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Start Terry McLaurin or Deebo Samuel?

Plus, who’s the better flex play: Frank Gore or James White?

Getty Images/Pete Rogers Illustrations

Welcome to the Fake Teams’ fantasy football mailbag! If you want to send in your questions for next week’s mailbag, here are the ways to join:

  • tweet @petemrogers or @Faketeams using #FTFFmailbag
  • email at ftffmailbag@gmail.com
  • leave your question in the comments!

Onto the mailbag:

Q: Scary Terry, Sanders or Sheppard. Pick 2, non ppr.
— Grant H.

Terry McLaurin is a must start until he gives us a bad week. Especially with the Bears defense coming off a week where they let Emmanuel Sanders run free, I would hope we can expect similar results from Scary Terry (even more especially when you consider that Washington has yet to be able to run the ball, meaning they’re going to have to pass wildly to keep this a game).

I know it means placing your faith in Danny Dimes, but I’m starting Sterling Sheppard over Miles Sanders. Sanders has had multiple opportunities to show us something and he hasn’t been able to get it going. Meanwhile, Shepard steps into the number one receiver role and hopefully will become Daniel Jones’ go-to receiver. I also think this game could involve a lot of passing on New York’s side because their defense is terrible and the Buccaneers will hopefully figure out that they have a ton of offensive weapons and that they are good things to use.

Q: 0.5 PPR: My WR’s are K Allen, M Evans, R Woods, T McLaurin, and T Boyd. I already have Fournette in at FLEX. Who should fill my 3 WR slots? I’m currently leaning Allen, Evans, & Boyd. Thanks as always!
— @AndetheEngineer

Indulge me as I show my work.

Obviously you don’t bench Keenan Allen or Mike Evans so those two guys are locks for me. I’m worried about the Rams receivers this week as the Browns secondary has been really strong to start this season, so no Robert Woods for me. Both McLaurin and Tyler Boyd have touch matchups this week, facing the Bears and Bills respectively. I think I’m going to stay on brand here and since I’ve already say McLaurin is a must start until he’s not, start McLaurin!

Q: Pick 2 PPR: Michel, Mclaurin, Samuel, Fuller and Hardman.
— Domenic E.

Sony Michel is a lock given that he’s facing the Jets defense and they’ve given up the 12th most fantasy points to running backs to start the season. I also think this game will get out of hand fast and the ground game will be heavily featured in order to finish out the clock.

My debate for the second spot comes down to the man of this week McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. I think I’d side with Samuel here given that he’s facing a garbage Steelers pass defense, even if they do have newly added Minkah Fitzpatrick on the squad. Both these guys have shown to be the number one option in their offense so honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong either way (but I’d put my money on Samuel).

Q: Flexin’ the f#@& out : Standard scoring. Frank Gore vs Bengals, Marvin Lewis Jr. vs Eagles, or James White vs Jets. Rock on!!!
— Michael V.

I assume you need one of these guys for your flex spot? And I assume you meant Marvin Jones Jr? It doesn’t matter because the correct answer is Frank Gore. The Ageless One had 68 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries last week against the Giants. With rookie Devin Singletary likely out for the week, Gore will have the unquestioned lead in a backfield facing the Bengals, who just gave up 259 rushing yards to the 49ers last week. I’m all in on Gore this week.

Have fantasy football questions? You can email them into FTFFmailbag@gmail.com or tweet them at @petemrogers or @faketeams using the hashtag #FTFFmailbag.