- Start Jameson Williams: The Detroit Lions wide receiver has excelled since Dan Campbell took over as play caller, and he has a unique opportunity to have a big game this week.
- Get PFF+ for 40% off: Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.
Estimated Reading Time: 25 minutes
I asked fantasy managers on the PFF Discord and Bluesky which players they are least sure about this week, and I compiled that list and ranked them against one another. If you have multiple players mentioned, you should start with the player ranked highest. At the bottom of each position, you’ll find players to start in place of the featured players and those to sit in favor of them.
If a player isn’t mentioned, that means they are very close to those with blurbs, and factors such as injuries on the opposing defenses or weather could influence the rankings. Situations involving injuries are also generally avoided because things typically don’t become clearer until closer to kickoff. As always, check the weekly PFF fantasy rankings for the most up-to-date information to help you make all start-sit decisions.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Judkins is playing a consistent role in the Browns’ offense. He has logged 77.2% of offensive snaps on early downs since Week 3, ignoring Week 8 when he was injured. He’s also played 96% of short-yardage snaps and 75% of goal-line snaps, but he isn’t on the field often on third downs or in two-minute drills. His volume is tied to the game script. The rookie has averaged 21 carries per game when the Browns win or lose by a touchdown or less, and he has averaged 13 carries per game when the Browns lose by multiple scores. He is averaging just 1.5 receptions per game, limiting his value in PPR leagues.
The Browns are four-point underdogs against the Las Vegas Raiders this week. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will be starting for Cleveland, which could hurt the game script, but the team is also more likely to rely on Judkins to help Sanders.
The Raiders spent most of the season doing a great job of slowing down running backs, with no opposing running back averaging more than 4.0 yards per carry on more than five carries over the first nine weeks. However, across the past two weeks, J.K. Dobbins and Javonte Williams both averaged more than 4.0 yards on 18 or more carries. The Raiders’ run defense has similarly seen a decline in PFF grade. They sported a 60.0 PFF run-defense grade or better in five of the first six games, but that mark has fallen below 60.0 in each of the team’s past four games. That is good news for Judkins’ chances of having a big game.
Any running back with a good opportunity to reach 20 carries should be considered at least an RB2. Since the Raiders’ run defense has gotten worse over time, Judkins is a high-end RB2. He should be in fantasy starting lineups in the majority of leagues.
