Start Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Myles Gaskin in your Flex?

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Onto the mailbag:

Q: Carson, Hyde or Henderson? I’m leaning on Henderson. Cooks or Higgins? And Waller or Shultz?
— @jesusga46680911

Darrell Henderson always and forever. Henderson has been the clear best back in Los Angeles and the way the Rams have been running the football, you want whatever back you can out of LA. Robinson has seen at least 14 touches in each of the last two games and scored a touchdown in each. Facing off against a Giants team giving up the ninth most points to running backs to start the year, I like Henderson to keep the hypetrain chugging down the tracks.

My “Will Fuller WR1 Week” has already taken a hit with Fuller showing up with a hamstring injury on the practice report (for the record, Will Fuller will still be a WR1 this week WE ALL MUST BELIEVE!) which could lead to a big time Brandin Cooks week. I know Cooks’ usage has been hard to rely on so far this season but against the Vikings, I like every single one of Houston’s speedy downfield pass catchers to have a big game. The Vikings are giving up the fourth most fantasy points to wide outs and the second most yards per target, almost 10.4 yards which is only topped by the Seahawks’ staggering 10.7. Higgins I think could have a good game but I’m putting my faith in Cooks destroying his matchup against MIN.

Waller. The Patriots are just really good at taking away a team’s best player. Don’t overthink it. Also Bills are giving up the second most receiving yards to tight ends so far this season.

Q: Gaskin or MVS for flex?
— feslenraster

I like this question a lot.

With Allen Lazard out and Davante Adams still questionable to play, Marquez Valdes-Scantling might be Aaron Rodgers only wide receiver against a Falcons defense that can’t stop opposing wide receivers (giving up third most points to position). Yes last week was a let down for him, but prior to Week 3, MVS had seen six and seven targets respectively which shows Rodgers’ confidence in the still young receiver.

On the flip side, Myles Gaskin has been the workhorse back for the Dolphins all season long and what makes him so appealing this week is his reliable usage in the passing game. Gaskin has had four, six, and five catches through the first three weeks which is reliable work, adding onto the 12 carries per game he’s averaging. Now the Seahawks run defense is much better than their pass defense, allowing the second fewest rushing yards to running backs in the NFL through three games. Last week they stymied Ezekiel Elliott on the ground, allowing just 34 yards on 14 carries. Zeke added a touchdown and 24 yards through the air to help his numbers.

I went into this picking Gaskin, but I think I’ve talked myself into MVS. Gaskin isn’t a bad start this week despite the tough matchup, but the Dolphins might just pass and pass and pass and that would basically turn Gaskin into a wide receiver in terms of touches, which makes him less valuable than MVS in my opinion.

MVS gets my vote.

Q: In my league, I’m debating which TE to pick (1.5 PPR for TE if that changes anything): Gesicki, Hurst, or Allie-Cox, and also which RB to pick: Hunt, Hines, Swift, or David Johnson.
— @a_a_ron_att

Let’s start with your running back debate. If Kareem Hunt’s groin doesn’t keep him out Sunday, which it seems like it won’t, then I’m all aboard Hunt this week. Nic on yesterday’s RB1 Podcast actually said he’d rank Hunt over Nick Chubb this week. That’s some confidence! If Hunt is out, or the groin injury seems to be more serious than the Browns are letting on, I’d go with David Johnson > Nyheim Hines > D’Andre Swift.

Circling back to your tight end question, go with Mike Gesicki. The Dolphins vs Seahawks game is certain to be a high-scoring, pass catching affair given that’s been every game both teams have played so far this season and Gesicki has been the Dolphins number one receiver so far this year in terms of yards, targets, team target share, and red zone targets. Basically, every stat that is good for fantasy, Gesicki leads the Dolphins in. He’s a no-doubt start for the rest of the year.

Q: Should I start Jarvis Landry, Russel Gage or Tee Higgins this week? Full ppr
— @Joegreen03Green

Jarvis Landry. Russell Gage is still making his way through concussion protocol while I like Tee Higgins this week (see above Cooks vs Higgins battle) but I think this whole Browns offense is a must start against the Cowboys. It’s going to be a high scoring affair and the Boys are giving up the second most points to wide receivers so I like both Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. to eat this week.

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