Fantasy Football Start/Sit Guide

Start with your league settings

Check reception scoring, passing-touchdown scoring, bonuses and the actual slot you need to fill. A comparison for a full-PPR FLEX can produce a different answer from a standard-scoring WR slot. Set the same scoring format for both players in the rankings before comparing projected points.

Separate opportunity from last week’s score

For backs, examine carries, passing-game involvement and goal-line opportunities. For receivers and tight ends, look for targets and a repeatable role. A long touchdown can turn a modest workload into a big box score without making that workload more dependable next week. Compare several appearances and note whether an injury changed the role.

Resolve the injury question before the tiebreaker

An active player can still have a limited workload. Check the report timestamp, the expected role and kickoff time. If the later player is uncertain, identify a replacement who has not already played. Where your league allows it, leaving a later-starting eligible player in FLEX preserves more substitution options.

Use small projection gaps carefully

A difference of a few tenths of a point is not a certainty. Prefer the role you can explain. If choosing a more volatile option, be clear about the specific path to a larger score and the risk of a quiet game; a ceiling label alone does not establish that it improves your chance of winning.

Your quick checklist

• Match the scoring and eligible roster slot.
• Check role changes and report times.
• Compare projected points with workload context.
• Keep a realistic late-game backup.