Each Friday, I’ll be putting out my Start/Sit calls right here. It’s about sharpening your game and building the confidence to try to optimize your C2C lineup each week and potentially find players who’ll influence NFL weekly Pick’em next year on Sundays. Win Now, Brag Later. Kick back, grab a drink, light your cigar, and let’s dive in.
Quarterbacks
Start: Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic vs Rice
Veltkamp has thrown for 1,198 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 64.4 percent of his passes through four games. He is averaging nearly 47 attempts a game, with back-to-back outings of 50 throws and three straight games over 300 yards. That kind of volume keeps his fantasy floor safe and gives him plenty of upside. Rice has been soft in the red zone and has not forced many turnovers, which sets up well for Florida Atlantic to sustain drives. With this passing workload, Veltkamp is in line for another productive week. Start him.
Start: Byrum Brown, South Florida vs Charlotte
Brown has thrown for 983 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions through four games while completing 62.9 percent of his passes at 8.5 yards per attempt. He has also added 120 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, giving him strong dual-threat ability even if his rushing production has been quieter the past two weeks. Charlotte’s defense has struggled to slow down opposing passing games, allowing plenty of yards and points while creating little pressure and few turnovers. Brown should have time in the pocket and plenty of clean looks, making him a strong play this week. Start him.
Start: Parker Navarro, Ohio vs Ball State
Navarro has thrown for 1,078 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 66.1 percent of his passes at 8.5 yards per attempt through five games. He has also added 321 rushing yards and three scores, showing his ability to change games with his legs. Ball State has struggled defensively, giving up both yardage and points while failing to generate many takeaways. This is a matchup where Navarro’s dual-threat ability can shine, and he is set up to produce both through the air and on the ground. Start him.
Sit: Thomas Castellanos, Florida State vs Miami
Castellanos has thrown for 848 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes through four games. He has also added 217 rushing yards and four scores on the ground, showing his dual-threat upside. The problem this week is Miami. The Hurricanes rank top ten nationally in points allowed and run defense and sit inside the top 25 against the pass. They close off red zone opportunities and make every throw contested. With turnovers already an issue for Castellanos, this is not the matchup to trust him. Sit him.
Sit: DJ Lagway, Florida vs Texas
Lagway has thrown for 690 yards with five touchdowns but also six interceptions while completing 67.5 percent of his passes through four games. His last two outings have been quiet, and he has not been a factor as a runner with just 23 rushing yards on 26 attempts. He was dealing with a lower leg issue, but is now cleared and practicing. Even so, this matchup against Texas is as tough as it gets. The Longhorns bring an elite defense that limits scoring opportunities and forces mistakes, which plays right into Lagway’s turnover struggles. This is not the week to start him. Sit him.
Sit: Nico Iamaleava, UCLA vs Penn State
Iamaleava has thrown for 788 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 65 percent of his passes through four games. He has also added 204 rushing yards and a score on the ground, showing his dual-threat ability. The problem this week is Penn State. Their defense limits scoring chances, covers well in the secondary, and makes red zone trips difficult to finish. UCLA’s offense has been inconsistent, and in a matchup like this, the floor is much lower. Sit him.
Running Backs
Start: Daylan Smothers, NC State vs Campbell
Season line: 96 carries, 570 yards rushing (5.9 YPC), 4 rushing touchdowns. In the pass game: 21 targets, 19 catches, 94 yards. There aren’t enough defensive stats anywhere on Campbell for me to review, but this is a good spot for NC State’s lead back to get steady work and scoring chances. Start him.
Start: Trequan Jones, Old Dominion vs Coastal Carolina
Jones has been efficient: 34 rushes for 353 yards (10.4 YPC) and four scores, with a run of 93 yards. Coastal Carolina struggles vs the run (around 172 rushing yards allowed per game) and doesn’t get to the QB (near the bottom in sacks). I’m taking a chance on this junior this week against a weak opponent. Start him.
Start: Alex Tecza, Navy vs Air Force
Tecza brings steady volume and burst: 56 carries for 376 yards (6.7 YPC) and four TDs, plus 5 grabs for 62 yards. Air Force has had trouble getting stops (near the bottom in points allowed), doesn’t take the ball away much, and is average against the run. Navy should ride Tecza. Start him.
Sit: Isaac Brown, Louisville vs Virginia
Brown has 33 carries for 268 yards (8.1 YPC) and three scores, plus 7 grabs for 30 yards. He was a game-time call last week and got bottled up (14 for 20). Virginia just beat FSU and is solid against the run. If he isn’t 100% and Louisville spreads touches, his work can dip. Sit him.
Sit: Tory Blaylock, Oklahoma vs Kent State
Blaylock has 42 carries for 179 yards (4.3 YPC) and three TDs, with only 5 catches for 32 yards. Oklahoma rotates backs, and his role has been light; he had 11 rushes for 13 yards last game. Even in a soft matchup, the ball gets spread around. Sit him.
Sit: J’Mari Taylor, Virginia vs Louisville
Taylor has 75 carries for 397 yards (5.3 YPC) and seven TDs, plus 11 catches for 60 yards. Louisville’s defense is tough, good vs the run, takes the ball away, and tight in the red zone. If Virginia trails, they may throw more. That lowers his chances for steady work and scores. Sit him.
Wide Receivers
Start: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State vs Minnesota
Smith keeps producing, 28 catches for 396 yards (14.1 YPC) and five touchdowns through four games, and he stays in Julian Sayin’s sights every week. Minnesota is strong against the run and solid in the red zone, but they are more gettable through the air and don’t take the ball away much. Ohio State will throw, and Smith is the first read. Start him.
Start: Caullin Lacy, Louisville vs Virginia
Back-to-back 8-catch games for 95 and 97 yards, and his targets are climbing. Miller Moss just had his best day for Louisville, and Virginia’s pass defense is middling with average pressure. That sets up steady volume again for Lacy. Start him.
Start: Antonio Williams, Clemson vs North Carolina
He is getting healthy and just saw a season-high 9 targets. UNC is average against the pass and near the bottom in sacks, so Cade Klubnik should have time to work. With Williams’ role trending up, this is a good spot to play him. Start him.
Sit: Easton Messer, Florida Atlantic vs Rice
Messer has 37 catches on 48 targets for 363 yards (9.8 YPC) and one score. Rice keeps passing yards down at about 172 a game, has 13 sacks, and is strong in the red zone. FAU spreads the ball, and he has not scored much. Sit him.
Sit: Kyre Duplessis, Delaware vs Western Kentucky
Duplessis has 20 catches for 306 yards (15.3 YPC) and two touchdowns. Western Kentucky has held passing games to roughly 176 yards a week and is tougher against the pass than the run. Delaware may lean on the ground more this week, which means fewer throws his way. Sit him.
Sit: Reginald Virgil, Texas Tech vs Houston
Virgil has 17 receptions for 207 yards (12.2 YPC) and four touchdowns. Houston keeps points and passing yards down at about 13 points and roughly 140 pass yards allowed per game, takes the ball away, and brings steady pressure. He may see fewer throws and fewer chances to score. Sit him.
Tight Ends
Start: Justin Joly, NC State vs Campbell
Joly has 35 targets, 24 catches for 213 yards (8.9 YPC) and two scores in five games. He has at least four grabs every week. There aren’t enough defensive stats anywhere on Campbell for me to review. I featured Joly back in Week 3. Start him.
Start: Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma vs Kent State
Kanak’s usage is real. He has 22 targets, 18 catches for 307 yards (17.1 YPC). He works the middle and can hit big plays. Kent State is giving up about 44 points a game and about 286 passing yards, with few takeaways and a low sack rate. That is a friendly spot. Start him.
Start: Gavin Harris, New Mexico State vs Sam Houston
Harris has been steady. He has 15 catches for 227 yards (15.1 YPC) and a score, with at least three grabs in every game. Sam Houston allows about 43 points a game and more than 320 passing yards, with few takeaways and limited pressure. He should keep moving the chains and get chances near the goal line. Start him.
Sit: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt vs Alabama
Stowers has been steady so far with 28 targets, 22 receptions for 301 yards (13.7 YPC) and two touchdowns through five games. He has posted back-to-back outings of at least five catches and has been a dependable safety valve in Vanderbilt’s passing game. The problem this week is Alabama. They are one of the toughest pass defenses in the country, closing off passing lanes, shutting down red zone looks, and limiting scoring chances. Stowers needs steady volume and red zone opportunities to pay off, and those are unlikely to show up against this matchup. Unless you have absolutely no other option, sit him.
Sit: Mason Williams, Ohio vs Ball State
Williams is coming off his best game of the season, hauling in all eight targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. On the year, he has 17 targets, 14 catches for 136 yards (9.7 YPC) and two scores across five games. The breakout last week was encouraging, but his overall role is still modest. Ball State is more vulnerable on the ground than through the air, so Ohio is likely to lean on its rushing attack. That makes his target volume hard to trust. Sit him.
Sit: Hayden Hansen, Florida vs Texas
Through four games, Hansen has 22 targets, 15 catches for 121 yards (8.1 YPC) and just one touchdown. That shows he’s getting some usage, but the production is modest and heavily touchdown-dependent. Texas brings one of the top defenses in the country, limiting passing lanes and applying steady pressure. Florida’s passing game has been up and down, which makes tight end usage hard to trust in this matchup. Sit him.
Closing
Those are my picks for this week. Remember, every Tuesday–Thursday, I’ll drop a reminder on my X account. If you’ve got a lineup question, drop it in the comments. If it’s a good one, I’ll feature it in that week’s Start/Sit. If you play it like this, you are playing to your strengths and not the noise. Next Friday, I’ll be back with three more at each position. I want to thank everyone who reached out to me on X, Discord, or Slack. I really appreciate the support.
Win Now, Brag Later.
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