2014 Projected Fantasy Draft 1st, 2nd & 3rd Rounds

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is the final part of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings. Here we'll look at the projected first three rounds of your 2014 fantasy draft:

Round One

1. Jamaal Charles - RB

2. LeSean McCoy - RB

3. Adrian Peterson - RB

4. Matt Forte - RB

5. Peyton Manning - QB

6. Marshawn Lynch - RB

7. Calvin Johnson - WR

8. Jimmy Graham - TE

9. Knowshon Moreno - RB

10. Dez Bryant - WR

11. Aaron Rodgers - QB

12. Drew Brees - QB

•As always, running backs dominate the first round but not as much as usual.

•With the kind of seasons Peyton Manning and Drew Brees had, plus the return if Aaron Rodgers, you can't ignore these top quarterbacks as they will have a huge impact on your fantasy season and will go off the boards early.

•Jimmy Graham at 8 might be a little high, but the top tight ends that will produce each week for you will be at a premium in 2014, just like in 2013. It would not be unwise to use your first pick of the draft on Graham. 

Round Two

13. Josh Gordon - WR

14. Eddie Lacy - RB

15. DeMarco Murray - RB

16. AJ Green - WR

17. Julio Jones - WR

18. Matthew Stafford - QB

19. Alfred Morris - RB

20. Arian Foster - RB

21. Andre Johnson - WR

22. Reggie Bush - RB

23. Brandon Marshall - WR

24. Tom Brady - QB

•In round two we see more wide receivers beginning with the breakout star of the 2014 season, Josh Gordon. Gordon will go in the first round and will be the first receiver taken in many 2014 drafts as well. 

•Eddie Lacy had a fantastic rookie season and will be a top feature back in 2014. He will be the first rookie of the 2013 class to be drafted and like Gordon could be taken in round one. 

•Only two quarterbacks taken in round two in Stafford and Brady. Stafford tailed off in the end of 2013, but still had a solid season. 

•Reggie Bush might go earlier in PPR leagues. 

Round Three

25. Russell Wilson - QB

26. Zac Stacy - RB

27. Le'Veon Bell - RB

28. DeMaryius Thomas - WR

29. Alshon Jeffrey - WR

30. Tony Romo - QB

31. Julius Thomas - TE

32. Philip Rivers - QB

33. Cam Newton - QB

34. Andrew Luck - QB

35. Nick Foles - QB

36. Giovanni Bernard - RB

•Round three is the round of the quarterback. This group is the next tier of fantasy quarterbacks and all could probably sneak their way into the end of round two. 

•Running backs from the 2013 class make a splash in round three as well. Look out for Bell and Stacy to be consistent performers next season as they will be full time feature backs. Bernard is close as well and if the Bengals use him as more of a feature back instead of sharing time with Benjarvus Green-Ellis, he could be a great pickup in the third round. 

•Again, it might be early to take a tight end here, but with the group of tight ends  being so thin it would not be unwise to take the second best tight end on the board in Julius Thomas with your third pick. 

2014 Projected Rankings By Position: Tight Ends

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is part four of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings by position. Here we'll look at the Tight Ends:

Top 10

1. Jimmy Graham

2. Julius Thomas

3. Vernon Davis

4. Jason Witten

5. Jordan Cameron

6. Greg Olsen 

7. Jordan Reed

8. Martellus Bennett

9. Charles Clay

10. Antonio Gates

•Perhaps the biggest separation between best and second best players at any given position occur at tight end. Graham is clearly the best tight end in the NFL and will continue to dominate next season. 

•Julius Thomas had a great break out year and will be the second tight end off draft boards next season. 

•Jordan Reed was very good when he was healthy and I expect him to build on a strong rookie campaign next year when he comes back healthy. A healthy RGIII will help him as well. 

•Antonio Gates sneaks into the top ten because he's Antonio Gates. His production increased this year under a rejuvenated Philip Rivers, but it's clear the athleticism is starting to drift. 

Just Missed

Coby Fleener

Delanie Walker 

Heath Miller

•Fleener and Andrew Luck have good chemistry together and I expect another solid season next year. He could end up cracking the top ten.  

Sleepers

Tim Wright

Rob Housler

Ladarius Green

•Wright is another rookie who was solid but will improve with experience. Him and fellow sophomore quarterback Mike Glennon should both increase their production in 2014. 

•Rob Housler is the classic case of a lot of talent but can't stay healthy. He's shown glimpses of what could be this season and if he's fully healthy in 2014, watch out. 

•Ladarius Green is the heir to the tight end throne in San Diego. An athletic freak, Green can catch any ball and is currently stuck behind one of the all time greats in Antonio Gates. If he's given the opportunity, Green could be a huge steal. 

Notable Omissions

Rob Gronkowski

Jermichael Finley

Tony Gonzalez

•The biggest name left of this list is Rob Gronkowski. An injury plagued 2013, and an offseason of rehab ahead mean that no one really knows when (if?) Gronk will be back in 2014. 

•As with Gronkowski, Jermichael Finley suffered what could be a career ending injury in 2013. Who knows if he will be back next year. 

•Tony Gonzalez is the GOAT at tight end. It's very likely that he will retire this year and hang up the cleats. There's a slim chance he comes back though, and if he does he'll be right back in the top ten. 

Week 16 Recap

 Here is how my Week 16 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em picks faired:

QB

Start Colin Kaepernick -  

Predicted Stats - 21/31, 265 yards, 2 TD, 51 yards rushing - 23.7 points

Actual Stats - 13/21, 197, 1 TD, 51 yards rushing, 1 TD - 22.98 points

Sit Carson Palmer -   

Predicted Stats - 24/46, 231 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int - 9.24 points

Actual Stats - 13/25, 178 yards, 1 TD, 4 Int - 3.12 points

RB

Start Alfred Morris & DeMarco Murray - 

Predicted Stats - Morris: 126 yards, 2 TD, 1 rec, 7 yards - 25.3 points, Murray: 143 yards, 1 TD, 4 rec, 42 yards - 24.5 points

Actual Stats - Morris: 88 yards, 1 TD - 14.8 points, Murray: 96 yards, 1 TD, 3 rec, 15 yards, 1 TD - 23.1 points

Sit Marshawn Lynch - 

Predicted Stats - 71 yards, 2 rec, 11 yards - 8.2 points

Actual Stats - 71 yards, 2 rec, 5 yards - 7.6 points

WR

Start Brandon Marshall & Alshon Jeffrey -  

Predicted Stats - Marshall: 9 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD - 17.4 points, Jeffrey: 7 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD - 15.6 points

Actual Stats - Marshall: 4 rec, 36 yards, 1 TD - 9.6 points, Jeffrey: 6 rec, 76 yards - 7.6 points

Sit Marques Colston & Steve Smith - 

Predicted Stats: Colston: 4 rec, 51 yards - 5.1 points, Smith: 3 rec, 40 yards - 4.0 points

Actual Stats - Colston: 5 rec, 63 yards - 6.3 points, Smith: 1 rec, 44 yards - 4.4 points

TE

Start Zach Miller - 

Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 62 yards, 1 TD - 12.2 points

Actual Stats - 1 rec, 11 yards, 1 TD - 7.1 points

Sit Coby Fleener -  

Predicted Stats - 4 rec, 32 yards - 3.2 points

Actual Stats - 2 rec, 8 yards - .8 points

2014 Projected Rankings By Position: Wide Receivers

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is part three of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings by position. Here we'll look at the Wide Receivers:

Top 10

1. Calvin Johnson

2. Dez Bryant

3. Josh Gordon

4. AJ Green

5. Julio Jones

6. Andre Johnson

7. Brandon Marshall

8. Demaryius Thomas

9. Alshon Jeffrey

10. Antonio Brown

•No surprise at the number one receiver for next season, but the big surprise at the position is Josh Gordon. He's had a great year (you could say he's had a better year than CJ in less games), and has been immune to the Browns' bad quarterback situation. 

•Before Julio Jones went down with an injury he was leading the league in receiving. He should come off draft boards early again next season. 

•Alshon Jeffrey officially made "the leap" this season and is establishing himself as a top wideout in the NFL. 

•Brown sneaks into the top ten being perhaps the most consistent and underrated wide receiver this season. 

Just Missed

DeSean Jackson

Larry Fitzgerald 

Wes Welker

Eric Decker

Pierre Garçon

Vincent Jackson

Jordy Nelson

•There are so many receivers you can add to the "just missed" list, but here are a few that were the closest. 

•If Welker and Decker played on any other team they would be on the top ten list for next season. That could be the case for Decker still. 

•Garçon has had a great season in Washington and with a healthy RGIII next season he could be even better. 

•Jordy Nelson borders WR1 territory with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but without him he is merely average. 

Sleepers

Percy Harvin

Keenan Allen

Kendall Wright

Michael Floyd

•If Harvin is fully healthy next season, he could be very dangerous, as we've seen in the past. He could be a mid round steal in 2014. 

•Allen has had a fantastic rookie season and will look to improve in 2014. 

•Watch out for Floyd as a deep sleeper. He has made strides in his second season and while Fitzgerald gets most of the attention, Floyd has been nearly as productive. 

Notable Omission

Justin Blackmon

•When Blackmon was on the field in 2013, he was top ten talent at wide receiver. The problem was that his off the field habits keep getting him in trouble. If he gets his head on straight, he could have a monster year. Blackmon could end up being a steal if he lasts the whole season, or another bust if he's suspended again. 

Week 16 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em

It's Championship Week! Here are a few players who I would start and sit for the final week of the season. Plus a couple bonus players to help out for the all important finals. Good luck!

QB

Start Colin Kaepernick -  Kaepernick has had an up and down season but lately it has been up. The 49ers have been rolling thanks in large part to Kaepernick's play. This week he goes up against the shaky Atlanta defense on Monday Night Football. San Francisco will want to make a statement to the rest of the League that they should be feared and behind it all will be Kaepernick. 

Predicted Stats - 21/31, 265 yards, 2 TD, 51 yards rushing - 23.7 points

Sit Carson Palmer -  Palmer is banged up and played last week with a high ankle sprain. This week he faces the number one defense against quarterbacks in Seattle. This game is in Seattle and weather could be a factor. Larry Fitzgerald is recovering from a concussion sustained at the end of last week's game as well so it's left to be seen how effective he will be as well. 

Predicted Stats - 24/46, 231 yards, 1 TD, 2 Int - 9.24 points

RB

Start Alfred Morris & DeMarco Murray - The two defenses that have allowed the most points to opposing running backs this season square off in Week 16. I expect huge games from both Alfred Morris and DeMarco Murray. The kicker here is if the Cowboys decide to abandon the run like they have done many times this season, Murray's stats could take a hit. Regardless, he should be able to make up for it in the passing game though. 

Predicted Stats - Morris: 126 yards, 2 TD, 1 rec, 7 yards - 25.3 points, Murray: 143 yards, 1 TD, 4 rec, 42 yards - 24.5 points

Sit Marshawn Lynch - Now to the defense that has allowed the least points to opposing running backs, the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals will be tasked with slowing down Marshawn Lynch and I believe they will be successful. Lynch is a very physical runner and the Arizona defense is equally just as physical. This is going to be a very intense game between NFC West rivals and expect the Cardinals defense to come ready. 

Predicted Stats - 71 yards, 2 rec, 11 yards - 8.2 points

WR

Start Brandon Marshall & Alshon Jeffrey - The Bears face the Eagles this week in what is a huge game for both teams and their playoff aspirations. Chicago has one of the best passing attacks in the entire League and Philadelphia has had one of the worst secondaries. Both Marshall and Jeffrey should see a lot of targets (Marshall more than Jeffrey since he is Cutler's absolute go-to guy) and a lot of production. The Eagles have a very slim chance of containing these two beasts in the air. 

Predicted Stats - Marshall: 9 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD - 17.4 points, Jeffrey: 7 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD - 15.6 points

Sit Marques Colston & Steve Smith - The game between the Saints and Panthers will most likely decide the NFC South, so get ready for a good one. Carolina has had one of the best defenses all season and New Orleans hasn't been too far behind. Once both top 10 receivers in the NFL, Colston and Smith have had down years and both will continue to struggle against these stingy defenses. If I had to pick one receiver to break out and have a possible good game it would be Colston. 

Predicted Stats: Colston: 4 rec, 51 yards - 5.1 points, Smith: 3 rec, 40 yards - 4.0 points

TE

Start Zach Miller - Back to the Arizona/Seattle matchup. Tight ends that face the Cardinals this season have been in absolute heaven, as Arizona allows the most points to opposing tight ends. That alone would warrant must start status for Millet, however he has added incentive to perform well in this game. Miller went to high school in Phoenix and played college football at Arizona State University. This game is against his hometown teams and he will want to produce while many of his former teammates and coaches watch on local television in Phoenix. 

Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 62 yards, 1 TD - 12.2 points

Sit Coby Fleener -  This one is simple. Kansas City is the toughest matchup against tight ends, allowing the least amount of points. Plus the Colts offense has not been great since Reggie Wayne went down. Andrew Luck has struggled and this matchup will not be any easier. Leave Fleener on your bench.

Predicted Stats - 4 rec, 32 yards - 3.2 points

Week 15 Recap

Here is how my Week 15 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em picks faired:

QB

Start Alex Smith -  

Predicted Stats - 18/26, 229 yards, 2 TD, 26 yards rushing - 19.76 points

Actual Stats - 17/20, 287 yards, 5 TD, 17 yards rushing, 1 fumble lost - 31.18 points

Sit Mike Glennon - 

Predicted Stats - 16/31, 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int - 9.12 points

Actual Stats - 18/34, 179 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int - 13.16 points

RB

Start Rashard Mendenhall - 

Predicted Stats - 76 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 16 yards - 15.2 points

Actual Stats - 69 yards, 2 TD, 1 rec, 9 yards - 18.8 points

Sit Reggie Bush - 

Predicted Stats - 43 yards, 3 rec, 26 yards - 6.9 points

Actual Stats - 86 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 15 yards - 16.1 points

WR

Start Cordarelle Patterson -  

Predicted Stats - 5 rec, 88 yards, 1 TD, 45 yards rushing - 19.3 points

Actual Stats - 5 rec, 35 yards, 1 TD, 15 yards rushing - 11 points

Sit Julian Edelman - 

Predicted Stats: 4 rec, 56 yards - 5.6 points

Actual Stats - 13 rec, 139 yards, 1 TD - 19.9 points

TE

Start Delanie Walker -

Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD - 13.2 points

Actual Stats - 8 rec, 53 yards, 1 TD - 11.3 points

Sit Dennis Pitta - 

Predicted Stats - 3 rec, 27 yards - 2.7 points

Actual Stats - 2 rec, 24 yards - 2.4 points

2014 Projected Rankings By Position: Running Backs

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is part two of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings by position. Here we'll look at the Running Backs:

*Update: switched McCoy and Peterson. I thought I had originally ranked them this way but I guess not. That's why this is reposted again*

Top 10

1. Jamaal Charles

2. LeSean McCoy

3. Adrian Peterson

4. Matt Forte

5. Marshawn Lynch

6. Knowshon Moreno

7. Eddie Lacy

8. DeMarco Murray

9. Alfred Morris

10. Arian Foster

•Jamaal Charles has firmly established himself as the number one overall draft pick for the 2014 fantasy football draft. He has flourished in Andy Reid's offense this season. 

•The top five were pretty easy to come up with, but the next five not so much. Plenty of good talent to choose from but only a few that deliver each and every week. 

•Eddie Lacy is next year's Alfred Morris. He has had a great rookie season and will go into next year as an RB1.

Just Missed

Reggie Bush

CJ Spiller

Giovani Bernard

Andre Brown

Frank Gore

•The presence of Joique Bell will limit Reggie Bush from being an absolute RB1, but the man is still a PPR monster.

•Giovani Bernard could be in the same boat as Lacy but until the Bengals she's the timeshare with BGE, he'll be a tier behind the top options. 

•If Andre Brown stats healthy, is there another RB on the Giants that you trust more? 

•Gore is on the back nine of his career but he still has enough in the tank to be very productive. 

Sleepers

Le'Veon Bell

Zac Stacy

•I really like Le'Veon Bell and Zac Stacy to continue to progress and have solid seasons in 2014. Both will be the unquestioned starter of their teams and have impressed at times this season. Watch out for Stacy in the very tough NFC West though. 

Notable Omissions

Doug Martin

Ray Rice

Maurice Jones-Drew

•Doug Martin has literally fallen off the face of the fantasy earth this season. A most likely top 5 pick in your draft this season, might not even be the starter on his own team next season. 

•I think it's officially time to declare Ray Rice and MJD past their primes. After their dreadful 2013 seasons (Rice more so than Drew), these two once top 5 fantasy backs might be low end RB2's at best in 2014. 

Week 15 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em

Many of you are in the thick of the playoffs needing one more victory to reach the Championship. Here is my Start 'Em/Sit 'Em for Week 15, hopefully it will help you reach the Promised Land. 

QB

Start Alex Smith - Alex Smith won't rack up the completions or gaudy passing numbers, but he does manage the game well and should have success against a Raiders defense that allowed the Jets to score 30 points on them. 

Predicted Stats - 18/26, 229 yards, 2 TD, 26 yards rushing - 19.76 points

Sit Mike Glennon - Glennon has ahead a solid rookie campaign and has steadied the once sinking Buccaneers. But this week he faces the 49ers who have been extremely tough on opposing quarterbacks. Plus, the Buccs run the ball on more plays than they pass. Don't expect big numbers from Glennon this week. 

Predicted Stats - 16/31, 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int - 9.12 points

RB

Start Rashard Mendenhall - Mendenhall has quietly shown that he is deserving of his starting running back job for the Cardinals. He has scored a touchdown in his last three games and has looked better running the ball as well. The balance between him and Andre Ellington has worked nicely and Mendenhall should continue with a solid game. 

Predicted Stats - 76 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 16 yards - 15.2 points

Sit Reggie Bush - Bush missed last game with a calf injury and it's quite possible he misses this week too. If he does play, you should probably bench him still. He goes up against the Ravens defense that has allowed the fourth least fantasy points to opposing running backs. Plus the presence of Joique Bell will take away touches from the injured Bush. 

Predicted Stats - 43 yards, 3 rec, 26 yards - 6.9 points

WR

Start Cordarelle Patterson - The Vikings have finally figured out how to use the speedster rookie and it has paid off in recent weeks. Patterson is a threat to score each time he touches the ball. The Vikings are out of contention so they shouldn't hold back Patterson at all and continue to get him the ball. He also faces the Eagles defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing receivers which helps also. 

Predicted Stats - 5 rec, 88 yards, 1 TD, 45 yards rushing - 19.3 points

Sit Julian Edelman - With Rob Gronkowski done for the year, you would think that Edelman becomes a must start each week. However that is not true this week. Tom Brady has missed practice with a sore throwing shoulder and even though he will most likely play, that needs to be taken into consideration. Also, Miami is the number three defense against wide receivers in fantasy football. Edelman could be marked all day since Gronk is out. 

Predicted Stats: 4 rec, 56 yards - 5.6 points

TE

Start Delanie Walker - I told you to start Walker last week coming off a concussion because he had a good matchup, and he ended up not playing (my apologies). This week Walker has an even better matchup against the Arizona Cardinals who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Walker is a must start. 

Predicted Stats: 6 rec, 72 yards, 1 TD - 13.2 points

Sit Dennis Pitta - Pitta had a good game in his season debut last week returning from injury and many fantasy owners rushed to claim him off waivers. If you were lucky enough to grab him, you should consider benching him this week against Detroit. The Lions has been a very solid against tight ends this season so don't expect another good game for Pitta in his second week. 

Predicted Stats - 3 rec, 27 yards - 2.7 points

Week 14 Recap

Here is how my Week 14 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em picks faired:

QB

Start Josh McCown/Jay Cutler -

Predicted Stats - 25/36, 313 yards, 3 TD - 24.52 points

Actual Stats (McCown) - 27/36, 348 yards, 4 TD, 16 yards rushing, 1 TD - 37.52 points

Sit Case Keenum -

Predicted Stats - 19/37, 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int - 9.48 points

Actual Stats - 16/29, 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, 13 yards rushing - 9.66 points

RB

Start DeMarco Murray - 

Predicted Stats - 134 yards, 1 TD, 5 rec, 46 yards - 30 points

Actual Stats - 146 yards, 2 rec, 9 yards - 15.5 points

Sit Zac Stacy - 

Predicted Stats - 67 yards, 2 rec, 16 yards - 8.3 points

Actual Stats - 25 yards, 1 TD, 3 rec, -3 yards - 8.2 points

WR

Start Wes Welker -

Predicted Stats - 8 rec, 98 yards, 1 TD - 15.8 points

Actual Stats - 5 rec, 61 yards, TD - 12.1 points

Sit Anquan Boldin - 

Predicted Stats - 4 rec, 32 yards - 3.1 points

Actual Stats - 6 rec, 93 yards - 9.3 points

TE

Start Delanie Walker - 

Predicted Stats - 6 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD - 14.1 points

Actual Stats - Did not play

Sit Zach Miller & Zach Ertz -  

Predicted Stats - Miller: 3 rec, 27 yards - 2.7 points, Ertz: 4 rec, 42 yards - 4.2 points

Actual Stats - Miller: 1 rec, 13 yards - 1.3 points, Ertz: 0 rec - 0 points. 

2014 Projected Rankings By Position: Quarterbacks

It's never too early to look towards the next Fantasy Football season. Here is part one of my 2014 Pre-Draft Rankings by position. First up is the Quarterbacks:

Top 10

1. Peyton Manning

2. Aaron Rodgers

3. Drew Brees

4. Matthew Stafford

5. Tom Brady

6. Russell Wilson

7. Tony Romo

8. Phillip Rivers

9. Cam Newton

10. Andrew Luck

•After this season is there really any doubt who the top QB is in the NFL? Expect Peyton to have another great season in 2014. 

•Russell Wilson may seem like a stretch at 6 but he is an incredibly efficient QB who does not turn the ball over. Hopefully he will have Percy Harvin for a full season, which will only boost his value. 

•If the Colts get a new Offensive Coordinator, one that caters to Luck's strengths, he moves up and will battle with Rivers and Romo for seventh and eight.

Just Missed

Nick Foles

Robert Griffin III

Matt Ryan

Colin Kaepernick

Ben Roethlisberger

•Nick Foles has been terrific this season. One thing holding him back from being in my top 10 next season is Michael Vick. While Foles is the starter for the rest of 2013, he may have to compete for the starting job in 2014 with Vick. 

•Look for Matt Ryan to have a successful bounce back 2014 season. He'll hopefully have Julio Jones and Roddy White back and healthy together, plus a healthy Stephen Jackson and improved running attack. Ryan could end up being a mid-round steal in your 2014 draft. 

Sleeper

Mike Glennon

•Mike Glennon has been the best rookie quarterback in the NFL this season. I know that isn't saying much, but the tools are there, and he has been pretty consistent down the stretch for the Buccs. He could be poised to take a jump in his second year. 

Notable Omissions

Andy Dalton

Eli Manning

Jay Cutler

•Andy Dalton has been too inconsistent this season to make the top 10 going into 2014. 

•The "other" Manning has been great at throwing interceptions, but not touchdowns. 2014 could be a bounce back year for him but we'll have to see it first. 

•Jay Cutler could be in the top 10 by the end of next season, but too much uncertainty going into 2014 (will he be in Chicago still?) means he's left off the list. 

Week 14 Start 'Em/Sit 'Em

I apologize for not posting a Start 'Em/Sit 'Em last week for Week 13. I was very busy with the Thanksgiving holiday, and I hope your teams did just fine without my advice. This week though I have a bonus for you to make up for missing last week. Without further ado, here is this week's Start 'Em/Sit 'Em...

QB

Start Josh McCown/Jay Cutler - Whoever is the starter for the Bears in there next game with get a tasty matchup with the Cowboys. Since Cutler went down with an injury, the offense has not lacked any firepower. With options like Marshall, Jeffrey, Bennett and Forte, there is no reason to not start whoever is under center for Chicago on Monday night.  

Predicted Stats - 25/36, 313 yards, 3 TD - 24.52 points

Sit Case Keenum - Case Keenum is facing the laughingstock of the league this week in the Jaguars, so he should be a must start, right? Wrong. Just two weeks ago Keenum faced this same Jacksonville defense and they have him problems all game, until he was benched that is. Don't bet on a strong performance the second time around against this team this week.  

Predicted Stats - 19/37, 187 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int - 9.48 points

RB

Start DeMarco Murray - Murray is already on the fantasy radar due to his three touchdown game on Thanksgiving. This week he has another great opportunity to score a touchdown (or two) against the Bears. Chicago has been terrible at stopping the run this season, just ask Adrian Peterson who racked up over 200 yards last week. Murray is not the back that Peterson is, but expect a largely successful Monday night from the Cowboys star. It helps his value that backup Lance Dunbar is out for the year as well. He should see even more carries now. 

Predicted Stats - 134 yards, 1 TD, 5 rec, 46 yards - 30 points

Sit Zac Stacy - Stacy has quietly had one of the better rookie seasons this year. However, this week he goes up against the Arizona Cardinals who have given up the least amount of points to opposing running backs this season. Stacy proved last week that he could still find ways to get yardage, but don't expect a big game or TDs this week. If you have a better option, you should consider it. 

Predicted Stats - 67 yards, 2 rec, 16 yards - 8.3 points

WR

Start Wes Welker - I would usually not recommend starting a receiver that is going up against the Titans defense that is number one against the receivers in fantasy points allowed. However, this week the Denver Broncos are tasked with breaking down Tennessee'a defense. I expect one of the top corners in the NFL, Alterraun Verner to be matched up against Demaryius Thomas or Eric Decker on the outside all game, which will leave Welker against a nickel corner. The game is also supposed to be in freeIng conditions which could mean a lot more dinks and dunks underneath in which Welker is the king. 

Predicted Stats - 8 rec, 98 yards, 1 TD - 15.8 points

Sit Anquan Boldin - Boldin has had a solid season at best for the 49ers. This week he faces Seattle's Legion of Boom secondary that just held Drew Brees to under 200 yards passing. Don't expect much more from Colin Kaepernick this week and his receivers numbers should falter as well. Plus the fact that Michael Crabtree is back doesn't bode well for Boldin's targets. 

Predicted Stats - 4 rec, 32 yards - 3.1 points

TE

Start Delanie Walker - If Delanie Walker plays this week (he is dealing with a concussion) he is a must start. Walker, who has been in the shadow of former teammate and receiving tight end macho man Vernon Davis, has had a nice first season with Tennessee. He goes up against Denver's defense this week that has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. As also mentioned for Wes Welker, there will be freezing conditions in Denver this week which plays to the strengths of tight ends. Expect the short passing game to be in play, and a lot of work for Walker. 

Predicted Stats - 6 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD - 14.1 points

Sit Zach Miller & Zach Ertz -  This week tight ends Zach Miller and Zach Ertz both were hot adds on the waiver wire due to their strong Week 13 production. If you used your waiver claim on either of these two I'm sorry, but you need to sit them. Last week both Zachs faced inferior opponents when it comes to defending tight ends, and this week both face defenses on the top five in least points allowed to tight ends. Miller plays San Francisco and Ertz plays Detroit, both stout defenses against tight ends. If you picked up either Zach, leave him on your bench this week. 

Predicted Stats - Miller: 3 rec, 27 yards - 2.7 points, Ertz: 4 rec, 42 yards - 4.2 points