those eight targets. Despite Fleener regularly failing to impress, he keeps getting passes sent his way. And while there are a lot of targets to go around, the Colts have a ton of viable options in the passing game to soak them up. 

Reggie Wayne was targeted 13 times on Sunday. T.Y. Hilton has 11 passes thrown in his direction. Ahmad Bradshaw was targeted six times. Hakeem Nicks received five. Trent Richardson received four. Heck, even Donte Moncrief got a look from Andrew Luck. 

Are you picking up what I'm putting down here? The Colts have a ton of talented mouths to feed, and it's hardly going to be surprising when Allen doesn't offer much for fantasy owners from week to week. He may yet prove to be a consistent performer, but until he shows it, the sheer number of weapons on the Colts should scare you away from relying on Allen.

Verdict: Sit 'Em!

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.