Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Compare players to see who you should start or sit this week, powered by PFN's expert projections.
Who Should I Start?
Add two or more players to compare them side by side.
Compare players side by side — season projection, overall & position rank, live injury status, and this week's matchup.
Player A
Add a player
Player B
Add a player
Player A
Add a player to compare
Player B
Add a player to compare
How It Works
Projections
Players are ordered by our experts' projected fantasy points.
Injury Status
OUT, Doubtful, and Questionable players are clearly flagged.
Side-by-Side
Compare season projection, overall & position rank, and the week's matchup.
What Is PFN's Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer?
PFN's Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer is a free tool that compares two or more NFL players side by side to help you set your weekly fantasy lineup. For each player it shows Pro Football Network's expert season-long projection, overall rank, position rank, live injury status, and that week's matchup, so you can weigh your options in one place. It works across all six major scoring formats and requires no sign-up.
How Does PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer Work?
Choose your scoring format, then search for and add the players you're deciding between. The optimizer lines them up side by side with each player's projected fantasy points, overall and positional rank, injury designation (such as Questionable or Out), and weekly opponent. You can compare players at the same position or across positions for a flex call, and add more than two at once — the tool presents the expert data and leaves the final start/sit decision to you.
What Does 'Start/Sit' Mean in Fantasy Football?
In fantasy football, 'start/sit' is the weekly decision of which players to put in your active lineup (start) and which to leave on your bench (sit). Only the players you start earn points toward your matchup, so choosing correctly between similar options is one of the most important skills in fantasy. PFN's free Start/Sit Optimizer helps by showing expert projections, ranks, injuries, and matchups for the players you're comparing.
How Do I Decide Who To Start in Fantasy Football?
Compare the players on four things: their projected fantasy points, their rank at the position, their injury status, and how favorable their matchup is that week. A higher projection and a better matchup generally point to a start, while an Out or Doubtful designation is a reason to bench. PFN's free Start/Sit Optimizer puts all of those data points side by side so you can make the call quickly.
Should I Start a Running Back or Wide Receiver in My Flex?
Start whichever player projects better and has the stronger matchup that week, regardless of position — there is no universal right answer. Because a flex spot can hold a running back, wide receiver, or tight end, the best choice depends on your scoring format and the specific matchups. PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer lets you compare a running back, wide receiver, and tight end head-to-head so you can pick the best option.
What Scoring Formats Does the Start/Sit Optimizer Support?
PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer supports six scoring formats: PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard (non-PPR), plus Superflex versions of each — Superflex PPR, Superflex Half-PPR, and Superflex Standard. The Superflex formats are the setup used by Superflex and 2-QB leagues, where quarterbacks carry more value. The projections and rankings update to match the format you select, so the comparison always reflects your league's settings.
Where Do the Projections and Rankings Come From?
The projections and rankings in PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer come from Pro Football Network's fantasy analysts, Jason Katz and Kyle Soppe. They are expert, season-long fantasy projections that are updated regularly to reflect the latest NFL news, injuries, and matchups.
Does the Optimizer Tell Me Exactly Who To Start?
No — PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer is a neutral, side-by-side comparison rather than a one-line verdict. Because season-long projections often separate two players by only a point or two, the tool shows you the underlying data — projections, ranks, injury status, and matchup — and lets you make the final start/sit decision yourself.
Is PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer Free?
Yes. PFN's Start/Sit Optimizer is completely free to use on Pro Football Network, with no sign-up required. You can compare as many players as you want, as often as you want, all season long.