Making lineup decisions in fantasy football each week is not simply an analysis of which one is the better overall player. Many other factors go into these crucial choices and can help to determine who should you start each week and optimize weekly lineups.
#1 – Weekly Matchup
One of the most important factors to consider when making fantasy football lineup decisions is based on the player’s matchup. Which NFL team they are facing off against and what the strengths of that team are can sometimes be even more important than the actual player. It also matters who is projected to be covering them if they are generally a receiving contributor.
#2 – Recent Performances
Season-long and multi-year output for specific fantasy players plays a role in lineup decisions, but not as much as their recent performances. It can be extremely beneficial to target players that are on current hot streaks or have seen their overall role with their NFL team increase in recent weeks. It also makes sense to fade certain players that appear on the decline or have been on the wrong end of workload distribution.
#3 – Relevant Injuries
Many times if a player is injured, especially if they are inactive, they must be left on the bench for fantasy football. Other relevant injuries are extremely important as well as they may affect the workload of other players. For example, if a starting running back is injured, their backup may make for a much better weekly option than they normally would. On the other hand, an injured quarterback may make certain wide receivers and tight ends less valuable in that specific game.
#4 – Team Situation
The current status of an NFL team during the course of their season can play a role on the output of certain fantasy players. This becomes even more relevant later on in the season as the NFL Playoff race sorts itself out. Teams that are eliminated from contention sometimes choose to give their younger players more playing time to assess their future outlook. This can give them some new fantasy upside, but at the same time, can make certain veterans on struggling teams risky to trust in fantasy lineups.
#5 – Weather Forecast
The weather for a specific NFL game can have a significant impact on fantasy projections for players involved in it. Extreme conditions, such as high winds, intense precipitation, and frigid temperatures, can often result in offenses have a much more difficult time moving the football. This will affect the overall offense of their players in fantasy football, so it’s sometimes better to avoid options in games with alarming weather.
After evaluating these five key factors, it’s clear that making informed start/sit decisions is crucial for maximizing your fantasy football team’s potential. To streamline this process and ensure you’re making the most strategic choices, one can also utilize tools like a Start/Sit Optimizer. These tools analyze the latest player statistics, matchups, and expert insights, helping you make data-driven decisions with confidence each week.