Start 'em, Sit 'em Week 14: Shift to Swift and Other RB/WR Fantasy Advice

Before we get into the Week 14 start/sit fantasy advice for running backs and wide receivers, I do want to talk about something that happened within the last week. And it is NFL news, that at least to me, feels like it somehow went under the radar. And that is amazing given how much publicity the NFL usually gives it.

Late last week, each team's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was announced. I admittedly always have very mixed reactions when I hear about it. Part of me rolls my eyes and chuckles as I feel it is the NFL PR machine in hyperdrive. I love all the causes that the NFL supports, but I feel like more often than not it is just the NFL doing "the necessary minimum" to make themselves look better.

However, there is another part of me that stands up and applauds those players nominated. Those who are nominated are not necessarily the ones that simply give the most money to charity. The nominees are bastions in their communities who give more than just their money, but their time as well. And while I'm not going to say any award recipient is an absolute angel, they are definitely doing something right... and then some.

As I said to some friends of mine earlier in the week, it is one of the few awards that "just being nominated" really does mean something. So before you go setting your lineups for this week, take some time and read about what those nominated are doing in their communities. It will hopefully make you feel good.

Week 14 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex

Teams on bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington

And speaking of setting those lineups, I will remind you of the ground rules for this column. Any RB or WR who is a "consensus" RB1 or WR1 (i.e. typically a player in the top 12 for his position that week) will not be mentioned as a "start." Likewise, you will typically not see any "sit" suggestions in this space for an RB or WR who is not in the top 30 of their respective position.

So let's take a look at which RBs/WRs are worthy of inserting into your starting lineup and which ones should ride the pine in Week 14.

START These RBs

D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Lions

Swift continues to see more and more usage. His 51 percent snap share led the backfield last week, as Jamal Williams saw only 30 percent and Justin Jackson even less. Swift averaged 4.4 yards per carry compared to Jamaal Williams' 3.2 last week. He also hauled in four of six targets for 49 yards. He not only saw double-digit carries for the first time in the last 12 weeks but is also seeing more goal-line carries as well.

Not only is his usage trending in the right direction, but other factors portend a strong finish to the season for Swift. As the Lions get healthier across the board and their receiving corps reaches full strength, it actually helps raise Swift's ceiling. Opposing defenses will have to account for all the aerial weapons and won't be able to stack the box.

And this matchup against the Vikings is a sweet one. Minnesota has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to RBs in the last month (32.5). Even on the season as a whole, the Vikings are 11th in this respect. 

Swift has never beaten the Vikings before. Could this be the game that puts a one in front of his 0-4 record against Minnesota? I'm not sure, to be honest. But I am sure that we see a game from Swift this weekend.

Related: Week 14 Start/Sit Fantasy Advice for QB/TE/DST

James Cook, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

Those in shallow leagues should feel free to ignore this suggestion. But for my 14- and 16-team leaguers, this recommendation is for you. However, those of you in shallower keeper and dynasty leagues should pay attention as well.

It might not surprise you, but there are far fewer people's fantasy opinions I respect compared to the sheer number that offer them. But there are a couple of very smart folks whose opinions I do respect who are advocating folks to acquire Cook. And as I started looking into it, they're right.

So I'm putting my money where my mouth is as I did take the plunge in one of my keeper leagues. Cook out-touched Devin Singletary last week 20-13 and outgained him in the yardage department as well 105-51. He also posted new season highs in not only carries and rushing yards but receptions and receiving yards as well.

The Jets are middle of the pack when it comes to run defense, but they are one of the better pass defenses. Therefore, expect the Bills to use both of their running backs to attack the Jets this week. And when that happens, I think Cook will give us another solid week of production.

SIT These RBs

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots (MNF)

The odds of you having a better option than Conner are pretty slim. He was on an absolute tear before his bye last week, putting up double-digit standard fantasy points for three straight weeks in a row.

But against New England's stout run defense, I don't see it happening. No NFL team has allowed fewer rushing TDs than the Patriots thus far (five). If nothing else, keep your expectations low. But if you have an even slightly close to equivalent option to Conner, I'd sit him.

Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Forget simply rushing yards, the last time Fournette had even 100-plus combined yards was.... (checks notes)... Week 6! Between the gradual ascension of rookie Rachaad White as well as Tampa Bay's OL woes, I would not expect much from Fournette for the rest of the season.

And that includes this week, going up against the stout San Fran rush defense. How good are the 49ers? No team has allowed fewer fantasy points to running backs and by more than a 10 percent margin. There is as much distance between the 49ers and the second team, the Patriots, as there is between the Patriots and the No. 5 team, the Commanders.

Lombardi Lenny has had a nice little run. But it is time to leave him be.

START These WRs

Nico Collins, Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys

First off, Collins is now the de facto WR1 in Houston. He now has 36 targets over his last four games. And he turned one of those into a touchdown last week. He is starting to look more and more like the WR1 that the Texans hoped he would be when they drafted him.

Collins however was a bit concerning DNP on Wednesday, so if the injury reports don't improve you can strike him off your list for this week. However, even if Chris Moore is the Texans' main option, the matchup is not a daunting one.

Dallas is middle of the pack in preventing fantasy points to WRs, but also just lost CB Anthony Brown for the season with an Achilles injury. Brown started every Cowboys game this season, compiling 42 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble. The Cowboys' loss could be Collins' gain.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

It's time for the first of this season's two annual slobber-knockers between the Steelers and the Ravens. Conventional wisdom says we should not expect to see a WR in this game to see a big day this week. But conventional wisdom is wrong.

I remind you that in last year's game in Pittsburgh, Diontae Johnson had eight catches for 105 yards and not one, but two touchdowns. The previous year, Marquise Brown had a huge game thanks in part to his 70-yard pass play. So, it can definitely happen.

And the Ravens have yet to see Pickens in person, so they can't even evaluate how to stop him by using the (cough cough) "talent" they have. The Ravens were much better last week against the far-from-prolific Denver offense, giving up just a hair over 13 PPR fantasy points to the WRs. However, the week before, they gave up a whopping 62 PPR fantasy points to the position! There have been only four instances of more generosity to opposing fantasy WRs this season.

On the season, the Ravens are allowing 37-plus fantasy points per game to WRs, the eighth-worst average in the league. Pickens should easily get at least a third of that and I wouldn't be surprised to see him surpass the 30-point mark (in PPR leagues) this week either.

SIT These WRs

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

You should not be starting Cooper right now. I would wait until either Jacoby Brissett gets the job back or Deshaun Watson meets his pre-ban hype. Houston's pass defense is good but not so good that it should have limited Cooper to eight PPR points on eight targets last week.

And the Browns will now venture into the Jungle to take on a tough Bengals defense. And despite what GNR sings, it will not be fun and games. Cooper's low floor is way too risky.

Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans

Last week was nice, but don't expect it to happen again. If you haven't passed your league's trade deadline, I would trade Gallup while you still can.

People see Houston and get excited, but as I just mentioned, the Texans' pass defense is surprisingly strong. They have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to WRs this season. The cynic can argue that is because they are allowing RBs to run all over them. Maybe, but we should expect the Cowboys to heavily involve Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott again.

Gallup just won't see the volume and last week was the high point of his season. Expect a big drop this week.

— Written by Mark Strausberg, a member of the Athlon Network Contributor, who despite his youthful exuberance and good looks has been playing fantasy sports before Wildcats or Hoosiers even made it to VHS. Got a fantasy sports question or thought? Hit him up on Twitter @MarkStrausberg.