Who To Start for Fantasy Football?

Compare up to four NFL players, and we'll give you fast advice. All free!

We'll help you decide who to start for fantasy football. Drill down and compare rankings, projections, recent news and strength of schedule side-by-side. Other websites require paid memberships to compare more than two players at once, but at RotoBaller it's all free!

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Who Should I Start? Fantasy Football Start/Sit Tool

Who should I start for fantasy football? This is a common question we all ask ourselves each week during the fantasy football season when setting lineups. RotoBaller provides this great free start/sit tool for comparing players, which can help you make your tough lineup decisions every week. Whether you're comparing quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends vs. wide receivers, or any other combination - we give you our player projection for that week based on a variety of factors including the team's opponent. This start/sit tool is updated regularly, starting on Wednesday each week, based on injury reports and staff ranks.

Recent Improvements For Who Should I Start?

You may have noticed, our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul this year. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with team logos and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick interface. We hope you enjoy!

How To Use Who Should I Start?

Tough lineup decisions to make? Can't decide between a few players? Not sure who to start? Compare up to four NFL players and see which player is recommended for your fantasy football lineups based on projections and rankings. Whether you're comparing quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends vs. wide receivers, or any other combination of fantasy football players - our Who Should I Start? tool gives you advice on who to start or sit.

Selecting Players In Who Should I Start?

You can select NFL players to compare by using the search boxes, or selecting player names from the top rankings lists. You can also click on popular searches that other readers make in the start/sit tool.

Fantasy Football Lineups Advice and Start/Sit Recommendations

Once you compare NFL players, the start/sit tool provides you with our fantasy football recommendation on who you should start or sit. When comparing the players, we show you our rankings, projections, recent news and strength of schedule side-by-side for you to compare each player.

How Many Players Can I Compare?

You can select up to four NFL players at once, and compare them to see who you should start for fantasy football. It's 100% free! Other websites require paid memberships to compare more than two players at once, but at RotoBaller it's all free. Win big with RotoBaller.

Who To Start for Quarterbacks

When deciding between two quarterbacks with similar outlooks, analyzing the potential game script is key. Quarterbacks who are likely to face negative game scripts will traditionally attempt more passes in an effort to come from behind. On the flip side, a quarterback on a team that is a heavy favorite could be relegated to handing the ball off and killing the clock in the second half of games.

Quarterbacks with limited rushing upside on teams with elite defenses are likely to be low-volume passers, and the lack of rushing production makes it difficult to put together consistent fantasy-friendly outings. A quarterback on a team with a bad defense, facing a team with a good offense, will have to pass all game to keep up.

Other factors to consider:

• Weather
• Health of pass-catchers
• Health of offensive line
• Projected game total

Who To Start for Running Backs

To decide between two running backs with similar outlooks and rankings, the format of your league is key. Some running backs are primarily early-down grinders, while others are great pass-catchers but do not get many short-yardage or goal-line opportunities.

Third-down backs benefit from negative game scripts, and early-down grinders benefit from positive game scripts. Pure runners are better in standard leagues, and pass-catching running backs can be cheat codes in PPR setups.

Not all touches are created equal, and a committee running back on a great offense with a plus matchup often outscores a high-touch workhorse on a bad offense that is unlikely to move the chains often and score touchdowns.

Other factors to consider:

• Recent usage
• Health of offensive line
• Matchup (pass-funnel vs run-funnel defense)

Who To Start for Wide Receivers

Like quarterbacks, wide receivers reach ceiling outcomes when passing volume is high, meaning you want to choose a wide receiver who is expected to be in a high-scoring game or face a negative game script.

Some wide receivers are valuable in PPR leagues if they catch short passes in high volume, even on a struggling offense. This type of wide receiver production is not as valuable in standard and half-PPR formats, as yards and touchdowns carry a higher premium in those leagues.

Other factors to consider:

• Cornerback matchup
• Health of offensive line
• Health/caliber of quarterback

Who To Start for Tight Ends

The tight end position is always the thinnest in fantasy football, meaning they present the trickiest start-or-sit decisions. If you do not have a must-start stud, identifying a tight end in an above-average offense with a red zone role is key.

If you don’t have the ability to start a highly-targeted tight end, identifying a player who has a strong chance to score a touchdown is the next best option.

Other factors to consider:

• Caliber of opposing safeties/linebackers
• Quarterback health
• Missing wide receiver teammates
• Defense red zone stats

Who To Start for FLEX

As mentioned with QB, RB, WR, and TE, finding a Flex option on a strong offense is the first step. In general, when comparing RBs and WRs with similar rankings and projections, choose an RB in standard and half-PPR formats, and choose a WR in PPR formats.

Who To Start for Defense (D/ST)

To identify high-upside defenses, determine which streamer-level units have plus matchups each week. Target defenses that are facing offenses with high turnover rates, high sack rates, low scoring numbers, and injuries (especially at quarterback)

Avoid bottom-dweller defenses even in plus matchups, as offense often trumps defense when both units are bottom-tier.

Who To Start for Kickers

Kickers attached to strong offenses present the most fantasy upside, and kickers with consistent accuracy and 50-yard-plus range are the safest fantasy football options. Consider targeting kickers set to play indoors, or at least avoid kickers slated to play in poor weather conditions, such as high wind, rain, or snow.

It’s also worth noting that many kickers are denied opportunities if the weather is a factor or if a head coach is more aggressive than most on fourth downs.

Making Tough Start/Sit Decisions Between Players - Tiebreakers

• Matchup strength: look up fantasy points allowed by position
• Recent target/touch trend: determine positive or negative opportunity trend
• Red zone/goal-line role: analyze the number of high-value touches
• Injury risk: pre-game game designation and recent practice reports
• Quarterback health and quality: target strong quarterback play
• Snap share and route participation: determine positive or negative opportunity trend
• Weather: analyze game conditions
• Indoors vs outdoors: favor the player indoors as a tie-breaker
• Game script: predict whether a player will likely be trailing or leading
• Floor vs. Ceiling: lean toward boom-or-bust player if you’re a heavy underdog, consider floor player as favorite