Fantasy football lineups can make or break a week, especially with so many players dealing with injuries and inconsistent production. Some matchups are prime opportunities for breakout performances, while others look far more challenging. This week offers a mix of both, with a few hidden gems ready to surprise and some big names better left on the bench.
If you’re looking for a lineup edge, these start and sit calls could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Start ‘Em: Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
Remember when Kendrick Bourne was Jerry Rice for two weeks? That was fun. He was always going to be a flash in the pan, though. A placeholder until the actually talented pass catchers returned to action.
Jauan Jennings is finally healthy and has reclaimed his status as the 49ers’ WR1. The production hasn’t quite followed yet, but he’s now seen seven targets, catching four passes in consecutive games.
It’s been a tough three weeks if you thrust Jennings back into your lineups upon his return. However, things are about to get easier.
The Giants allow the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. With this game being on the road, the 49ers are probably not going to overwhelm New York. We could get a competitive contest and one where San Francisco can’t lean extra hard on Christian McCaffrey. Fire up Jennings in what should be his best game since returning from injury.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Over the past month, Josh Downs has played three games while missing one due to a concussion. He’s hit double-digit fantasy points in all of them.
In Weeks 5 and 6, we saw encouraging volume. Downs saw target counts of eight and seven, hauling in six passes in each.
Last week was a bit more fluky. Downs only saw three targets; he just happened to catch them all and score. If not for the touchdown, it would’ve been a disaster for fantasy managers.
READ MORE: Katz’s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 9: Kimani Vidal, Bam Knight, Terry McLaurin, and Others
Daniel Jones prioritizes his WR1, Michael Pittman Jr., and his TE1, Tyler Warren, ahead of Downs. That’s always going to be the case. But there will still be spots to use Downs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not the vaunted defense fantasy managers should fear. They’re allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. More specifically, they struggle defending the slot, which is where Downs almost exclusively lines up.
There’s always a risk that Jonathan Taylor dominates like he did last week. But on the road, this game should be much more competitive, and the Steelers are more vulnerable through the air than on the ground.
Sit ‘Em: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin returned on Monday night after a four-game absence due to a mysterious quad injury. He looked healthy overall, but his underwhelming season continued.
Yes, McLaurin did catch his first touchdown of the season. However, he only saw four targets, catching three of them for 54 yards. Two of those receptions weren’t even designed targets. They were miracle grabs by a talented receiver.
McLaurin may go right back on the shelf this week as he aggravated his quad in the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He said his quad was “alright” after the game, though.
Looking back on this Terry McLaurin touchdown
The refs robbed the team of celebrating this amazing catch, why not call it a touchdown and review it after instead instantly calling it out of bounds.
just something to think about… pic.twitter.com/fXzhKiELIT
— 𝒆𝒍𝒊… (@CMNDERS) October 28, 2025
If McLaurin does play, the matchup is not great against a Seattle Seahawks defense that allows the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Plus, there is no guarantee Jayden Daniels returns. Marcus Mariota looked overwhelmed on Monday night, and Seattle has a better defense than Kansas City.
With all of the byes and injuries, you may not be able to, since McLaurin, if he plays. But if you can, you should.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
For the first time all season, Courtland Sutton had a fantasy outing that was between 2.7 and 16.7 fantasy points. The Broncos’ top receiver caught four passes for 67 yards. It was an incredibly disappointing outing for fantasy managers who surely expected more than 10.7 points from Bo Nix’s WR1 in a game where the Broncos scored 44 points. Unfortunately, this is not the week to expect a bounce back.
The Texans allow the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the league’s premier shutdown corners, and he will be on Sutton. In Week 6, Sauce Gardner limited Sutton to one catch for 17 yards.
Fantasy managers likely cannot bench a guy like Sutton. But he’s definitely more of a WR3 than a WR2 this week.
