Jaguars Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 9
The Jaguars are coming off a bye week and are up against a slumping Jets team that is taking the field with an injured starting QB. There are some highly intriguing fantasy matchups for the Jags this week.
Start ‘Em:
Allen Hurns — Hurns has a TD in 5 straight games and is a must start as a WR2 or Flex. The Jets’ vaunted pass defense has been torched the past 2 weeks by number 2 receivers. 2 weeks ago Danny Amendola racked up 86 yards and a TD and last week Michael Crabtree was able to catch 7 passes for 102 yards and a score. Hurns will likely be matched up with Antonio Cromartie for most of the game and should be able to take advantage of that matchup. In DFS Hurns is still a value play as he is cheaper than the majority of starting receivers. Get him in your lineups this week!
Allen Robinson — On paper this isn’t a great matchup, as there is a chance that Robinson will be stuck on “Revis Island” this week, but Robinson has been so impressive this season that he has to stay in your lineup in redraft leagues. Robinson has 6 TDs in 7 games this season — his ability to get into the end zone is undeniable. In DFS his value isn’t as great as Hurns, as he costs more, but he is still a decent play.
Blake Bortles — Bortles is a top 10 fantasy QB this year and is a borderline must start. Most would be quick to bench him going up against the talented Jets’ defense, but as I said before, the Jets’ pass defense has been far from impressive over the past 2 weeks. In that span they have given up 335 YPG through the air and 6 Passing TDs. Look for Bortles to put up some big numbers against the Jets this week. In DFS Bortles is another great value play, as his cost is way less than what his production would indicate.
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Jaguars D/ST — The Jaguars last matchup versus the Bills was a juicy one, as the Bills were forced into starting E.J. Manuel. The Jaguars feasted on the young QB, scoring 2 defensive touchdowns and forcing a total of 4 turnovers on the day. After a week of rest the Jaguars head north to take on the Jets, a team who will be starting an injured QB. The Jags’ defense will have another matchup they can take advantage of this week and could be a good spot start in both redraft and DFS formats.
T.J. Yeldon — Most fantasy analysts would probably tell you to sit Yeldon this week, but I see it differently. Yeldon is coming off his best game as a pro — a game in which he rushed for 115 yards and a TD, averaging nearly 6 YPC against one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. The Jets defense is ranked 3rd against opposing running backs, which would make most fantasy owners shy away, but you’re not most fantasy owners, you’re bold and you know that the Jets’ defense gave up 113 yards on the ground to Latavius Murray just last week. You will start T.J. Yeldon in both redraft and DFS.
Feeling Lucky? — The Jaguars have a slot receiver in Bryan Walters that could get targeted heavily this week. Walters has had some fantasy relevance this season and could have an impact on your fantasy team if you are looking for a spot flex start in redraft or DFS.
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Sit ‘Em:
Julius Thomas — Thomas is an immensely talented receiving TE, but he has been injured most of this season and hasn’t been able to establish chemistry with Blake Bortles. Couple that with the fact that the Jets are tough against opposing TE’s and you have a bad matchup. Hopefully Thomas can establish some chemistry this week with his QB, but we wouldn’t bank on it. If you have another option we would suggest looking elsewhere.
Everyone Else — Marcedes Lewis is an after thought in this offense; none of the other RB’s seem to have any fantasy value; Jason Myers is a joke thus far in his career.