The Football Guru

Another great point, although you're going to find every quarterback sail a throw or three when you review 200-300 of them. Lamar was more of a pocket passer than he was given credit for out of college (I remember saying almost exactly that in my profile of him), but Daniels is truly a precision passer IMO inside of 20 yards. Caleb Williams is the more gifted passer per se, but he does improvise a lot (2022 was not much different than 2023 in that regard).

First point: you are absolutely correct about it being coachable. Second point: you made a great point, so I went through just his 2023 season to look at his four interceptions. Here they are: https://youtu.be/8GPmGrpW6rY?t=518 (WR fell down) https://youtu.be/cTPN8OurkAY?t=61 (trap) https://youtu.be/mmKtr4B9u0M?t=375 (tip) https://youtu.be/Tk-gQlHRdG0?t=733 (tip) The "trap" is the only one I would consider a semi-bad decision, although college QBs don't see a lot of Cover 2 trap coverage, which is what this was. I didn't review this game when I was putting the profile together, but I don't think I would have added it to the piece even if I did see it.

Without giving it too much thought, I think low-end QB1 is where I would start with him. He's not as gifted of a runner as Jayden Daniels (and he's not the passer Daniels is yet either), but the talent is undeniable and the supporting cast may be top-five all-time for a No. 1 overall pick.

I have the 1.03 in a one-quarterback dynasty league and will strongly consider him there, especially if he lands in Chicago. (I am in great shape at every other position besides QB.) Harrison/Nabers/Odunze would likely begin 2024 as my WR5 at best. With DJ Moore and Keenan Allen as his top WRs, I don't see how he fails. But I like him a lot less if he goes just about anywhere else.

Holy crap ... a 10+ year-old take

Hey kids ... I have some news. I was named a finalist for two FSWA awards yesterday.

Seth?

You know the drill by now. I want to use some of your questions for championship week in my final column of the regular season. Hopefully, I have helped more of you than I have hurt with my answers so far Please ask them below or tweet me @DougOrth. Dynasty questions are also fair game. All I ask is that you include anything that would help me sway my decision one way or the other, especially if there is an unusual scoring setup. I will assume that you are OK with your question(s) being featured in the column(s) unless you say otherwise. Please submit them by 6 pm EST on Wednesday evening.

I would have gone with Monty. If you didn't, White would be my pick.

Don't think you can go wrong with either WR. I suppose you make a compelling case against Evans, so it sounds like you are leaning Smith. And I hope I'm wrong, but Arizona's heavy usage of two-high safeties could make today a Smith day. I suppose I'd go with Mixon. Just like two weeks ago, I think Houston sells out to stop Henry.

Higgins

After causing Kupp to drop two potential TDs with my advice to you last week, I'm almost scared to answer ... I get the desire to start Nacua. I think my lean would be Olave first and Kupp second. I really get the sense Stafford will want to get his guy feeling good about himself again. The Rams' offense is humming right now and the Giants' blitz could lead to multiple big-play receiving scores. I'm sure Stroud will have a good game, but I also prefer to let guys coming off an injury prove it to me again - especially if they are youngsters - if I have that luxury. I think you have that luxury with Stafford.

I would prefer to use a little more logic with my decision here, but my reasoning for Indy is well worth considering: all of the Raiders' offensive TDs over the last three games were scored in the Chargers' no-show in Week 15.

I am facing the same dilemma at QB in a dynasty title game. I am leaning Fields for now, but I think I would prefer Murray. However, he has been ill the last two days and probably won't have Hollywood again. So, I'm probably sticking with Fields. I am still not sure I can sit Barkley, but I think it is more understandable this week. I have my doubts about Kmet playing this week, so I'm on board with Likely. I would not expect much UNLESS Zay Flowers is ruled out. Then I could see Likely getting force-fed a bit more.

I don't think I could play Waddle with what we know right now. "Not a serious high ankle" is still enough of a high ankle to drastically affect performance, which is not something that he needs going against perhaps the best defense in the league. I will address the first part of your question in the column.

You talked me into it. Seriously. Thielen has a solid matchup, but I don't think last week (against a soft defense) was nearly enough to sway me away from a high-ceiling option like Shaheed, who also gets a big bump in this league because of the return game. I do not see a ton of upside with London and I tend to believe Brissett will lean more on McLaurin than Samuel this week.

As has become an annual tradition for me, I would like to use my final three columns of the season to answer your start/sit questions for the fantasy playoffs. Please ask them below or tweet me @DougOrth. Dynasty questions are also fair game. All I ask is that you include anything that would help me sway my decision one way or the other, especially if there is an unusual scoring setup. I will assume that you are OK with your question(s) being featured in the column(s) unless you say otherwise.

I hope you went Schultz. Sucks that NO laid an egg last night (again).

I would go Henry over everyone above, but we have no idea how healthy he is right now.

This sets up as more of a Monty game (vs. Gibbs). The hard part about going Chandler is Detroit is the second-toughest matchup for RBs this year. Alim McNeill being on IR helps his cause though. I think I would go Monty, but I don't have a strong lean either way.

It's that bad? Osborn for me. Better chance Osborn goes deep. I have been real disappointed in Buffalo's reluctance to increase Shakir's role after what he did during Knox's absence.

I can't buy Singletary in a bad matchup or Doubs. So I am pretty sure I would roll with Olave, Swift and Hopkins. With that said, Swift vs. Singletary is close.

I say this with almost no confidence, but Brown would probably be the way I go. Virtually no TD upside with Thielen. There is at least a bit with Brown in a tough matchup.

My lean would be toward Cleveland, especially if Stroud is ruled out. Houston has allowed at least four sacks in five straight. The Browns should be able to make a few plays on the ball with Keenum that it might not make with Stroud. If Stroud plays, I would probably go with KC.

A big thank you to each of you for submitting questions. It makes writing a late-season column easy and allows me to provide what I believe is pertinent advice. Happy Holidays!